RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26528, 17 September 1951, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE

ANISY SHIELD MATCH

WEST COAST BEATEN BY CANTERBURY

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, September 16. Although the final margin was only two points in Canterbury’s favour, the Canierbury Rugby League representatives were superior in all departments to West Coast in the Anisy Shield game at Wingham Park, Greymouth, to-day, and had it not been for difficulty in handling a greasy ball. Canterbury would have had a much easier win. Little rain fell during the game, but a shower just before the kick-off made the ground slippery and treacherous, ■ and the ball difficult to handle. This was one explanation for the football being below the standard seen in previous West Coast-Canterbury games. Another was that neither team had played since the departure of the New Zealand representatives, and there was a lack of combination. This was particularly so in the case of West Coast, who lacked any plan of action. Most of the thrills in a disappointing game were provided by the Canterbury backs, who at times were given a good deal of latitude by high tackling. Canterbury have now won two out of three games against West Coast this season and to-day lifted the Anisy Shield.

The Canterbury forwards were livelier than West Coast with good displays being given by R. Broadhurst, K. Pomare. ana J. Bond. The West Coast pack worked spasmodically and suffered a big loss halfway through the second half when J. Mundy had to retire with an injury. F. Malloy and T. Longley were the best of the remainder.

Following were the teams:—Canterbury: K. Henry, W. McKenzie. G. Neiman, B. Stanley, C. Paskell, S. Parkes, B. Campbell, R. Broadhurst, I. Pimley, P. Griffiths, R: Pomare, W. Keenan, J. Bond. West Coast: R. Nuttall, A. Campbell, L. Dargan, C. McGougan, K. Brown. R. Wright, H. Ord, J. Mundy, P. Williams, F. Hassen, T. Longley, F. Gibson, F. Malloy. In the first 10 minutes Nuttall and Paskell kicked penalty goals. Half-way through the spell Bond started the best movement of the match in which Broadhurst. Parkes, and Paskell handled for Stapley to accept a long pass and score in the corner. Late in the spell Nuttall kicked another penalty goal. At halftime Canterbury led by 5 points to 4. Half-way through the second half Nuttall placed West Coast in the lead with another penalty goal, but Canterbury gained the winning points when B. Campbell picked up a loose ball and sent Neiman over in the corner. Bond failed to convert. Canterbury won by 8 points to 6.

N.Z. TEAM’S TOUR

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON. Sept. 15. The New Zealand Rugby League team is certain of a warm welcotne when it begins its tour of England and France at Rochdale on Tuesday. English commentators say that the team is expected to prove a stronger combination than the team which won one test out of three in 1947. The 26 members of the team arrived at Southampton to-day by the liner Ruahine. The team manager (Mr D. A. Wilkie) said they were in good shape. They did a< much training as possible on the trip, although there was insufficient space for running.

It was possible the team might play in America on the return trip. Mr Wilkie said.