THE LEAGUE GAME.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15002, 22 July 1922, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE LEAGUE GAME.

(By “Verax.”) Tlie match between Ngaruawahia and the Hamilton B team last Saturday was a very fast and open game, and the 'back division, as the scores indicated, were given plenty of opportunities to distinguish themselves. The Ngaruawahia team was a far heavier one than the local combination, while the individual work on the part of its members also helped to give the Ngaruawahia team the advantage. The forwards of the respective teams were fairly evenly matched, but it was in combination amongst the backs that the visitors excelled. Amongst the Hamilton forwards E. V email was the most outstanding player, and his play on the day would entitle him to a place in the A representative team. Of the other Hamilton forwards Glover and G. Vernall were probably the pick, although the others all worked hard. The two Hamilton backs most worthy of individual mention were Coombes and Campbell. The firstnamed was responsible on several occasions for opening up play very nicely. Jacques, at full-back, gave a fairly good display, although at times his handling was rather weak. Hutt on the day’s play was the outstanding player in the Ngaruawahia pack. His feat of running through practically the whole Hamilton team to score a try was very creditable. The other forwards were a good, hard-working, even lot. The Ngaruawahia backs were a good, fast combination. Wilson-Hall and Menzies were the two best members of the rearguard. Menzies, on the wing, was particularly fast and in good scoring mood. The Hamilton representatives will play Lower Waikato representatives at Huntly on August 5 for the Endean Shield. Lower Waikato has held the shield for a lengthy time, but if the local team would only get into hard training they would have a good chance of breaking Lower Waikato’s long run of successes. Twenty men 'have been chosen to go into training with U view to the Shield

game, and are assembling at the new training shed every Thursday evening. The junior game between Athletics and Frankton on Saturday last proved very interesting and even. Frankton were superior in the first half, but Athletics appeared to more than hold their own during the latter stages. The final scores were 10 points to 5 in favour of Frankton. Athletics have, however, lodged a protest against the referee’s decision, and the matter will come up for discussion next Tuesday evening. The HamiltomCambridge match gave rise to a spirited contest. In the first half Hamilton had much the better of play, but in the second half Cambridge gave their opponents a torrid time. ■ The Hamilton forwards were very evenly matched, and, in fact, it would be unfair to make individual mention of any of them. The local backs were an excellent combination and at many stages dominated play. Probably the best of them were Payne, N. Vernall and Fitzgerald. Cambridge was extremely well served in the forward division. On practically every occasion the red and white hookers managed to secure the ball from the scrum. The Cambridge backs played a fine spectacular game, their handling in particular being of a 'high order. With a little more luck the backs would probably have placed their team in the lead at the conclusion of the game.