VARSITY ARE FAIR GAME FOR OLD BOYS

NZ Truth, Issue 1274, 1 May 1930, Page 12

VARSITY ARE FAIR GAME FOR OLD BOYS

Students Fail To Produce THeir Usual Brilliant Back Play

(Froni "N.Z. Truth's" Special Wellington Representative.) Wellington Rugby was ushered m under the best possible conditions on Saturday, and whilst it was difficult to enthuse over the general standard of play, there was abundant evidence that before the season advances far the club games 'will draw enthusiastic patronage from the Wellington public.

ONE outstanding weakness was the ' manner m which players endeavored to enterpret the kick-into-touch rule and to take a mark. ■■ . Frequently, those m authority have given it out that New Zealanders can quickly adapt themselves to the old rules. Tf one had to judge on Saturday's efforts, then the powers that be have overestimated "the capabilities of the present day player. - The finding of the line m the main match at Athletic Park was dreadful, and the forwards were kept Hearing up and down the field until their condition completely crumpled. . ' Old Boys created a surprise by, defeating Varsity, last year's champion's. It was evident from the start that the students did not fully appreciate . playing under the old rules. In the past their success has come from keeping the ball amongst the backs, but on Saturday their forwards failed to get the ball, from the scrums. or the line-outs. ■ ■ "■ • . ■ •The backs, when they did get the ball, failed to produce that chain combination .w,lilch m the .past always enabled them to race ooverr r their opponents. Old Boys deserved their win: They did not take long to settle down, and from the start it was evident good work had been done m the gym. The young blood m the forwards came to light with heaps of weight m the scrums, thus enabling the backs to monopolise the handling of the ball. The second match m order of importance was the meeting between Petone and Athletic on the former's oval. Petone won by 15 to 10 after a game which had many bright moments. It was a case of seasoned men ' against lads making their debut to big football. Athletic were well lead by Cliff Porter, and throughout the first spell it appeared as though his side would scramble home. It was during the second outing that Petone brought, their weight and experience into the picture. . Morgan potted a goal for Athletic, and Pollock one for Petone. Poneke defeated Berhampore by 24 to 9 m a game that gave the impression that the former will be a great side this sealii past seasons. Poneke have relied too much on their forwards. This year they have some good backs, Cookson and Pelham making a wonderful difference to the attacking force of the red-and-black side. , Julian behind the scrum made many bright openings and Neal Cookson, Pelham and Edgar carried on with penetrating passing rushes. Still, these backs must learn to handle the ball accurately. Many scoring opportunities went begging through this weakness. Oriental (9) Eastbourne (6) gave the crowd at the Bay an exciting and close game. Incidents of a bright order were there m plenty and right ' to the call of time it was anybody's game. Eastbourne are still a bit on the light side m the forwards. Dennis was perhaps the outstanding back on the ground. He promises to play a prominent part m big football this ' season. '

Hutt went all out for a victory against Marist, and throughout the first spell it looked certain that their return to senior A would be heralded with a win. They notched 14 points to Marisfs 5 m the first spell. The Greens .came to light towards the close- of the game with the forwards and backs working together splendidly. Stiver had his correct boot on for goal-kicking, and this materially aided Marist m compiling 10 points to their opponent's 14.