Cambridge Wins in Four Games

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6100, 10 September 1947, Page 5

Cambridge Wins in Four Games

FINE RECORD LAST SATURDAY. REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY TEAMS (By “Observer”) Cambridge rugby critics could have little to cavil about at the performances of local representative teams in all grades last Saturday. The victory of the senior team against Hamilton was the first occasion on which the local team had defeated the latter for many years. There was no semblance of a fluke about the junior team’s Boyce cup victory, while the third graders recorded an excellent pei'formance to defeat Kaipara. A keen and virile forward pack paved the way for the senior team’s win against Hamilton. Drabble was the best forward on the ground, excelling in every department of for-

ward play. He scored a grand try. So too, did Keith Arnold,, who once again was to be found in the right place to add the finishing touches to a clever and well conceived move by Miller. A. Arnold was another excellent worker, his cover defence saving Cambridge more than once. Scobie showed vast improvement, playing his best game of the season, and fully justifying his inclusion. Ogilvy, T. Arnold and Searle were keen, honest workers. McLennan made a highly creditable first appearance 'and appears likely to retain his place in the team. The backs, as a set, were not impressive, showing little penetration. Miller was outstanding. He gave a smart efficient service from behind the scrum, varied his play well and saved the forwards untold work , with his short, effective line kicks. Hughes did not come up to expectations as an attacking player, but his swift moving up on defence bustled his opposite into making errors, and a speedy Hamilton three-quarter - line suffered accordingly. The three-quarters received few opportunities, but all defended well. Holmes is obviously past his best, but showed glimpses of the form which made him a Waikato player in 1936. Ormsby was not certain in handling, but both he and W. lieliy never faltered in the face of strong running opposing wingers. Paterson was uncertain early, but improved as the game progressed and he kicked well with either foot. He has kicked some excellent goals this season, and appears to be the team’s most reliable member in this direction. The game, as a spectacle, was unimspiring, though both Cambridge scoring movements were excellent efforts. Among the Juniors Despite the absence of six players in the Waikato Team, the Cambridge juniors outplayed Toupiri in the Boyce Cup game at Memorial Park. Both teams started keenly and the run of play was fairly even for the first fifteen minutes. Cambridge then scored and carried on to play bright and better football do score six unconverted tries and gain a clear cut .win. Cambridge played better as a team than it has of recent weeks, and with forwards and backs working together some excellent movements were seen. Although the backs received only a minority of the ball, they used their chances to good effect with Plaw and Graham playing excellent games. Tries scored for Cambridge were:— Plaw (2), McMillan, Graham, Fletcher and McGregor. Cambridge “B” defeated Taupiri “B” by 18 points to 0 in a good game. Newcombe, Puiford, Collins and Taplin scored for Cambridge. Newcombe converted three tries.

Waikato juniors scored a decisive win over South Auckland by 19 points to 5. Cambridge was well to the fore, Reilly scoring a try with all other members figuring prominently. Next Saturday the team will play Thames Valley at Waihi and Cambridge’s regular five members will appear again. They are Hjorth, Grey McCandlish, Newlands and Reilly. The Cambridge Representative team to play Mangakino at Memorial Park will not be selected until after the announcement of the Waikato team to play Thames Valley on the same day. The team will be selected from the following:—D. Paterson, G. Bartlett, W. Kelly, W. Bartlett, R. Hughes, V. Miller, E. Houghton, I. Ormsby, B. Watt, T. Arnold, D. Scobie, B. Reese, T. McLennan, E. Searle, K. Arnold, A. Amold t K.-. Drabble, J. Scott, D. Dench, R. Towgood, R. Hulse. R. Ogilvy and G. Walker are not available.