BULLER BEATS COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26492, 6 August 1951, Page 3

BULLER BEATS COUNTRY

SIX POINT MARGIN IN DULL GAME

After a doleful exhibition of Rugby football, the Buller representatives scored their first win on their South Island tour by beating Canterbury Sub-Unions at Lancaster Park on Saturday by 9 points to 3. The ground was in fine order. Although players on both sides attempted to open up the play in the first spell, the handling of the backs was so bad that a passing rush by one side usually meant an advantage to the other. The attendance was very small.

The only Country players to show promise were E. H. Richards, wing threequarters, and G. Patterson, full-back. Richards, a strong runner who appears to have been unlucky to miss representative honours this year, was in a class far ahead of the others. It usually took more than two Buller players to stop him. Patterson handled well and was applauded for several long line kicks, but he made a poor attempt to tackle W. Spence when the Buller wing three-quar-ters scored a try in the first spell, and he appeared to be caught out of position when the other two tries were scored. The centre backs, H. Pickering and C. McPherson, were sound enough on solid defence. All their good work, however, was spoiled by dropped passes. _ Reg. Harris. M. Rathgen, and J. McLean were the best of a pack which usually worked hard, but had little idea of constructive play. The Buller team is composed mainly of young players, who need experience. The half-back, F. Smallholme, and the first five-eighths, H. Eckersley, showed flashes of brilliance in scoring tries. Both were superior to the Country men playing opposite them, and showed up weaknesses in tackling. W. Spence scored a good try early in the game. The other wing, R. Morgan, did not have to cope with a man of the speed and weight of Richards. B. Corrie, M. Ryan, and G. Anderson were the best of a light Buller pack.

The teams were as follows: — Buller.—J. McArthur; W. Spence, K. Worthington, R. Morgan; A. Forsyth, H. Eckersley; G. Smailholme; G. Anderson, M. Ryan. E. Tyler, B. Theobald, K. Crockett. B. Gorrie, J. Nicholson, G. Kearns.

Canterbury.—G. Patterson; 'M. Patterson, H. Pickering, E. H. Richards; C. McPherson. J. Hampton; R. Grant; Ray Harris M. Williams, L. Davies, Reg. Harris, R. Craw, N. Rathgen, J. McLean, A. Barnes. Buller opened the scoring when Spence, with little ground to work in. badly beat M. Patterson and G. Patterson to score a try at the comer. It was a good effort. Dribbling by the Buller forwards was carried on by Eckersley, who scored in a good position. An easy gick at goal was missed, and at half-time Buller led by 6 Joints to 0. Country scored early in the rst spell when two Buller. backs, dribbling the bah, kicked it to M. Patterson, who had a clear run In for an easy try. From loose play in Country territory Smallholme received the ball and badly beat the Country Inside backs to score. Buller won by 9 points (three tries) to 3 (a try). Mr V. C. Empson was referee. IN OTHER CENTRES Auckland.—Grafton 8, Grammar 0; Marist 3. Otahuhu 3; University 31, Traintag College 8, Ponsonby 25, Cornwall 11: North Shore 11. Northcote 8. Wellington.—Jubilee Cup: Wellington 8. Oriental 3. Poneke 9. Onslow 6: Petone 12. Hutt 9. Hardham Cup—University 11, Athletic 3: Taita 19. Wellington College Old Boys 3; Marist 14. St. Pat’s. Old Boys 9. Championship points: Poneke 23, Oriental 21, Onslow 18. Hutt 17. Petone 17, Wellington 16. Hardham Cup: Marist 17, Athletic 13, Taita 12. University 12 Wellington College Old Boys 5, St. Pat’s. Old Boys 5. Dunedin.—Dunedin 16. University A 5; Pirates 13. Training College 6; Taieri 9, Ztagari-Richmond 3; University B 15, Alhambra 11; Kalkorai 13. Southern 5: union 14, Port Chalmers 9.