Rugby

Hutt News, Volume 12, Issue 17, 21 September 1938, Page 2

Rugby

THE SEASON IN HETBOSPEOT

Witli championship matches now over and the end of the season in sight, stock can be "taken of the performances of the local teams. In as much as it is the Club's policy to provide football for as many players as possible and noT make the winning of championships the main objective,, the 1938 season was quite a satisfactory one.

Two championships were won (Junior A and Sixth) and second place gained in the Club championship. The performance of the Junior team calls for special mention as the sidp , carried twenty players who took tu/ns in standing down The coach, Mr Kyan is to be congratulated upon his policy which brought such good results. The Club was fortunate in having a full quota of coaches and this fact had a big bearing on the success of the season. They are a very keen and capable set and the Club is fortunate in the fact that all have indicated their willingness to carry 011 next season. This will mean a flying start as the difficulty in past seasons has been to get sufficient coaches for all, teams with the result that some grades have had to play initial championship games under a liandi-

The senior team did not do so well as it should have done,- although it fared much better than was expected at, the beginning of the season. Local ■ enthusiasts will recollect that the Club had to contend with a further batch of retirements and defections, leaving the senior team without any experienced players, a very serious handicap indeed, as there were many promising youngsters on hand who needed some "old heads" to give them confidence. It was recognised, however that given good forwards in front of them, who could maintain a good supply of the ball from scrums and rucks, the young backs would have a chance of developing 011 the right lines. Fortunately there were some good forwards offering around which a good pack could be built, and it was on these lines that the coaches, Messrs. Ilamson and Coulston built their team. The lack of a really outstanding leader and tactician on the field, cost the side quite a few points, and the ultimate

place ill tile championship ladd'er really did 'not reflect the teams capabilities. Considering the youth of the side (there were eight under twenty-one) lack of experience was expected to affect their chances against older teams, yet there was very little in it, in some of the games against the top teams. Burton, Williams, Kemp, Flanagan, Foley, Wiggins, the youngest members all (benefitted considerably through the season's experience and much improvement; was noted in their play during the latter matches. They should: take the field next season full of confidence in their ability to hold their own with a 'ny players opposed to them. Ivilmisicr, Evans, Holland and Graham rendered very" good service. Sargisson's ability to drop goals and his play generally made him a particularly valuable man to the team. The team owes much to this player and it is pleasing to sec his worth being recognised by the Wellington selector. In the forwards Griffen and Cassidy provided the stiffening required and Potter gave splendid service as hooker. Foley developed into a very good lock and toward the latter end of the season showed marked ability as a line-out forward. Foley celebrated his twenty-first birthday this month, consequently he has many years of football ahead of him. Providing he puts a little more sting into his play and develops greater speed, the highest honours should not be beyond him as he has the height and weight required, lvemp filled the role of loose forward in a competent manner and fully justified his promotion. The front rowforwards Corkin, Perno and Grant were all useful players who while lacking in weight made up for this by their work in the loose. Flanagan, the ba:by of the side, who has just turned eighteen, was not played too often for obvious reasons. He should be a much improved player next year. The good work of Griffen and Cassidy should not be forgotten. These two players bore the brunt of the tight work and inspired confidence in the other players. Blair, another new,comer, played some good games, but did not always use his weight to the best advantage. The play of Burton and Williams, two outstanding members of the previous year's fourth grade veam, was watched with interest. Burton, as an inside back, had to contend with a lot of hard knocks throughout 'the season. He stood up to it very well indeed and was the only back to play in every match. Naturally Burton found it more difficult to make his mark in senior football as he had' to contend with experienced- players, who, knowing his capabilities paid him particular attention. We confidently predict that as the result of this year's experience this player will be a thorn in the side of opposing teams next season. Williams was probably the most improved player in the team as his work on the left wing was really outstanding. Williams played all his football as a second five-eighth last season, consequently it can be said that he has made good in a strange position. His defence requires to be tightened up a little to make him a good all round winger. Space will not permit further comments, but we can conclude by remarking that the future .prospects of the senior team, appear ;;t& be very good indeed as it is confidently expected that all this year's players will be on hand again next season. All senior players who are available for the trip to Masterton on Saturday, are requested to attend the gymnasium oil Thursday night. The Eed Star Club, Masterton, is- putting on a dinner j and a dance to follow so those making i the trip are in for an enjoyable time.

There will be room for a limited number of non-players in the bus. Those who desire to make the "trip are asked to hand in their names to the Secretary. Sixth-grade players are asked to assemble at the gymnasium at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday evening, to make arrangements regarding a photograph. The Wind-up-Dance and presentation of Trophies, will take place in the Horticultural Hall on Friday, September 30th. Dancing will take place until 1 p.m. A full muster of members of all teams will be required to make ■this function a financial success as the expense involved 1 in engaging a larger hall and) extra players for the 'band amounts to a considerable sum. (