RELIEF WORKERS' RUGBY.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 5, 5 July 1933, Page 5

RELIEF WORKERS' RUGBY.

Two-games were played 011 Thursday 22nd inst by the relief workers, and as the weather conditions were much better thau the previous week these two games- proved very interesting and at times exciting. The standard of play in these games (amongst the relief workers is of very high order and some of the movements made by the backs and forwards of these teams would do credit to.some of the teams in the senior competitions in Wellington. With the inclusion of one or two All Blacks in the teams, last week's play was .at times brilliant and if these games improve much more, Selector Millard might do worse than to take atrip out to the -Hutt Valley to watch these .boys.

At the Hutt Recreation Ground Horo Kiwi met Hutt Council and a good game resulted. Quite a number of spectators turned out to witness this game as Horo Kiwi included' Pollock, the Wellington -and All Black full

•back in their team. Pollock played •well, using the line to great advantage. He also converted the four tries scored by Leach, Krayl and Sterling. Horo Kiwi, who are fast becoming a very strong tSain played well toge-. thei'. Hutt Council, who played a good game of football in spite of the big • score against them, kept Horo Kiwi going right to the finish and (with a '' little more luck the result would have ! been different. McGrath played like a champion right throughout the game and was ably assisted by Garrett, Hogtui, Cox and Friend. All of them played well. In the backs Gardiner was most outstanding, both on attack and defence. Brown, Carter and Hayes a"lso played well. Mr. A. Carter ably controlled tho game.

Koro Koro and Gracefield met at North Park This game proved very exciting and the closeness of the score had supporters on their toes right throughout the game. Graceiield, who were without the services of T. Love, their captain, started off at a fast ipaee and before long had ten points in their favour. Tries were scored by Leggett and Warren both being converted by Leggett. Had Gracefield been able to keep this pace up a win must have resulted for them, but Koro Koro who had been all at sea during the first spell rose to the occasion and by. playing good hard football gradually wore their opponents down and ran out winners by 13 points to 10. Jones and Coffee played their usual good game in the scrum while Calcanai and Johnson were sound. Of the backs all play ed iwell but as most of the work was dono in the forwards the backs had an easy day. Koro Koro must be .given credit for the splendid game .they played, especially when ; t£ey (were ,a beaten team in the first spell. iB. Jones,, M. Love and McCas'kill were always >prominentiT in the forwards .while P. Byrne plSyed his usual heady .game in the backs,' using the line to advantage. Edwards was sound at full backs.

Fine »but windy conditions prevailed last Thursday for the completing of the first round in (the■ Relief Workers' Championship, Koro Koro defeating Horo-Kiwi an Thursday- 'last, are now leaders for the "Gracefield Shield." With the first round completed the positions otf the four teams in tho championship are:

Koro Koro—Played 3, won 3, points 6. For .22, against -13. • j

Hory Kiwi.—{Played 3, .won 2, lost 1, points 4. For 20, against 3. Gracefield. —Played 3, won 1, lost 2, For 28, against 28.

Hutt jOouncil.—Played. 3, lost 3, no points. For 9, against ,14. (Matches played in the first round proved very interesting and were keen ly contested and players and supporters are looking tforward to the second round which will start this Thursday. The strengthening of the teamh give indications that matches in the second round will 'be even more keenly contested than throe games already -wit-

ncssed. It is intended by the management committee later to play a game between teams representing. Hutt and Petone and as two teams are in each district two strong sides will 'be matched and a game worth watahin'g will probably result. Arrangements are also to be made with the management of the Relief Workers Rugby in Wellington City to stage a representative match Wellington versus Hutt Valley.

The two* games played last Thursday provided some good football and supporters could not complain of the displays given by the teams. Playing at Strand Park, Grace-field and Hutt Council staged a game full df excitement and interest and the fair crowd of spectators showed their enthusiasm in quite a lively manner. Graeefield, playing their strongest team to date, had the advantage of the strong wind in the first'spell and making full use of it had Hutt Council defending repeatedly, although on quite a nunifber off occasions Council made determined rushes into their oppouets' territory and went very near