RUGBY NOTES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXV, Issue 3335, 25 July 1935, Page 2

RUGBY NOTES

GAMES IN THE MUD HATJTAPU LEADS IN FLEMING SHIELD Hautapu, who drew with Learnington on Saturday have now assumed the lead in the Fleming Shield senior Rugby competition, conducted on the last round of the' Cambridge Union’s senior championship. As the table shows, Hautapu is but one point in the lead, and two matches are yet to be played. United still head the senior championship table having gained 11 points. Leamington are two points behind second, while Hautapu and Northern have 7 and 5 points respectively.

Northern scored a meritorious win over the championship leaders, United, on Saturday. The Northern fifteen was definitely superior and held the territorial advantage for the greater part of the play. Northern won the match with superior forward play. The vanguard completely outclassed the United’s forwards in every department except the set scrums, from which United hooked their fair share of the ball. Bryant, Robinson and Kidd were playing excellent forward games. Northern were particularly outstanding in the loose, and innumerable sweeping, dribbling rushes baffled the United defence. Fast following up by the whole of the pack, a sound tactic at any time, was particularly advantageous to rapid aggression on Saturday, for with the mud-smeared ball extremely difficult to handle the United backs often fumbled, with the result that the fast following forwards swept down on the ball to initiate a forward rush that under the heavy conditions was extremely difficult to curb.

United possessed far more capable ball control among the backs, but of course Northern kept the game predominately a forward tussle, giving United backs little opportunity, and even when they were fed, although handling remarkably well, the sea of mud militated against fast and true co-operation. Stewart was handling as consistently as he docs under ideal conditions, and his backs were playing exceptionally Avell, being undoubtedly superior to the opposition rearguard, who for the few times they were fed failed to execute a passing run at. all. Northern won the day with an excellent forward team.

The curtain raiser, contested between Hautapu and Leamington, provided much fun. Neither team played serious football until the closing stages, and a draw was a fitting conclusion to a very entertaining game staged in the lightest of moods. This game, however, at times showed vigorous forward movements, and although neither set of backs Avas seen in many successful rushes, many thrilling forward runs, especially in the closing stages, heightened the standard of play. FLEMING SHIELD POINTS s ! i g 5 « * I j I 22 f Hautapu 1 I 6 Northern .1 1 - United II Leamington The Best of the Forwards—Although the backs Avere unduly handicapped on such a difficult field, the fonvards avlio dominated the game played exceptionally well and the outstanding ones are worthy of mention. In the principal match Northern forwards Avere all playing well, but Bryant, Robinson and Kidd* Avere the most prominent. Bryant is as fit as any player in Cambridge and lie ahvavs folloAvs up remarkably quickly. Hammond played one of his best games to date for United and the new forward Gunn, shoAved k n owl edge of fonvard tactics. Miller is playing very soundly at present and Avas again outstanding on Saturday. McGovern, Nicholl and Watt are determined Avorkors, the first-named being particularly energetic. Wallace and Blackett Avere the leaders of the Leamington pack. , i Prominent Backs. —StCAvart Avas the best of the United backs, and he Avas ably supported by Meanie and’Wilson. The other United backs had little opportunity. Mills and Reid played very excellent games for Northern and despite the adverse conditions they effected many clever handling movements, and initiated several well judged attacks. Hulme played well for Hautapu but ho was not. much more prominent than his colleagues. H. Peake opened some good back runs and was instrumental several times in picking his forwards into an attacking position. A. Wilson played very avoll on the wing and scored a splendid try showing determination, and consider-

able speed over the skidding surface. E. Cox handled well at full-back and acquitted himself creditably in his first senior game. Andrew found the ball very difficult to handle, but Hooker and Ivcepa were clearing Avell, in the full-back position. Down in the Mud. —ln the HautapuLoamington game, the players were sprawled in the mud very often mostly as a joke but Gear hit the ground more than any other player. Hutchinson also appeared fond of the mud, and at the conclusion of the match he avus more bespattered than any other player. Mud in the Eyes. —The referees Avere very busy on Saturday cleaning mud from the eyes of the players, and many times the game Avas delayed to remove the last but irritating stubborn particle.