1939-02-11 — Page 21

THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 11, 1939

To-day's Major Attraction

Malayan R. U. XV Meet

Colony Side In Last Match Of Their Tour.

HARPER AND LUNDON BACK BUT RICHARDSON NOT AVAILABLE

(By “REFEREE")

An exciting struggle is anticipated on the Club ground at Happy Valley this afternoon where the Malayan Rugby Union tourists play the last match of their tour, meeting a strong Colony fifteen com- mencing at 4 p.m. sharp.

Malaya shared 38 points with the Club last Saturday and defeated the Navy last Tuesday by 17 points to 6, so they will be determined to maintain this unbeaten record, while the Colony fifteen will be equally determined to vindicate local Rugby by administer- ing at least one defeat on their visitors.

· Malaya's forwards decided the first two encounters and especial- ly the second against Royal Navy, last Tuesday, when by keeping the ball tight, they frustrated the efforts of the Navy's halves in opening out the game. This afternoon they will be up against a mixed assortment at forward and if they can reproduce any- thing like Tuesday's form, they should accomplish their task suc- cessfully.

STRONGER BACKS Malaya will be much stronger to- day as both D. R. Harper and Gordon Lundon are expected to turn out, Har- per did not shine in the first game, in fact he was quite disappointing,

but I have a feeling that his inclusion to-day will strengthen the confidence of .the team. The inclusion of Gordon Lundon is fairly uncertain at the mo- ment and if there is any doubt as to his ability to withstand any shocks and particularly the gruelling pace anti- cipated, then my advice to the visitors is to omit him.

Richardson's inability to play is a bitter blow as he was one of their best and fastest centrés, but Crai- gie's fine defence in the centre should more than compensate for this loss. Pierece was very sound in last Tuesday's game and can be re- lied upon to do his stuff.

The Colony back division is a for- midable one on paper, although sever- al of the performers have disappointed recently. Stevens was not at his best last Tuesday, but is, nevertheless, a force to be reckoned with, especially in view of his fine tackling.

COLONY BACKS

The Colony's threequarter line is likely to be featured in view of the fact that Bidwell, a centre-threequar- ter, will be playing for the first time on the wing, outside to Grieve. Ask-

with was a big disappointment on Tuesday, but Stewart, the right-wing threequarter, has been consistently good this season and should merit con- siderable attention by the opposing backs. Actually the main danger will emanate from the Askwith-Stewart .combination.

Ewart, who also disappointed last Tuesday, and Simpson, the Malayan halves, are likely to prove the more ..dangerous pair view of their better understanding in spite of the fact they have only played together in two .games.

THE HÅLVES

Simpson, the brains of the Malayan team, should be very prominent to- day, but Ewart will have to improve his handling. Henderson was seen to ad- vantage for Club against Malaya last Saturday, but then he saw more of the ball than his opposite number.

I think that with MacLennan' hook- ing for Malaya to-day, the positions are likely to be reversed.

โย

Elliot's choice as stand-off-half bound to cause disatisfaction in some circles because of his recent perfor- mances, but I have a feeling that we shall see a vast improvement in him -to-day.

He is likely to prove the "key player in this afternoon's match.

VAST IMPROVEMENT .... As a pack, Malaya have made a tre- mendous improvement since last Satur- day and the liveliness of their for- wards, particularly their wing-for-

warda, is likely to have a big say in

to-day's match. Bourne, who

is pro-

bably one of the best wing-forwards in Malaya, will be seen in this position fine performance in the tourists' first to-day, while Procter, who gave a very match against the Club, will be seen as a wing threequarter.

His Excellency the Governor will again be present.

It is interesting to note that this final match has attracted so much at- tention in view of he Malayans' fine

Ldg. Sea. Romans (Navy) gets his hands to the ball during a lineout in last Tuesday's Rugby match at the Valley when Malaya won by 17 points to 6. In this photo can be seen (L. to R.) 'Lt. Dar- ling, Lt. Anderson, R. W. McCall, Lt. Boddington, H. 1. MacLennan, Ldg. Sea. Romans, Shpt, Staples, A. H. Harding and D. McBride. ("China Mail" photo).

To-day's Teams

ALL-MALAYA

D. R. Harper (Selangor) (Capt.)

G. D. A. Lundon (Singapore) A. P. Craigie (Singapore) Lt. J. E. P. Pierce (Army) Lt. J. H. Procter (Army)

J. W. Ewart (Penang) Capt. F. W. Simpson (R.E.)

D. McBride (Selangor Percy Park) H. I. McLennan (Johore) R. W. McCall (R.A.F.)

J. F. M. Roualle (Selangor) P./0. McCall (Perak)

J. M. McHugh (Perak) 1. F. Mackenzie (Johore) P. W. Bourne (Selangor)

ALL-HONG KONG Pay.-Lt. J. E. Stevens (Navy)

D. H. Stewart (Club) Petty Officer T. F. Askwith (Navy) W. E. Grieve (Club)

H. D. Bidwell (Club)

Lt. W. Elliott (Navy) (Capt.) J. R. Henderson (Club)

K. A. Watson (Club) K. W. Salter (Club). 2/Lt. N. H. Cuthbertson (Army)'

W. E. Peers (Club) A. F. Walkden (Club)

Lt. I. M. Anderson (Navy) A. J. G. Taylor (Club) Lt. E. N. Pumphrey (Navy)

Referee Dr. J. A. R. Selby.

SOME PEN SKETCHES

Pay.-Lt. J. E. Stevens (Navy)—first play for Hurst Pler rome Be

School, Sus sex, then joined Royal Navy and play- ed for United Services, Portsmouth, Navy, and Hampshire.

in

Petty. Officer T. F. Askwith_(Navy) centre-threequarter. Learned his Rug- ger at Redcar, School, Yorkshire. Join- e Royal Navy and played for Ports- »

and mouth Services

Hampshire friendly matches. Has been in Colony daling last three years and has repre- sented Navy in Triangular Tournament during this period. Fastest centre- threequarter in Colony for many years. Lt. I, M. Anderson (Navy) first played Rugby at Dartmouth and later played for Greenwich. He only came into prominence in Hong Kong where he has been conspicuously brilliant, both as a middle of the back row for- ward last season and as a wing for. ward this season. He has played for the successful Royal Navy teams dur- ing the last two successful Triangular Tournaments.

has

showing against the Navy last covered Stand, in which there will be Tuesday, that several

Club sporting a special reserved portion for fixtures have been postponed in order numbers and $0.50 to the Open Stand.

Lt. E. N. Pumphrey (Navy) played in good class Rugby at Home to enable players to witness this game. Service men in uniform will be charg-and is one of the Navy's best wing for-

wards. Admission to the game will be $1.50 ed half price.

A lineout five yards from Navy's goal-line during last Tuesday's, Rugby match between the Malayan Rugby Union fifteen and Royal Navy, which resulted in a win for Malaya by. 17 points to 6. In this Picture can be seen (L. to R.) Romans, Lt. Darling, Lt. Anderson, Sub, Lt. (A) Hain, P./0. McCall, Lt Boddington, A. B. Thatcher, J. F. M. Roualle and A. H. Harding. ("China Mail" photo).