Rugby Youth

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 5

Rugby Youth

WEEKLY REVIEW

Players Should Alternate Early Morning Start

The disadvantages of playing junior Rugby are not confined to the knocks received on the field play, as those players whose matches begin at 10 a.m. well know. At this hour of the morning it is extremely cold.

The parents, coaches and referees suffer equally but then the choice to be out at this hour is wholly their’s.

Last Saturday the grounds around Christchurch, were white with frost and made a far from alluring picture to the players who were required to tackle and be tackled and be tackled on ground as hard as concrete. When stripping off into their gear they shivered and huddled together in the dressing sheds or beside the fields, and then ran up and down in an effort to get warm. Even when the matches began, and the forwards became steamed up, the outside backs stood shivering and until they were given a decent run they had no option but to freeze.

Even with the large number of grounds available for Rugby in Christchurch, it would be impossible to get all the competition matches played before dark if they did not begin at 10 a.m. But it seems a little unfair that it should always be the youngest players who have to brave the early morning cold. There seems no reason why the youngest players should not alternate for the 10 a.m. start with some of the more senior lower grades, and the parents of the youngest players would benefit too. It is always the same teams who play first, and the older, bigger, and more experienced players who play on a softer ground which has already been stirred up and had the sun on it for at least an hour longer. If the players in the bottom grades enjoy their Rugby, and they certainly seem to, there seems no reason why their pleasant anticipation of a game of football should be spoiled- by the cold every Saturday. Only A Peep Rugby has no sadder sight to offer than a referee without a whistle. On Saturday, the referee for an under-sst side failed to appear and one of the supporters was prevailed upon to officiate during the match. He had no white uniform, but as he trotted on to the field this did not seem to matter. But he had no whistle and all the spectators were in fear and trembling for his attempts to control the game. However, they had no cause to worry, as he must have realised himself when he

accepted the position. He had a splendid whistle which he used to direct his charges like sheep dogs, and spectators at the other games on the ground were heard to ask each other which referee had brought the fancy whistle with him. Facts of Life One New Brighton hooker had a sad introduction to the facts of Rugby life in general, and the facts of front row play in particular. He voiced a complaint which is as old as front row play itself—“ He’s kicking me.” And he was most reluctant to enter the next scrum. However, all finished well. He began to get the idea of it, completely outhooked his opponent in the second half, and left the field at the final whistle with his face wreathed in smiles. Sporting Gesture After a Burnside team had completed its match, and secured a narrow victory over the competition leaders, Shirley, the members of the team cheered madly. Their coach dashed on to the field and said—“ Come on now, three cheers for the Shirley team.” His team just kept on cheering. But, as the teams left the field, a Shirley player had the final word. “But we’re still half a point ahead of you though,” he said.

And the teams left the field in silence. Talented Maoris For yet another Saturday the Merivale-Papanui Under--17 Maori side swept all before it and this team, as yet unbeaten this season, looks almost certain to win its grade. The side has really no weaknesses and its first fiveeighths, A. Rukuru, has been in splendid goal kicking form all season. His 16 points against Shirley on Saturday increased his season’s total to 99. Outside him at second fiveeighths, A. Tekuni gave another remarkable exhibition of handling on the greasy ground at Burwood Park while A. Wahunui turned in another solid game at fullback. K. Tumai, the captain, has led his forwards extremely well all season and scored two good tries on Saturday. He has been particularly well supported by J. Wehenia who is a fine lock and is also

adept at making play in the; open. Teams And Players One of the most purposeful teams playing junior Rugby i is the Sumner under sst B; side. The team has some good I straight runners and plays with refreshing vigour. The Shirley under sst A team, which is leading the competition, is fortunate to have such a hard-working lock forward as L. Piper. Burnside defeated Shirley on Saturday but Shirley is still a half point in front. Most of the Christchurch Club’s teams are lucky in their wing three-quarters, and the under 6st A side is no exception. The right wing, I R. Howard, is a strong nippy runner with a good fend and the ability to tackle. He is one wing who goes out of his way to find work to do. If a poorer than average team makes a fetish of some; particular facet of play then it can often challenge a better side. This is what the Belfast under fist 71b B team has done with dribbling. Against a visibly superior Christchurch side on Saturday, Belfast held its own by some stirring foot-rushes.

The Merivale under 7st 71b side, not a particularly powerful team, is fortunate to have a half-back of the calibre of | L. Ellis. Although he is, inclined to try to do too much on his own, he has the ability! to vary his play and runs well from the base of the scrum. I

C. Williams, who plays inj the Shirley under fist A side, is one of the most promising! full-backs playing junior Rugby this year. He has good hands and is a good tackler, and his speed is such that when he runs he too often finds himself well ahead of support. Altogether he is a fine prospect. Roman Holiday Anyone within half a mile of North Hagley Park on Saturday morning must have wondered if they were listening to a crowd at a gladiatorial contest in ancient Rome. Actually, it was the spectators at the clash between the Hornby and Sydenham teams in the under sst grade; and they won a special prize for the most vociferous spectators of the season. They yelled, they danced, they exhorted, they ran up and down the side-lines, they ran on to the field, they abused players, they praised players, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves; and everyone who could do so unplugged their earphones.