WEST COAST BEAT BULLER

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27961, 7 May 1956, Page 11

WEST COAST BEAT BULLER

UNIMPRESSIVE PLAY AT WESTPORT

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, May 5. In a very scrappy game at Victoria square. Westport, on Saturday afternoon, the West Coast representative Rugby team beat Buller by 17 points to 14 points. The West Coast centre three-quarters, N. Williams, scored the winning try right on the call of time. West Coast led by 14 to 0 at half-time and seemed to be certain of an easy win, but ir.juiies to the key backs, E. Stratford and A. Negri, five-eighths, and the winger, A. Lindbom. seriously dislocated the West Coast rearguard, and Buller was able to make up the leeway—only to see their opponents srtatch a last-minute win. Never at any stage was there any brilliant play, and the two teams were about the least impressive to represent their unions for some years. Several new players were tried out, but with little success, and some of the more experienced men were disappointing. The Buller captain, G. Anderson, who scored two good tries from the number eight position, was easily the best forward on the field, and he stood out well above his team-mates. The Buller pack, in striking contrast to the impressive form against Canterbury in its early victory last season, was very docile in most departments. It was obvious that the first representative game of the season came too soon for some.

In the first 23 minutes Buller' did not get the ball from one ruck, line-out. or scrum. However, later in the match it shewed more spirit, and in the second spell more than held its own agains. Coast. A. Hawes, who did well in the line-outs, and K. Crackett. who came on at half-time, were the only other Buller forwards who were up to good standard. Among the West Coast forwards, T. Bird was a source of annoyance to the opposing inside backs and repeatedly broke up passing movements. G. Ferguson, the hooker, had a very good match, as did B. Ross in his new role on the side of the scrum. A. Krakosky, R. Eastgate, and K. Foster a’so played honest if not inspiring Rugby.

The back play was never good. Bad handling, lack of positional play, poor combination, and weaknesses on defence contributed to a 'poor spectacle. The Coast custodian, K. Brown, made a welcome return to representative ranks with a fine all-round display, while N. Williams, at centre three-quarters, and F. Gugich, on the left wing, showed up in possibly the best movements of the match. Gugich was fast off the mark, and so was Williams, who, however, slightly marred an otherwise grand display with weaknesses in tackling. The other backs never had a chance to prove their mettle, although A. Negri, at five-eighths, was going well until he was forced to retire with an injury. A. McNabb, who replaced him, (fid rather " well with limited opportunities, as the Buller forwards were much more lively when he was on the field. The Coast half-back. G. Coleman, gave poor service from the scrum, but was more dangerous in open play.

The Buller back line was disorganised without M. White, the brilliant centre, because of an injury at work the previous day. There was never much thrust and it was only by sheer individualism that any progress was made. The new' halfback, R. Vaile, tok some time to settle down, but gave a display of solid football. J. Hunt did a lot of work at first five-eighths, but to little purpose. M. Easton, apart from a tendency to kick too much, was sound and actually venturesome in the first half. J. Cunniffe was an alert centre, but chances did not come his way very often—a plight shared by the wingers. R-. Burrow and N. Luff, alhough the former is not uo to his form of last season. P. Mumm was patchy at full-back.

After good work by Brown the Coast forwards pressed on Buller’s line and Eastgate opened the scoring with a try, which Brown failed to convert. Coleman made a good run to link up with Ferguson and Lindbom. but the ball went astray when Coast was very dangerous. Williams moved up smartly to pick up a loose ball and send Gugich over in an easy position for Brown to convert. The full-back put Coast further ahead with a goal from a penalty. When Mumm was slow in clearing he was tackled by Williams, and C. Thrope, who had come on as a replacement for Stratford, scored a good try. The halftime position was: Coast 14, Buller 0. Bui er scored two tries in cuick succession soon after the resumption of play, both by the energetic Anderson, one of which Mumm converted. W. Craddock, the Buller front-ranker, charged down a Coast clearing kick to score a third try, and Mumm equalised with a fine kick from a penalty from well out. Just on time Williams broke away on his own to score for Coast.

SUB-UNIONS’ MATCHES

HURUNUI T be Hurunui Rugby Sub-union’s competitions were continued on Saturday. In r} e^« eni< L r S rade Kaikoura beat Culverden 14-10 and United beat Cheviot 11-5. For Kaikoura R. Noonan (2), R. Heard, and R. Morrison scored tries, one of which was converted by Heard. J. Black and R. James scored tries for Culverden and James converted one try. F. Booker scored a try. converted a try. and kicked a penalty goal for United. The side s other points came from M. Phipps, who also scored a try. For Cheviot B. McChntock scored a try, which was converted by R. Barnes.

IQ Ju / li ? r §rade results were:—Kaikours 18, Culverden 0; United 14. Cheviot A 0; Cheviot B, a bye.

BANKS PENINSULA

Akaroa and United Bays had convincing wins in the Banks Peninsula Rugby Subunion s senior competition on Saturday Ak aro a beat Eastern Bays by 17 points to 0, and United Bays beat Little River 14-0 Tries for Akaroa were scored by M. Thacker, O Harrington. J. Woodill. D. Kotloski, and J. Carruthers. M. Blomquist converted one try. Mr P. J. Higgins was referee. xussins

Un L ted z„ Ba^ s tries were scored b\ T. Edwards (2), R. Craw, and M. Wright One try was converted by R. Small. Mi L. J. Humphries was referee

NORTH CANTERBURY

Loburn. which is playing senior grade in the North Canterbury Rugbv SubUnion s competition this.season, won its r?i St i nia * ch ° n Saturday when it defeated Ohoka by 14 points to 3, playing bright open football. Tries were scored for Loburn by R. Bruce, W. Hamilton, and R. Hamilton. L. Lundy kicking a penalty goal and converting a try. M. Price scored for Ohoka. Ngai tu Ahuriri beat Kowai by 11 points to 6. R. Ward. W. Karaitiana, and H. Te A ika scored tries for the winners, one of which xvas converted by K. Sampson. Ivan McNally kicked two penalty goals for Kowai. Rangiora beat Glenmark by 6 points to 5. H. Mac Kay and J Alsford each scored an unconverted try for Rangiora. J. Richmond scored o try for Glenmark, which was converted by D. Rowe. In the junior grade competition Glenmark beat Kowai by 11 points to 0; Cust beat Rangiora by 14 points to 3. In the under 18 competition High School beat Southbrook by 34 points to 0; Woodend beat Amberley by 9 points DRAW FOR SATURDAY The draw for Saturday is as follows: Senior.—Ngai v. Rang (Mr Eaglesome); Ox v. Wo (Mr Becre); Ko v. Am (Mr Sincock); Glen v. Oh (Mr Sloss); Lo a bye. Junior.—Rang v. Glen (Mr Chambers); Ko v. Ox (Mr Fulton). 1.15: Cu a bye. Under 18.—Oh v. High School (Mr Doody); Ain v. Sbrook (Mr Whyte); Wo a bye.

MALVERN

Kirwee and Darfield had convincing wins over United and Sheffield respectively in the Malvern Rugby Sub-union’s senior competitions, which were continued on Saturday. Kirwee beat United by 21 points to 0. N. Bolton (2) and T. Pankhurst (2> scored tries for Kirwee. M. Walker kicked one penalty goal, and E. Henderson converted three tires. Sheffield was beaten by 28 points to 8 by Derfield. For Darfield L. Clucas, G. Bellamy. D. McLearv. J. Gunn. C. Symes. S. Mitchell, and T. McGowan scored tries. McGowan also converted two tries and kicked a penalty I goal. M. Faulkner scored two tries for

Sheffield, and N. Wright converted one try. Black Diamonds had the bye. Darfield beat Sheffield by 23 points to 3 in a junior grade game. F. Adams, R. Moore, G. Ridgen, R. Irvine, and E. Elstob scored tries for Darfield. Irvine converted one try, and Elstob kicked two penalty goals. P. Murphy scored a try for Sheffield. Black Diamonds beat Kirwee by 31 points to 11. ELLESMERE The following are the results of matches played in the Ellesmere Rugby SubUnion’s competitions on Saturday:— Senior Grade.—Waihora 16, Lincoln College B 12; Lincoln College A 43. Irwell 0; Burnham 34, Lincoln 0; Southbridge 14, Leeston 0. Junior Grade.—Lincoln College 19, Irwell 3; Lincoln 8, Burnham 3; Southbridge 9, Leeston 3; Dunsandel, a bye. Third Grade.—Lincoln 32, Prebbleton 11; Southbridge 17, Waihora 0; Leeston, a bye. Fifth Grade.—Dunsandel 3. Lincoln 0; Prebbleton 9, Irwell 3; Leeston 6, Springston 6; Waihora 6, Southbridge 0. N.Z. NAVY TEAM PLAYS CARDIFF (N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) CARDIFF, May 5. Cardiff beat a New Zealand Navy team by 40 points to 10 in a Rugby Union match in Cardiff today. Cardiff led 24-0 , at half-time. ; Cardiff were nine points in front within 10 minutes after three good tries by the international Lyn Davies. Although the visitors occasionally showed some thrust, mainly the result of . efforts by Kim Johnston and Brien Sadd. they were outpaced generally. After half-time, Don Jones scored for New Zealand. Mervyn Kenny converted. Later. New Zealand, aided by some half- ; hearted Cardiff tackling, went through for a fine try by Ken Johnson. Kenny con- • verted again. Forces’ Match in Japan.—The British Commonwealth Rugby team lost to an allAkita team, 19-27. The game played at Akitain, northern Japan, was the fifth match of the Commonwealth Forces final goodwill tour of Japan.—Tokyo, May 5.