RUGBY

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 5, 21 June 1928, Page 2

RUGBY

Hutt v. Training College. Those who were fortunate enough to ace this game will no doubt remember, it for some timo to come, more partieuiarly the second half. With a score of sixteen to nil in their favour, the local team let up somewhat, at the same time making a change in the backs, no doubt with the idea of finding the ideal formation for future matches. At this stage Training College began to attack, and with a of passing rushes had the local defence sorely tested. In twentyfive minutes they had registered. three tries, all converted, the score rea.ding 16-15 in Hutt's favour, but with their opponents -looking likely winners. A Bcrwn in Hutt's 25 saw McGill badly mauled and with a good kick Training College took lead. It should have been their policy at this, stage to play safe, tmt they were out after more points and kept Hutt defending hard. With about five minutes to go, the local team rallied and worked towards their opponent's line, there keeping up the pressure. Although they were within an ace of scor- { lag on two or tree occasions, something seemed to go wrong at the critical moment. With less than two minutes to go, Byrne received the ball, and although apparently surrounded by opposing forwards, fuond a gap and potted a beautiful goal amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. The veteran received an ovation on leaving the ground. The Hutt public gave the students a great hearing when they overhauled the local score, no doubt appreciating the fact that Training College were playing a clean sporting game. Jnvfact, it is the cleanest and most sporting game of Bugby seen on the local ground for | many years. With more of this type of Bugby, we are sure that local people "would not want to ..travel to other grounds to sen the A teams in action.

The performanco of the local team was not as good as that given against PorLraa. Grierson, Daily, Gibson and Fisher were on the bank, all suffering from injuries. Consequently the scrum owing to the absence of the two form£r, was not very compact. The real trouble being that there was no one approaching Peck's length,and weight to go on the opposite side.

The backs looked well on paper, bat did not combine as well as expected. Berntsen, who. took Gibson's place, was not up to Byrne's style of play; it was noticeable that when the latter player cut in, on several occasions he did not come through with him. Thus several likely chances of scoring were lost. Byrne was unquestionably the outstanding player on the ground, and although well marked he managed to elude the opposition on numerous occasions. His pottod goal was a fine effort under difficult conditions, as was also his try in the iirst spell, when he short punted into a gap, and got up.in time to score. It was noticeable in theJ second spell, when Training Oollege were attacking that the Hutt backs were inclined to crowd one another, leaAnng the opposing winger with almost a clear run in. Smith is evidently a player of many parts; he took on the half-back's job in the second spell and made quite a fair showing, noticeably during fthje last} ten minutes when he came away from the scrum and made a couple of good rans. Prior to this, he had not been getting the ball, so had few opportunities of showing what he could do on attack: Jarman had a heavy afternoon's work, and came out of it fairly well. He must, Jiowever, makes a point of getting his Mck in earlier instead of running, and also of clapping on more pace when going for the ball.

George was in the limelight with several good runs, but should make a point •of looking to see if he is supported before kicking the ball; on two occisions ■during the last twenty minutes he broke away with a couple of players in support., but he kicked instead of passing. On the occasions referred to however, Hutt was defending, and no doubt OeoTge was mainly concerned about relieving the situation.

Peck was responsible for some good work, but was inclined to run a little too far when breaking away from the lino out, thus .crowding his backs. His job should bo eithed to penetrate the defence or immediately to get rid of the ball aiul then back up ready for si pass if necessary. This was the only towiali fault noticeable in his play h,i.s tackliiig and following up being of a hi<rh standard, only being eclipsed by that of Francis , as far as-following up -was concerned. Hundgrcen still sotaina

the habit of scoring tries, on both occasions being just a fraction ahead of other forwards in touching down. Fawcett, Silva and Langford all worked hard, and MeGill was prominent in loose rushes.. ;

The match, against . Wellington this Saturday will no doubt be a hard one despite the fact that this team has evidently fallen away a bit lately. The ocal team will need to hold them in the forwards and leave the backs to do the rest. Wellington field a pretty heavy pack, so weight will be necessary to secure the ball in the scrum, a thing which is essential if the match is to be ■'won. ■'.;: I* NOTES Williams, a three-quarter, who toured North with the Otago Kepresentatives last year, has come to the Hutt to live, and while we understand that he eventually intends to throw in his lot with the local team, is rather diffident about playing this season. However, we hope that he will be wearing a Ted and white jersey very shortly, as he is reported to be a very fast and solid type of player. Players are asked to note that if the teams do ont appear in Friday night's "Post" eack week they will be published in Saturday morning's "Dominion. " Owing to the number of injuries, the club is finding it hard to field full teams in all grades each Saturday. The Thirds have had to' fill up with Fourth Grade players the last two matches. If this continues the question of withdrawing one team will no doubt be considered-. There is no doubt that some players are out of their class in different teams, and a re-classification is needed. The Junior B's have registered another win. Despite the fact that Hester, Clarke and Silva ha.ye been taken from them, they have not so far had a man trahs-fen-fed to them from the As. "Chum" Cndby has now got his team in hand and if given the material to work upon will mould it into shapel Lower Grade Results. JUNIOR A. —Lost to Atarist 21-0. The A's played with thirteen men. JUNIOR B. —Defeated Porirua 31-3. THITIDB.-T—Lost to Berhampore iy-3. IXTERMEDIATfir-Lost to Poneke 15-12. FOURTH A.—Lost to Technical College 9-5. This is their first defeat, however, they should not get downhearted about it, but be spurred on to* greater efforts. A defeat is ofteu a good thing as it shows up weak spots, which can be rectified for the harder matches to come. FOURTH B.—Lost to Petone 12-11. FIFTH.—Lost to Taita 5-3.