RUGBY YOUTH

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30214, 20 August 1963, Page 19

RUGBY YOUTH

A former Canterbury representative. Father D, Hickey, is coaching the Marist under sst 71b team on sound lines. The team, which has lost oniy one match, is playing attractive Rugby and, furthermore. the boys obviously are enjoying running and passing the ball Prominent players in the side are the inside backs, Noel Dillon ( halfback) and Barry O’Byrne • first five-eighths), who combine very well: Gu» Eathome at full-back, and Warren McSberry in the front row. In Paul Tew, the Albion under sst 71b A team has a very good forward. Paul is the hooker in his team and apart from often being buried in the rucks, he was frequently the first to the loose ball on Saturday. This brought him a well-deserved try. The Suburbs sst 71b A team has one of the few forward packs in the grade that always played together. Because of this, the forwards on Saturday were constantly able to gain large amounts of ground with well-controlled dribbling rushes, and it was only good defence by Sydenham that prevented them from scoring tries. There are a number of teams in the under Bst 71b grade capable of playing fast, open Rugby. Perhaps one of the best of these is Marist. This team has a very fast back line and its crisp passing and clean handling has made it a very good attacking combination. The best attacking back in the Technical-Shirley sst 71b A team is Paul Walker. Paul plays at second five-eighths and is impressive with his fast and elusive running. Although his chances were limited, through lack of ball, the Shirley Boys’ High School under 7st 71b A centre. Jim Doyle, always looked dangerous when in possession. He is an exceptionally fast runner and his speed alone made it very difficult for the opposition to stop him once he was in full flight. A half-back showing plenty of natural ability is Brian Walker, a Hornby under sst 71b A player, gives particularly good service to his first five-eighths with accurate passing from the base of the scrum. When he chose

to kick, however, he always did so successfully, quite often gaining 20 or 30 yards. The Christchurch Boys' High School under 19 backs are an unusually well-drilled and quick-thinking combination. The quality of their handling against Cashmere High School on Saturday was outstanding. It was good, also, to see them running at full pace when on attack. This led to some delightful movements. Two of the most prominent players in the New Brighton under 18 team, which is leading the grade, are R. Bodger and R. Beardsley. Both are backs. Bodger plays at centre and Beardsley at first fiveeighths and they are regarded as prospective senior material by club officials. Fast off the mark, and possessing a good pair of hands, Beardsley has been outstanding this season for his intelligent attacking play. Weight and determination have earned Bruce Penrose the nick-name of “the tank” in the New Brighton under 18 team. A brother of the Canterbury representative No. 8. I. H. Penrose, Bruce, who weighs more than 14 stone, has turned in some grand displays in the forwards this season. Although the lower grade Rugby season is drawing to a close the enthusiasm and energies of the boys who play on Saturday mornings remains unquenched. After most teams had played their matches the players were talking excitedly about going to Lancaster Park to watch Canterbury play Auckland. L. Mclntosh, a very capable forward for Boys’ High School last year, has continued his good form in the under 20 grade this season for High School Old Boys. Well-built, vigorous and purposeful, Mclntosh deserved his selection for the Town under 20 team. The Linwood sst 71b A team, unbeaten this term, seems certain to win its competition. Its hardest game, against Hornby on Saturday, was won 6-0. W. Argus and B. Mansell, the wings, each scoring a try with fast, determined running. This has been very much a team.

although there have been some outstanding individuals. Grant Stocker has been a fine full-back, amd on Saturday the captain, Bruce Mallard, again played an excellent game, with the loose forwards. Peter Baker and Paul Collett, offering strong support. Linwood has scored 210 points, with 10 against it. The Christchurch Under 16 foo twll teem was hard hit by illness last Ssrurdey and was able to field only 13 o'ayers agcinst a strong Xavier College teem. Christchurch, which hcs been unbeaten for two secscne. found itself up against it, and so all 13 gave of Their very best. b"<tti in stack and defence, and managed to win by 14 paints to 3. The value of backing un was displayed in tihe mateh against Xavier College by the Cnristchurch Under 16 prop. Peter Brittenden, when his captain, Keith Hales, made a break of 30 yards and was tackled just short of the goal-lfne. He passed to the left and Peter, who was with hem all the way. carried on and scored unopposed.