HUTT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 23

HUTT NOTES

As anticipated, Hutt teams performed very ; well in the opening series of championship matches, only one. loss being registered. The senior second division team certainly struck splendid form, scoring a convincing win over Petone by 8-0. This is a very promising beginning and it is to be hoped that this team can be kept together throughout the season. However, it is unwise to be carried away by one isolated victory, and the team will have to give of its best to cope with some of the other combinations in the grade. The game with Huia this week should .be a good test. A very encouraging feature of Saturday's games was the performance of the third and fourth grade teams. The latter team still has a lot to learn, being composed mostly of new players. The forwards are good, notably Kaye and A. Barnes, who certainly know w.hat to do when they get into the circle, but the backs need to hit harder and cleaner, and to place the ball more judiciously for the forwards.

Although several prominent players are missing from the senior ranks this season, including Stan Graham, Malcolm Fleet, Sid Gilder, and Joe Eagles, there are plenty of fresh players of the required standard to fill the vacancies. Notable among these are P. Fraser, of Wanganui, H. Cocker, of Feilding, and Eddie McLeod, who is turning out again after a spell last year. Fraser is a fine, penetrating forward who combines well with those on either side of him. Cocker, at halfback, is very sound On defence, but his passes to the forwards are frequently misplaced, a fault which he should overcome with a little care. Tucker and Muir, of last season's senior B team, are showing splendid form and should be in the running for senior A status. In the lower grades the material* available shows promise. Roseware is developing into a very sound goalie, and should be an asset to his team. Dick Roberts, a new player, is shaping well, and appears quite happy in the half-back position. V. Double is one of the younger players who have come to light in the last two seasons. With a little more experience he will be as good a halfback as the club has produced in recent years.

It is some years now since the club has won championship honours in any grade, but with the talent available this year, a good season can be expected.