Rugby

Hutt News, Volume 11, Issue 10, 4 August 1937, Page 5

Rugby

HTJTT v. EASTBOURNE.

In a typical end of the season game Hutt dropped a decision to Eastbourne by 12 points to <5. Neither aide showed decent form; in fact, it was about the worst exhibition witnessed on the local ground this season. Eastbourne deserved to win, but they were aided by poor tactics on Hutt's part.

The local players made play too loose, thus playing the type of game which suited Eastbourne. The visitors played J. Della'barca as a straight-out wingforward much to the discomfort of the Hutt ibacks, who were unable, to get going. The obvious reply to Eastbourne's tactics was to keep the play amongst the forwards until within striking 'distance of the line. It seemed that having by playing a loose game Hutt were unable to alter it. The winners of course had a hand in this, their fast forwards worrying Hutt all day.

The greatest stumbling block to the losers was the fine play of Crisp, Eastbourne's full-back. His splendid line kicking and jiwky running caused Hutt no en'd; of bother.

jHutt were minus the services o.f their star attacking winger, Gillespie. Simpson, who filled his place, lacks a bit of pace in comparison with Gillespie. Hjs defenice was very sound indeed and so was that of Phillips, the other wing. The defence of the backs on both sides was very sound. Not one try was scored from a combined movement although many attempts were made by both teams to get their backs working smoothly. * There appeared to be a lack of weight in the Hutt scrum which affected Potter's hooking. He got his share of the ball but not to the same extent as in the first game with Eastbourne. This lack of weight is something which should be remedied before the final match against Petone on August 21. >. The loss of the 'match under Teview does not affcct Hutt's chances of relegation; they are now safe from that. Their (form was, however, very disappointing after that shown in the last four games. The lack of a consistent goal-kicker was again a handicap, four attempts, two of them quite easy, being missed. It may be lack of prartico which accounts (for Perkinson's failure in 'this direction. A couple of seasons ago he had a line record as a goalkicker. Kilmistcr is accurate with the short kicks, and this faict should be borne in mind.

Notes. The interruption to club football lias killed a good deal of interest in the championship matches. There should, however, 'be a revival of interest locally when Hutt and Petonc meet for the final game o,f the season on Saturday fortnight. A. Phillips, the senior B forward, has been on thev'bank of late bceause of a bad han'd-. This injury has kept him out'of the senior A team as his height and weight made him the Tight man to fill Kofoed's place after that player was injured. AVe desire to acknowledge with thanks a donation .from Mr. C. J. Ashton. J. Dellabarcii has lost a lot o\f his speed. Hansen gave him a five yards start and caught him on Waturdfty Ifist. A couple of years ago Dellabanea would have beaten anyone with that start. Perkinson saved a moral try with a great tackle when McMillan, the Eastbourne -winger, 'broke away. He is an awkward man to tackle but the Hutt full-back made sure of him. Ivilmister varied his play very niecly on Saturday. It was 110 fault of his that better results Avere not obtained from some o,f his wonk. Foley, the Hutt lock,, is improving with every game. If there is a Colts' tour ijl vjew this year he should .stand a very good cliancp qf selpetion, Potter is another forward who has improved in his general piny. His hooking throughout the season has been consistent particularly when he has been given plenty of weight behind. Cassidy played one of his best games against Eastbourne. He was responsible for saving his side many times when the seasiders looked dangerous. Sargisson had to resort to kicking to counteract the attentions o,f Dellabarca. Unfortunately the tall was more often than not fielded by Ci'isp with the result that Hutt were driven back by long line kicks.