Rugby Notes

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 13, 26 August 1942, Page 5

Rugby Notes

— I-lutt defeated Army and qualil'y (o play I'ctone for (In.* National Mutual Cup. It. was most unfortunate that the mat oh between lint t and Army .should be played under very bad conditions. Rain fell throughout the game with the result that handling \va,s extremely diflicult, in fact so bad were the second spell conditions that accurate handling was practically impossible. Hutt, having available the most, capable set of backs they have been able to field this season, were hoping Aw dry conditions. In this connection much was expected from the threequarter line 'where (here was speed to burn with Potter, Tre.seder ami Millard playing the.se positions. The Ibrst tries of the match came f"om the- wingers, l'oiter and Tre.seder. Both players went very close on other occasions during the match, only the state of the ground ami the bounce of the ball robbing them of almost certain tries'. The honours of the game rest primarily with the IIlit.!, forwards who outplayed their opponents. Agreed the Army were not at full strength, most of their forwards however, were provincial players and bad an advantage :n weight and height. Hutt, too, were minus the services of two line siderow men in Marsden and Brown. Their services were missed very much in the line out play. Anderson and Burns who took over tlie side row positions, depof.ised sp) •>?- didly. The whole pack piayetl really well with every player giving ot his best. The solid locking jf Greening and Bougeu enabled Putt, to pack a sou'-.d .-40 rum, a !' • ,'t J-Jaigh appr-":£.'!'.od :.s he had ,id day in raking the ball for his side, J lad the gr ' el been dry, the iiutt backs, would have had unlimited opportunities to show their worth. I.'nder the conditions which obtained, little if any chain passing was attempted. Kicking for the, wings proved a most proii table mode of attack. The forwards, however, often Kept, control of the ball themselves. It wac their work in this direction which caused Army so much trouble as their backs were called upon to do an abnormal amount of rush stopping. Ilutt would have gained a big advantage from their work on a dry ground when quick heeling from the rucks would have given the bucks koine excellent chances. While it was not a good da\ for the back's to shine on attack, if did give them a chance to show how they could handle under adverse conditions. Some very good fielding and Kicking was noted on the part of (Irani, Guthrie and Miliard, the inside backs. The wings, of eour.se. had little to do in this direction; they came under notice in other ways. Two of '.bebest, but few, attacking runs of tin: game were made by Tresecler, wiio made one jmky run down the left flank, and Millard who broke through < the centre on one occasion.

culling out about lour men. The outstanding display of iielding and long range kicking of a sodden and greasy ball was given by Hiigh who tilled the full back position for Hutt. A better exhibition under the conditions would be hard to imagine. His play instilled confidence into the men in front of him. who soon realised that the full back was capable of dealing with every situation. Bligh usually plays second live-eighth or centre, in which positions he has represented Hawke's Bay. Ke played on the wing for Hutt in the first match against Army when his play had much to do with the local team's victory over the service-men 011 that occasion. NOTES

The match between Hutt and Petone this week for the National Mutual Cup, will arouse a lot of interest at least amongst Hutt Valley supporters. It is to be hoped that they will majice the journey to town to see the game i and so demonstrate to the Rugby Union that the two lintt Valley teams can draw a good gate away from home. Just what strength Hutt will be able to muster for Saturday's game remains to be seen. Certain it is that a solid pack will be available. It may be a question as to who to leave out. With two exceptions, all last week's backs will be on deck. It is expected to fill the two vacancies satisfactorily, consequently Hutt should be able to give the champions a good game. Teamwork is a feature of I'etone's play, backs and forwards combining cleverly. This combination is always hard to beat, -and can only be countered by sound covering up work and solid tackling E. N. I High who played for llutt last week, is one of three brother.-;', all footballers, who reside in (lie Huff Valley. It is to be hoped that their services will be available to llutt after the war. Two of the brothers, are already serving in the forces. The other is at present, in a reserved occupation. Creeiiing, Mutt's Hi-stone lock, shows a surprising turn of speed for such a heavy man. Even on Saturday's muddy turf lie was seen to (lie fore, chasing ii|> and under kicks. Burns, Huff's captain, played a. strong hand against. Army. Several penalties for offside play did not detract, greatly from his other good work. ,y.-(