SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 July 1920, Page 6

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

RUGBY NOTES. NEWS AND TOPICS. PLAY AND PLAYERS. (By ‘Tirate.”) Correspondence and Contributions to “Pirate,” Star Office. [lt is our intention to publish Rugby notes every Wednesday evening. Accounts of the previous week’s matches will be published with remarks on the work of the individual players. Articlesof interest to Rugby players are invited for publication. New rules w.ll be published in this column, while existing ones will be explained as fully and clearly as possible.]

Rugby has had what might be termed a “booming” week as far as the Coast is concerned. On Saturday there was a very keen contest between the pos sible and probable junior reps, followed by the Hokitika-Grey match. Then came the news of the All Black victory in which the Coast representatives had no small part. Next Saturday too there will be the Buller-West Coast match.

Common faults running through Saturday’s matches may be noted. The most noticeable fault was that of running diagonally. , This is only w'asto of time apart from the fact that it, blocks out a man’s own wings. Run straight, beat your man and then pass sums up practically every player s work. There are exceptions.' For rep. matches, or any match, there'was too much talking. A good place kicker too is a valuable asset to any team and a sure kicker can rely on a position for this reason alone. A fine di’op kick was witnessed in the first game when Frazer placed a running drop over the bar. Dribbling too, is a lost art among the Coast forwards. A good dribbling forward rush is as good as a passing back rush at all times. In the Junior game passing was often uncertain and very often too high. A good pass is a swift, clear swing out waist high. The pass should be thrown slightly in front of the taker, so that speed is not lost but is rather to the contrary. There ; s no excuse for selfishness in a team. It may bo accounted for by the fact that each boy was “ant” for the reps, and was anxious to “shine” in the selector’s eyes. In the senior game the unselfish play of Russell and his willingness to pass was a marked feature of the game. Players wearing caps do not look well. There is nothing against it sa\e that fact. A player without a cap looks prepared for anything.

Among the Grey players, collaring ranks with dribbling as a lost art. Hokitika's collaring in the first half was good and accounted in a large measure for the line game during that time. “Go low every time and come down with your man.” That is still sound advice.

The Junior game was very fast during the greater part oh the time. Perhaps the most prominent player was Olliver, the half back, who was plainly the most “heady” player on the ground. He well deserves his inclusion in the Junior Reps. King on the wing also put in some very goM work. He has the necessary qualrties for a wing—a sfrong, straight run. Warnes and Will.anrj also were noticeable by their displays. On the other side Bergin puc in some good strong runs, but is inclined to hold on too long. Moore was very fast and followed up well. Olliver on wing also worked well. Ward in the forwards has weight but he is inc.ned to “loaf.” Doogan gnd Nelson were very prominent in the forwards it is hard to pick out players in a game where every man is doing his very best as was happening in this game. In the senior match, the win was due I ; the Grey combination. The final ■Corel! by no means give a fair account of the game. The game was very fast and Grey were frequently hard pressed on their own line. Among the Grey players, Hall showed to advantage in more senses than one. He uses his weight and his head to clear the ball from the scrum and open the game, Russell was very prominent and put in some splendid work. He is a most unselfish player and many young players can well afford to follow his example. Jamieson at full back played his usual sound game, but his line kicking is not too good. Also it never pays a full back, or anybody else, to take fly kicks. His collaring was sure in every case. Gaily and Deere also played well. The best try of the day was scored by Russell and Gaily. Gaily put in a dodgy run and then passed to Russell in time for the latter to score.

LAST SATURDAY’S GAME. Last Saturday’s game on the Park between the Southern Division and Grey proved a most interesting game, despite the disparity in the scores. The Hokitika players played well in the lirst spell and plainly indicated that given* the necessary practice to gain combination, they will put up a hard fight against our local men, who certainly excelled themselves on Saturday in the way in which they tossed the ball about. The spectators were delighted, and they are eagerly looking forward to next Saturday’s game with the Buller. Given a fine day the local men will be capable of putting up a fast game throughout, and we should see ;a very fine tussle. Con gratulations to Jack Russell on the splendid form he is showing ag centre three-quarter this season. He was right on the spot on Saturday, quick at anticipating, running straight, and passing unselfishly, he shone out as a really class player. Qally was also at his best, his running being of that determined order, which we have seen from him all too seldom. This player is capable of doing big things of which we glimpsed something on Saturday. Mundy as half, played well. He is a good boy, lacking in thing which he cannot help—weight. He does his level best to teed the men be- • hind him. * “Racer” Nelson as wing three-quarter was not on the spot in the first half, but his play in the second was a vast improvement. Wing three-quarter is not this player’s position. He lacks that deadliness which characterises a good wing three-quarter—Steel, for example. He is exceedingly clever—too

clever at times in trying to beat too many men. Five-eighths is his position if he can only bring himself to remember the man behind him. Watton plays a good defensive game, but is weak in attack, his passing being raw her faulty, and in many cases just that trifle slow which enables the opposition to anticipate and bring the impending back movement to an abrupt conclusion. Time is certainly the essence of the contract in these passing rushes. Tom McKay played a very fair game, always using his head, and running straight—a great feature in a fiveeighth. . Hall Reynolds, King, Mclntosh and Deere played well, and they all revelled in the fast open work. With regard to the Southern team the lack of ability to distinguish several players prevents individual criticism to any etxent. A number of them are young, and promise well. They were up against, some experienced and clever players, and the.r showing in the first spell gives promise of good things, to come. Duncraft and Wells showed some fine individual work, and the latter player had exceedingly hard luck in not scoring after such a brilliant run as he made in the first spell. “Doss” Irving showed that his boot has not lost its cunning, and Ire showed some really fine play at times, considering that his backs saw very little of the ball from the scrum.

The Southern forwards played a hard game, particularly veteran Carley, who showed considerable pace, especially in chasing such a flyer as Gaily. Scott as wing showed considerable promise.

SATURDAY’S REP. MATCH. No match played on the Coast is ever looked forward to with greater pleasure than the annual fixture with Buller. The game is invariably keenly fought out and interesting to watch ; last year’s game here being particularly interesting, when Buller scored a lucky victory near the finish by a penalty goal. The men from Westport are invariably difficult to beat, particularly those hefty forwards who play havoc if the "opposing vangard is at all weak. With the prospect of the Seddon Shield match against Marlborough on August 14th in view, the Buller men will be in sol d training, as our Northern neighbours are determined that the shield shall not slip easily from their girp. In their game against Inangahua last Saturday week, which they won by 19 to 6, it was in the last spell that they asserted, their superiority, as Inangahua led by 6 to 3 at half-time. The Buller forwards were the determining factor aiyi broke down the opposition towards the end of the game. The Coast has a fai superior set of backs, but the visiting forwards have to be reckoned with. If the Coast forwards can hold their end up a win for the Coast can be confidently looked forward to on Saturday given a fine day. Should the visiting vanguard prove too warm, the game will be a most close and exciting one, as our local backs will not then get si many opportunities to attack. Spectators who were present at last year s game will remember “Dingle” Young, the Buller half, who had to retire hurt in the early part of the game. He is pretty certain to come down with the Buller team next Saturday, and his good-humoured countenance is sure to be welcomed at next. Saturday’s game Those who know “Dinale” (who is a collier) will appreciate the following comment by a Buller critic on his play against Inangahua: “Dingle Young played his best game this season, but ' he showed a rather marked propensity for burrowing in the scrum. Evidently he could not resist the temptation to go into the tunnel behind the scrum. He should remember the song ‘Dad, do not go down the mine.’ During the week also two school matches have been played. On Wed nesday last the Marists defeated tue State by 20 to 6. Quinn is a very sound back on the Mawst side and some of his pick-ups would be the ph' ,v of an All Black were he to see them. On the State side, Goodall at full back was very safe. On Thursday, the High School met defeated the Technical School. ALL BLACKS V. N.S.W.

COASTERS PROMINENT. The victory of the All Blacks m their opening match against N.S.W. in Sydney by 25 points to 16 was well _ received in West Coast football circles When news of the victory came through the first question asked on all sides was: “How did Steel play?” The cabled report of the match has answered this in a most satisfactory manner. It is quite evident that our great wing three-quarter duly “delivered the goods. The run from which he scored was described as “a splendid one,” and in addition he figured prominently in a couple of other portions of the cabled report. The scoring indicates a fast, open game, described in the cable ,as largely individualistic. This is not to be wondered at considering the little time the team has had to strike combination. It is not without a feeling of pride that West Coasters will note that Wogan, of the Wogan family of Hokitika, figured very prominently' on the N.S.W. side in Saturday’s game. It is certainly unique for the. Coast to have two of its boys in the persons of Steel and Wogan playing well in prominent positions in teams representing New Zealand and N.S.W. on a Sydney ground. It is abundantly evident that the Coast was worthily represented, even in this high class football company. It will be remembered that Wogan. toured New Zealand with'' the last Australian Rugby team which came across the Tasman Sea. A FOOTBALL FAMILY Two of Wogan’s brothers have been playing for the Selwyn Club in Wellington, while a younger member of the family at present attending the Hokitika D.H.S. performed the extraordinary feat of scoring eight tides in a match against the Greymouth D.H.S. recently. AVhen it is understood that

this lad had no undue physical advantages in the matter of size, the feat will be appreciated at its true value. Truly this family of Hokitika boys has a strong rugby tradition running through its members. ANOTHER GREYMOUTH BOY. Leslie Earl (son of Captain Earl) is playing a splendid half-back game in Wellington' for the Selwyn Senior team. A recent criticism in the Free Lance states : “Earl is the strong back on the Selwyn side, and gets through a wonderful lot of work just behind the pack.” Les was always a game little boy when playing for the Greymouth school team in the same position. WEST COAST RUGBY UNION. The usual weekly meeting of the above Union was held in the Star Hall last night when the following members were present: —Messrs J Hefferman (chair), McKay, Henry, Jones, Wilson, Brimble, Beaumont, Baker. O’Donnell and Gapt. Cox (Secretary). It was resolved that the President, Secretary and Mr. Henry be appointed to arrange a programme for the Schools Football on August 25, at Victoria Park in conjunction with the Teachers Committee, a sub-commit-tee to meet at 7 p.m. on Friday in Trinity Hall. A wire was received from the N.Z. Rugby Union'lstating that the country team assemble at Wellington on August 4th. It was resolved that September Ist be accepted as the date for the match — Christchurch Marists v. Greymouth. It was resolved that M. D. J. Hewitt be accepted as the referee for the junior rep match at Westport, on Saturday next, and that the Marist jerseys be used by the local team if such are available. It was resolved that the secretary of the Buller Union be asked to arrange accommodation for the junior team 17 players, and that Mr. Beaumont act as manager. It was resolved that the team go by Saturday morning’s train to Reefton and by car to Westport, returning to Reefton on Sunday and by Monday morning’s train back to Greymouth.

It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to ascertain the terms for the conveyance of the team from Beefton to Westport. It was resolved that J. Olliver be appo nted captain of the junior rep team. It was resolved that the Union’s treasurer be authorised to arrange for the travelling expenses of the West Coast players to take part in the South Island Mam’s tour.

The names of Messrs T. O’Donnell, A. Henry, P. Anderson, and W. Graham were submitted to the Buller Union for that Union to choose the referee for the Grey v. Buller match on Saturday. It was resolved that Messrs G. Jones and H. Bowman arrange for programme for Saturday’s match. Captain Cox was appointed timekeeper, and Mr. H. Bowman touch-line judge. The game will start at 2.30 p.m. T. Mclntosh was appointed captain of the Coast team.

As the letter from the Southern Division did not come to hand, it was decided that the contents, if urgent, be dealt with by the President, Secretary and Mr. Wilson. FIXTURES. Saturday 31. —Grey v. Buller, Park 2.45 p.m. Fourth-grade—Marists v. Star, Park, 1.30 p.m. Mr. G. McKenzie referee. THE COAST TEAM. The following team was selected last night to represent West Coast against Buller: Full back. —Osborne. Threequarters. —G. Nelson, C. McElwee, Gaily Five-eighths. —Russell, Duncraft. Half.—J. Mundy. Rover. —Reynolds.

Forwards. —Laurie, Wylie, Chapman, Hall, O’Regan, Deere, T. Mclntosh (captain) . Emergencies: backs. —Jamieson and McElweo; forwards, Scott and Williams.

MARIST OLD BOYS. THE UNBEATEN TEAM. WEST COAST TOUR. A prominent member of the M. 8.0.8 team writing to the “Star” football scribe, has the following to say anent the visit of the Old Boys to the Coast next month. “The Marist Club intend njaking another raid on £he West Coast in the near future. The men have been looking forward to the trip since last year, when they met people of their own hearts. We have had a great season—more successful than last year in fact —and the men are in great nick at present. This is a better team than the one we sent across last year. The youngsters have improved and we have got a couple more crack-a-jacks in Jas McCormack, a youth of 20 years, who weighs about 13 stone, and incidentally he cleaned up quite a lot of events at the St. Patrick Sports meeting. He is very fast and one of the best (we think he is the) centre threequarter in New Zealand. The other is a forward, in Brian McCleary (our heavyweight boxer, who won at Hastings last night), and also one of the best. Tlrs year the team has developed a combination never known in the Club before and if given a fair chance of playing together we will beat Otago ’Varsity when we meet on August 14th. We had ten men playing in the trial game on Saturday. The Rugby Union turned down a suggestion that we should play the rest of Canterbury. After Saturday’s display we see the reason. In the Rep team to go South we have secured six places, and were unlucky with another pair. Our secretary, Leo Bromahan, wired the different Coast Unions yeslerday, and I suppose you will bo well posted. I he idea is to leave on August 24th and play at least four games, and perhaps five, including Duller. This is about the only arrangenlent we can come to, for the Union will not allow us to travel while rep matches here are on. Of course we are doing things on the Club’s behalf and expect to be well out of pocket, but the trip is worth it. About 21 players will be taken, and I understand over 20 supporters will accompany ns. If the different unions on your side can see their way

A » b*. tihlfr ■w^g.vw clear to accept our dates, everything will be right. The Rugby Union here is fast asleep, and I do not think would send a team even if we were not gong. You will sec our record for-the season in this week’s Referee.” The record for this season which the writer mentions is as follows: —Versus Mori vale 25pts to 8, and 17 to 3 ; versus Christchurch, 46 —3, and 19 —3 ;v. Lmwood, 6 —3, and 11—nil; v. Old Boys, 14—nil, and 14—nil; y. Varsity, 17 —5 ;v. Albion, 38 —8 ;v. Sydenham, 33—8. Points for 240, points against 41..