RUGBY LEAGUE Hornby Wins Thacker Shield By Late Try

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30557, 28 September 1964, Page 15

RUGBY LEAGUE Hornby Wins Thacker Shield By Late Try

A magnificent late try by R. Moffat, who beat three defenders in a 60-yard run to the posts, allowed Hornby to defeat Marist (West Coast) and retain the Thacker Shield, the symbol of supremacy amongst South Island Rugby League clubs, 18-16, at the Addington Show Grounds on Saturday.

The try came after one of the few mistakes that the Marist defence made during the match and, although Hornby scored four tries to two, it was rather fortunate to keep the shield in Canterbury. Throughout the entertaining, and often exciting, match Marist constantly outmaneuvered and bustled Hornby to such an extent that it enjoyed a marked territorial advantage. Hornby’s tries were scored by Langton, Williams, Cooke and Moffat. D. Neiman (2) and G. Woodgate kicked goals. For Marist Kennedy and C. A. Hibbs scored tries and Hibbs kicked five goals. Hornby Bustled The Marist forwards did not allow Hornby any room in which to move and, so tight was the defence, only Cooke was able to gain any ground. The Hornby defence was not as strong and the Marist second row forwards, Dixon and A. P. Dennehy, were able to take advantage of this. The Hornby forwards, apart from Cooke, tried to barge through the Marist pack, but Dixon and Dennehy tended to look for the gaps near the inside backs. The teams were: Hornby: P. J. Tongue; R. Mullally, R. Moffat, B. W. Langton, D. Howden; J. M. Bray (replaced by T, Williams), R. A. Neiman; M. L. Cooke (captain); D. Condick, D. Neiman; R. McKenzie, R. Woodgate, C. Woodgate. Marist: C. A. Hibbs; B. Beban, G. O. Fletcher (re. placed by R. Hibbs), G. M. Kennedy, R. Rochford; P. Crawford, M. Greaney; M. Nolan; A. P. Dennehy, J. K. Dixon; G. Dennehy, B. Reiha, J. Hibbs. Both teams played good football and the ball was passed along the back-lines with purpose. The Hornby line suffered when Bray was injured but, shortly afterwards, Fletcher had to leave the field after making several dangerous runs. After Bray was injured Langton was moved into stand-off half. Langton’s tendency to starve his outside men of the ball was even more pronounced. Moffat was given few chances to show his pace and Hornby back movements often ended with Langton being tackled by either Crawford or Kennedy.

It would have been more to Hornby’s advantage to have moved R. A. Neiman to standoff half and played Cooke at scrum-half. Langton passed poorly and once when he decided to give the ball out it was intercepted and Kennedy raced 50 yards to score. Kennedy caused Hornby the most trouble. He combined well with C. A. Hibbs, kicked when necessary, tackled strongly and ran with determination and success. He is the only captain to have outmanoeuvred Cooke this year and it was surprising that Cooke did not use the wind in the first spell. C. A. Hibbs was a reliable kicker and made one or two nice breaks. Fletcher was also able to slip past his marker. Langton, several times before he was injured. Playing in his first senior game, Greaney was a solid defender and he found Crawford well with his passing from the scrums. The wings, Rochford and Beban, did not have many chances on attack but Rochford followed the kicks well and caught Tongue several times. R. Hibbs was solid at full-back. The young T. Williams proved to be a determined wing for Hornby and his try was a fine effort. Moffat was not allowed much ball from Langton but when he received it in the loose play he was dangerous. Neiman was solid at scrum-half but Greaney kept his attacking instincts in check. Reliable Cooke As usual, Cooke was the best Hornby forward. His strong running and sound defence was again in evidence and after the match he was chaired from the ground. It was fitting that he should have scored a fine try in this game, probably his last for Hornby. D. Neiman gave him some support but Condick found the defence much harder to penetrate than in local club games. R. McKenzie played his usual whirlwind game without being very effective. Dennehy and Dixon proved troublesome to Hornby. Both were able to find gaps and use them effectively. G. Dennehy and J. Hibbs, both

strong props, helped to seal any gaps that Hornby did find and M. Nolan was a useful loose forward. The Hornby hooker, R. Woodgate, won the scrums, 19-14, and Marist was awarded 15 penalties to 13. Hornby constantly infringed in the play the ball in the first half but throughout the game there were no scrum penalties. Referee: Mr P.'Yaxley.