Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume. 34, Number 7. 1971

Rugby

Rugby.

On Saturday 20th March, Senior 1st and Senior 2nd squads travelled to Fielding to play games against Feilding Old Boys. The firsts went down 8-6 while the seconds won 14-3.

In the latter game a lively constructive pack ably led by P. Churchouse ensured that a nippy back line received enough ball to show its paces and the performance of all players, while far from ideal, must have been encouraging to the Senior 2nd selectors. During the 2, 20 minute spells he played at Hooker, Boswell struck with regularity in taking the tighthead count 7 to 1. His all-round forward play was a contributing factor in the good ball astutely used by half-back B. Brown. Smith and James were strong intelligent props who were never far from the ball throughout the game. Orgias and Shirley toiled manfully throughout 4 spells played in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, while Churchouse was an admirable loose forward. The form of Chapman and Maurice, who each had 2 spells on the flank, will cause some selectorial head-scratching. Burgess at No.8 produced the tight-loose play so invaluable to any University pack but which all too often is conspicious only by its absence, and Hill who played 2, 20 minute spells caught the eye with good supporting play. He also had one spell in the Senior First game where he was far from being the least effective member of a strong, experienced pack. Mabin in his 2 spells as hooker showed that there will be keen competition for hooking berths.

In the backs B. Brown teamed well with D. Broadmore at 1st 5/8, and the latter is rapidly showing signs of fulfilling the earlier promise of a few years ago. At 2nd 5/8 Kennedy ensured that the three-quarters were given every opportunity to show their ability and he set Mabin up for a good try with clever play. McPahil was intelligent during his spells at 2nd 5/8 and Blake at centre showed he may well be a solution to the club's midfield back problems. Delaney strove hard while on the wing Burton showed real class and Courtney-O'Connor scored a good try in typical determined fashion. He also reacted sensibly in an ugly incident which was totally unwarranted. At fulback Grayson showed he will be a welcome acquisition to the Senior ranks (here is a gifted footballer), while M. Brown produced characteristic courage and competence and must have strengthened his claims. For the 2nds tries were scored by Burton (2), Courtney-O'Connor and Mabin with Brown kicking a conversion.

In the Firsts game a new and somewhat inexperienced backline (apart from the experienced D. Hogg) was unable to complement the 2nd half efforts of an experienced pack. The solid front row of McDonald, Barrett and Sharp gave nothing away while good support came from Toney and Gibbons at lock. Kirkby was a shrewd operator on the side of the scrum while the other flankers, White and Hill, performed well. Lookman gained a lot of lineout ball and generally acquitted himself well at No.8.

Hogg at halfback did his best to ensure the forwards' efforts were rewarded and his work around the short side of the scrum was very good. Of the other backs perhaps it is perhaps best to rely on coach Mick Bremner's comment, "It is early days yet and this will not do them any harm." Mick and his assis ant Tony Timms have a lot of work to do in terms of team building in the back-line but they can take comfort from the fact that Varsity always has a good supply of intelligent footballers available.

Overall it was probably disappointing to see the absence of constructive forward drills from such experienced players, but Mick Bremner and Kerry McDonald will already have taken action in this regard. For the Firsts, Isaac scored a try and kicked a penalty.