THE RUGBY REALM

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 101, 31 May 1930, Page 13

THE RUGBY REALM

last week's hastings games. NOT UP TO STANDARD

Notes by "Old Timer.")

Alfchough Rugby fans in Hastings last Saturday had three senior games for a feast, not one of the games were good enougli to provide any real Rugby tlirills, and the standard of play witnessed _ was certainly not up to that of previous games this season. pick of the The pick of the bunch was the clasli between Hastings and Pirates, and it was not till tbe last 15 minutes fhat this provided any excitement, and possibly the fact that these two teams are such old rivals magnified tbe importance of the gtlme. their* best win* "VThen Hastings lost the services of Campbell so early in the game, it was thougbt that they would be rather up against it, but as it turned out, this was tlie best win Hastings have had over the Blacks for many seasons, and 011 the play there is no doubt that tliey deserved to win. The Yellow forwards more tlian held their own and their rearguard certainly showed up better tlian the visitors. hard' forwards. Campbell' s departure did not have much effect on the Yellow forwards, for led by Roach, W. Pearson and Welhyood, tliey played hard football of the tight variety and managed to keep the Pirate rearguard from getting too much of the ball. Wellwood again played a good game and the improvement this youth is sbowing makes it certain that he is going to turn into a really good forward — far better than his promise of last season. best of forwards. Tn the Blaelc vanguard, there was no liarder worker than Marshall, who received a nasty _knock near the end. Keeble was somelhat subdued and did not show his dash of last year. Crowther and McNamara both played good games. a safe full-back. The star of the Hastings rearguard was Wilson, who was like a rock at full-back. His safe play repeatedly saved his team, and he must have made a good impression with Selector McKenzie, who. was an onlooker. Shepherd also played a fine game, and with ' the few chances he got Thompson did welL If he was only given more opportunities Thompson would soon develop into a top-noteh winger. Geor also showed up much more prominently than usual. among the backs. Seal and McDonald were the most conspicuous of the Pirate backs, with Fafquliar also. playing a good game. Yates was poor and how he was picked to play against Wairoa had a few guessing. a one-sided game. The game between H.S.O.B. and Tamatea was really one-sided. Old Boys had things all their own way, with the result hat their backs were able to get into artion almost at will. Lnder the oireumstances, it cannot be said that Old Boys gave a good dispiay. At times their passing was precision itself, but at other times it slumped* badly. , Wanoa appeared to be the\thorn in their side, for he stopped rush after rush and was undoubtedly tlie best forward 011 the ground. McDuff was second to Wanoa. a surprise' result. The game between M.A.C. and Hastings H.S.O.B. was responsible for quite a surprise, for in view of their great /games against Celtic and Hastings, it was fully exnected tliat tlie Collegian? would triihnph over Old Boj's. Wliether it was an off-day for M.A.C. or wliether the re-arrange-ment of the Old Boys' rearguard was the causo of Old Boys', win, it is hard lo say, Probably both were factors. their best game. Old Boys certainly played their best football tliis season. Their forwards were right on their toes with both

Heaton and Syinons playing great games, and as a result of the good play by the forwards, the backs were given plenty of opportunities. In the latter department, probably the most valuable player was Mullan, who was a tower of strength both 011 attack and defence, wliilst his good kicking was also a great asset. Botherway was nrore subdued than usual and Rainbow, of whom much was expected, got several chances which he made the most of. At the same time, Rainbow did not shape like a star winger. at sixes and sevens. The M.A.C. forwards were all at sixes and sevens, Thompson being about the only one to play anything like a game. AVith the vanguard in such a pichle it was natural that the : rearguard should be liandicapped and with tlie exceptio-n of Maile and "White, the backs were very much off colour. pars 'and players. Next Saturday ends tlie first round of the senior competition. Hastings H.S.O.B. play T.C.O.B., Celtic play Tamatea, M.A.C. ,meet Pirates, and the star game will be the meeting between the two unbeaten teams, H.S.O.B. and Hastings. Hastings juniors bumped into a big surprise when they met H.S.O.B. It was rumoured that Bert Grenside was turning out for Hastings last week, hut it was only a rumour. Perhaps he is holding back for the H.S.O.B. match. ' Fisher's kicking boots were out of oraer last Saturday. Casualties were the order of last week's games, despite a soft ground. ' Sheriffs (H.S.O.B.), Marshall (Pirates), Campbell (Hastings) and L. Joll (Hastings H.S.O.B.) all had to take to the bank. wednesday's game. The game between Wairoa and Hastings-Napier did not produce any ihrills nor any brilliant Rugby for tbat matter. The Wairoa team, thanks to their fast, worrying forwards, thoroughly deserved their win, and the game showed that the best of the province's Rugby talent is not eonfined to the main centres. Repeatedly tlie home rearguard got away, but just as often tliey were hroken up by the fast opposing forwards. good* in line-outs. In fact, except in tlie line-outs, the visitors, as a pack, could show points Lo the home vanguard/ and when the representative team is finally selected, it would not he surprising to see Wairoa well represented. Sam Gemmell was a tireless leader of the Green pack, and there can be no doubt about his place in the Hawke's Bay team. Halpin was also a great forward, and J. Gemmell was often prominent, but it was the manner in which this pack combined and broke up from the scrums which carried them through. ' The Green rearguard were also good and as a whole were at least equal to the, home rearguard. If anything, Beckett was a better half than Lambie, who was very slow in getting. his passes away, The two visiting five-eighths co'uld be termed as fair, but their threequarter line was streets ahead of tlie home tiio. Joe Hapi, on the wing, was better than Blake, who did not seem to 'be at home in that position and C. Smith was certainlv too good -for either Tliompson or Tait, who played against him. True, neither of these players got many chances, but when iliey did they were not impressive. the best back." Probably the best back 011 the ground was Wilson. the home custodian._ He was superior to Hickling, and it is hard to see how he can be seiit out of the representative team. Gillespie played a good game. but Priestly was disappointing, attempting far too mucli 011 his own. the home 'forwards. Of tlie home forwards. Roach and Strere were the nick, both plaving exeeiient games. Wanoa was next, his defensive work being good. Lala was » valuable forward in the second sopII. Cairns was fair, but Heffernnn tlid a iot of loafing towards the end.