THE RUGBY FIELD

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 15 July 1935, Page 3

THE RUGBY FIELD

Competition Games. Saturday’s matches leave no change in the championship table. Waipawa nearly brought off a surprise, their close game with Waipukurau showing that their senior team, recently strengthened by the best of their juniors, will now be a combination to reckon with. They are now liable to upset any of the leading teams. Old Boys were too strong for Onga Onga, but the country team gave an improved showing. There was not a great deal of interest taken in Saturday’s games, but the remaining four games of the competition will be followed with the greatest of interest. Te Aute v. Wanganui College. Many Central enthusiasts will no doubt journey to Te Aute on Wednesday next. The above game always attracts a great crowd and generally produces splendid football. Waipukurau will be represented in the match on this occasion as Des. Bradley, son of Mr. V. H. Bradley, is one of the Wanganui party. This lad showed promise as a wing-three-quarter when a schoolboy in Waipukurau, and it is pleasing to see our local boys doing well in the field of sport. If Silverstream meet Te Aute it is quite possible that their fifteen also will include lads hailing from these parts. & Seven-a-Sside Tournament. This event is billed for next Saturday. Veteran offers the following advice to those taking part: — 1. Make yourself thoroughly conversant with the rules governing this game and the conditions set down for the tournament. 2. Keep your team together all the time, and be ready to run out on the field the moment you are called. 3. Have a definite plan of attack; combination and fitness will win the day. 4. Pass just before you are collared and immediately run into place for another pass. You are no good to your side lying on the ground, but if you must go down see that you have an opponent down for company —but do not • use illegal tactics to achieve this. 5. When you kick, kick with a purpose—not indiscriminately. There will be plenty of gaps to kick to, but consider just what value kicking is in this type of play. Possession is the big thing in seven-a-side games. Your team should consider carefully the kicking question before taking the field. 6. Decide, too, what formation suits your side. Most teams prefer two forwards and five backs; some play a full-back. Having been placed, however, remember that every player has a roving commission in seven-a-side and you must be ready for anything. 7. Keep your eye on the Ball. A dropped pass or mulled catch spells “danger.” 8. The side first on attack generally wins. Decide how to put your side on attack from the kick-off.

9. Above all, play to the whistle. The referee will do his best. He has a harder time than you do on seven-a-side day. 10. Put warm clothes on immediately after each game. I’m not worrying about you catching cold, but all athletes have to be warmed up to do their best; so get warm and keep warm, and don’t allow your muscles to become cold between games. Things to Remember. In last week’s notes on kicking I stressed the importance of following through. I also mention above the importance of keeping the eye on the ball when taking a pass or a catch. This is another golden rule in all ball games. Apply it to your kicking; it is just as important as following through, particularly in the case of a drop-kick or place-kick. The player who looks, to the goal-post as he kicks is as unsuccessful as the tennis player or golfer who looks to where he hopes to hit the ball. You should see your foot actually make contact with the ball.