Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 19, No. 10. September 10, 1955
Rugby Supremacy Lost
Rugby Supremacy Lost
After reposing in the trophy case in the main hall of the College for three years, the Jubilee Cup, symbol of Wellington club Ruby supremacy, has found itself a new home with the Onslow Club. Victoria, who have held a mortgage on the trophy in recent seasons, could do no better than take fourth place this year. Although the side started well at the beginning of the season, they gradually faded away and in the second round of the Jubilee Cup could only notch a draw and four losses.
The loss of Jim Fitzgerald early in the season was a hard blow and thereafter the VUC backs lacked the penetration inside which the All Black had instilled over the previous three years. Another trouble which beset the backlline was the difficulty experienced in finding the right half-back and first five-eighth combination. Several combinations were tried and this experimentation did little in aiding the backs to find the real cohesion which is essential to the typo of Rugby Victoria play.
Peter Osborne was a safe custodian and was one of the few backs who played with any sort of consistency. Ron Jarden ran up his century of points in quick style but even he could not hold the team together in the closing stages of the season. Of the other backs, newcomers Webby and Barry played well in patches and have both gained valuable match experience for the years ahead. Mike Watson made a welcome return to the side and his game against Petone on Queen's Birthday was out of the top drawer. Tony Clark impressed as a fast elusive back, who needs only experience to put him in top class.
In the forwards, the old hands held the pack together while several of the younger forwards proved that they will be a great asset to the team in the next few seasons. Ivan Stuart was a good leader and a tireleas worker. No matter what the state of the game, he strove relentlessly and set a fine example for the rest of the pack. Jensen and McHalick were two who played consistently well throughout, while Bill Clark and Nepia never let up on attack or defence. Bill made up welcome return to top form towards the later part of the season and all Rugby supporters in Wellington were pleased to see him playing the style of football which won him top honours in 1953.
Rua Bristowe bounced round the paddock like a rubber ball and got through a lot of work. Perry Preston-Thomas and Gerry Blathwayt are two locks who, although rather on the light side at the moment, will develop into a formidable duo in the seasons to come.
Congratulations to W. H. Clark and R. A. Jarden on their inclusion in the New Zealand team, an honour which both richly deserve, and also to H. A. Nepla, who along with Clark and Jarden has represented Wellington this season.