RUGBY.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18947, 17 May 1933, Page 11

RUGBY.

HAMILTON COMPETITION.

LATEST SAGE CUP PLAY. NOTES AND COMMENTS. . Interest is quickening in the 'Hamilton senior Rugby championship contest with the completion of the third series of games in the first round. Next Saturday will -see a crucial stage In the competition with the meeting of Old Boys and Frankton, now level at the heat( 'Of the table.

Numbering of Jerseys. Early in the season it is highly desirable that players should have their jerseys correctly numbered to tally with the programmes. There have been -several new players since > the soason started who could not be Immediately identified by publio and press through displaying wrong numbers.

Seizing the Opportunity. Parker’s scores for Old Boys against ■Horotiu -showed how much a side is indebted to a man who can size up a situation on the instant, and, what Is more, take immediate advantage of it, A. little more head work Instead of a total reliance on heef and brawn would be of decided advantage to some players, and incidentally -the game itself.

Railway Disappoint. One really had the impression at half-time that Railway wore going to make it willing for 'Frankton on Saturday. But they went to pieces in the second session, the opposing hookers, Bryne and Priscott, consistently heeling the hall with the result that the speedy Frankton backs set up frequent successful raids.

Improvement Shown,

Portcous, Technical's centre, played a better game on Saturday. He was sound on both attack and defence and realises the value of backing up. He and Haughey combine well, the latter player scoring a good try In characteristic style, Both men kick with judgment. The Technloal Paok. The Technical Old Boys pack was much Improved on Saturday and are developing Into a sound combination. Prominent among them was Attwood, who was unlucky in not scoring a try on Saturday after a good dribbling rush. Out of Position, Railway's full-Sack, Gregan, though a sound tackier, Is somewhat weak in positional play. He has a tendency to stand too far up and leave acres of territory unguarded. Horotlu Must Learn. llorotlu do not seem to have grasped the fact that continual dependence on the forwards will not always win matches. At most times It Is difficult to distinguish their backs from their forwards, and little attempt seems lo be made lo got their rearguard into action as backs. llorotlu must learn when to adopt massed rush tactics and when to open the game.

Better on the Wing. Brodrick played a sound garno for Marist at second five-eighth. He kicks well and knows how to cover errors of judgment by other members of his rearguard. Nevertheless his correct position is on the wing.

Forward Passing. Though the Frauldon backs combined well on Saturday too many forward passes were sent across—overeagernoss probably. Welch, Everest and Snodgrass were all offenders, hut their general field work more than compensated. On the wing “Slip" Griffiths and Cloriiett were always ready hut had few chances.

Run of Bad Luck, Marist had a run of had luck on No. 3 ground. Commencing with only fourteen men they lost Frank Cassidy just before half time, and although his lir.ol.lior Mill replaced him in Hie second spell Iho shortage of manpower was a Idling handicap. Willi a full learn lliev might easily have regislerod a victory against Technical Old Mows.

Some HoroUu Players. Short and St. George were badly missed by llorotlu nu Saturday. Skinner. nl full-back, played a fair game under (ho eirrunislaiii-es, bill his withdrawal from bis usual position weakened Hie line considerably. Speight was probably the outstanding.man on Iloroliifs side, injecting dashes of originality into wlial was otherwise uninspiring play on his dub's part.

Pack In Good Nlok. All Frankton’s forwards are now in good nlok, Hall, Tui Rua and Painton proving particularly impressive, Tui Rua and King are showing great improvement. Of the Railway pack ■Hogan and Paget show the -most promise. All the scrummers in this team need much more experience.

At Top of Form. Les Denz, Frankton half, was at the top of ills form on Saturday. With .safe hands he gave the backs ready support and was always fast and dependable. Denz has strong claims again for rep. honours. His brother, Jack, at full-back, was often bustled and plays better further up.

An Invaluable, Forward. Tom Cassidy was in the van of all the Marist forward rushes. He is invaluable in the line-outs and knows how to make the best use of his height and reach, but he must watch the off-side rule. Safe Custodians. Pat .Clarldn, 'Marist full-back, played a sound game on Saturday. He has a safe pair of hands and kicks with judgment. His vis-a-vis, LeXvis, of Technical, was also good, and when he sees an opening he frequently uses his pace to initiate an attacking movement by running into the threequarter line.

Kloklng Against the Wind. In the game between Old, Boys and ■Horotiu Works it was noticeable that players on neither side seemed to know how to use the wind to advantage in punting up field against It, On several occasions "up and under" should have been the rule. That is a high punt to allow the forwards time to come up and Into Immediate action with the return of the ball into play. Too Conscientious. Dempsey, at half-back, played a versatile game for Marist on Saturday, but sometimes attempted to do too •much, and more than once disappeared beneath a welter of Technical forwards through hanging on too long. Smart, the -Technical half, suffered by comparison and in the early stages of the game his handling was faulty, but in the second spell he improved out of sight and one of his openings enabled Haughey to score a good try.

Railway's Rearguard. Hemi, of course, was again the life of Railway and both he and Chitty, second five-eighth, deserved better support. Craig’s handling was faulty and Ellery, on the wing, lacks speed.

Keats, at half, was outplayed by the opposing half, but he Is capable of development. Hannam emerged occasionally when opportunity came his way. These backs must learn to keep position.

COUNTRY UNIONS. GAMES AT TE AROHA. Capable Maori Team. The Tui Maori team is practically composed of Tui Pa (near Te Aroha) players. They are a fine'even lot, fast in the field, take the ball cleverly, pass correctly and their weight in the scrum gives them ail advantage. As yet they lack forward combination, but will soon improve in this respect. City Backs. Rackham, City five-eighth, was right up to form with, his goal-kicking on Saturday, and was responsible for most of the points gained by his side. Moxham, City centre threequarter, is a real acquisition to the club. Strong and fast runner,. takes his' passes cleverly, Is elusive, and has plenty of dash. Goldsbupys Prominent. Among the Terriers backs S. Goldsbury, Dufty, y. Cooke and Gemmeli shone out prominently, while as usual Tom Goldsbury was safe at full. Gordon Jackson did good work for City, taking the ball splendidly, while at full speed ahead..

Safe Half-backs. The half-backs. 3. Lipsey and E. Graham, for Terriers and City respectively, filled their- positions cleverly throughout and C. Gibbs, in the GUy three-quarter line, showed good defence.

WAIPA MATCHES. Walkorla Shape Well. The Movers-Waikoria senior match on Sul unlay produced one of the best games -seen in Te Awamulu for many years.

iHliver did nut shine oul individually so much, though he scored ono nice Iry, hill his generalship was very iiolieeahle, and il certainly looks as if Walkei'ia will win I lie championship this year.

Nood Practice. The eonihinalion of the Hovers harks was not as good as was expected; hut should improve with prac-

tice; Mate played his first game for some time. Ate Jackson was again good, but his passes were not always well directed.

Rop. Prospects. There seems to be the nucleus-of a very strong rep. side for Waipa this year. If two satisfactory fiveeighths are found, say E. Bell (Pirongla) and another, with Ate Jackson half, and Young, Olliver, R. Jackson three-quarters, and with Brian Quin full-back, the hacks should he firstclass. Del Carter, if he plays, should make the team a strong combination. The forwards are there; the problem will be to know who to leave out. Maori Team. The ex-Rangiteiki rep. forward, C. Sargent,-now leads the pack for Tokanul Maori team, and he was In grand form against Pirongia. He is a solid nuggety type, with a fair amount of pace, but It is In'the..'tight work where he shines best. Pirongia’s forwards were kept hard at it for most of the game against Tokanul, and the most effective were probably Mit. and Pod Grace, two solid workers.

Pirongia’s Main Stay.

Eric Bell was, as usual, Pirongia’s mainstay in the rearguard, and his clever handling was very useful. Diminutive Jack Macky was everywhere needed, and he often oame through to bustle a return kick. .

PLAY AT MORRINSVILLB.

Convincing Victory. Kereone recorded a convincing viotory over United. The winners possess a well-balanced team, which combines well, G.- and- J. Leeson were the piok of a hard-working bunch of forwards. Bodmin, G. Cameron, W. Cameron and Aitken are a formidable set of inside backs which take a power of holding. Harnett, on the wing, has yet to show his true form. W. Cameron kicked with great judgment, converting five tries and one ■penalty.

List of Casualties. United are unfortunate as far as -casualties are concerned. Carter, Hubbard and G. 'Marshall have sustained injuries which will deprivd the team of their services, possibly for the rest of Iho season. Muir and A. Cameron performed well -in the forwards. Lipscombe, at full-back, again proved his worth. His potted goal and penalty goal from near half- 1 - way were great efforts. The inside backs disappointed. Weak tackling and lack of combination were conspicuous. Dunne and Tyler, on the wings, were badly supported and got fow opportunities.

Position Of Teams The following are the teams’ posllions to date: — Team. P w. D. L. F. A. PtS. Old noys 3 3 0 0 76 23 0 Frankton .3 3 0 0 54 17 6 Tech. Old Boys 3 2 n l 28 16 4 Horotiu Works 3 1 0 2 18 57 2 Marlst 3 0 0 3 0 39 0 Railway 3 0 0 3 20 53 0