Open, Enjoyable Rugby In Seven-a-side Games

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31441, 7 August 1967, Page 12

Open, Enjoyable Rugby In Seven-a-side Games

Superior speed and consistent backing up enabled University A easily to win the seven-a-side Rugby tournament at Ham on Saturday afternoon. University A beat New Brighton A 16-6 in the final after keeping New Brighton on the defensive much of the time. Most other games were played in a very light-heated vein. By the end of the final both teams looked very weary and this was reflected in the lacklustre play of much of the second half. New Brighton tried in the early stages to run the ball but could not match the speed of University. University A was a well bal-

anced combination. In the for-' wards it had the fast and big R. Mahan and M. Hamilton, penetration and acceleration by R. Sommerville, R. C. Moreton and J. Redward and powerful running by P. James and B. McLean. Moreton was in his element as he darted this way and that. His passes were invariably well timed and he kicked well.

Redward showed great speed and was able to outflank most defences. In the final he scored two glorious tries because he was able to outwit the sluggish New Brighton defence. Mahan and Hamilton both showed great speed and many players were

reluctant to tackle them once they were in full flight. Early most teams often preferred to kick and chase to gain territory but in the later matches teams were inclined to keep the ball among themselves once they had built up good leads. In the semi-finals High School Old Boys A showed a surprising inability to make any impression. They lost 3-23 mainly because they could not get enough ball and the player with the ball was not consistently supported. University was often able to stand between the ball carrier and the supporter to thward Old Boys. New Brighton A beat University B in the other semi-final but appeared to have at least two fresh players in this match. Most other teams had to make do with only seven players for the tournament. After a hard run of club matches most of the players seemed out to enjoy themselves. The conditions were perfect for fast, open Rugby and any kicking done was for attacking purposes or to enable players to catch their breath. It was not unusual to have players strewn from one goal line to the other when defence could so quickly be turned into attack.

The spectators were quick to enter into the spirit of the occasion and club loyalties counted for little as they readily acknowledged good play. The brilliant backing up by University A was largely responsible for its win. Often players in other teams would make good breaks but their team-mates would stand and watch. Some teams lacked sufficient fast players to make any impression and often these teams were inclined to bunch instead of spreading across the field.

Much of the handling was first-class. Players usually passed well and only over-eagerness spoilt some of the play. Many players displayed an ability to turn in the tackle and pass to keep the movement going. Some players had opportunities they would not normally have had to reveal their speed and handling abilities. All matches were of two sevenminute halves, with a minute for half-time. Results were: Quarter-final. —University B 12, Marist 6; New Brighton A 14, Shirley A 3; University A 26, Merivale-Papanui A 3; High School Old Boys A 8, Christchurch 5. Semi-finals.—University A 23

(Moreton, McLean, Sommerville, Hamilton and Bedward tries, Moreton (2), Bedward and Hamilton conversions), High School Old Boys A 3 (M. Brown a try); New Brighton A 15 (G. Shepherd, D. C. Beardsley and G. Tanner tries; Beardsley three conversions). University B 5, (N. Keenan a try, B. Prestidge a conversion). Final.—University A 16 (Bedward (3) and James tries; Moreton and Hamilton one conversion each). New Brighton 0.