Shield challenge next Marlborough objective

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31727, 10 July 1968, Page 11

Shield challenge next Marlborough objective

■JJLENHEIM was all agog last Wednesday after the Marlborough Rugby team had lowered the colours of the French team in a sensational start to the New Zealand tour. “My husband was out all night celebrating after Marlborough beat Nelson, so I do not expect he will be home before the weekend,” said one woman after the match.

Her remark typified the reaction of the province’s Rugby supporters—and that appears to include most of Marlborough—to the historic win. The first flush of enthusiasm has now been replaced by a feeling of pride in the 15 men who played so wholeheartedly and so effectively. Marlborough has enterprising backs and powerful forwards who are unremitting in their efforts. It is a source of wonder that a union with only seven senior teams can produce a representative side of such strength.

The hero of the home side is “Big Al”—A. R. Sutherland,, who scored 68 points on the recent All Black tour. Sutherland was the biggest man on the field last Wednesday, and his playing ability is as impressive as his physique. Last season he scored 10 tries in 11 matches for his union and he seems certain to reach even greater heights in the next few months.

The Marlborough captain, R. S. Sutherland, brother of the AU Black, is an experienced lock and captain with a century of first-class games to his credit Although he is not talked about in such tones of awe as his younger brother, there is no mistaking the deep admiration felt for Ray

Sutherland by the Marlborough Rugby followers. The same applies to the other players in the pack. G. R. Neal, a tall, rawboned flanker, and R. Waiariki, who is in his first season for Marlborough, were tremendously effective in the loose against France, and the hard-bitten quartet of A. F. Schultz, J. W. Joseph,

G. W. Lowe and M. A. Bell was as industrious as Marlborough’s mascot, Benny the Beaver, in the tight All these men are delightful characters. Schultz, for example, attended the final practice in a stained and faded jersey and torn and tattered shorts which might have had their origin in the Army stores. "If ugliness counts for anything, Marlborough will romp home,” a bystander called to Schultz. The soaring torpedo kicks of the full-back, L. C. Sparks, took a good deal of sting out of the French forwards and his goal-kicking was most impressive. But Marlborough has the ability to score tries, too. A. L. Mowat is a strong and intelligent centre and J. T. Gleeson seldom lets an opportunity slip past in broken play. N. Avery is a spectacular newcomer with

genuine pace on the right wing, while the All Black, P. H. Clarke, with his galloping action, seems to be regaining form.

The half-back, R. J. May, with improved handling, eould play an important part in Marlborough's games this Season. K. R. Hodges, a neat and clever first five-eighths, would benefit from a more reliable service, for he has considerable attacking ability. With the Seddon Shield and the scalp of the French team in its possession, Marlborough’s enthusiasm knows no bounds. But in spite of K. R. Tremain’s jocular telegram, the team will face an entirely different proposition when it comes to play Hawke’s Bay for the Ranfurly Shield. Hawke’s Bay can do everything Marlborough can do, and can do it a little better.

In the intervening six weeks, the Marlborough coaches, Messrs J. M. Finlay and J. G. Fraser—a former Canterbury five-eighths—-will have much to do to prepare the side for the most challenging of matches. But if teamwork and dedication to the task in hand counts for anything, they have good material on which to work.