THE RUGBY CODE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 276, 3 September 1936, Page 3

THE RUGBY CODE

REPRESENTATIVE GAME. COMMENT ON THE PLAY. (By “Onlooker”). The Ashburton County “rep” team played its second fixture this season against the touring North Auckland team, at the Showgrounds on Saturday and although ground conditions due to the recent wet weather, were not suitable for fast open football the game was keenly contested and the closeness of the score kept the spectators interested until the final whistle. The game was mainly confined to the forwards, although there were a good number of bright passing movements. Ashburton thoroughly deserved their victory as their forwards were giving away a big advantage in weight in comparison to the tourists. Although beaten for possession in set scrums the forwards more than made up for this by their solid rucking and fast following up and in a number of cases their tackling! was first-class. The backs for the most part also performed creditably, particulai'ly in their tackling which, but for a short lapse in the second spell, showed a decided improvement. ' The back play will show still greater improvement if players will run straight up to their man before passing when on attack as it is a fatal mistake to get rid of the leather too soon.

It is hard to individualise the forwards as every man played well. E. McKenzie, D. Brooker, N. Hawke and B. Newton toiled hard while at the head of many devastating loose rushes were to be seen It. Rose, G. Lochhead, B. Doig and C. Haack. R. Lilley at full-back was shaping well until forced to xetire with an injury. lE. Lunn going from centre to replace him also played solidly, one noticeable feature of his play being that of sacrificing tho length of his kicking to get the ball out ana thus saving his forwards from tearing up .and down the paddock unnecessarily. L. Vessey tackled well and made the most of his few opportunities. J. Lilley made some determined 'runs, but made one bad error in not throwing out to two unmarked men who were in a good scoring position. G. Steven at five-eighths and later centre, tackled well and defended stoutly, but needs to pass the ball out more quickly so as to sharpen tho attack. W. Burgess made some nice openings and w r as a tower of strength on defence. W. Cook (who replaced. T. Lilley) also played well at first fiveeight, but is a trifle inclined to lob his passes. He also made one beautiful opening that nearly terminated in a try. D. White the half-back played a sterling game, varying his play nicely and putting in one or two ]inky runs. His defence was also sound. Taken all round, the team gave a very good showing and with a run or two together should develop into a good side.

Early Competition. The first match, with Wellington, ,was played in four spells of thirty minutes each, and Wellington won by a try which they secured only two minutes before time.. Only one further match was played that season—a return game with Wellington on August 11, which ended in a draw.

In 1882 club competition in Wellington was extended to include the Masterton and Greytown Clubs in addition to Athletic and Wellington. The cup far that season was won by Athletic, who did not have a point scored against ithem in their four matches. The Athletic Club has had a long and honourable career, having won the senior championship, as it is known now, in 1884, 1891, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914 (when it was bracketed with Wellington), 1915, and 1926. A good percentage of New Zealand representatives have passed through its ranks, and included among them are: H. C. (Baby) Wilson, Tom Pauling, J. Swindley, Ned 'Davy, J. Dumbell, J. A. Bruce, A. (Ranji) Wilson, C. G. Porter, K. S. Svenson, J. Swain, and B. J. (Teddy) Roberts, while E. W. Tindill (a present player), was a member of the 1935 team to England.