RUGBY NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 48, 9 May 1934, Page 5

RUGBY NOTES

HUTT 14; WELLINGTON 6. ■Scorors for Hutt: Wilson, Killco.i, aiid Noes (a try each), one beiiig converted, by Lilburne who kicked a penalty goal also. Offing to the amount of water lying on tho Hutt ground which made it unfit for play, this fixture was transfe*red to -Pctonu oval, which was iu good condition considering the aniouut of rain that had fallen prior to .the game. Few expected the game to bo anything but a mud scramble, as rai.i was falling when the teams took the field. The opening stages however, Were full of (bright incidents which cropped up repeatedly throughout the game. It was a case of two teams rising superior to the conditions and turning on a display of football whk'li would have been very creditable on :i fine day. Both sc-ts of backs handled the wet ball remarkably well and all four tries scored were the direct or indirect result of passing movements by the backs. It is not to be wonderfid at that those Avho witnessed the game came away well satisfied with the display. During the first and the early part of the second spoil, Wellington had a distinct advantage territorially. Their backs were shaping better collectively than Hutt but met with an almost impregnable defence. This defence in fact was one of the features j of the match and all attempts by Kilby and Page to carve holes in the defence were scotched iu no uncertain manner. ■ When the Hutt forwards found their feet, Wellington found it no easy mat tcr to stop their foot rushes, Avhich wen made, mainly, in massed formation. TLs bunching of the red forwards was a noticeable and pleasing feature of their play and it was not an uncommon sight to see the whole .pack come away wit'.i the ball. Kilby and Page did grcai work for their side on attack and d* , - fence and it was no fault of theirs that the yellows lost. Wellington wore weak at second five-eighth, a fact which Page appeared to be fully aware of as he used the short punt or attempt' , ] to cut through. That neither mode ..'f attack was successful was due to the splendid defence, but Page certainly used tho right tactics. Through t'v agency of their forwards Hutt established their superiority in the backs in the second half. Killcen and E. Neil figured in some nice opening . movements Avhich had the other side in troublo and kept them busy defending, l<). Neal played a strong hand in two tries and on one occasion showed ;i surprising burst of speed which canied him right to the goal line where Ncjs came up just in time to receive a pass and score. The best movement of the day was initiated by Spencer, the ball passing to Lilburne, to Killeeu, who just managed to get round his man and hand on to Neal who ran strongly down the centre and instead of passing to his wing, who was partly covered, sent the ball infield to Lilburne who iu turn sent it on to Wilson to gall-.)? over by the posts. It was a splendid movement in which the players handled the greasy ball very cleanly. There were several occasions when almost curtain tries were lost through the leiuh-'r being too slippery to handle, but the amount of clean passing more than com peiisated for any lapses in this direction.. Both full Lacks gave very solid showings , , Jarman had more to do titan Creisswell and usually had less time f o do it in, consequently he was not aide to get the same length into his kicks as the Wellington man who played a fine game. Page tested Jarman"s do- . fence very fully during the finst with his stab kicking and once only did the Hutt man fail to take the ball on the full. The threequarter line had plenty of work defending and attacking. The covering- up of all three on defence left nothing to cavil at. Their speed was very noticeable on attack, particularly so when following thnugli short punts by the insidos. Killeeu showed up well in some good attacking work and only the holding state of the ground prevented him getting a clean 'break on several occasions. His defence was not found wanting a::d soriio good rush stopping was credited to him. Lilburne was very solid at first fivge-eighth. He did not attempt any cutting in until late in the game when he figured in some heady work. Spencer adapted himself to the conditions, giving a very satisfactory display. The player who worried Wellington most was Stevenson who <pvo Kilby and Page no latitude. His constructive Avork on attack was also worth a lot to his side. One effort in which he dummied his way through from the twenty-five to the goal line had the Wellington defence in a tingle and only a desperate tackle saved a try. In line out work, rucking a-ul scrummaging, the remainder of the for wards were hard to separate. It was very evident that they had taken notice of some very definite instrucV.ons handed out by the coach as the resuli of their showing in the previous match. The scrum was locked by Gco Uoberts and Lynch. Tho former's experience was very helpful in screwing the scrum. When p'roperly lit this player will 'ilso niuke his presence felt in other directions. In following up two players stood out, Neal and Lynch leading (lie rest in this department. The former was responsible for some excellent dribbling work and in one solo effort went from half way to the goal line. OTHER GRADES. Senior B.—Wellington 10, Hutt 6. Junior (Ist Division) Hutt 9, Athletic 5. i Third (3rd; Division).—Hutt 0, Marist 0. Fourth (Ist Division)-—Petone -~ Hutt 8. Fourth (2nd Divieion)~Petono 0, Hutt 0. •* , Summary:—Played 0, won 2, drew -, lost 3. , ' ~. KOIBS. £he results of last week's games give

Mutt a two point lead from Poucko, Old "Boys, l'ctono and Marist. Hutt moot Poneke this week at Athletic Park. The red and blacks arc reputed to have a very solid forward pack aud it will be interesting to note how Hutt fare in this department. It is certain that Poucko will 'be out to keep the play away from the Hutt backs by endeavouring to establish superiority in tho forwards. Several lower grade players let their teams down on Saturday by not putting in an appearance, no doubt assu 11ing that the mutches would be postponed. Players should always take stops to ascertain whether matches arc beimg played by telephoning the secretary or by looking on the notice boards outside 'Skeleton's, Ball Bros, or the Post Agency, where in format ion will be posted up about 11.30 each Saturday. Players are notified that a rebate will bo given on all subscriptions paid by June Ist. The rates are as follows: — Senior A and B, 15/0 to 1:2/0'; married men IU/0" to S/-. Junior and Third, 10/0" to S/-. Players under 21 in Junior and Third 8/- to o'/-. Fourth Grade, 5/0" to i/-. Fifth Grade, 2/0 to 2/-. Instalments will be accepted. Low tackling by forwards seems io be a lost art. How often do we s>o opposing players weave their way through a bunch of forwards quite easily, because the players will persist 'in high tackles. A solid low tackle by a fourteen "stoner" will take the sting out oi* most players, a fact which forwards should note. On out , occasion in Saturday's game Jariuan put his side on attack by run- I ning with the ball and handing out a beautiful dummy which found a -buyer. Where the Hutt full back spoiled this bit of good play was by waiting for someone to pass to instead of clapping on full speed. An illustration of Stevenson's versatility was given when J irman made his run as the Hutt rover immediately dropped back to the full back position. The Fourth (Ist Division) team had hard luck in going under to Petouo by a potted goal to a try. As Petoue are fancied candidates for the championship, Hutt's performance was a meritorious one. Barry and Peck were absentees :m Saturday through indisposition. It is rumoured that the latter is contemplating retirement from the game. While supporters may regret the decision, j,s Peck has been a tower of strength i.) the team, he- will be retiring at a time when the club is well off in the iiiutt;r of good forwards, who although they may never roach his standard as a lino out player, will by reason of the'u , youth compensate in some measure i'ov the defection of a player who will always be remembered for his hoiie-t aud outstanding work in the best cf company. Dance patrons are reminded that the third dance will be held in the King George Hall on Saturday evening. Frank Crowther's Orchestra will supply the music. ' SENIOR B. 11UTT v. WELLINGTON This game was played at Hutt' Park Wellington kicked oil' with the wind in their favour and soon took play to the Hutt quarter. By solid forward pl'iy HuM cleared their line and took playto the other end where it remained for most of the spell. From one good forward rush F. l'latt joined in and keeping the ball at his feet dribbled across the line to score a good try. Just on half time Burns for Wellington picked u'j from a loose kick and potted a good guol, making tho score, Wellington 1, Hutt o. The second spell opened with Hutt still showing their superiority in forward play, but the backs repeatedly lost ground by attempting a back giune with a greasy ball. Dalton was injured and was replaced by Carter. Wellington put two tries in this spell (neither converted) while Saulbrey scored for Hutt after a good forward rush. The Wellington backs are a good combina tion and played well throughout the game, many of their movements being cut short by the solid tackling of Phillips at second live eighth for Hutt. As in previous games the Hutt forwards all played well aud require more assistaiice from their backs. Tho game was well controlled by Mr ilorice. Some notes of interest to'coaches appear on page 7.