Junior A Review

The Junior A. team has had an unfortunate season. Hopes were high when the competition opened, but little has been achieved.

The loss of both five-eighths has proved a severe handicap and the consequent extra work thrown on the remainder of the backs has not lightened their task. As originally constituted, the team functioned well against Porirua in the opening game, when they registered their only win. Since then, throgh injuries and other causes, their effective power has dwindled and the fine pack of forwards who have gone well every Saturday have seen their good efforts wasted. With anything like a decent back team, they could have, on at least two occasions turned defeat into victory. However, the first round having been unkind, the second may be more lenient.

Henderson and Simm will throw their weight into the backs in future and will give a much-needed aid to the team. Of the forwards, Drummond Shannon Berendsen and Craig may be mentioned as just shading the remainder of a good solid pack. With McVeagh as full-back, the team was very fortunate, but through the dearth of backs whose places were filled with emergencies (and forwards in some cases), an enormous amount of work was thrown on his hands, and it is to his credit that he never shirked or linched at his sometimes impossible task. On several occasions he has had to retire unwillingly through injuries, but the next Saturday found him at his post again. Scotney, at half, hared the honours on defence with McVeagh well and willingly. Murphy and Johnston would have made a great attacking combination as five-eighths, but both these players were out early in the season through injuries.

Arnold, on the wing, is still as strong and powerful a runner as ever, but with little or no ball this potential try-getter's services have been annulled. Dan Campbell at centre, is captain of the side, which to date, has put through about 30 players never having had the same fifteen twice. This is enough toworry any captain but Dan still remains cheerful and the team are a happy family.

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