RUGBY IN THE NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 17

RUGBY IN THE NORTH

SOME PROMISING PLAYERS LACK OF OUTSIDE MATCHES The Rugby season just closing has been a successful one in North Auckland, although the standard of both senior and junior play has scarcely been equal to that of previous years. The forward dribbling rush, wihch is so effective, lias become almost a lost art by all forward teams. The greatest deterioration, however, is in the back division, where backing up and in-and-out passing are not up t.o the standard of past years. The game is probably passing through a transition period, many of the old players having retired and the younger players have not yet reached their maximum capacity. The season has disclosed several very promising players both in the forwards and backs, and the prospects for next ieason are very hopeful. The City senior team, which won the championship, plaved 12 matches, winning nine and scoring 162 points against its opponents' 60. This team has played with splendid enthusiasm and the teamwork has been good. Led by such stalwart forwards as Dent and McKenzie. the pack proved very difficult for its opponents. Morris a young player making his first appearance in senior football, acquitted himself well and should be a very valuable forward for next season. Roos played very clever football at fiveeighths and he is also a splendid threequarter. He is one of the most promising backs for next season and will have a worthy rival in his club-mate, Burcli The Old Boys' team was unfortunate in losing the brilliant threequarter Campbell, early in the season, through his being transferred from the district. The same club also lost the services of Morgan, its fast wing, and these defections were responsible for the club's failures at the end of the season. From the public point of view the season has been disappointing, in that the only representative game was one for the Harding Shield, when Otamatea challenged successfully. This match drew the largest attendance of the season. It is to be hoped that next season strong efforts will be made to secure the visits of representative teams which do i?o much to create public interest and act as an incentive to local playeri.