PRESENTATION TO COMMENTATOR

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 7

PRESENTATION TO COMMENTATOR

Mr W. J. McCarthy’s Last Broadcast (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 28. No other football announcer had made such an impact on the public, said Mr J. N. Millard, when the Wellington Rugby Union and the New Zealand Rugby Union made presentations to Mr W. J. McCarthy after he had made his last Rugby broadcast yesterday. The big crowd which gathered and gave cheers and sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” testified to the popularity of Mr McCarthy. His favourite expressions, such as, “It’s a goal,” and "Listen for it,” were freely chanted by spectators when Mr McCarthy replied. The president of the Wellington Union (Mr L. Price) traced Mr McCarthy’s career from his first Rugby broadcast in 1942. Mr Millard made particular mention of the tremendous impression his broadcasts created in the British Isles in 195354. particularly in Wales. The Wellington Union’s presentation was a canteen of cutlery. The New Zealand Union’s gift was an inscribed silver tray, jug, ice bucket, and 12 crystal glasses.

Results lu Other Centres

Auckland.—Suburbs 11, University 6; Ponsonby 19, Grafton 3; Grammar 6, Takapuna 5; North Shore 13, College Rifles 5; Manukau 14, Eden 0; Northcote 13. Marist 6; Otahuhu 16. Waitemata 6.

Taranaki.—Rahotu 14, Clifton 12: New Plymouth Old Boys 5, Tukapa 5: Stratford 11, Inglewood 8; Okato 14, Star 6; Patea 6, Eltham 3: Hawera 9, Athletic 6: Stratford Old Boys 22. Okaiawa 3; Opunake 12. Waimate 6. Wellington.—Oriental 9. Poneke 8; University 19, Onslow 6; Petone 30, Taita 3; Wellington 9, W.C.0.8. 6: Athletic 19, St. Patrick’s 0.8. 6; Hutt 9, Marist 6.

side backs, resulted in seven tries between them. Although Papanui had a much heavier pack, the battle was more even in this department, and in the second spell Linwood broke even in the possession of the ball from the set scrums. E. Anderson was again in fine form at centre three-quarters and gave his wing men many chances. K. Roberts, without being brilliant, gave a competent display at half-back and was always a source of danger to the Lin Wood defence. Scorers for Papanui were: K. Harding (5), I. McKenzie (2), E. Anderson (2), John Bond, K. Roberts, and Jim Bond. John Bond converted two and W. Jones two. For Linwood R. Journey and K. Journey scored tries, one of which was converted by J. Robinson, who also kicked a penalty. B. Shanks also kicked two penalties. The referee was Mr B. Cox. SYDENHAM v. MARIST Sydenham, playing with the precision of a well-oiled machine, overwhelmed Marist, 59-2, in a fast, open game, to maintain its lead in the competitions with Papanui. Sydenham on the day had everything—a solid forward pack that worked as a pack and broke fast to overwhelm the opposition: a hooker who obtained a monopoly of the ball for his backs; and a backline that switched play from side to side with bewildering changes of direction. The Sydenham forwards, led by the Kiwi hooker, J. Butterfield, played the copybook type of game, and as a consequence the opposition had little time to consolidate. Butterfield was ably supported by a fellow Kiwi, T. Kilkelly, who this year is playing brilliantly. His fit_ness allowed him to be on the ball and up with the play throughout, and his strong running enabled him to beat many would-be tacklers. I. Pimley, also a forward, played his usual solid game. The Sydenham backline made good use of the ball, and swept downfield frequently, with every member handling the ball, and often handling twice. R. Gillard, the halfback, made the most of any opportunity and he made shrewd runs from the base of the scrums that rewarded him with tries. C. Williams, the Sydenham winger, had a •field day, both with tries scored and his conversions, an altogether useful player. C. Miller, on the opposite wing, although not receiving the same number of chances, made ground whenever he received the ball. Marist’s two points came from a penalty kicked by P. Creedy, who also played a fine game. He tackled solidly and made openings with his shrewd running, openings which could have made a difference to the game had he had any support. The Marist winger, F. Leo. gave a good performance, and although starved for the ball, showed a determined run and a more than rugged defence. The best performance for Marist was given by the full-back, B. Curtain, whose tackling was good. He always got his man and grounded him, and several times he brought off flying tackles. Curtain fulfilled his Herculean task well and shows considerable promise in a position in which Canterbury is not particularly strong, and it needs a good man urgently.

N.Z. WORLD CUP

TEAM

Selection System Not To Be Changed

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 28. Suggested changes in the method of picking New Zealand’s World Cup Rugby League team were not received kindly by many delegates at the final session of the New Zealand League Conference yesterday. With only four weeks to go before 30 players are assembled in Auckland for final selection, it was suggested that some sort of trails should be held in both islands. The South Island trials have already been approved. Delegates passed a motion presented by Mr W. A. Swift (West Coast), that the team be selected as originally planned, but that the selectors be given the authority to fall in with any ideas of leagues which they felt would help in selection. In effect, this means that the South Island four-way trials will almost certainly be held—depending on Wellington’s joining in—but that other trials are unlikely. Sarlier, delegates discussed helping minor leagues, and decided to adopt an amended remit that ways and means should be found to assist minor leagues to hold representative fixtures. The New Zealand council was asked by the Otago delegate (Mr M. A. Robson) to consider future colts’ tours of Australia.

Games In Other Centres •

Auckland.—Ellerslie 31. Northcote 16; Ponsonby 21. Glenora 19; Marist 27. North Shore 17; Richmond 48. Mt. Albert 16: Port Chevalier 18, City Newton 16.

Wellington.—St. George 31, Marist 25; Taita 10 .Waterside 6; Randwick 26, Miramar 10.

£lO,OOO Lottery Winner

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 28.

Mr Frank Dixon, of Devonshire road, has won an overseas lottery worth £lO,OOO. Mr Dixon considers himself very lucky, and in raffles at his work place, the Social Security Department, he has little trouble in taking prizes. In one raffle recently he won three out of four prizes. He won the overseas lottery with the ticket “13 and 22’—13 because he was in the 13th Railway Construction Company in Egypt

during the war, and 22 because he lives at 22 Devonshire road, Miramar.

He is unmarried and lives with his sister.