In a game that was characterized by footrushes and very little successful handling, a combined Club and Seaforths Rugby XV defeated a greatly improved Police side by two tries to nil at the Race Course yesterday afternoon. The play never reached great heights and although the players of both sides were full of enthusiasm, their efforts invariably came to naught, lack of knowledge of the finer points spoiling many a promising movement.
The Police forwards have obviously been putting in a great deal of practice for they were able to hold their own throughout the game with a more than useful pack and it was only due to misunderstanding in the defence that the Combined XV were able to emerge as victors.
Cockburn showed up very well in the threes and is quickly learning the game and with his speed and powerful tackling is more than likely to prove himself of great use before the end of the year. McFarlane also showed up well, his kicking and general all round play being most encouraging: Hocking, who took over the unaccustomed duties of scrum-half, was a distinct success in this new position and may well prove to be the connecting link between the Police forwards and backs, The Police forwards have always been up to average but when it comes to getting the ball back there invariably appears to be a stoppage, and it is quite on the cards that Hocking will repair this important deficiency.
'The first half saw both teams strive ing hard to cross their opponents' line, but all attempts came to nil Midfield play predominated in which the two sides indulged in a great deal of foot rushing movements but the defences held out until the breather.
The second session saw the Combined XV making strenuous efforts to break through and eventually the Police line fell twice, neither try, however,"béing converted. Rdinéy, of the Seaforths, played.a most im} pressive game and it would come as no surprise to see bim included in senior teams before long.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.