LEAGUE Canterbury Win Over West Coast

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28981, 24 August 1959, Page 15

LEAGUE Canterbury Win Over West Coast

Showing much better form than in its previous fixtures, the Canterbury Rugby League team had a convincing 11-8 win over West Coast in a return game played at the Show Grounds on Saturday

Although still not getting a full •hare of possession from the scrums, Canterbury had a greater share than usual and for most of the game appeareo the better side. Its forwards were shaded at times by the West Coast six, but the backs, with neater pace and better handling, aiwavs looked the better line. Both sides made handling mistakes tn the first half when the defence was very strong. Many golden opportunities were lost through this fault, with Canterbury the worst offender. In the second spell, however, the game reached a much higher standard and play moved

from end to end of the ground from’ y th With mUCh more from the scrums, West Coast had the” o^ “ i eS i, *i Ut in most extra K lacked that little _P dce to beat a very efficient Canterbury cover defence. West Coast fielded a strong pack kenf° r^ ard d' r and hard inning w?rL the defence busy. The forwards were quick in getting to the tb2 Se <- ba . ’ ?, nd in this res Pect shaded the Canterbury pack. The Canterthe^tigh?*3^S’ jdhough beaten in tne tight, showed more speed and ®",', e T prise ln the open P’ay and ex-ba'-ks m opening up P>ay f °r their

The Canterbury loose forward, R W ‘ lS outs ‘anding. His fine er deience was of great value and he made many brilliant breaks A ur ?, a harassed defence into attack. M. Cook and K. Pearce were Rnth f lp K th J play throughout. Both tackled hard and surely. F. Tinning gave further proof of his big improvement and was always prominent.

Prominent Forwards RI T,-J°iu d est Coast forwards, J. Butterfield, W. McLennan, and T. Reid were the most prominent in the pack. Butterfield, as usual, was the general, and he cleverly switched P*ay- With R. Hart, A. Walton E °°, d work > n the tight, r. Kilkelly, who was played as the loose forward, was always to the fore, and his good backing up brought him a fine try. The Canterbury back-line was hampered early in the game by the faulty handling and Indecision of the first five-eighths. W. Jones. He settled down, however, in the second half and made some fine breaks, until he was forced to retire, K Roberts showed his best form behind the scrum. He delivered his passes quickly and timed his solo breaks nicely. The speed, and clever jinky running of the second fiveeighths. J. Bond, put a lot of life into the attack and frequently had the defence baffled. The threequarter line ol E. Anderson, K. Journee and A Woodham combined splendidly and each made fine runs. A. Smith was solid at full-back. He handled and tackled well, and his goal kicking was first-class. As usual when he plays in Canterbury. the West Coast first fiveeighths. G. Menzies, gave a fine display. His clever handling and speed through a gap were excellent. At times, however, his speed was too much for his supports and his breaks came to nothing through lack of support. At half-back, G. Skinner was very solid, but at times attempted too much on his own. G. Kennedy and R. Griffiths were sound without being brilliant. They appeared to lack the necessary pace. G. Waters frequently came up into the attack from full-back, and generally made ground. P. Donaldson and L Maloney, the wrings, ran strongly- when In possession, but found their opposite numbers too strong on defence. The Play The first points went to Canterbury after 25 minutes when, after a sustained attack, Turton opened up play foi Jones to run Woodham into position for a good try in the comer. West Coast appeared certain to equalise when the ball went along the line to Donaldson, who was unmarked. Fine covering by J. Bond, however, stopped Donaldson right at the comer flag. West Coast kept up the pressure and drew level when Reid received close to the line and barged over. There was no further scoring in the first half. Canterbury was first to score In the second half. West Coast was penalised just inside half-way and Smith kicked a fine goal. Almost immediately after the kick-off Canterbury went further ahead. Turton began the move with a clever run. The ball went across field and Turton, coming into the line again, broke through and sent K. Journee across at the comer. Smith kicked a fine conversion. Kennedy added West Coast’s next points with a penalty goal and then West Coast produced its best movement of the same. The ball was sent along the line and then back again, where Kilkelly Joined in and cut right through for a brilliant try under the posts. Kennedy missed the easy conversion. Smith kicked another penalty goal for Canterbury. West Coast attacked strongly, but Canterbury's defence held and Jones made a fine run with J. Bond backing up splendidly. When stopped. Jones passed to Bond, who sidestepped his way over for a nice try. The last points went to Canterbury when Smith kicked his third penalty goal The referee was Mr V. Belsham i Auckland).