Cambridge Rugby Season Concludes

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 108, 1 October 1947, Page 5

Cambridge Rugby Season Concludes

A REVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES PROSPECTS MOST ENCOURAGING (By “Observer”). > The seven-a-side tournament staged at Memorial Park last Saturday provided a fitting finale to a successful Rugby season. Some bright open games were witnessed and many excellent “runaway tries were scored. All games were played in a carefree spirit, and the wresting of the various trophies seemed to be a matter of secondary consideration only. \ Interest Maintained Two seasons of post-war Rugby have been completed, and public interest in the national game has resurged to a noticeable extent. Local honours have been fairly widely distributed, Leamington won the senior championship one week before celebrating its 50th Jubilee. Runners-up in the championship, Hautapu, made amends in the Fleming Shield 'series, while United scored a surprise, but popular "victory in the seven-a-side tournament. Few local patrons will deny the merit of Leamington’s victory in the championship series. A virile forward pack carried it to victory in most of the hardest games. R. K. Fletcher and R. Ogilvy, both of whom won Waikato honours, were outstanding, with G. Walker also well to the fore. Searle was another hard working, honest forward, with the Towgood brothers, Hyde and Dench, others, who contributed in no small manner to the success of the vanguard. Promising Fullback Playing his first season of senior Rugby, D. Paterson proved a capable full-back, and with more experience should gain higher honours. The club fielded the best half back seen in Cambridge for many years. He is V. Miller, whose clever and resourceful performances behind the scrum have delighted followers of the river team. B. Watt has been a solid and efficient five-eighth, with D. Reeves showing match-winning qualities on occasions. W. Kelly is the team’s most improved player, while Judd and N. Miller arcothers who have shown good form during the season. When Hautapu defeated Matangi by 33 points to 8 in the opening series of matches, its competition chances were rated highly. Always a hard team to defeat, Hautapu again experienced a successful season, and gained the additional honour of having an All Black in its ranks. Ross gave some sound displays at full back, While R. Arnold and G. Bartlett again played solid Rugby. Houghton was responsible for some plucky performances at half-back. W. Bartlett at first five-eighth, showed marked promise in his first season of senior football. A. J. Arnold was an outstanding forward with Scott, Scobie, Jessen, Kidd, Hogan and Reese all offering excellent support. United showed vast improvement on last year’s form and fielded a back line at least comparable with that of other teams. Outstanding players were Brunskill, M. White and Ormsby, all of whom played consistently well. Hughes gave excellent service at half-back, while Qzich and Fell were also prominent on occasions. Drabble proved a grand leader of the Courtenay also registered some solfd performances and Hunia, Barrett and Cubis were others who did their full share. Matangi’s re-appearance in the local competition created keen interest,, and the team improved as the season progressed. It came very near winning the Fleming Shield. Crookston showed" promise amongst the backs until he incurred an injury. G. Turner and Taylor also performed capably. McLennan was an outstanding forward and deserved his place in the 'liiilillilllillllillllllililllilllllilliliiiiiiiigiiiiiiHiiiiiiaiKmiiiii,..,

Representative team. Cave, Bryant, Scott and Rusk were other forwards who were consistently to the fore. Matangi should be capable of improv ing its record next season. Hautapu Juniors

No review of the season would be complete without mention of the record of the Hautapu junior team which won the Junior Championship for the third time during the past four seasons. It also shared the honours with Old Boys for the "Wooden" Cup. ■ln the competition series the team played. twelve matches, winning ten and playing. two draws. It scored 1'72 points as against 37 by opposing teams. In addition it played six games against outside teams for four wins, a draw and a loss. Its only less, against Morrinsville Terriers, was inflicted when the team's four Waikato representatives were absent. In these games S 5 points were scored against 25. Hjorth, the second fiveeighth has been an outstanding performer, with M. Paton a sound, efficient half-back. M. Newlands, 1 , R. Byrne, B. Reilly and C. Cranch have been continually prominent in a fine forward pack. Next season should be an opportune time for several members of the team to rise to senior ranks, in which grade they should be capable of acquitting themselves with credit. High School Does Well

The performances of the High School third grade team have also been of a high standard. For the first time in the. history of the Teddy Shield, the trophy reposes in Cambridge. Third grade honours have been won by High School for the second season in succession. The record of the Hautapu team has not been consistent, but proved a hard team to defeat on its day, and in its ranks there are some promising material. The undoubted promise of players in the lower grades gives one good cause for assuming that the future of. Cambridge ,Rugby can be regarded optimistically. In conclusion let it be said that Cambridge is most fortunate in its Rugby administration. A long and eventful season has been completed, .without a hitch. Many enthusiasts have toiled behind the scenes, seeking no other reward than the satisfaction which comes of encouraging those who play the national game. To them, and to the women who have given their services on social occasions, players and patrons are deeply indebted. [■lliMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!llllllllllUI!IIIIIUIUllll!lllllllllll!ll!||