RUGBY TOUTH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 6

RUGBY TOUTH

B. Gnhun, for two years half-back for Xavier College’s first fifteen, and now in the Marist under 20 team, is a player of outstanding possibilities, btrongly-bullt, quick and sure in everything he does, he was largely respomlbile for his side's superb display on Saturday against Old Boys. Marist gave a wonderful exhibition of hard, fast running, solid tackling, tireless backing up, and swift in the direction of attack.

Play In the game between Hornby and Lyttelton in the under Bst 71b grade on Saturday, often became a very disorganised and confused jumble of enthusiastic young footballers. Often the ball was in play for considerable periods and both teams seemed to converge on it with the eagerness of a flock of seagulls on a large meat pie. In the second half, the Hornby backs delighted the spectators in a movement which was notable for clean passing and incisive running.

The Merivale under 15 team is lucky to have in its ranks a full-back of the calibre of N. Hobson. His line-kicking and catching of high kicks were impressive and in one movement he showed that he has also a flair for starting attacks. Taking the ball Inside his own half, he poised himself for a line kick and at the last moment changed direction and set his backs away in a run which almost resulted in a try.

Showing up in the Old Boys’ under 18 team’s pack this season are R. Denley. a side or back-row forward, and C. LovellSmith, a front-row prop.

Faring well as half-back for the Christchurch under 20 team is K. Walton, a solidly-built player who was at first five-eighths last season.

An extraordinary record is being established by P. Alexander, in the Cathedral Grammar under Bat 71b team. Alexander plays *t centre threequarters, and he te a youngster of exceptional speed. On Saturday he scored five tries against Marist—but he did no more than maintain his average, for his four matches this season have brought him 20 tries.

There was a memorable moment or two for R. Brooks, centre for Linwood in the 7st 71b A grade on Saturday. Early in the match against SunnysideSpreydon, he intercepted a pass and scored beneath the posts after a run of 70 yards.

A particularly good allround game was played by B. Joseph on Saturday for the Merivale sst 71b A team, which met Marist. Joseph should develop into a fine first five-eighths.

Perhaps the most impressive back in the under Bst 71b game on Saturday between Belfast and Shirley Boys’ High School, was the Belfast full-back. B. Mawson. For a boy of his

age Mawson showed remarkable coolness under pressure. Time and time again, he saved his side from imminent disaster. Another feature of this game was the helpful advice given to players by the referee. There were occasions when he broke up line-outs and rucks and told the boys where they were infringing and how to correct the fault.

Moving from centre to the first five-eighths position on Saturday, P. Nixon set the Merivale backs moving well against Marist, in a 7st 71b A grade match. The Marist captain. J. Glynan, led his team well. He is the hooker, and he took several tight heads in this match.

I. Gray, captain and halfback of the New Brighton 7st 71b A team, has very sound defence, and he is also a strong runner.

Holding his own well in the open ranks of the Junior B grade players is D. Swan, hooker for the Albion side. He is a fast striker and good team man. Last year he gained selection in the fourth grade representatives.

A captain who sets a fine example to his fellow players is D. Quested, of the Christchurch under 20 team. He is a gifted siderow forward who gives of his energy unsnaringly in each match. His leadership was a vital factor in his team's win against the hitherto unbeaten University team last Saturday.

One of the most versatile footballers in the lower grades is P. Clark, of the Old Boys' under 18 side. He is at home whether playing in the forwards or the backs.

Marist’s sst 71b A team is well led by J. Annlng, who is a lock.

A stalwart of the Marist fourth grade side is J. O’Callachan, who is ealled on to fill a variety of positions in the team's backs, and never fails to give a solid performance. He prefers playing at second fiveeighths or centre, but his latest game was at fullback.

A strong runner and a determined defender, W. Dickson was outstanding for Technical-Shirley in the club’s under sst 71b team on Saturday. He gave a great display, but had to leave the field at halftime, because he was unwell.

A likely-looking forward in the Marist fourth grade team is P. Grubb, who plays in the back of the scrum. A tall boy. he huftts the ball well. He is also a good goal-kicker.

Although he usually plays on the wing, J. Thomson did very well at full-back for the Christchurch B team in the under sst 71b B grade on Saturday. He used his considerable pace to score his side’s first two tries, and they were good efforts.

T. Bergh is proving a capable leader of the

Christchurch under 18 team. He is a lively breakaway seldom far from the ball. He played in the same grade last year.

A second five-eighths whose style of play resembles that of the Canterbury representative. S, K. Henderson, is P. Sharr, who. like Henderson, is a member of the Old Boys’ club. Sharr is showing great promise in the club's under-18 team.

In the Hornby under sst D grade team. D. Tucker, a side-row forward, is consistently on the ball. He has scored a try in each game so far.

Two forwards making a good impression in the under 16 grade are G. Dench and R. Finlay, of the Christchurcht team. Dench, a newcomer, shows promise as a tight forward while Finlay usually is prominent in all phases of play.

A. Bateman and J. Newlove are two capable five-eighths in the Albion club who have graduated from fourth grade last year to junior A this year. Both have good prospects for the future. Bateman as a first five-eighths and Newlove as a second fiveeighths. The latter was a , member of the fourth grade representatives last season.

A player making a name for himself in the under 18 grade is B. Rankin, of the Old Boys* team. Tipping the scales at 13st, he is becoming a formidable flanker, as well as a canable goalkicker. He is a son of Mr J. G. Rankin, the former All Black and Canterbury forward representative.

M. Tyro, first fiveeighths for the Lyttelton B team In the under sst D grade, is a good attacking back. In the same side. J. McGregor, the half-back, has tackled well in a competition not noted for rugged defence,

In M. Keppel and M. Francis, the Marist fourth grade team has two tireless forwards who have proved their worth in games So far this season. Keppel is a front row prop and Francis a flanker.