RUGBY LEAGUE

Hutt News, Volume XXI, Issue 50, 9 June 1948, Page 14

RUGBY LEAGUE

MUTT v. WATERSIDE (Senior Reserve) . _ Playing two men short Hutt put up a good game to lose to Waterside by 16 points to 11. Waterside won the toss and played with the wind. Hutt kicked off, but Waterside was putting the ball high in the air and with fast following up soon had Hutt on its line. From a “play the balk’ movement a Waterside player used his weight in going over for a try. The conversion missed. Hutt, which only had four forwards, was getting outhooked and fast breaking by Kenny soon had Hutt in trouble again and added another five points in a try, which was converted by Hale. Now eight points down k things looked bad for Hutt until Webb gathered in the ball and sidestepped four men and scored. This was unconverted. Waterside was playing a tight game but Hutt could see that the only possible way to make headway was to play a loose spoiling game, and when up on the Waterside line the ball came out to Pettigrew, who scored. Katene converted. The second spell was played with good League football, but Waterside lacked finish in their passing movements. Hutt, now with che wind, kept putting high ones into the air, and Hale at full-back for Waterside was kept busy and when he fumbled one Wilson scored for Hutt. The kick missed. Hutt, now three points in front, kept putting the ball into touch, trying to play for time, and it was not until about ten minutes before the end of the game that Waterside scored two tries, one of which was converted. Mr. Mailman was referee. Junioi* Grade.—Miramar 18, Hutt 5. STRIDES IN HUTT VALLEY

The giant strides that this open Rugby football game of 13 a side is making in the Hutt Valley augurs well for the future. This bright Leap Year of so many shortages lia& shown no shortages in numbers of clubs, teams, grounds, and supporters that are following Rugby League in the Hutt Valley. In clubs there are seven, namely, Randwick, Korodale, Te Aroha, and Hutt of senior status, with Petone, Eastern Hutt, and the newly-formed? Waiwhetu Club (sponsored by the Waiwhetu District Sports Centre) of junior status, besides enquiries o hand by the combined dubs committee to form a League Club ifi the Taita area. More teams* are in the Wellington League ppmpetitious from the Valley ' dubs than ever before.

As fof playing areas the League considers itself blessed by having three extra fields, Lwo at Te Wliiii Park and one at McEwan Park, making a total of tivp in Petone and five in Lower Hutt. Training facilities are not of the best and it would be better for this game that clubsi and the League Board of Control should amalgamate in erecting dressing-sheds with outside electric lighting at Te Whiti Parle for training purposes, and so improve their standard of play. Out of a round-the-table discussion of all the Valley League clubs last year evolved a combined clubs committee for the purpose of watching the Valley’s interests in the playing and social side of the game. The first success was the privilege granted to the Valley clubs by the Wellington Rugby League Board of Control of having equal representation in three delegates on that administrative body. It is apparent that the order of the senior Valley clubs this year is to concentrate on their junior players. Te Aroha senior team played senior reserve last year, and through the efforts of their sub-tribe leader, Mr. Puketapu, and others, has been able to field strong senior reserve and junior teams, who show much more promise and success in wins than their senior team, Korodale, could have, but did not field a senior reserve team in favour of building up a strong club. Randwick are as proud in their reverses in their senior team this season as they have been in their long of successes in championships of the pas f. The year 194 7 saw a most successful ball held by the Valley League clubs. It is hoped that ii the near future the Valley clubs will show their appreciation of the Kiwis by welcoming home their manager, our own Vic Simpson, chairman of the Wellington League.