RUGBY NOTES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3046, 31 August 1933, Page 2

RUGBY NOTES

FINLAY CUP GAME WITH HAMILTON. —7 CAMBRIDGE’S REVERSAL OE FORM. REARRANGED BACKS’ SPARKLING PLAY. (By "Oval.”) Hamilton will play Matamata shortly in the final of the Finlay Cup, not because they deserve to, but because they were most fortunate to escape decisive defeat at the hands of Cambridge’s elect in the semi-final of the Waikato Union’s competition at Rugby Park, Hamilton, last Saturday.

What a reversal of form the Cambridge team produced as compared with that displayed against Waipa the previous Saturday. True, the team had been considerably stiffened up by the return of Dan Bourkc from the Waikato tour, and the inclusion of K. Reid, of the Northern Club, and the Grammar full-back. With Byrne at half, and N. Holmes brought into first h v c—his correct position —the backs functioned like a machine for the first time this season, and they delighted the spectators, and Hamilton enthusiasts especially, with their frequent passing movements. With the exception of the first eight minutes, when Hamilton scored a couple of snap tries, Cambridge dominated the play and were a better team both forward and back.

The Hamilton team was not of the calibre Cambridge has faced in previous seasons. The back division was by no means sound, Snodgrass, the first five, being the most versatile player. Frequently Cambridge badly shattered the home defence and Hamilton were lucky not to have more points registered against them. Cambridge forwards were superior in the tight and loose play, but Hamilton dominated the line-outs and there was not much improvement in the Cambridge team in this direction despite my notes on line-out play last week. In the set scrums Cambridge got a very good share of the ball and Byrne got it awav in fine style. He is undoubtedly Cambridge’s best half-back. Of the other Cambridge players, K. Reid, at full, was a great acquisition to the team and the value of college training was plainly evidenced in his style. His line-kicking was frequently applauded, one great kick covering \ully 75 yards. He also participated in several movements as the result of running up into the three-quarter line with the ball. He also delighted the crowd with his clever dodge and sidestep. Reid also has a good fend. In the three-quarter line Frank Tapper played an even more dashing game than he did at Huntly recently. He is at the top of his form. His tackling on Saturday was, as usual, good. The ex-Putaruru rep., R. Allwood, shaped well at centre. His defence was also sound The best five-eighth display given by any Cambridge combination was that of N. Holmes and R. Shaw on Saturday. They combined well.

“Oval” has always advocated an inner back position for Holmes and his game on Saturday was a verification of this contention. No back player in Cambridge has played so consistently well during the past two season as "Dick” Shaw. He was the brains of the side on Saturday and two fine tries came from his tactics. Hamilton were cleverly trapped when Shaw sent Tapper over with a wide-flung pass. It is such tricky tactics that win games and it was not Shaw’s fault that Hamilton got home a point to the good. Frank Shaw, the Northern player, was tried out on the right wing. He shaped fairly well, though is hardly up to senior rep. standard.

In the forwards Dan Bourke, the Cambridge skipper, was the best forward in the tight play on the field. There were no drones, good honest games being played by P. Beer, Fred Shaw, D. Wilson, Hooper, A. Miller, and G. Reid. P. Beer is a real find, and his energetic play on Saturday classes him as a coming player. Reviewing the Hamilton side, Clarkin played a fine game at full, and extricated his side time and again—and he had plenty to do. Snodgrass was easily the best inner back, Gibing, Porteous and McDel being very ordinary. Whorsky made the fullest use of what came his way. In the forwards Hedley was outstanding.