HARDHAM CUP

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 24, 27 July 1940, Page 15

HARDHAM CUP

,KEEN COMPETITION

Outside some questionable methods of getting rid of their surplus energy, Hutt and St. Patrick's College Old Boys put on a very good show, and much good football was seen. The loose rushes by both sets of forwards were carried on with plenty of , sting, and, in the second -half in particular, there was generally a trail of players left lying on the ground. ..-.•• Todd (St. Pat's) and Cassidy (Hutt) were the outstanding .forwards,, and both showed their very best form. The try scored by Duffy for Hutt was the result of a .brilliant individual thrust by Cassidy. ' '■ It was not a day for shiners as the going was rather hectic at times and it was noticed that one or two usually effective -loose forwards were not showing up conspicuously during - this match.

Evans and O'Connor, the respective first five-eighths, had a gruelling time, but stood up to their task in great style. The cut-in by O'Connor that led to St. Pat's first try wasa^n extremely good effort. Evans was an outstanding player on defence^ - King stood up to an immense' amount of hard work for Hutt. There were times when he had to move extra smartly to evade the attentions of the opposing forwards. He gave his passes smartly and accurately. Smith gave valuable support as the loose-head for Marist Bros. Old Boys in their match with Wellington College Old Boys. Then, too, his speed in the loose enabled him to smother a number of attempts hy opponents to open up the play. Raharuhi was an enterprising wing-three-quarter; quite effective on attack. Keall was very sound at full-back for Wellington College Old Boys. His line kicking was accurate and his play .in general consistently. good. C. Gotlieb gave good service in the pack, being particularly effective in line-out work. His speed in breaking through on the opposing backs upset several promising movements. BAD HANDLING. The performance of the University! hacks against Oriental was again disappointing. Admittedly the service from the scrum was far from satisfactory, but the handling was really bad. Greig, at full-back, was a notable exception, and in other phases of thej game he was also outstanding. His line-kicking, as usual, was powerful j and well directed. ' The Oriental pack excelled in/ the loose foot rushes. Two forward^ consistently in the limelight were Marshment and Randall. The University for-! wards did well, being solid in the' rucks, and playing constructively m the loose. McNicol led the pack, and Meade and Burke were two other forwards to play .vigorously. Jack was once again well to the fore in the Oriental backline. He is a very rugged player, but has the ability to make the most of opportunities, and, in addition, he has a valuable place-kick-ing boot..