CLUB RUGBY REVIEW

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28302, 13 June 1957, Page 9

CLUB RUGBY REVIEW

The bouts of fisticuffs which marked the first spell of th§ Albion-Marist

match at Rugby Park did no credit to either side, who set a poor sort of example to the many youngsters watching the game. The fighting seemed to begin in the line-outs, and it was almost impossible to see who was responsible. The referee, Mr J. P. Malcolm, did well to keep a firm check

on the players, and in the second spell there was only one such incident.

R. A. Spriggs was shifted from his usual position of wing three-quarters to

second five-eighths for Linwood against Merivale on Saturday, and on the rare occasions when he got the ball he showed penetration and thrust of a high order; With more experience in his new position he may make good, although he will have to learn that there are other men outside him waiting for, at least, a feel of the ball.

T. Davis, Merivale fullback, in recent weeks, was largely responsible for

his club attaining its first win of the year. He was the only fulltime “dependable” in the whole back-line, and his clever handling and evasion of fast following for-

wards gave an effective answer to the rugged Linwood forwards. Now that Merivale has broken the ice it ipay go on to better things. In the 75th year of its

existence Merivale is worth a more exalted place in the championship list than it now occupies.

Of the 65 points scored by teams in the senior competition on Saturday,

41 came from goal kicks and only 24 from tries. Of the jll points, 27 came from penalty goals, eight from conversions and six from field goals. Three teams’ scores were made up of penalty goals alone and one of these —Christchurch —won its match by two penalties. So far this season the 12 senior teams have scored 112 tries and 66 penalty goals.

The match between New Brighton and High Schoo] Old Boys produced more

than the usual amount of whistle blowing, much of it to award penalty kicks. Although this spoils a game as a spectacle, the teams might still have taken advantage of it; instead each offended about three times by having men in front when penalty kicks were taken, an offence for which there can be little excuse.

Albion senior players this year should be thoroughly familiar with each other’s

play. Half the members of the side have been in the club from the under age grades, several from the lowest of the under-weight divisions.

. University has a most P consistent and accomplished left wing, J. Tap-

piisnea lert wing, j. rapsell. Although not heavily built, he is a strong runner, his kicks to the centre are well placed, and he seldom plays anything but a very good game.

It is doubtful whether Neville Teague has ever given a better display for

Technical than in the second half of the match against University. He was a splendid leader, whose spirit and determination almost inspired his team into an unexpected victory. Teague’s representative career began in 1950, and he has made 60 appearances for Canterbury; on Saturday’s form, he should make many more.

In the match against Sydenham, the Belfast centre three-quarters, C.

Cassidy gave another good display. Cassidy has shown good form in all matches this season. He is a strong and determined runner, with a good eye for an opening and very hard to stop when he has the ball.

The lack of a goalkicker in the SunfiysideSpreydon team last Sat-

urday cost the side its match against Christchurch. Three fairly easy penalty goals were missed because D. Woods, who usually takes the kicks, was on the sideline. Two points for a conversion, beside the goal posts, were also lost.

Although he seems to have put on some weight since last season, the Marist and

Canterbury prop J. Le Lievre is playing well and has certainly lost none of his energy or pace. Against Marist last Saturday Le Lievre played a very sound game.

. New Brighton has not won a competition match this season; it very nearly

vjxao n wiy nearly did so against Old Boys on Saturday but its defence failed in the last five minutes. The pity is that a fine pack, as good as many in the competition, is not being rewarded for its efforts. The hooker C. Browne took several tight heads fropi the Old Boys pack and H. Burry, M. Harris and R. Nixon were outstanding. With backs of a similar standard the team would be winning matches.

The evenness in strength ?f most of the teams in this season’s senior Rugby

competition was again demon-

strated on Saturday with a series of close matches. In one of these, Belfast and Sydenham played a scoreless draw. Before this encounter, Belfast had had only two victories, but Sydenham was well up among the leaders with four wins.

The outstanding promise of the young Sydenham halfback. M. F. Whitta. was

' oacK, ivi. t*. wmtta, was again shown when his team played Belfast. Whitta was easily the best back for his team, and made several good breaks from the base of the scrum. In spite of very close attention from the fast-breaking Belfast forwards, Whitta gave his five-eighths a good service.

. Merivale suffered from i the loss of a fine full-back, K. Burnett, who was trans-

ferred to Roxburgh before the beginning of this season, but his brother, O. Burnett, is still a member of the side, at centre three-quarters. Although he appears to lack a little in experience, O. Burnett has promise.