RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27150, 21 September 1953, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE

THACKER SHIELD MATCH BLACKBALL BEATS SYDENHAM Superior in all departments of the game Blackball, the West Coast champion team,beat Sydenham, the Canterbury champions, by 12 points (two converted tries and a penalty) to 5 points (one converted try) at the Show Grounds in the annual game for the Thacker Shield. With a fine pacx of forwards, backed up by resourceful, fast-moving backs, Blackball always looked the better side. Tneir backing-up was a feature* of the game, and was one of the main reasons for their victory. Whenever a player made a break there was generally a team-mate on the spot to carry on the movement. This was in strong contrast to Sydenham’s efforts, as on several occasions promising scoring movements broke down through complete lack of support.

Winning the ball from the scrums. Blackball attacked persistently, and found weaknesses in Sydenham’s defence which often allowed them to turn defence into attack and gain “big stretches of ground. Sydenham was unfortunate in that after the first ffew scrums the hooker. Kilkelly, who was suffering from an ear injury, had to come out and play as breakaway. From that stage of the game Sydenham

saw little of the ball from the scrums and had to spend a lot more time than usual on defence. In this aspect of the game Sydenham showed several bad lapses, especially in the backs, and allowed their opponents far too much latitude. Exceptions were Butterfield and Kilkelly, who showed that around the ankles tackling puts a sudden stop to attacks.

The Blackball forwards, led by McLennan and O'Donnell, were a very solid lot and allowed Sydenham little latitude. Their fast breaking from the scrum forced the Sydenham backs into a lot of handling mistakes when attacks looked promising. Had A. O'Donnell, the Blackball first fiveeighths, handled better, the total must have been larger. The second five-eighths, Morrow, and the centre, Pascoe, showed a lot of penetration, repeatedly gaining ground with fine breaks after good handling. C. McGougan, a very solidlybuilt winger, was always difficult to pull down when making a dash for the line. R. Nuttall, the full-back, showed he retains a lot of the form which took him into New Zealand sides several years ago. His clean handling and powerful kicking got his side out of a lot of trouble. With McLennan and R. O’Donnell settng a fine example, Coleman, Taylor, Ord, and Kerr rose to the occasion and gave fine support. Casey, Pimley, and Wakefield were good supporting forwards for Kilkelly and Butterfield in the Sydenham pack, which did not impress as much as Blackball. The most impressive Sydenham back was the first five-eighths, Parkes, who made many fine breaks and tackled well. His supporting backs did not handle well and were often found wanting cn defence. The Scoring

After attacking moves by both sides. Blackball looked certain to score, but the final pass was intercepted by Yaxley, who cleared. Blackball lost another opportunity, a knock-on stopping them with a run in. Keeping up the attack. Blackball bustled Sydenham, and when the ball came clear Pascoe snapped it up brilliantly and shot over for the first try, which Nuttall converted. There was no further scoring before half-time. Sydenham went on attack from the start of the second spell, but poor tackling allowed Blackball to clear and start a movement which went three-quarters of the length of the ground and finished with A. O’Donnell going over for a try alongside the posts. Nuttall again converted. Wakefield missed with two penalty attempts from handy positions. Pascoe was almost over again, being stopped just short of the line by Wakefield, and a counter move by Sydenham let Parkes make a brilliant run for Sydenham, which failed to produce a try through lack of support. Sydenham was rewarded for some attacks when Kilkelly started a move in which he regained possession after Pimley and Butterfield had handled. Kilkelly went over for a fine try under the posts, and Wakefield converted. Just before full time Nuttall put Blackball further ahead with a fine penalty goal from 40 yards out. Referee: Mr W. Smith.