Club Rugby Had Little Appeal

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30826, 11 August 1965, Page 19

Club Rugby Had Little Appeal

blare of transistors A tiled into the WaikatoSouthhfrica match ushered out ti main part of club Rugby in Christchurch last Saturdv , KT ... A njor tour of New Zealand *vays has an effect on club -ugby but even the Springoks cannot be blamed for mvh of the sub-standard play nd the p<x>r attendances it senior Rugby this seasoD The crowds at Lancaster Park ;-ould not have verged lich more than 2500 a Satrday—a sad commentary n the appeal of club Rugbj

and some of the bottom teams must be regarded as senior in name only. University won its eighth championship in 10 seasons —a very good record. But this year’s win was not particularl lmpressi ve. In many ways it was a wJn by default. University lost matcbes t 0 christ . church but cbrist . churcb lost t 0 otber teams University was always in a leading position. Early in the season University looked a very good s jd e an< j its win over Lineoin College suggested that would provide some grand entertainment in later

But“as ye sow, so shall ye re®." It has been obvious ft some years now that club lugby does not have a greaUppeal. Only three or four teams are capable of playiß attractive Rugby

11 matches. But that promise i- never really eventuated and it University just plugged a along winning matches by r sound Rugby. if Christchurch had some y bright moments. At full

strength it probably was the best side in the competition but its usual inconsistencies cost it vital points. Old Boys was one side that emerged with credit. This young side has distinct promise and also there was freshness about its play which appealed. New Brighton and Linwood played similar Rugby. Bustling and determined loose forwards but without the skills in the backs to score points against good teams. Suburbs and Sydenham had their moments, but Lincoln College was a disappointment—especially for a side with such a big and experienced pack. Of the bottom six teams Albion was by far the best side and deserved a much better placing. It played good Rugby, placing its faith

in back play which unfortunately was not really rewarded. Shirley was just an average side and much as usual; solid in the forwards, competent in the backs but lacking speed. Belfast improved. If the lesson learned this year has been absorbed Belfast could well continue its upward climb. Marist, University B and Merivale, the three bottom teams, were obviously not up to senior standard. The points scored against them accounted for about 25 per cent of the total points scored in the grade. In 16 matches Merivale has managed to score only 82 points. The new rules have not made much impact apparently. Marist (107 points), University B (128) were not much better.