Rugby Notes

Hutt News, Volume 18, Issue 44, 23 May 1945, Page 5

Rugby Notes

HUTT DEFEAT THE LEADEKS

In their first visit to Headquarters > this season, Hutt gave of their best - to defeat Old Boys in a memorable [ match. Taking the run of the play , as a whole the local side deserved ' to win, but weak goal kicking almost , cost them the game. Out of eight . attempts only one was turned to ac- • count. This was rather unfortun- . ate as quite a number of the penalties awarded them were angled for i in the set scrums where Hutt hooked the ball almost at will, and it proved an easy matter to trap the impetuous 01$ Boys' forwards. Conditions were similar to those obtaining the previous Saturday—a heavy ground and a slightly greasy ball — not bad enough to make handling difficult. Hutt established a handy lead of nine points with the wind per medium of two tries and a penalty goal; several penalties went begging in this spell. In the second half Old Boys set up a series of attacks which kept Hutt defending for long periods. Only superb defence kept them out and Hutt are to be congratulated on this phase of their game. The proceedings kept a good crowd wildly excited right up. to the final whistle. Hutt may perhaps be criticised for not keeping the play tight when they had established a lead of nine points"; that they did not do so, however, certainly made the match more interesting for the spectators even if it did cause supporters some anxious moments. It is well to remember that the line is not yet functioning with that snap and precision which it should and this will come only with match practice. It was a big occasion for the inside backs and it caused no surprise when Ihey commenced rather shakily. The opposing forwards however, were breaking quickly and this naturally had some effect on their play. Southen often appeared to receive the ball when he was on the point of being tackled. This of course affected the play of Deas at centre where he was causing the opposition some trouble whenever he got the ball. Had he been able to get with more room in which to work he would have been much more dangerous. The play of Berg and Bligh was again a big factor in the team's success. The wings, Perrett and Jacobsen, played reasonably well considering the few chances they received. The former opened the way :for the first try which was topped off by Deas after a nice passing rush. The forwards were the deciding factor in the game and too much., praise cannot be accorded them for. their work. They played as a pack as they did the-pre-vious week and it again proved a match winning factor. The hooking of Potter was of great value as also was the line out work of Phillips and Robinson. Burns played a valuable roving game and with Alexander did much to break up back movements. In the loose rushes Pot ter, Pollard, Duffy, Tutaki were often to the fore.

This week's match is for the McBain Shield and is to be played at Petone. A keen match can be expected. A certain number of seats are being set aside for Hutt officials and vice-presidents, but can only be kept open until half an hour before the game commences.