Rugby Notes

Hutt News, Volume 19, Issue 11, 15 August 1945, Page 5

Rugby Notes

ATHLETIC OVERWHELM HUTT Showing splendid team work Athletic inflicted the heaviest defeat upon Hutt that they have suffered this season. The winners were practically starved of the ball from set scrums but overcame this handicap by quick heeling from the rucks from wliere they repeatedly outmanoeuvred Hutt in fine passing bouts. The winners had too much speed in the backline for the local side and they were unable to cope with flying winger Jamieson wno scored several tries. In the first half Hutt kept Athletic penned up on their own side of half way for most of the spell but were unable to make use of the many opportunities offered them. At least sixteen points were thrown away in tnis session because of poor place kick-, ing and lack of finish in their passing movements. The forwards were | well on top of their opponents and with Potter raking the ball from almost every scrum the backs had unlimited opportunities but were un able to finish off their movements, la the second spell the Hutt forwards appeared to lose heart at the lack of support from their backs. As far as the backs were concerned it was not so much bad tackling as being caught on the wrong foot by that old master, Tindall, who directed most of Athletics' movements. He was quick to size up the strength of the defence and many times swung a long pass from the open side to the blind side to set the attack going in the'direction least expected. In scoring most of their tries Athletic had the overlap d*e to their superior speed. Angus at full back has an unenviable job b«t invariably got the man with the ball. No criticism can be levelled at him on account of his tackling. As it was> his first game at full back «ne canl excuse errors in positional play and line kicking. Berg and Thorburn were the soundest backs in the Hutt side. The forwards played particularly well in the first half when Phillips was outstanding for

all round play. The others were not far 'behind him. LOWER GRADES The Fourths while not having a very successful time have some promising boys in the team. Manion, Topham, West and Sim are above the average in the backs, while Simpson, Swift, Kemdge were useful forwards. Unfortunately it is difficult, because of players attending night school, to get a full musat training coi*»quently their team work suffer#. The Sixth grade boys play very good football for lads of their age. Or. Saturday the forwards were work ijig, well together and it was noticed that in the rucks the ball was heeled smartly when the half called for it —this enabled the team to scoae some easy tries because the opposing backs were caught out of position. They all played well with Brocklebank, Walls, Cohen,. Sergeant being particularly pro minent. McKay at half was responsible for some good work; he works his forwards very well. Cudby, at first five-eighth spoiled his play by being too selfish. Admittedly he scored two or three . tries but he should remember that he has other backs outside him. Cohen and Cooke and Clamp showed that they could handle alright when, the ball was sent on. Fawcett at full back is a very sound defensive player. He stops rushes in the approved style. His kicking with both feet, while not strong, is accurate. OLD TIMERS' DAY This has been fixed for September Ist. The programme at present caters for Old Timers only—that is field events and an Old Timers' match. At a meeting being held this week (Thursday) consideration will be given to the playing of a Married versus Single match. The' married men can field a very solid team as Potter, Tutaki, Burns, Corkin, Pollard, Thorburn, Perrett, and Croom of the senior team are eligible under this heading.

WOBUKiV RUGBY NOTES The Woburn Juniors on Saturday again showed excellent form in beating the championship leaders Marist 8-3. The players showed great team work and the backs functioned their best. At centre threequarters HaroVJ McKay played his first game for toe club since entering the army and with Hare at second fiveeighths combined well, causing some anxious moments for the opponents. The forwards held their own against a heavier pack and Devine's hooking was excellent. However, the ball j\vas slow in coming out of the scivmp which was largely due to Marists' weight. Du Faur played his best game this year in the forwatds, being in the thick of it at all tij< es. He was well supported by Devine, Rogers and Livingstone. In the backs Evans at half-back Played his usual solid game and fed 1 Jaeger with good passes. Carey on the v/'iig played an excellent game scoring tbo two tries, one of which '.'t-nvurted by Jaeger. It is only hoped chat, this team will be able to hoJ«.i t: i,ether for their last two games as they are only two points behind the leaders. The Thirds had an easy match with University B, winning by 24-10. Tries were scored by Keen and Lomath, Luhrß potting a neat field goal. Dudding had his kicking boots on scoring the other 14 points.

He kicked four penalty goals and converted one try, all of which were fine shots. The Fourths drew with Welling? ton College Old Boys 3-3. Delahey scored the only try.