RUGBY YOUTH

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30498, 21 July 1964, Page 9

RUGBY YOUTH

The number of teams in the under sst grade is increasing every season. This year there is even an under sst E grade, one of the teams in this section is TechnicalShirley and although few of its players know much about the game, most of them are extremely keen.

Spectators at Rugby Park on Saturday saw an attractive curtain-raiser between the Christchurch and Sydenham B under 18 teams. A fast game was left, drawn, 6-all, with Christchurch scoring the only try of the match.

The 135 points scored by Wayne Tavendale of the Kaiapoi under sst B team is surely one of the best individual performances this ■season. Wayne’s tally includes 43 tries, and his efforts have helped his side score 235 points so far this season, only six being scored against them.

It is unusual for hookers to score runaway tries, but Murray Smith of the Kaiapoi sst A team did just that last Saturday. Murray received the bail near the half-way line and with a strong run and a good swerve went right through the opposition to score as he liked.

The Christchurch sst . C team tackles well, and move quickly to the loose ball, but es yet has not learned to play as a team. However, this will only come with experience and in a few years’ time this side should become quite a good one.

As the season progresses, the play of the Linwood sst B team is showing a noticeable improvement. This improvement is particularly apparent in loose play, especially in the way in which the forwards are moving more quickly to the ball when it is being kicked ahead.

The Sydenham under-15 team has lost only one match this season and is a worthy leader of its competition. Its members have been brought together only this year but Mr J. Coleman’s team building efforts have borne fruit. The coach, Mr R. C. McCaw, believes there is every possibility of keeping the boys together: he is willing to go with them through the ‘grades to the under-20 comi petition.

Paul Walker, a TechnicalShirley 6st A player, is a second five-eighths with more than average ability. Last Saturday he scored a very good try after a big run down the sideline and showed that his pace alone will be valuable in years to come.

Three players in the Sydenham under-15 side who are displaying more than average ability are the captain, B. Luckman, a capable flanker, K. Lunn, second five-eighths, and G. Lawrie, a hooker whose all-round play stamps him as a fine prospect. Luckman is a good utility player—on Saturday he filled in as wing and centre.

The Christchurch A team in the under-20 competition has some splendid forwards in its ranks this season. Four who are particularly prominent are Hugh Cottrell, John Trevella, Roger Brittenden and Tim Park. The latter, a fleet-footed No. 8, scored two good tries on Saturday. “They are keen to learn and you wouldn’t get a better lot to coach,” said the coach of the forwards, Mr J. McKenzie, referring to his charges on Saturday.

Because the Canterbury selectors wanted to have a final look at likely under sst players,, all games in this weight were played at North Bagley on Saturday. It was noticeable that many boys, in their efforts to impress the selectors, tended to play too -much as individuals. This is only natural, and no doubt by next week these same players will be good “team” men once again.

The Christchurch club’s capable under-20 full-back, Murray Robinson, reached a personal milestone on Saturday when he scored 17 points against Linwood to bring his competition total for the season to 101. Included in his tally for Saturday was a very good try. But the team is not dependent on the kicking skill of its accomplished fullback. The side’s coaches have placed emphasis on teamwork and on attack; they have been gratified by the fact that a big percentage of the team’s tries have been scored by the wings after good work by the forwards and the inside backs.

By scoring the tremendous tally of 94 tries in 11 games this season, the Linwood 6st A side is reaping the benefit of sound coaching and is proving the old Rugby axiom that speed of ball will beat speed of foot. Although the wings between them have scored 46 tries every player can feel proud of the team record of 314 points for and only six (a try and a penalty goal) against.

In D. Andrews the Linwood under 6st 71b team has an efficient first five-eighths. He handles well and is particularly adept in making play for his three-quarters.

B. Hallinan and B. MeKirdy are proving valuable members of the Linwood junior A side. Hallinan, the first five-eighths, has seven tries, eight conversions and nine penalty goals to his credit this season, while McKirdy, a wing, has scored 11 tries.