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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 17, No. 6. April 22, 1953

Rugby . . . — Varsity Still Champions

page 4

Rugby . . .

Varsity Still Champions

Wellington greeted the new Rugby season in its typical inhospitable manner. A blustery northerly which could spoil the best intentions was all that it could provide. Yet despite the conditions, Athletic Park patrons were treated to one of the finest exhibitions of exhilarating club football that we have seen in recent years.

Athletic was the team chosen to be the instrument of the hoodoo which annually adheres to the playing-through champions. They were a willing but not successful tool. Varsity with their star studded back-line and a lively pack successfully ignored the superstition.

The game was characterised by rapid territorial changes. It was an example of how to play entertaining football while still obeying the basic principles of Rugby. The ball was thrown around and so the game never became static in this the teams were aided by the liberal interpretation of the advantage rule by referee Williams.

The hard ground and the type of football played suited the University forwards in the first half playing against the wind they looked every bit a champion pack. Less was seen of Smith than usual but in a pack which is on the light side this is not a fault. The locks and heavier front row men will need ail their energy for the tight forward play. The best loose forward on the ground was Fisher. He has slipped into Murray's place as the tactical forward. He backed up well and his added pace made him a force to be contended with on attack. On the day he overshadowed the All Black Moxted.

Varsity gained their share of the ball—more especially in the first half when the direction of the wind may have been a contributing factor.

Savage at half-back had the better of Be van behind the Athletic scrum. His all round play was superior. This superiority Was most marked in the kicking to touch. Savage's passes were long and well directed. He did not commit Be van's error of running with the ball.

Henley was content to be a link. He became more aggressive in the second spell when his responsibilities to his outside lessened with the departure of Jarden and Fitzgerald. Bowers has the makings of an All Black first five-eighths. Experience is probably his greatest deficiency.

At second-five Fitzgerald showed us a glimpse of the form which mode him the idol of the Christchurch crowd last year. He was the star of the game. His change of direction and fast acceleration often left his opponent bewildered. His Judgment could not have been faulted. He was enterprising without being rash and quick to seize any opportunity without being selfish.

Fitzpatrick early in the first spell mode the most of his inexperienced opposite. He tacked and ran hard. He has a flare for the unexpected as he showed with the brilliant movement from behind his own goal line which ended in Jarden scoring in the opposite corner. Fitzpatrick found Freeman a stirrer proposition. Saturday's display would suggest that Freeman's retirement was somewhat premature.

Three-quarters Battell and Jarden had little of the limelight but grasped every available opportunity. Battell has speed and football brains. Milton Mcxted did a good job in marking Jarden but lacked finish.

Osborne was not found wanting and only bowed to his opposite Vaughan in attacking play. A function which I consider not specifically that of the full-back.

Were Varsity lucky to win? To a degree—yes. But the opportunist try Fitzgerald scored when Vaughan's clearing kick hit the upright came from ball play on Bevan's part. After obtaining possession behind his own goal line Be van made a wild pass—directed to no-one in particular. Vaughan gathered the ball and attempted to clear. He was not properly balanced and his kick failed. McClean's try was earned when Athletic scored off Freeman's up-and-under. On both occasions it was sound football and not merely luck which paved the way for the try.

—B.V.G.