ATHLETIC.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 July 1915, Page 3

ATHLETIC.

RUGBY UNiOri FOOTBALL,

UNITED STTSS (3). A FINE" GAME. Not for years past has a crowd of football spectators been so well pleased as at Victoria Park last Saturday. Enthusiasts were anxious to see how the Uniteds .would fare against the Stars, after the re-forming of the latter team since Rugby Union football gained so much by the cleansing of the game in Greyraouth, and though the blue and whites’ new array included some very good players their most sanguine supporters never expected them to put up such a Tiguu against their doughty opponents. “.Lack of combination, want of form, etc., etc.” was bound to find them out, but as one loyal supporter of Rugby Union football of very many years standing remarked on Saturday, “Wonders will never cease,” and the unexpected happened. The blue and whites g left the field victors in a fast, hard fought game by three tries against a penalty goal. To say that no one grudged them their victory would he to put it mildly. Everyone who has taken an interest in football for years past in Greyinonih recognises the fact that the scientific part of local Rugby owes much to the Star team, as it lias been this factor which has so often borne their colours to the front, and it was no dislike of the Star team, but the sympathy for the team setting out in a new venture that made oven the Star barrackurs look upon their opponents with a kindly eye. ft may bo said that there was no indulgence on the part of the amber and blacks (Stars] on the field, as their oppo penis set off at a clip that soon showed that the new team were going to prove foemen worthy of their steel, and troin start to finish it was a hard, fast game, with brilliant flashes that made it brimful o fintoreat from the spectators’ point of view, and at the same time guaranteed the success of future matches in the Union senior competition. The first spell saw the Uniteds open with some vigorous fast work, and though their team had not played together before their backs showed an inclination to handle the ball, and lively open work was indulged in by both sides to the evident pleasure of the spectators, who showed genuine surprise at the showing made, bur the first ten minutes Uniteds more than ncld their own, chiefly owing to line work by Robson, Morns, and Malhiesoa amongst the backs, the former being responsible for a very brilliant bit of work from intercepting a pass in his own twenty-lives. He was only collared well in Ids opponents’ twenty fives. Stars began to assort themselves, Mclntosh and Nelson trying hard to open up the game, and through some good, combined work play was taken right np to (he Uniteds’ line, Int the blue and wiiites defended solidly, and the attack was unable to penetrate the good defensive work of Barry, Morris, Good, and Mathieson (in the backs), and a fast aggressive pack which fought every inch of the way. For several minutes Stars gave their opponents a warm time, and it looked as though Uniteds’ condition was going to fail, but before the end of the spell the latter raised the siege, and gave as good as they got, half-time sounding with no score on either side. On resuming it looked as though Stars were going to overpower the blues and whites, and Nelson made some lino dashes, but failed to (juite break through. While also went within an ace ol scoring at the corner. Uniteds, by the aid of fine individual play by Morris, Mathieson and Robson, backing up a pack of forwards that worked like Trojans, was able to carry the play into their opponents’ territory,' and for about twenty minutes they gave the Stars a very torrid time, the ball seldom passing on the blue and while side of half-way. There wore several dashes for the lino and finally, after some good play in the loose by the United forwards, Tenncnt got over and scored near the corner, amidst great applause from the spectators. The kick at goal failed, but the blue and whites came back with a rush immediately from the kick-out and Mcllroy scored at the corner, within a couple of minutes of the first score. I lie kick at goal failed, and with the scores six to nil in favour of the Uniteds, the chances of Stars did not look too rosy. From the kick-out Stars came away and Nelson made a good rim, but Morris fetched him down lie reached the line. Casey relieved Uniteds hy cutting in and intercepting a pass and taking the ball right up to the opposing full-back. The game was now most distinctly in toresting, and considering the lack of training the play was of a most strenuous and dashing order, the ball travelling rapidly up and down. Mc.laggart and Mcllroy were prominent in a. forward rush for Uniteds, and Robson coming up vapidly got the ball right along the tench line, and then kicking it in field he picked it up and scored a clever try. I lie kick failing, Uniteds were Opts to nil. Stars now set up a severe attack, and a seme seemed imminent near the goal posts, but the defence was solid and Robson gave . i welcome relief with a well-judged kick. Stars were soon back again, and when looking dangerous were awarded a lice kick for a breach bv one of the opposing forwards and Nelson safely go:, led— Uniteds 9. Stars 3. Give-and take play followed, and it soon became evident with a few minutes to go that the amber ami blacks would not succeed iu reducing the lead, as their opponents were sticking to them in a surprising manner without any signs of collapse, and time was called without any further alteration the. game thus resulting in a. win for Uniteds by 9pts to 3, after a game full of incident from start to finish. Mr Makivcy had control of the game. The Fourth Grade match between Stars and Marists was played at 1.30 p.m.. and an extrdmely hard-fought game resulted iu a draw— Stars o ins- Man.-.!:. M' Stars had a good deal the better of the game iu the first spell,, scores nearly re suiting on several occasions, hut mu 1 kicking when near the line prevented the f finish being put on some promising w<hk. f There is some really good material m butn teams, but neither side will progress much until they stop their incessant chattering. ]t seems to be everybody a business to tell , everybody else what to do with the inevitable result. Is there a captain m these y two teams? If there is why does ho y allow fourteen other would-be captains to do his work? BILUARDS. 5 INMAN DEFEATS G RAY. i f]> E a PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] I LONDON, July 3. f In (he billiard match the scores n were as follows; — * Inman 18,000 Grey 17,212