RUGBY FOOTBALL

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 6, 28 June 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

HTJTT v. WELLINGTON. Di'spite- the heavy state of the . grmin<!, this match provided some inteit.'sting "football. The local team de HPrvod its win, the margin of five points representing the difference be-. twe«'u the teams; but the victory was far from a convincing one. No doubt the very strict interpretation of the rules by the referee hampered the play, in this respect we are inclined to think that this official was just alittle too hard in some of his rulings, but there was no suggestion of bias as some of the local supporters would have- one think. We would point out that demonstrations by the spectators against this referee were entirely unwarranted and with any other official than Mr Paris, might conceivably have had un adverse effect upon the chances of the local team. Fortunately for the sake of the game, the referees generally are very fair indeed, but being fol«eaed with only one pair of eyes, are not able to see everything that happens. •

To get back to the game. The Hutt backs very quickly got into their stride, a nice try being registered by McKay. This movement was quite a good one, each back drawing his man with the result that McKay was able to cut in nicely to score. Following this, repeated attempts to score by the backs and forwards of both sides did not come to anything. Eventually Fisher marked, but failed to find the line; the opposing backs then attempting some passing. Woods intercepted a wild pass just outside half-way and set sail for the line. Two Wellington backs "gave chase, but were unable to catch the speedy winger, who ran Tound behind the posts to score a most spectacular try. Wellington subsequently scored a nice try in the corner which could have been stopped had the local tackling being sound.

The Hutt team gave rather a patchy display, the team work not being as good as usnal —no doubt accounted for by the fact that several changes -were made in the team owing to injuries, George Smith, Daily Grierson and McCarthy standing' down. Jarman was tried out on the wing, and after male-

ing- allowance for the fact that he was inclined to get out of position, this player must be given credit for a.^very sound display. His tackling was very good, and he showed determination when near the line. He has not enough pace to make an ideal winger, but if he were to take on short sprints when training, he would learn to get off the mark quickly, a big asset to any play-

er. Jarman also merits a word of praise for his good line kicking, which was in direct contrast to that of the other members who aspired to find the line on several occasions. It appeared from the line that they were too ambitious, endeavouring to gain thirty yards instead of being satisfied with twenty. McKay played centre which seems to be his best position, as he knows how to give his wings the maximum amount of space to work in. This player also showed a good sonse of player also showed a good sense of anr ticipation on defence taking two or three very timely marks, which enabled him to get his side out of trouble and to allow his forwards a '' breather." Wood did not get many chances but made the most of what-' came his way, and must be congratulated for providing spectators with a thrill when he v scored. Byrne played a solid game, but did not see as much of the ball as one would have liked. It was evident that the rest of the players are following Byrne's play much better, his cutting-in usually being followed by backs and forwards. In this respect forwards should always endeavour to follow up the play of the backs, because often when an inside man cuts in he is not always able to veer out again, and it then becomes necessary to start infield passing. That is where the forwards come in, providing they have followed up the movement. In defence also the forwards can assist materially by spreading out when they see a movement by the opposition which looks dangerous. Some forwards are prone to look on when the backs get going, no doubt thinking that the movement does not concern them, but this attitude is wrong. Follow up behind the backs ready to join in if the opportunity offoi\s; if tin? movement breaks down and the opposing side seeuros, yon will then be in a

position to defend. Gibson got through a heavy day's work with credit. He over-did the cut in. One movement at i the latter end of the game saw four Hutt backs lined out with only two opponents to beat, when Gibson cut in and was caughft. One some other occasions, no doubt, the movement was justified, but he should have handed on to Byrjie and let that player have a go. However, as mentioned before, Gibson had a lot of work to do and did most of it well. Slater played behind the scrum and gave the soundest display in that position seen this season. The writer saAv him play last season, when he was behind a beaten pack most of the time and had no good fiveeighths to assist him. Ea*cii under those circumstances ho showed distinct promise. He should retain his present position, and there is no doubt that he will improve on Saturday's good form. McGill gave a very good exhibition on wing-forward play, his following uj) and tackling being first rate, and he also gave his half plenty of protection. Peck was outstanding in. the vanguard and set an example' to the rest of his men in tackling low. He again did the bulk of the line-out work and came away repeatedly with the ball. The rest of the forwards worked hard and put plenty of vim into their play, but were inclined^ to do too much high tackling. Fisher made a welcome reappearance, as full-back and was always safe. ( He received slight concussion, when up-ending an opponent who lopked like scoring, and bad, to leave the field, but he had fully recovered a couj>le of hours after the match. There? is one matter to which attention should be drawn, and that is the amount of talking that goes, on in the forwards; this does not sound very well from the line and is unnecessary. The vice-captain is the only forward who should talk much, although it is the lock's job to do a little in the scrummages when he requires more weight or to screw the scrum. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Junior A lost to B (15—9). The A's had only a scratch team, filling up' with Fourth Grade players and one or two others. The B's for-

wards appear to be their weak spot— two good boys in the Clendon Bros, of the Third Grade team are worthy of promotion. Bi&deJl. Wilson, and H. McDougall are playing at least one grade too high at' present. Thirds lost to Poneke (12—0). This team could only muster 12 men. Surely there are two or three players about who would give a hand. The practice nights for this team are Mondays and Wednesdays, so any intending players take note. Intermediates lost to Tec. College (8-4) Fourth A. defeated 'Varsity (9 — 5). Some of these boys aro playing too much football; taking part in two games each Saturday will soon see some of them very stale. Fourth. B. lost to Athletic (28 — 6) The tackling in this team is deplorable, about two of the players only making any attempt to go low. There also seem to be several wing forwards in the team. The full-back is too slow on his feet; he should be put up in the forwards as he has plenty of weight. Fifths lost 13 —0. NOTES. The Junior A's are scratching round for a team each Saturday as quite a number are on the injured list. This team must be kept up to strength for the sake of the Club. It is not permissable to default as in that case B's would be classified as A. One or two players are letting them down without" notification each Saturday. Foote, H. Slater, and Taoara have not been able to take part in the last two games, aud their places have been hard to fill. Stopforth and Kea were two outstanding forwards in the Junior match on Saturday. These players are both tall and are good line out men.