First Fifteen Rugby

Varsity in Senior Rugby to date, his not a very impressive record on paper. A win against St. Pat's College Old Boy, a draw versus Wellington College Old Boy s and losses against Poneke and Athletic.

The Team's performance has however been better than results would have it. Against Old Boys a penalty kick of the opposition, given over, definitely missed, and against Poneke and Athletic it was only the inexperience of the backs which lost the side each game.

In the forward division the team has played with dash and skill and in this department it is living up to the high standards of the past few seasons. Outstanding in a good pack have been McNicol and Burke whilst Hansen, Corkill, Shannon and in fact the whole pack have played with real determination. Powerful packs such as Poneke, W. Coll. Old Boys and Athletic have if anything had the worst of the encounter forward and it is indeed strange that che trend should continue at Varsity—strong forwards but not so strong backs, as University teams have always been noted for their back piny.

The University back line needs one experienced and solia back close to the scrum. Given a tactician such as Dick Wild in any of those positions it is doubtful if the side would have been defeated to date. However we have not at the moment such a player and the young backline gracing the fifteen will learn. It is imperative that the inside backs should move up more quickly on defence and when tackling an opponent that they should go low and hard. The number of high tackles made by the members of the senior team this season would be impossible to cultivate. Individually the backs have much promise. Churchill is improving at half but is still a little slow. He throws long and good passes however. Patrick at first five eighths needs to remember that it is a five eighth's duty to go up to his, man if he nans with page break the ball at all. Larkin has boon quite good in each of his appearances and Cooney shows promise. Here again a tendency to go up on defence is apparent. Parker has boon out of position at centro. A promising player, it is unreasonable to expect him to blossom out as a centre overnight; never having played in what is probably the most difficult position in the backs. Tricklebank in each appearance has boon solid and good. On the wing Shaw has been dashing but seems to lack a little on defence and it would pay him to give a little attention to the side of his play. Mahood has boon a trier. Kissell has shown improved form at full back.

For a young team however the performance has boon good and since the team must inevitably improve very heartening for the Club.

A spirit of keenness exists today thanks to the coaching of Mr. Jim Parker and the good administration of the Club that will ultimately, war permitting, bring Varsity back to the position it hold in the halcyon days of the twenties.

J. A. C.