SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20522, 11 June 1938, Page 22 (Supplement)

SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

(By “Spectator”)

WAIKATO’S FIRST RUGBY MATCH

Great Forward Battle : Home Inside Backs Weak : Len Russell Improves His Prospects for Australian Tour : Wynyard Also Displays All Black Form : McLean Still in Aew Zealand Class : Assembling of Waikato Team : Stag Trophy Draw

THE Auckland-Waikato Rugby match this week was the same old talc—superior combination and speed among the backs on the part of Auckland. It has always been so and will continue to be so unless Waikato can assemble its team for several practices and a trial game, before this big match eventuates. It is easier said than done, admittedly, but it is about time something was attempted that will place Waikato football on to its proper pedestal. If Auckland continues to beat Waikato by such wide margins, although the games are far more even than tiie scores would indicate, the attendances must fall away. This latest match was again favoured by great weather but taken on the whole the Rugby was not brilliant. It was more of a rugged and torrid forward battle, between two magnificent packs, although there were several glimpses of bright, snappy combined back play and even - apses of brilliant individualism. The impetus given to the public's interest in Rugby by the Springboks In New Zealand last year was evidenced in the gate, the crowd being a record for any WaikatoAuckland game and surpassing the previous attendance in 1934 by several thousands. The fact that the New Zealand selector was in attendant and that several players with chances of touring Australia were participating in the match were added attractions, and taken on the whole, the crowd must have had their money’s worth. Tio- outstanding features, to my mind, were the performances of L. Russell and .1. G. Wynyard for W aikato and .1- Dick for Auckland. All materially *nhaticed their excellent chances of making the All Black t*arn. Then- were others there also who must have taken the eye of Mr E. McKenzie, particularly 11. F. McLean. McLean led the Auckland pack in grand stile and on his play on Monday is still worthy of a place in any New Zealand team. Whether he could maintain that form now on a stren ious tour is another thing but on the day he was certainly an All Black forward.

From Waikato's point of view the moat encouraging feature of the match was the exhibition by the diminutive halfback, L. Russell. This player was very unfortunate in not playing for New Zealand last season and he must now receive every consideration. He has displayed his best form in club matches at MorrinsviUe th s season and confirmed this by his play against Auckland. -Another satisfactorv feature was the way he came through tho rough handling he received from the Auckland forwards. Any doubt as to whether he has recovered from the shoulder injury he received in Wellington has bren now definitely settled, flussell played an amazing same'. He definitely has not the polish of the city halfbacks but he does twice ns much work and i* decidedly more useful to his side. He allows bin backs to get under way just as smartly when given the ball and varies fits play better while his defence is remarkable. Whenever Waikato was in trouble on Monday It was Russell who saved them. He bobbed up in the most unlikely places just when he was needed time and again. He also made two or three brilliant breaks down the centre but was never supported. The biz Auekand forwards tried many Mnr.es to kick or dribble the ball past him but he foiled them every time. His low tackling should have b*<»n an oblert lesson ♦o the other Inside barks as he brought hfs man down every time. Cooney, the Auckland half, was solid without being brilliant and he had more polish hut counting results he did not compare with Russell.

Hawke was a good average five eighths, but he did not send the ball along to his speedy outsides as he should have. He himself did not ap pear to have the necessary speed while his tackling was also at fault. Both n • and Gillespie overdid the cutting l*i when it was getting them nowhere a-> the backing up of the Auckland team was splendid. Russell and Everest were the only Waikato backs who backed up at all consistently, though Gillespie also did some fine work in this connection. Gillespie was also a trifle too slow' and his kicking was inaccurate. He defended very solidly, in the first half, but his vis-a-vis always got the ball away as, or just before, he' was tackled, while Gillespie was caught in possession. The Auckland five-eighths and three quarters handled the ball like a marhine. their snappy and faultless chain passing delighting the crowd. Bradley at second five-sighths justified his selection, but Prentice did come up to the expectations of the crowd. He did nothing wrong, but neither did he do anything really spectacular. Everest, kept him well In check practically throughout. D. Solomon, a former

The only other two Waikato back«. who really showed truly representative form were L. Haworth and n. Everest, llaworth was playing his first game for the Waikato team and he fully Justified Inclusion. Perhaps he ciuld have given his backs a run on one or two occasions Instead of kicking, but taken on the whole he player! a fine game. |ffs handling was sure, his kicking with either foot accurate, and he nearly always found the line, while Ms tackling was masterly. Low and hard every time he saved several •cores by bringing his man down. The

only thing he lacks is pace and experience as he was out of position on a few occasions. He is only young, however, and with better positional play his lack of real pace will not ba so apparent. He must be persevered with on Monday s display. Everest was in an unfortunate position. He hardly saw the ball on attack, and when he did he was smothered before he had it properly in his grasp, where he had to tackle other back besides h!» own opponent all day. Noted as one of the best tacklers In th# Waikato, Everest upheld his reputation. At times it looked as If he was missing his man. but he was baulked by the Auckland second five-eighths cutting through and often as not he took him first and the wing man also. It was a pity that he. Sayers and Tombs did not se£ more of the ball, but Waikato’s Inside backs cannot be criticised too harshly as they had to be re-arrang**d at the last minute. Tombs on one winr. had a difficult task opposing Dirk and h* attempted low tarlJes every time, but he made the mistake of not holding on after he had brought his man down and twice Dirk regVrmd his feet to score. Tombs must be given credit for the manner in which he attempted hard tackles, but he "ain" in too fast most times and was brushed osfde before he could turn. Saverc. or the other wing, did not play on t*»e Saturday and was called upon without tr mne at the last minute lie is pitrrtr an attacking plaver and it was unfortunate for him that he d»d nat TereK* I rhancp to demonstrate his . tin through once and twice rame right floirt fast to Mock pick, but on the whole his defence was shaky.

Waikato half and five-eighths, appealed to the crowd as fullback. He was always in position and his kicking was good, though he did not always find the line. He was very agile and frequently beat four or five forwards when hard pressed to clear amidst applause. As a versatile player he should again tour, more or less as a utility player.

The Waikato Captain, J. G. Wynyard further enhanced his prospects of getting away by playing a very hard game. He was in the thick of it throughout, and although he was beaten in the lineouts in the first spell by Webb and I.ocklngton, he improved in this department In the second spell and Auckland at the end took scrums Instead of lineouts because of Wynyard's domlnence in the lineouts. He put more weight Into the scrums and was always on the ball. When his knee injury laid him low It was at first thought that he had suffered a recurrence of his old trouble but it was only a kick on the other knee and next day he was quite fit again. His old injury did not trouble him at all and he also has settled any any doubts as to whether he will be fit enough. Warrender was, perhaps, the best of the other forwards. Always on the ball he greatly impressed but it is difficult to pick the forwards out individually. They all played the hard rugecd type of game for which Waikato is now famous. Galley hooked splendidly and gained more of the ball than Bond, though there was something wrong with the scrum that could not be seen from where T was slMinc. Too often the ball did not go in at all and then again Waikato hooked when Bussell put it In and Auckland hooked it when Cooney placed it in. Auckland had trouble In the front row and Pearce

was taken out and placed in ‘he back with Carson in the - front row. this did not remedy the defect. Flannagan broke smartly from the scrums in the second half and did some good spoiling work while he was more prominent In lending dashes after the interval. Taylor, and A. Thompson were right up to the highest standard while there could be no complaint about the play of the two Cambridge representatives. Harbutt and Hall.

As I have said before. Auckland's outstanding forward, in one of the best packs Auckland have ever fielded In Hamilton, was McLean. Next to him I would place Webb, a tireless worker, equally ns efficient in the lineouts. rucks, or scrums. W'phb is the English International forward and he is a really good one. Closely following Webb was A. Brown, the Auckland sprinter. Having amazing pace for his size and the ability to turn it to account Brown again impressed Waikato fans. Two of Auckland's North Island representatives, in my opinion, did rot come up to exportations. Particularly was this so in the case of Carson. Carson was stated to be the coming forward of New Zealand, but there wore many better than he was on Rucby Park on Monday. Pearce vers another forward of whom more was expected. Certainly he scored one deserved try after twice just missing. Tfe Is an ideal type as far as build is concerned hut lacked the extra dash and ability to grasp an opportunity required in an All Black. At any rate th<s appeared to be the case on Mondav. T.nok?ngtnn played a far better game than either Pearce or Carson. Taken, on the whole, however. Auckland's team was a credit to Mr F. W. Luca* an ! It is doubtful whether he will make many changes from his first chosen se'ntatfve side for Auckland

Remarkable Record. Playing for Kent against Hampshire, at Southampton last Saturday. Frank Woolley made 47 runs, bringing his

aggregate in first-class cricket to 57.644, E. Hendren (.Middlesex,, who retired Jast season to take up a coaching appointment at Harrow, made •57,603 runs in his career. Woolley also lias taken 2048 wickets and made 803 catches. “Surely,” says the Daily Mail, “Woolley's all-round performances are unique in first-class cricket.” Stag Trophy Second Round. The second round of the Stag Trophy district Rugby football competition will commence on June 25 and end on August 6. There will be no competition games on June 18 when the Auckland-Waikato representative : match will be played at Auckland. The draw for tlie second round of the Stag Trophy competition, is as follows: June 25: To Awamutu v. Old Boys, at Hamilton; Cambridge v. Technical at Cambridge; Frankton v. Rovers at Te Awamutu; Tauplri a bye. July 2: Frankton v. Te Awamutu, at Hamilton; Rovers v. Cambridge at Te Awamutu; Taupiri v. Technical, at Ngaruawahla; Old Boys, a bye. July [): Old Boys v. Frankton, at Hamilton; Cambridge v. Taupiri, at. Cambridge; Te Awamutu v. Technical, at Te Awamutu; Rovers, a bye. July 1G: Old Boys v. Technical, at Hamilton; Cambridge v. Frankton, at Te Awamutu; Taupiri v. Rovers, at Xgaruawahia; Te Awamutu, a bye. July 23: Frankton v. Taupiri, at Hamilton; Cambridge v. Old Boys, at Cambridge; Te Awamutu v. Rovers, at Tc Awamutu; Technical a bye. July 30: Technical v. Rovers, at Hamilton; Te Awamutu v. Cambridge, nt Te Awamutu; Taupiri V. Old Boys, ! at Xgaruawahia; Frankton, a bye’. August G; Old Boys v. Rovers and | Technical v. Frankton.,at Hamilton; Te | Awamutu v. Taupiri. at Tc Awamutu; I Cambridge a bye. ‘ 1 Basketball Tournament. I A fair measure of success was gainI ed by the Waikato men’s and ladies’ I basketball teams which travelled to ! Wellington last week to take part in I the first national indoor basketball | championships, and as a high standard prevailed throughout it is all the more credit to the local trains that they gained major points in their sections. In the men s section there were ten from ail parts of the Dominion, and the championship was won by «>tago. who were far ahead of any other team in experience. The Waikato men's team acquitted themselves j 'cry creditably throughout the com- ! petitions, considering they were the ! only team who had no American play- * ers or coaches and after they had defeated Nelson and Wellington their ; chances of annexing the title appeared \ery bright. However, the Otago repj resentatives were a powerful combina- | tion and in the semi-final they aecountipd for the Waikato players to the tune : °f 32—16. The outstanding players I in the local team were C. Littlejohn, ; at centre. W. Higginson and R. .Toyes. :n the forwards, and G. Porteous (caplin . .T. Hayrraft and A. Malcolm, all of whom played well above themselves. The ladies- championship was annexed by Nelson, after beating Waikato by ope coal. Tim decision was ; hard foueht and was gained only after ; three extra spells had bc*n played. In I Mi- first round Waikato defeated Onnj ferbnry without any difficult’.- bv 3 2 Points to 12, On the day the Waikato ka d f e s were considered as the best combination in their section and looked fo be likelv winners. However, they •«-r-e a t 3 disadvantage in height when ; they met the Nelson team and the;

lost the decision, the' final score being 26 —24. The foremost players in an excellent combination were R. Sweeney 'captain), P. Adanlp. Both at centre, N. Parker, A. Taylor, at goals, and B. Davis and P. Hewlett, on defence. The coach, Mr L. Cross, expressed pleasure at the performances of all Waikato players who had taken part, and stated that great improvement was shown by j the players in their latter game's. This, | he stated, may be accounted for by ! the experience they gained in'meeting | learns from other districts. Undoubted- ' ly the standard of basketball in Hamilton would benefit greatly as a result of the Waikato teams’ visit to the championship fixture.