RUGBY.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 48, 8 May 1930, Page 11

RUGBY.

HUTT (16) v. PONEKE (9)

'. .- N«t even the most optimistic sup- ■ poitter expected the local team to beat t&e v strong Poneke fifteen. On their ehowitfg in the previous game against Maxkyt it was evident that some changes would have to be made in the back line and also that special attention .would need to be given to the -working up of an understanding between backs.and forwards. No changes -were made in the forwards, 'although ifclwre was a doubt a-bput Peck taking the field until a few hours before the game. Ball and Russell being available, McKay and Nees stood down

from the backs Ponrare playing centre and Todii second five-eighth. .Right, from the kick off tie local forwards showed that they were n force to be reckoned with. Putting plenty of, ''sting" into their play they not only held their redoubtable opponents,, but gradually gained the ascendancy which they held throughoiit the game. The^ local hookers gained the majority of ithe set scrums and on ait least two occasions regained possession after t«he .ottoW side had hooked the ball. The scrum appeared to be well balanced, which no* doubt is an important factor if the hookers are to do their job properly. Roberts was -holding. down the position of lock for the first time and Saitinrtay's exhibition of scrum work demonstrated that he is eminently suited for 'this important position. In line out wofk there was only one team in it. Peck and Skilton played a big haul in. this department. The former, -aijaboag-h particularly well marked, got the ball when and how he liked. SMltea vas not far behind and impressed vary much by his solid all-round play. In the loose play the packs were more ev#»Jy matched, butt here again the loea! team was a shade "better. The Hjntoa brothers' did yeoman service, in ■tfcfc* tHrection, repeatedly rallying the xeet ©f the pack when a special effort -was nreeded to take the play out of the -danger zone. The Boneke back line •combined much better than the Hutt rearguard, but apart from Julian, Pelham and occasionally Cookson, their stisperiority individually .was not very marked. In one department however, ithe red and black backs were much I , superior. Their kicking for the line Pk was always sure, which was in direct •comtraat to that of the local backs, of -which Pomare was the only player w2io kicked to touch. with any length or ■direction. It behoves all otheT backs in Ttlve team to get in some daylight practise at this bran-cli of the game. The -tackling was a wonderful improvement ■on that of the previous game. The full weights- of each, player went be"hind each tackle, which no doubt had -a big effect on Poneke's inside backs, who were showing signs of wear and tear before the end of the game. In this connection much praise is due to the forward.-* .who to a man tackled in

■o, determined manner

Of fPe pla£, itself,, there was always t.lenty to keep supporters of both teams on their ivet. Both teams started oft' at a fast cup. Julian made several Attempts to open up the game but he was eitfiver .smothered or his pass went astray. A few minutes later ,a" certain try was lost when Julian Was given a'forward pass. Ball fielded the leather' just inside -half way and made a great run which placed his side in a good position. Poheke worked back a scrum beir.g ordered from which Judge secured possession and, running round on the blind side, beat a couple of men, eventually handing to Ball who brushed through three or four tacfcleTs and ran right round behind the posts, while INcmekc looked on. It was a good try which Tood converted with a standing Idck. From the kick oft, Poneke strived bard to score. A five-yard serum in Hutt's twenty-five ended in Julian secuTing possession and scoring a good try on the open side of the scuum. The red' and whites made repeated eorties in Poneke's territory where Todd mac a great run through, the centre, being hauled donyn a foot from the posts. The Hutt bocks were not passing too well and a lob pass gave Pelhanx a chance to intercept, which he turned to good account by racing over for a spectacular try after he had passed to Barrett and received the ball back again. The remainder of the spell was in favouT of the local team. Russell was nearly over on two occasions, and Skilton was only held up within inches of the line. Earlier in the spell Monigatti received a kick on the nose frhich necessitated Ms retirement, Stopforth taking Mb place. Ball also had to retire before the spell ended, hay-

ing burst a blood vessel in his cheek, as the result of a heavy tackle. Nees came on as centre, Toild going out to rtfte wing. With a (5—45 lead at half lime Poneke looked sure winners, as Hutt were minus the services of two good players in Ball and Monigatti, and would also be facing the sun during the second half. When play was resumed Hutt attacked right away and kept up the pressure for some minutes. IVonx some loos*e play on the blind side Peeney secured and, beating several men, sco Ted a fine try about six inches from, touch in "goal. Todd converted with a wonderful kick. In subsequent play Pomare made a-brilliant effort to pot a goal from about 45 yards out, the leather dropping just vrider the bar. With a four-point deficit Poneke made determined efforts to score, but solid tackling kept them out;. A penalty however, enabled Njeholls to convert and reduce Huifct's load to one point. This spurred the local team to greater efEouts and some determined sorties were only stemmed b'yi sound tackling au^ pvereagcrness on the paTt of playei"s. Sutft were awarded a free wMeh Todd turned to good account'with a nice kick. Needing a converted try to win, the visitors "hoed'-'.in, in an endeavouT to pull the match out of the fire. Two or t!h.ree line-touts near the Hutt's line railed for special efforts on the- part of the red and white forwards who proved themselves equal to the task. A timely mark by Skilton enabled this plaj'pr *to find touch with a greairkiek near Poneke's goal line. It was now Hutt's turn to keep up t3ie' pressure. The ball came out to Pomare who potted and a roar went up from the

spectators as the ball appeared to be sailing over t(he bar. However, the fates were unkind as the kick sailed just outside the posts. Another effort by the red and whites was only stayed by a Poneke player getting offside. Todd's kick missed, and as was' expected, Poneke came away with a passing rush instead of forcing, but t-he backs ran into a bunch of Hutt for■\vanrds, who checked the movement and, gaining possession, Skilton dummied his ■v^ay -oVer in the corner. A memorable game ended shOTtly after.

Mr. G. R«uthbone was in charge of the game and gave general satisfaction.