RUGBY YOUTH

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30783, 22 June 1965, Page 5

RUGBY YOUTH

One of the most successful goal kickers in the under 6st grade is the Hornby player Howard Wilson who always kicks without boots. Howard, who plays well at second fiveeighths, has a good pair of boots but won’t wear them. “He can’t kick well in boots,” says the team coach, Mr I. D. Dickie.

No doubt the combined play of the Belfast under 7st team will show improvement later in the season, but at the present time it is, as a whole, a collection of individuals and this is seriously affecting its scoring opportunities. Individually, the team is not lacking in promising players and should soon develop into a good side. Although normally a side row forward, Paul Prendergast made a very good job of playing at full-back for the Linwood under Bst 7 team last Saturday. Paul’s positional play was remarkably good and bus line kicking unusually accurate.

A player of obvious potential is David Lemon, half-back for the H. 5.0.8. under Bst 7 team. His passing from scrums and line-outs is very impressive and hie also runs from the scrum quite frequently, nearly always to good advantage. Ross Pinkerton of the Hornby 6st team has a pet dog called Heidi who is proving a successful mascot for the team. Ross, who is usually one of the team’s most vigorous for-

wards, received a foot injury a few weeks ago which has prevented him playing. During his recovery he has knitted a gay red scarf for the mascot. Heidi barked more l oudly than usual on the sideline last Saturday when the team had a substantial win.

Mr M. D. Allfrey is the coach of one of the most polished teams in the sst division of the under weight grades, the Papanui A team, which is leader in the competition. The side has won all its games so far and beat Hornby 33-0 on Saturday. Playing for Papanui, the outstanding forwards included R. Thompson and W. Evans. M. Allander was one of the best backs.

A much improved Hornby under Ost 7 team were rewarded for persistent attendance at training with its first win of the season when beating Marist 16-3 at Hagley Park on Saturday. “They are improving all the time and have never lost heart,” said the coach, Mr J. Bean.

The Sumner under 6st 7 B team now have the benefit of a tackling apparatus. It is a kitbag filled with sand and sawdust, and suspended by a rubber hanger from a curved upright. A potentially good team, it is showing improved attendance at practice. The coaches are Messrs W. Mockett and P. O’Neill.

One very noticeable bad feature of the back play of the Christchurch under 6st 7 team is the number of times the backs run across field when they receive the ball.

Often this results in lost ground, and this is a pity because there is obvious pace among these players if they would run straight.

The Marist under fist 7 A team has shown great improvement this season. This improvement is especially marked in the forward play, and this pack is now one of the best in the grade. Its driving style of play is especially impressive.

The New Brighton under 6st 7 team is showing encouraging form with improved forward play and team combination, said the coach, Mr E. W. Liddy. R. Clarke is hooking well, D. Reid is developing into a good lineout forward, while P. Goosey and K. Lennon are combining with good positional play in the backs. The half-back, G. Turner, is giving good service to the backs.

With a win of 27-0 against High School Old Boys, the Papanui under 7st 7 side are showing marked improvement. Under the direction of its coach, Mr M. D. Allfrey, the side has now won four games in succession. G. Gemille has been outstanding at first fiveeighths and in the forwards one of the most improved players is G. Keats, who is only aged 10 years.

One of the most promising players in the Hornby under Bst 7 team is the first fiveeighth, John Campbell. John is a very fast, strong runner and has a good swerve which usually enables him to beat his opposite man with ease.