RUGBY SIDELIGHTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 102, 17 May 1937, Page 9

RUGBY SIDELIGHTS

Points in S.aturday's Games 1TEMS OF INTEREST Th» lengthy form of Mat O 'Brien looked quite well at full-baek for Marist. ite filled the ofQce only as an emergeney and made quite a good job of it, too. • . * • Syd. Jackson, M.A.C. full-back, diid everything well against Technical, and his positional play was really excellent. # # • Players have soon become used to the eide-stepping Mapuhi, Pirates full-back, and on Saturday he just did not know which way to turn. • * • A long run by A, Watford took him right through the Technical defence, and then, when just a yard short of the goal-line, he was upset from behind and a splendid effort went for nought. • * * The "house full" sign was up on the eld etand at McLean Park long before 2.45 p.m. on Saturday, and the overflow had to drape themselves oter the wire fence. • » * When Tori Eeid scrambled over for a try five mir.utes after the commencemont it was the first occasion this •eason that the Technical line had been crossed. • • • Bowman, Technical 's big forward, l»aid no attention to the warring elements about him, and in consequence wae the best forward in the game. * 9 • Robins and Benson combined exceb lently for Marist. They made many nice openings for their Three-quarter division, but Hastings Old Boys ware taking good care of that division. ♦ * # Hastings Old Boys tackled like demons, but they were so eager to keep in the play that they frequently forgot to down their man, and he too was able to keep up smartly with the play. # * * 'Rugby was at times only secondary in the match between. Technical and M.A.C., and the early ordering-off of one player had the eame result as when one looks for a gas-leak with a lighted candle. • * • M. Hutchinson, Napier H.S.O.B. fullbaek, made but a half-hearted attempt to stop Austin, Pirates, and the forward wound up between the posts for a good try. • # * Morrie Dyer and Johnny Nelson fully appreciated what advantago the wind gave them in finding the line, and they scored some great long-distanco touchew. • * • Bright passing by the Napier H.S.O.B. rearguard saw the ball travel rlght out to the wing and then come in agaiin to Bradley, who topped off a brilliant movement with a try between the posts* • # * Pirates, with a s'Jffening of two junior backs, did well against Napier Old Boysfl and at one period led by 15 — 6. But they had a bad ten minutes in. the second half during which they lost their lead, • • * Hargreaves was first* emergeney for Marist when the game with Hastings Old Boys commonced, but he came on within the first few minutes and he contributed a conversion and a penaliy goal to his teide's dozen points. * * « There was no need to tell Hastings or Celtic to "keep on the ball"; they seldom ever let it get more than a foot. away from them. Plying right up ' to each other, neither set of backs had much chance of working as a combination. • * # Devine was the mainspring (of the Hastings Old Boys backs. H(e a^d Holt put in some brilliant bursts, aud showed wonderful understanding. # * * Three players were ordered off in the principal game on McLean Park, but general opinion was that the figures were flattering. At least five others should have received their walking tickets also. # * * E. Jackson (M.A.C.), in an irresistible rush, went over in the corner for what appeared to be a great try* but the referee, after eonsulting the. line umpire, awarded a 25 drop-out. • * * J. Cox, Napier H.S.O.B., in hot pursuit of a rolling ball, found it bounoe conveniently as he approached, and unwinding a sprint, he ran away for a good try. • * • Wolstenholme (Pirates) was the last man to handle in a passing bout, and he finished up between the posts; but, instead of pressing the ball to earth, he just threw it down, a fact - that, luckily for Pirates, the referee did. not notiee. • • • There iu n. growlng tendency to Jndulge in "pots," and rarely does an afternoon go by now when there isn't oue of those put over the bar. Whito),s "pot" in the Marist — Hastings O.B. game, apart from being a mateh-winner, was a wonderful effort. White must hnvo been closa on 55 yards away from the posts when he took his drop, with Redward just missing the ball as it left the ground. # • • "Right-o, Mick," called out TTannah as he lined up with Mick Kelly to take a reverse pass; but just as the words were uttercd HUI, the Hastings winger, ramo in between the two Celts and intereepted nicely to run behind his own line and eeeic to clear with a kick across field He miskicked. however, and a certain try next to the posts ap-

peared imminent; but Thompson knoeked-on his take of the bouncing ball. ■ • # • There was little attempt by M.A.C. or Technical Old Boys at playing the Rugby passing game. Players appeared jnore intent on the sport made popular by the late MarquiS of Queensbury. • # • Herbert, Technical three-quarter, is improving, arid against M.A.C. hie swerving run carried him -a long way on one occasion. His long-distance penalty goal was a splendid effort.