Smolensk! retires

Press, 9 June 1980, Page 20

Smolensk! retires

By 808 SCHUMACHER Pressure of work has forced the premature retirement of Dennis Smolensk!, .Canterbury Country’s reliable full-back. Smolensk!, aged 24, was in his fifth season with the Sub-unions, and was playing some of the best rugby of his career. ■ Smolensk! has played in all of Country’s five matches this season, and of the 65 points scored by the team he ; has . contributed 43. His addressing of the ball and unorthodox approach have aroused some derisive comments, but Smolensk! has had the last say. Before moving to the country, Smolensk! hd a full season at full-back for Suburbs in the town. senior competition and scored 107

points for his team in 1975. He also had two seasons with the Sydenham senior cricket XI. _•

Smolensk!, has appeared 16 times in ’first-class, matches for Country and he had represented . Sub-Unions •. on many other occasions in fixtures' that have hot been recognised as first-class games.The Kirwee player has mainly filled the custodian’s role, but he has shown his versatility by fitting smoothly into the team either on the wing or at centre.

In fact, he appeared on the wing in his last match for Country, against Town last Monday. •../. • Smolensk!' is sorry to sever his connection with

country rugby. He said that he had derived tremendous pleasure playing for Country and paid tribute to Alister Hopkinspn, the Country coach, who provided him with his initial opportunity and helped him for most of his. career.

The solidly built Smolensk! is a nephew of the prominent Canterbury trotting trainer, Jack Smolenski, and, not unnaturally, he has a keen interest in pacers.

At present he has a team of 12 horses which require regular work, and now finds that he does not have the rime to devote to rugby. That, and his shift into a new home at West Melton, which, requires some renovating, influenced him to announce his retirement.