Final Trials.

Saturday 27th March 1971 saw a further series of trials to help guide the selectors in choosing the Senior, Junior 1st and Under-18 squads. While the numbers of players presenting themselves for these trials must be a cause of satisfaction to the club it is difficult to ensure that every candidate for a position is treated fairly. Some players, particularly those who have had only one spell on a Saturday, are perhaps entitled to feel disappointed when their names are not included in the squad they strove to make. They should remember that no selector is infallible and that those players who have made the higher graded squad can play themselves out of a side just as easily as they played themselves in.

So let all be reminded that the player who does his best in the trails and continues to do so in whichever team he finds himself is the player who ultimately attains the position he desires. The player who shines in trial matches often finds his position threatened by someone who dedicates himself to his training and to his team, and after all when the "crunch" comes during vital games later in the season the team is always thankful for dedication rather than glamour.

The Committee and the coaches are aware of those who have regularly attended pre-season training organised by the club and of those who were infrequent attenders. Some of the latter who have made sides they sought will feel the hot breath of competition from the fitter players who have dedicated themselves to a regular training programme.

In the early trial game a shadow Senior Fust side managed to overcome an energetic combination of all-comers: not without some difficulty. Players who caught the eye in the First side, apart from the members of a generally hard working pack ably led by Kerry McDonald, were Wiggins at fullback (who is showing signs of producing the form which earned him representative status in the 2nd division last year), and Wallis who gave everyone a demonstration of how tries could and should be scored by aggressive wing three quarter play. Gowland, the former Plunket Shield opening bowler, looks to have a promising future in Senior Rugby, and Barlow at halfback was the shrewd tactician, judiciously feeding his back line and nursing his forwards.

The all comers side was subject to many changes in order to give all players an opportunity, and admiration must be expressed for the energetic approach of all forwards who wore the multi-coloured jerseys sported by this team. It would not really be fair to name any particular forward as each and every one of them gave of their best. In the backs P. Mora and Kennedy combined well, the former thrusting his way with characteristic aggression into the Senior 1st side for the first competition game on Saturday 3rd April Grayson showed great promise at fullback, displaying great courage time and time again. The Junior 1st and under 19 trials produced a plethora of excellent young footballers of whom more will be written next week after the final Junior trials and the under 19 grading games. Strong lower grade teams are the foundation of any club and during the season more will be written about such sides.