RUGBY.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 41, 20 March 1930, Page 10

RUGBY.

A friendly match against Levin Wanderers was played on Strand Park on Saturday last. The visitors were short handed, so some local players fillthe vacancies. The Wanderers fielded a very hefty set of forwards, including Tamu Parata and Dave Tatana, tiie Manawhenua representatives. The game was played in a very friendly spririt and served as a good try out for several new players. Despite the hardness of the ground, some very solid tackling was noticed on both" sides this being a marked feature of the game. The local side ran out winners by three tries, one converted to one try and a penalty goal. Good combination was (hardly to be expected, but nevertheless a few ibright back movements were executed, particularly the one which led to the last score by the local side, the leather passing through six or seven pairs of hands. Ball ultimately receiving, to streak over in the corner fox a good try. The forwards on botih sides worked hard while their condition lasted. No criticism is necessary at this stage on the showing made by the players, there was good evidence however, that the club is likely to be "well served in the matter of forwards and will also be able to field a capable foackline. The following forwards took *le field:—-Stewart,-H. Hinton, Baker, Monagitti, Skilton, E. Hinton, Bradley, and Wickhanx (rover). All the new

men showed that they will ha-ve to be reckoned with as possibilities for the senior team, and it was quite evident that mose of them know how to tackle A few notes about some of the players may be of interest.

Stewart is a solidly built player from Dunedin and plays in the front row. Monagitti played for the Petone seniors last year in the pack and occasionally as rover, Skilton is a club" mate of Peck's and represented King Country last year. R. Hinton (a brother of H. Hinton), played for the Stratford seniors, and can play in the pack or fill a position in the back line. Bradley is a promising forward from t»he Taita Club. Cartwright, who played for the visitors, is a Te Ante College boy.

The following backs took part in tike match: —Sundgreen and H. Hinton (a spell each as half back), Feeney, Killeen, Huxtable, Ball, Alexander and Jarman. Nees- and Jones played for the .visitors. Huxtable is well known as the Hawkes Bay and Wellington representative. Ball represented Wanganni last season being nominated for the North Island team. These two players will stiffen up the back line, and should enable the senior team to field a fifteen capable of extending any opposing side. Nees was one of the outstanding backs in the Tipper Hutt team last season. He revealed good form in this game, being particularly solid on defence

Several more players have yet to l>e seen' in action in trial games which, will be arranged. Pomare, ex-Welling-ton College, a promising centre; Hustler, a back from Gisborne;- Judge, late of Auckland (half back); Evans (centre) from Bang Country; Dick, a back from Napier; P. Moore, a promising inside back from the Taita Club, and Billy George, ■who has poined up again.

New forwards yet to be seen include Boulton, late of Oriental and possibly Fox, from the same club. Several more players contemplate joining up.

Quite a number of last year's players axe still engaged in summer sports, so will not be available for practice matches for a week or two. Of last season's senior team, Hurrell and Mac-S-ea have retired, the latter now being & member, of the management committee. Tilley ias been transferred to Hawkes Bay and Gordon ha 3 been or : dered by t»he doctor not to play, ai he Is yet suffering from the effects of a kick received last year. Peck, Roberts, Bussellj, Ross, Dowsett, Langford, Wood, Stopforth, Hansen and Co will ell be on hand again so the selectors are likely to get headaches over the sorting put of t>he senior team. It seems certain that the club will have to enter a Senior B team, although ithere does not appear to be a surplus of heavy forwards available. W^would again impress upon those desiring to (play the necessity fox getting into training right away, which will assist the committee to gauge the possible strength of the <?lub for the season. The gymnasium will be open to-night

(Thursday) when tho secretary will be pleased to hear from new members and prospective coaches.

We beg to acknowledge receipt-of £3 to the Distress Fund, being monies kindly collected by Mr P! Sullivan. This fund now totals £23/6/-.

The secretary's house will be connected by telephone to the local exchange from this date. The phone is not yet listed in the Directory, but the number is 769.

We desire to acknowlelge with thanks the following donations to the club's funds:—Mr. G-. Phillips £2/2/-, Messrs C. C. Odlin, W. G. Fargie, D. A". Ewen, E, Sullivan, C. 8. Whitcher £1/1/each, and Mr. Burke £!/-/-•