Contrary to pre-season predictions results after eleven games have been disappointing. Varsity rugby sank to the lowest level seen for a long time when on Saturday its first five teams were beaten, many reasons have been suggested for this decline, however, injuries and the loss of leading players to the club are probably the principle contributing factors.

Senior A

After continuing their successful run from last season for the first seven games of this season the "A's" lost four games in succession to destroy their chances of retaining the Jubilee Cup. Included in these last four games were losses to lowly rated Wellington College Old Boys and Onslow of the "Bottom Six." However cup favourites Petone were held to 9—6 in an enthralling game. Injuries to Gary Weinberg, Mick Williment and David Heather have seriously disrupted the back-line and while Weinberg and Williment have returned to the scene, Heather will be out for another three weeks. The backline has shown glimpses of its potential but without ever "clicking."

In the forwards performances have been of a generally high standard, reaching a peak against the strong Petone pack. Captain Kerry MacDonald has been an excellent example to his fellow forwards. New players in the pack have acquitted themselves well and have blended in successfully with the "old hands."

Senior B

A string of early losses did not help a team which in the previous season had been outstandingly successful. However the losses were not heavy ones and over recent weeks players have been showing their true worth. Having players "borrowed" does not help a team struggling to achieve a combination. Performances should improve over the concluding games of the season.

Senior C

Winning only two games out of a possible eleven is not an enviable record by any means but this is the fate of the "Cs." To their credit however are three drawn matches in a grade which is currently dominated by club sides fielding their top team.

Junior 1st

Of all the Varsity sides playing in the local competition the "J.I.S" have the best performance to date. At time of writing they are third on the points table in a grade where no team is clearly superior. They are probably the club's best bet of clinching a title this season.

Junior 2nd

Mixed fortunes have followed this team which has played some polished and some shocking football. Having his first attempt at coaching is former senior half-back David Hogg. While title chances have slipped by, the team will play off in the top bracket of the grade.

Junior 3rd

Varsity is represented by two teams in this grade the Weir representatives currently doing the better of the two. Our other team has not been disgraced however and had a handsome win last Saturday.

Junior 4th

There are also two Varsity teams in this grade University A and "Toro's Tigers." To date "Toro's Tigers" have won six games to the "A's" four'. The match in which the two meet will probably have to be the highlight of the 1967 Rugby calendar!

Junior 5th

Two teams have also been entered in this "social grade" and both are doing moderately well. Both teams currently have eight points and interest is centred around who will be ahead at the conclusion of the season.

Third First

Sharing bottom place is not the most desired position in any grade of rugby football.

This Is currently the role of our representatives in the above grade. This in itself should be enough incentive; for the team to come back over the latter stages of the season.

Third Second

In a grade supposedly of weaker teams it would appear from the results that there is a wide gulf between the top and bottom teams in this division. It is contended that the top bracket of teams in this division would not be outclassed in grades well above that in which they are at present enrolled. Varsity are currently bracketed in the middle of this grade.

Under 19

Playing in the first division of the "glamour grade" University is at present in third position. Club teams are matched with the first fif-teens of the top schools of the district in this grade and it is a credit to the team that they can do so well with players playing together for the first time.

Summing up, it would appear that University rugby is at present in a trough in the cycle through which all teams go at one time or another. Even so, the record is not unimpressive and the club looks forward to a period of promise.