WEEK-END PREVIEW Coast Forwards Might Pave Way To Victory

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 13

WEEK-END PREVIEW Coast Forwards Might Pave Way To Victory

[By Our Rugby League Correspondent]

Unless the Canterbury forwards show a vast improvement on their performance against the Southern XIII on Easter Monday, the West Coast may record its first Rugby League victory over Canterbury since 1962, when the teams meet at the Show Grounds tomorrow.

The match promises to be an exciting one, with a return to the traditional battle between the West Coast forwards and the Canterbury backs. The loss of G. M. Kennedy and L. Brown probably means more to the Coast than those of J. M. Bray and G. H. Turner to Canterbury. The two Coast centres have been the danger men of the Coast back-line and its attack has revolved around them. While the loss of Bray, in particular, will weaken Canterbury it will not be as serious. Pose Great Threat The resurgence of the West Coast pack, led by the youngsters, J. K. Dixon, A. P. Dennehy and R. 0. Schofield, has posed a great threat to Canterbury.

Coast should dominate the forward battle with the Southern XIII trio, plus C. W. Clark and the promising J. Hibbs, all being dangerous runners from the play-the-ball. Schofield and the hooker, F. Kennedy, should take much of the tight work on their shoulders.

On paper Canterbury’s pack looks solid but raises little enthusiasm. The return of I. T. Drayton may add thrust and penetration but he will be expected to do a good share of the tight work from the rucks. Recent injuries have not assisted his attempt to retain his Kiwi position. Canterbury will need to win a good share of the scrums if it is to give its backs enough opportunities to score the necessary tries. J. A. Bond has proved to be dan-

gerous at times but he plays as an individual, giving little thought to his outside backs. It would be heartening to see Bond give R. S. J. Irvine instructions to have a solo burst from the scrum occasionally for the Canterbury scrum-half has few peers in this mode of attack. Bond will face unknown opposition in the form of the former Batley (Great Britain) player, B. Foley, who is player-coach to the CobdenKohinoor Club in Greymouth. Irvine should have an equally interesting struggle against B. Sweetman whose build and strength could be compared to a mini-Sherman tank. His five by five build takes a lot of stopping and Irvine’s fine defensive play will be severely tested.

Hornby, Addington, Kaiapoi and Christchurch should win their first round Tavendale Cup matches tomorrow. The loss of representative players will effect most teams, particularly Hornby and Papanui, who will oppose each other.

Hornby seems to have the greater depth in players of senior standard and should beat Papanui in what is expected to be a fairly even match. A. N. Amer will be the greatest thorn in Hornby’s side for he is capable of producing brilliant runs capable of turning the tide of any match.