League Game Today

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28980, 22 August 1959, Page 5

League Game Today

TN its return game against West A Coast at the Show Grounds on Saturday, the Canterbury Rugby League team will be eager to avenge its defeat last week. In the game at Greymouth, Canterbury had to contend with a very muddy ground which was all against its speed, and open style of game. The fixture, which will give players their final chance to win selection in the South Island side which meets the North Island at Auckland on August 29, should produce a high standard of football. A total of 11 Kiwis will take the field, six from the Coast and five from Canterbury. The form of new and up and coming players against these proved players *will be keenly watched.

The West Coast will field a powerful and well-tried pack which includes J. Butterfield, T. Kilkelly, W. McLennan, R. Gardiner, A. Walton, and T. Reid. Butterfield, Kilkelly and McLennan are well known through their performances in Kiwi sides, and

on this season’s form Gardiner, Walton, and Reid are just as impressive.

The Coast back line, with Kiwis G. Menzies, R. Griffiths, and G. Kennedy, backed up by G. Skinner and N. Tiller, appears very strong. The Canterbury back line will perhaps have more pace and much will depend on the amount of ball their forwards can win for them from the scrums. The Canterbury pack, with the pace of K. Pearce, M. Cooke, R. Turton and F. Tinning, should more than hold its own in all the open play If Canterbury can win an even share of the scrums its fast back line should prove the deciding factor. K. Roberts, W Jones, Jim Bond, and E. Anderson will have more speed than their opposite numbers and with enough possession should supply match winning football.

The referee for the game will by Mr S. E. Belsham, from Auckland, who has the reputation of being one of the world’s best.