Rugby Notes

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 14, 2 September 1942, Page 5

Rugby Notes

NATIONAL MUTUAL LITI] CUP Petoilb, the championship winners' proved to be just a little bit too gooil for Hutt wuen ilu teams met to decide the holders of the above cup. The match was played under perfect conditions and , before one of the best attendances of the'season. The game was full of incident and the result in doubt until the final whistle, as the result, fa\ our of -Petone indicates. , - forward play and solid tackl:ittgrtended to spoil the spectacular side of the game but it was by no means a drab affair. There was always something doing,by backs or fo.rwards-fr3Ufficient -to' keep the Hutt Valley 'spectators on their toes. Hutt did scoring in the first half —a ,l^|^^:-7j" r nil being obtained per medifflS^a^Btal)^nal ty kick and a jine field Treseder j. This score the trend ol the gameis stage as Petone had attacking during which somjS„f|asMal>Jy easy shots at goal were not turned l, account. The blues had nooKed the ball from nearly every scrum in this halt, consequently Hutt-'S defence was well tested and found to be pretty solid. The second , half saw Petone make a determined bid to take the lead. They got within striking distance by convening a penalty and finally achieved their objective about ten minutes before time, when they scored the only try of the match and converted to take the lead by one point. Hutt had chances to add to their points earlier in this half. Arnold at half appeared to score a clean cut try when he went round the side of the scrum. 1 Unfortunately for: ilutt the referee was on the wrong side of the scrum to get a good view. It can be conceded, however, that Petone would have been very unlucky to lose. They had that extra team work which lacked in Hutt's play. This is not surprising as the local team has been unable to get a full side ! together for any one night's training i throughout the season. Considering this and the fact of losing poss- ; ession of the ball in 'most of the set ( scrums, Hutt put-up a remarivablv 1 good performance-to"'Kin the oham- < pions so close. The most important < fact to bear in mind is that they j Ji ■ v . contributed t O.Ward 4.$ good game j which was played in Excellent spirit. ;

LOWER. GRADES The Fifths, are to be congratulat

Ed upon going through the championship record. They also brought further honours to the club by winning the Memorial Competition which ? awardcd-.,it£ jfclre team gaining most points for 'flress, conduct on and off the field. knowl<uij"<- <<•' the rules, etc Congratulation?, to the players and the coachessrs M. Hunt and J. Mooney. . Thjs team provided the curtain raiser to the main fixture wheivitSiey prqyed too strong for I'oneke by winding 20 to nil. The Hutt forwards were too rugged for their 'opponents. Ansrus was .he outstanding forward in the loo.se and his play was of a very high standard. In the line outs and rucks Fawcett and Martin wonted splendidly. Clarke,' Brailev. .';u,

Lane and McLellan also gave of their best. The backs' as a combina tion were not a success, weakness in handling by th'e three-quarts. again being evident. Mooney at second five-eighth played an outstanding game but;' Angus r>"'' Hayes were also very good. Hoare at. full back after a nervous start, settled d'own to play his usual solid game. The Sixth A's met and defeated 'Petone for the third time. This team has an unbeaten record also, although one point was dropped for a drawn game. Congratulations to the boys and their coach—Mr. E. Cropp—on a good performance. The Fourths sull'ered their only defeat at the hand of .St; ati Old Boys. This does not affect tneir position as leaders tin the championship which will probably be declared closed this week. This team and their coach—Mr. L. Fawceti- -are to be commended also upon a good record. On Saturday week September 12. Hutt and Petone Joams (ail available grades) will p'lay 'matches in a special field day which has been arranged. The proceeds, subject to the Rugby Union's approval, will be handed over to the Hutt Valley R.S.A. It is to be hoped that the public will support, the Association by attending these matches. No training will.' take place this week except for Fdurtb Grade players who, with a trip to Wairarapa in view, will train on Thursday night. Next Week the gymnasium will be open, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.