Tackling Of High Standard In Lower Grades

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 25

Tackling Of High Standard In Lower Grades

When competition games continued on Saturday some aspects of the game had their importance revealed. Tackling, for example, is of a high standard in the under 5 stone grades; players seem to favour a “bootlace” tackle, in some instances a slightly higher tackle. However, as the grades advance the tackling becomes much higher and more dangerous.

In several under Bst 71b i games seen on Saturday, I head-high, stiff-arm tackles i were the sole means of i defence for far too many i players. This particular type i of play could lead to severe i injury to the victim. Unless it is penalised as often as it i occurs it will continue to be part of the New Zealand style of Rugby. In this instance many of the older boys could benefit from watching their juniors. It could not be disputed that the older boys have a sound idea of the rules of Rugby, but in the under sst grade the same offences are penalised week after week. If coaches wish to achieve something constructive with their youthful teams they could well have a brief session on the rules. Faults such as lying on the ball after a tackle and trying to pick the ball out of rucks and scrums occur frequently. However liberal a referee may be about the advantage rule, he must penalise persistent offenders. In the lower under sst grades much of the Rugby is played between two sides of 15 forwards, with the ball rarely being picked up. But in a game between Burnside D and Suburbs B not only was the tackling of a very high standard but attempts were made to pass the ball, there was some good running and there was a very definite distinction between backs and forwards. A try is often lost because a player will run directly into his marker rather than attempt to beat him by pace or guile. However, in two Instances on Saturday, players scored because they used their brains and ability to be-» the nnnosition. Gary Williams, who plays half back for New Brighton D in the under sst grade, ran nearly 30 yards on a diagonal line to score, when slight running would have had him swallowed up by his opoonents. In the second case. Grant Thyne. playing

under sst C for Belfast, used his long stride to advantage when in a switch of play he doubled around behind his own backs to outflank the opposition and score in the corner.

him to Barrington Park experienced starter trouble. The deadline was five minutes away when a passing motor scooter rider was pressed into . service. His initial reluctance gave way to warm sympathy when the plight of the player was explained and Barrington Park was reached as the unbeaten Christchurch team took the field, frantically yelling to their errant player to “get a move on.”

Field goals are rare in under-weight Rugby. This is because the ball travels too slowly to the inside backs to allow them any chance to steady themselves before kicking and also because few players are alert to the chance of drop-kicking a goal. Larry Porter, who is the second five-eighths for Albion under Bst 71b in section 2, kicked a field goal from 30 yards out on Saturday after putting himself into position beautifully and taking time to weigh up the situation. There are some supporters who believe in encouraging children to play better Rugby by offering them monetary inducements for any points scored. But this is a contradiction of the idea that Rugby is a team game and although one player might score, there have been 14 others who have made it possible. An outstanding example of the team try was one scored by Burnside against Sumner in the under 6st 71b A grade. Play began from a scrum inside the Sumner half. From the heel the Burnside inside backs made two sharp breaks and when one centre received the ball on the 25-yard-line, there was only one man to beat. Drawing this marker skilfully the centre passed smartly to the wing, who crashed over in the corner. ; This was a fine try and a good example of splendid teamwork.

The Albion under 7st team has the advantage of a hard core of footballers who have played together for some time now, both in school and club Rugby. Two pre-season matches and one practice weekly have turned the team into a formidable combination, as the promising Shirley under 7st 71b side found in a friendly match on Saturday. Both teams had the bye in their respective grades and what began as a practice game turned into an exciting contest.

The Albion forwards, although smaller and lighter, were very fast and skilled at backing up on the ball carrier, while their backs tackled with tigerish enthusiasm. Although Shirley eventually gained domination, it was not easily won and Mtron has the satisfaction of having given this higher traded team its hardest struggle of the season so far. Reaching outlying football grounds poses problems for oarents and coaches, but one Christchurch Bst 71b player vas in some difficulty on Saturday when the car taking