BRITISH RUGBY OUTLOOK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 264, 6 November 1937, Page 4

BRITISH RUGBY OUTLOOK

NEW SEASON STARTS OLD TIME PROWESS IN WALES CHALLENGED SPONG STILL GOING STRONG So far we have hardly chipped the shell of the new-laid rugger season, says a Rand writer. In Wales and the West Country the clubs make an early start with their fixtures, but in London and the North enthusiasm is less urgent. So there is as yet no more than a couple of Saturday matches apiece on which the gauge club prospects. In Wales the lament is that the oldtime prowess of such old-established institutions as Swansea, Newport and Cardiff is no longer what is used to be. There are fresh young aspirants who challenge these greybeards successfully if not arrogantly, and the latter find it harder than formerly to attract the rising talent. Bristol and Gloucester remain, however, still the outstanding West of England clubs, though there are hopeful signs now of a revival of Devonport Albion’s ancient glory. In the North of England the Lancashire and Yorkshire Clubs maintain their old prowess, perhaps the strong-est-looking side this season being that of Waterloo. London’s innumerable old boy clubs are flourishing, not least the O.M.T.’s, and the Wasps still continue to field a whole galaxy of fifteens every week-end, most of whom manage to score a win. The Wasps are not only probably the oldest, but in a sporting sense one of the most worthy of metropolitan clubs. Their slogan has always been, thanks to a hierarchy of splendid leaders, playing for the side. Their often unbeaten records are not achieved by brilliant individualism, but the dauntless and tireless team-play of modest but fit-as-a-fiddle nonentities. Of the big clubs in London, who attract the Press spotlights, the Harlequins look still the most promising, thanks to the Adrian Stoop open-play and risk-your-mit tradition. Blackheath are in a rather eclipsed state, though still a sturdy lot, and Richmond and the Scottish are much of a muchness. London Welsh are perhaps as good as any. There is some talk of the Harlequins, who find their 70,000 enclosure at Twickenam slightly depressing when only a 2000 or 3000 club gate assembles to lose itself on the stands, moving into the centre of London. Lord’s cricket practice ground is what they have their eyes on. But will the M.C.C. pundits, always distinguished stick-in-the-muds, have the vision to realise what a splendid opportunity such a winter engagement would furnish? It is doubtful. But a popular side like the Harlequins, playing at Lord’s regularly, would attract record club attendances and popularise rugger greatly in the very citadel of London’s old-school-tie tradition. It is too soon to talk about international prospects. But Wales, Ireland and Scotland are thirsting to deprive England of the championship laurels so luckily acquired by the narrowest of margins last season. All the same I believe England’s side last year, forward at any rate, was one of the soundest ever fielded. It may interest rugger people at the Antipodes, who greatly admired him on tour, to know that Spong, the tough Old Millhillian, is still turning out and going, strong. He won the first big match, against a crack side, for the Millhillians off his own boots, so to speak!