RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 152, 12 June 1936, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

BACK PLAY FEATURED Old Boys Trounce M.A.C. MARISTS A BIT LUCKY

(By

“Omni.”)

Back play was featured to a more marked extent than hitherto this season in both the senior Rugby fixtures set down at Nelson Park, Hastings. Both games proved en. joyable ones for the big crowd of spectators, and it was noticed that for once the open stand was accorded bigger patronage than usual.

The surprise of the season was pro. vided by Hastings H. 5.0.8., who trounced M.A.C. to the tune of 2(5 points to eight. Few, if anyone, would have given' the ex-students a real chance of victory before the game started, but from the initial kick-off they set a terrific pace to sweep tae Maoris off their feet in a manner that both surprised and pleased the crowd. Good team work, accurate handling and speed were the vital factors in the downfall of M.A.C.

In the tight the Maori forwards had a distinct advantage, but failed to turn it to their own account. Efforts were made to use their backs in an attempt to counter the movements of the ex-students, but Tori Reid should know by now that whatever success his side has attained to date has been due almost entirely to the forwards. Instead of closing up the play, the Maoris played right into the hands of the Oil Boys’ speed merchants, who had a real day out, turning practically everything that came their way to good account to themselves.

There was about the performance of the Old Boys unexpected combination and rarely did any particular member shine outstandingly, except through the direct assistance of at least two of his club mates. Hardy excelled himself at the base of the scrum and whipped the ball out to his backs in great styleThe remainder of the line always ap. peared to be on the move when the ball came their way, and because of this they gained huge slices of territory on occasions. In the opposition line theie was no one of any particular merit on the day’s play, and all were found wanting in the matter of sound defence. Despite being greatly over-worked in this respect Jackson, at full-back, was the exception and he did more than his share.

The forwards of both sides played fast and good football with Thompson, Redward and Collingo the best of a splendid lot of ex-students. Reid was not as prominent as usual, but Everatd Jackson was very much to the fore, ano Joe To Ngaio carried his weight about to great effect.

Celtic Fully Extended. The value of sound defence, particularly the good old-fashioned Rugby tackle, was revealed in striking light in the Hastings-Celtic match, wherein the title-holders owe the slender victory to the soundness of their defence. Bota sides had close calls on occasions, for there was a marked improvement in their back play’, each set showing ability and handling with greater accuracy than usual. That the scoring was not a great deal higher was due to the tenacious tackling, principally by the forwards, but also to a fairly big extent by the backs, the policy of “taking your man’’ being rigidly followed. Possibly it was the alterations effected to both sides that made the difference in the smoothness of the movements, but each side lacked one factor, that of a good penetrating back. Incidentally this is common to practically all the clubs, and will provide Selector Norman McKenzie with one of his greatest problems in selection of the representative side. Technical Unlucky. Tech. Old Boys, supremely confident of their own forwards, took Marist on at the latter’s own game and for 30 minutes looked winners all over, but they wilted somewhat and Mat O’Brien kicked his side to victory. On the run of play Technical should have won, opportunity knocking at their door enough times but the finish was lasting. it was a tale of lost opportunities. Adversity overtook Marist after half an hour’s play when full-back Brewer was, forced to retire, but in the reshuffle of backs I believe the side gained by this happening for Hanan, who went to the custodian’s position, gave a splendid exhibition and emergency Allan provided much-needed speed to the five-eighth line. It was immediately following this reshuffle that Marist took a hand in things. Towards the finish of the match Tech, took command once more.

Marist, a very fit side, deserve every credit for making more use of limited opportunities and no small part in the victory was played by Exeter, J. O’Brien and Barker. The former, a rugged player, had a field day and was prominent in the open as well as the tight play. Mclvor at centre-three-quarter scored a fine try and played his best for this season and at halfback Moss was again a very sturdy and reliable buffer all through the game.

Tech, experimented again with their front row and Dalton in the middle •of it ,ot very little assistance from his supports. Front row players are not made in a day and the Tech, coach by now should, if ho desires success settle on a regular three for this important function. Mataira was Tech's best forward with Dalton, R. Johnson and Bowman following close. Rossiter and Petersen both kicked too much for five-eights and tbo

three-quarter line was starved of oppoi tunity. At full-back, Thompson was spectacular and reliable, mustering up surprising pace on occasion. As a game it was commenced at a terrific pace to slow down midway and then revive again in the concluding stages and by the amount of cheering, very pleasing to the large attendance. A Prophesy.

By their victory over Tech. Old Boys last Saturday, Marist are now sitting on top in the local Rugby world, although methinks that when some of the other fifteens decide to play them as Hastings Old Boys played M.A.C., the greens will topple. Napier Old Boys comfortably defeated Marist a few Saturdays back because they utilised their rearguard.