RUGBY YOUTH

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30480, 30 June 1964, Page 6

RUGBY YOUTH

Although the Suburgs under sst 71b A team could field only 12 players on Saturday, its shortage of numbers did not discourage the players at all. In fact, the tackling of the team, by the majority of players anyway, was as good as any seen in the grade this season.

One of the keenest teams in the undersst 71b grade is New Brighton. Both the backs anr the forwards play with great determination and vigour, and judging by the way the backs run with the ball, this team is not lacking in footballers with attacking ability.

Two teams in the under sst 71b A grade who drew in a first roundNnatch, met again on Saturday. These were Burnside and Merivaie, and once again an exciting game resulted. The best feature of the match was the manner in which both sides tried to move the ball about among the backs. For . the entire game, attacking moves by both sides swept the play up and down the field. This time Burnside won, 12-0.

There is plenty of room of room for improvement in play of the TechnicalShirley under sst B team. However, one good feature of its play is the quickness of the loose forwards to capitalise on the mistakes of their opponents. But too often their good work is being spoilt by dropped passes and knock-ons.

The Christchurch under fist A team has a good pack of forwards, but too often the ball they win for their backs is not put to the best use. Last Saturday, the backs showed patches of real ability with some passing rushes, but too often promising movements were spoilt by bad passing or a knock-on. When this feature of their play is improved, this team should become a formidable combination.

The under-18 grade produces some very good Rugby indeed On Saturday, the two top teams, Christchurch and Sydenham, met In a fast and hard-fought game, Christchurch won narrowly by 9 points to 6. This Christchurch team has very strong forwards and plenty of speed in the backs, especially in the three-quarter line.

As a combination, the Linwood under 6st A team is unequalled in its grade. This season the team is easily leading the competition, and its success is due partly to the ability of its players and partly to the amount of effort put into training. Often, half an hour before their game is due to start, the boys can be seen practising along the side-line.

The Hornby under 6st A side is fortunate in having a set of backs not lacking in natural ability. John Catchbolt is a back who eaught the eye in particular last Saturday.. John plays at fullback and his handling of . the ball was almost faultless, and his slashing runs when he

came into the back line would indicate that John might develop into a very good player in the years to come.

Some astonishingly long line-kicks were achieved by the Christ’s College fullback, N. W. Wilder, in the under-20 match against Xavier College on Saturday. Wilder took one penalty kick from his own line and put the ball out beyond the half-way flag. His general play was of a good standard too.