Scrappy rugby

By Ian Barwick

Scrappy play marred the annual fixture between Victoria and Auckland Universities. Auckland deservedly won 20-3 after leading 17-0 at half-time with first use of the wind.

The first spell was all Auckland, Stone narrowly missing a penalty in the 7th minute. In the 9th minute Montgomery scored the first of his three tries, for Stone to convert. After 12 minutes Montgomery again scored after Hargreave had made the initial break. Stone missed the conversion but eight minutes later kicked a good penalty from 40 yards out.

Victoria's rearranged backline was having difficulty achieving co-ordination and as a result the back line rarely functioned as a unit. In the 29th minute full-back Stone came into the back line, providing the overlap for Whey to score in the corner in the tackle. Montgomery again scored in the 35th minute after outsprinting Loveridge to score in a tackle. That made the halftime score 17-0, with Auckland having been on attack for all but a few minutes.

Victoria looked a different team when they came out for the second spell and with the assistance of the breeze more than held their own. In the 63rd minute, after the Auckland halfback had infringed Heather kicked a good penalty from mid-way goal-posts, and corner flag. Auckland had the last word however when they broke away from inside the Victoria twenty-five, for Cullimore to move after Burns and Montgomery had covered the ball the whole length of the field.

In this spell Victoria were unlucky not to score. The captain Derek Barton lost the ball when over the line after breaking from a ruck.

Both backlines attempted to run the ball in the second spell but lack of co-ordination and close marking ruined the match as a spectacle.

For Victoria Ireland and Heather played well and Weinberg on occasions showing the benefits of the recent Universities team to Japan, showed pace. In the forwards a virtually "new" Victoria pack toiled manfully but the not weather, the lack of match play and in some cases the lack of fitness were evident.

For Auckland Montgomery, also showing the benefits of the tour, shone out as did Stone who played extremely well for so early in the season. Hendel and Burns combined well and gave their outsides every chance. Auckland and Varsities rep Cullimore shone in the forward struggle.

In a ragged curtain-raiser Auckland B defeated Victoria B 11-9, a game marred by infringements. For Victoria Ploughman, Cooper and Hawkes all played sound games.