RUGBY FOOTBALL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3209, 20 September 1934, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

HOPES OF PEACE CUP DASHED CAMBRIDGE TEAM’S FINE DISPLAY Although beaten in the Peace Cup challenge against Matamata on SaturJ day, the exhibition given by the Cambridge representatives established j them on a plane with the best teams in the Waikato Union. For several years 1 there has been a slackness in local football. Last year saw an improved but young team and this season they j have gone ahead to be a credit to the district. A slight lack of finish was the noticeable fault this season, but if the present enthusiasm' and keenness is maintained when tho game commences next year, the experience gained in rep. fixtures during the past two months should stand them in good stead and make them a force to bo reckoned with. j Matamata is recognised as the best team in the Union this year, and odds j were against Cambridge bringing home the Cup on Saturday. In view of this, it was most disappointing to local players and spectators to be defeated after j having a decided advantage throughout the match. The lapse of the inner backs on 1 defence, for a short spell after half-time, was the deciding factor l in Matamata’s victory and it is W. H. Carlson- to whom credit must be given for their win. j Cambridge must have been giving away a stone all round, yet through- ' out the game the local forwards out- ! played the Matamata pack. They secured muck more often from tho line- ! outs and .-serums, but the solidity of the Matamata backs told against our light-weight inner backs, who did not 1 get the ball away as freely as needed. * All round tho defence was excellent, * and it was a pleasure for the spectators to sec both sides going low for their men and bringing them down cleanly. An adjustment of the Cambridge team after half-time, when H. Peake came in to centre, strengthened J the defence and the big man of the Matamata team, W. Carlson, had few. opportunities after that. Had- 1 Peako been at centre from the commencement —which is no reflection on the team or selector, but just bad luck — it is quite probable that Cambridge would have won. It was a surprise to see Vin James at full-back, as he has had little experience in this position and is not a good kick. He had little to do, however, which was perhaps fortunate, j H. Peake played his usual dashing ! game and fully merited inclusion in the Waikato reps. Allwood did not combine as he has done, but was seen to advantage working in the loose. W. Wilson did not get too much work and was well marked, but he took all that : was coming and with Hogan scored a * good try. j Norman Holmes played one of his , best games this season. He cut in well 1 at times and was unlucky in not- getting over on one occasion. Overeagerness spoiled some of his passes. Hogan was, as usual, a tower of ! strength, but W. Stewart did not disj play his usual nippiness in getting the j ball away. The outstanding forward on the field was Max Hewitt, who was prominent in almost every attacking movement. Throughout a hard game he displayed just as much dash at the finish as when he started. In the last desperate attacks, Hewitt, who handles well, broke away time and again, but was not supported and the advantages were lost. S. Harbutt was also prominent and is particularly useful in the line-outs. Percy Beer and Frank Coulter played determinedly and Hall and Bryant also showed up to advantage. Burns again monopolised the ball from the sciums and toiled solidly. Carswell did not play up to form and seemed off colour. The spectators were given an excellent exhibition of fast, clean football, and this fact was commented on by Matamata officials at the dinner given to the team after the match. It was stated that the match had provided the best game seen in Matamata for some time.

RUGBY MANAGEMENT MEETING OF COMMITTEE At a meeting of the Management Committee of tho Cambridge Eugby Sub-Union, on Tuesday evening, Mr H. Cubis presided. An offer from Morrinsvillc to visit Cambridge for a friendly match on Saturday was accepted. Messrs E. Hall and C. Wallace were appointed managers of the local team. ’ No Finlay Cup Match Cambridge will not be playing a Finlay Cup challenge this year. Morrinsville will not play this Saturday as several of the team are in the Waikato reps, and next Saturday Hamilton will challenge. No matches arc allowed after September 30. / _

The Rugby Ball The secretary presented a statement of the Rugby Ball, which showed a margin of profit. Congratulations wexe extended to all who had helped to make the ball a success, especially .the ladies* committee and the ladies urjio had arranged the floral decorations. Match With Matamata Members expressed appreciation of the display put up by Cambridge in the match against Matamata last Saturday for the Peace Cup. It is hoped to secure an early match with Matamata next season. The meeting decided to send a letter of Jhanks to Mr S. E. Senior for the capable way he refereed the match and to Matamata for the hospitality extended to the team and officials. Mr Cubis spoke of the . gratifying, support given by the public this season and especially in connection with last Saturday’s match. It was a gicat help to the players, as well as to the Union, said Mr Cubis. f Match With Morrinsville In view of the fact that Moirins ville will bo defending the Finlay Cup against Hamilton on September 29, the match with Cambridge should be full of interest; also as Cambridge should have played Morrinsville for the Cup last Saturday. The Morrinsville team is .'as follows: Angus Cameron; R. Vivian, M- .Hall, K. Campbell; H. Scholium, W. Cameron; R. Earl; V. Hewitt, G. Faulkner, G. Reynolds, A. Cameron, C. Roach, M. Lower, G. Leeson, C. Cameron. Reserves: Vowlcss, Clarkin, J. Hccps and L. Marshall. . j ; ,h- h’ b?