YESTERDAY’S GREAT GAME

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1920, Page 6

YESTERDAY’S GREAT GAME

COAST BADLY DEFEATED,

SPECTACULAR PLAY

BY ENGLISH VISITORS

Public expectation was realized when at the Victoria Park yesterday afternoon England defeated the "West Coast —in the presence of about 2000 by 55 to 13. The heavy defeat of the West Coast team did not weaken public interest in the game, and the match was followed eagerly right throughout. At tire commencement a cold wet easterly wind blew across the field and rain fell at intervals, throughout the match. It was an interesting game in many respects, though —on account of lack of weight and the general weakness of the home team—it was uninspiring and wanting in thrill. The scores were 15 tries and 5‘ goals for England, and three tries and two goals for West Coast. Gronow, the celebrated goal kicker had seven shots and obliged four times.

After five minutes had gone all who had hoped that the Coast opposition would be strong enough—at least for a time—to ensure a struggle, became reconciled to their fate. With such a player as Parkin behind the scrum, and with men like Stockwoll, Davis, Doyle and Stone at his elbow the Coast opposition was but a shadow, and at times, ridiculous.

Almost every time that the English hacks got going the score mounted up. Parkin, the man of the afternoon, was we were told, a great player several years .ago, and yesterday he struck something Lk© his old form. lire way he came away from the scrum with the ball in his arms ileft all the Coasters wondering. In an interview before the game, Mr. ■•Foster, manager of the team, stated that New Zealand league teams lacked weight, in fact, he held, that this was their chief draw back. It was certainly the drawback of the Coast team yesterday. Almost in every instance the home players are taller than their opponents, but much lighter. In the. scrums this was particularly notice able.

Regarding the Coast players they played well but were no match for the Englishmen. Malloy shipped about nervously at times and had little to do for fire Englishmen constantly deceived him. Mundy and Ryan showed well in flashes of good play, proving themselves difficult to grasp at times. Very often Gerrarty as half, was grounded by his opponents the instant he got his hands on the ball. Of the forwards Blythe, Brown and Garvey played bravely throughout. Taking the game all in all, it was well worth seeing, and we most likely will not see such a combination as the English 13 for many a long day. They were brilliant in every sense ol tne word, and was such ajieam extended it, is not hard to imagine how desperately they would play. There was no “beg your pardons” about them, and they were fierce in attack when they meant business. Their visit should stimulate league on the Coast and set an ideal for the local men. Hard work, we'ght, speed, and combination are the secrets of their success.

ENGLAND VERSUS WEST COAST. ENGLAND ; WEST COAST (1) A. F. Wood (1) J. Molloy (2) S. Stockwell (2) Ryan (3) E. Davies (3) L. Hunter (4) J. Doyle (4) Henderson (5) W. J. Stone (5) C. Purnell (6) J. Parkin (6) W. Mundy (7) G. Thomas (7) W. Gerrarty (81 J. Oar(weight, (8) J. Brown (9) E. J. Skelhorne (9) Long (10) J. Bowers (10) S. Blythe (11) B. Gronow (11) J. MVTaggart (12) W. Reid (12) J. Garvey (13) D. Clark .(13) F. Clarke

THE PLAY. West Coast won the toss and Gronow kicked off from the southern end for England, wind and rain sweeping across the field. Off side play by Coast gave England a chance of securing a goal. Gronow dees not often miss such gifts but he did on this occasion. Play returned to half way where Stone after doing his bit transferred to Parkin who endeavoured to get the back machinery going. Davis fumbled but the Englishmen continued on their way. At this movement the Coast were left wondering, and it looked ominous. Parkin walked over. Gusty wind carried Gronow’s kick away from the posts 3 —o. Mundy was the first to liven things up for the Coast side, and set the side going by a clever run. With play well down the field Coast were awarded a kick,

and Henderson landed a goal. 3 —2. From a scrum the clockwork-like backs got going and the half (Parkin) whipped the ball out to Stone who transferred it to Davis. No one pursued Davis who scored easily. Gronow’s kick failed. 6 —2. For a very brief period the Coast forwards headed by Blythe were in evidence. Taking the ball from their feet, England punted the it down the field and Malloy returned. Play settled at the half-way flag where Mundy was noticeable. So far the Coast had played wall, but they were soon to lose their gloss, for the visitors were running them off their feet. Parkin sent the ball to Davis who missed, and the rush ended. Parkin took the ball up and passing the maiority of the Coast players was landed by Henderson, The ball then went out to Parkin, to Thomas, to Doyle, who knocked on. Stockwell came round the scrum and was pushed out, by Cfarvey. Taking the ball from Parkin, Thomas, Doyle and Stone ran through scoring under the posts. Gronow obliged. 11 —2. This rush was the best so far, the Englishmen playing brilliantly. W. Ryan saved. Parkin and Stockwell came on but a bad pass lost a score. A minute later that sure combination Parkin-Clark-Thomas to Doyle scored again. Gronow converted. Thomas, Cartwright and Stockwell had the Coast in difficulties at quick intervals, but Malloy’s good play assisted, his team. The Coast defence soon broke and Stockwell scored. 24—9.. Towards gettingt He next swe, Skelborne and Bowers assisted mat a riallv. From these two hefty forwards the ball went to Parkinand on to Davi« who scored. Gronow converted,, 29 — 2. A little variety was added to the game

when Blythe and McTaggart got away and brought play down on the Englishmen’s line. Here Henderson joined in and by neatly side-stepping Woods fell over the line and scored. 29 —F, '['he visitors indulged in some brilliant passing for a t me, conducting a real onslaught on the Coasters. As one player went down another stepped into the breach, but good play by Mundy and' Ryan, and good tackling by Garvey and Long prevented a score. Mundy relieved by sending the ball down the field, and Parkin returned with the ball beatinrr six or seven players before transferring to Davis who scored. 52 —5. When the whistle sounded for the commencement of the second spell all interest had gone from the game, but the crowd were eager to watch the play of the visitors as long as the game lasted. Taking a long pass from Parkin, Davis scored. 34 —5. Gronow failed to convert. Cartwright taking the ball from Gronow passed to Stockwell who in turn transferred to Doyle, who scored. Woods failed to convert. 38 —5. Spectator’s were then treated to a veryfine passing rush from iTie English forwards, who finally- sent the ball to the backs and Stockwell scored. Wood converted. Commencing in their own twenty-five Doy-le, Thomas and Stockwell set. off down fir 3 f:eld. the last named scoring. 43 —5. For a few

minutes tho Englishmen took a spell and Clarke scored for the Coast. Henderson converted. 43—10. Immediately afterwards Parkin ran through. 46 —10. When "play recommenced Parkin sent the ball to Thomas who transferred to Doyle, a score resulting 49 —10. A few seconds later Doyle scored. 52 —10. The Coasters then attacked and good work by Gerrarty, Mundy, Purnell and Ryan saw the latter score. 52—13. A few minutes later Parkin walked over. 55 —13. Shortly afterwards time was called. Mr. Neilson (Blackball) acted as referee and kept with the play throughout. The Town v. CourA.rv mitch, played as a curtain raiser to the big game, was won by the Country team by B—s. SMOKE CONCERT.

At tHe Albion Hotel last evening a smoke concert was tendered the Eng lish touring team. A large number of followers of the game were present and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The visitors expressed tneir views on league in the Antipodes and of its prospects. Songs were given by Messrs Doyle and Reid of the vistors, singing honours for the local clubs being upheld by Messrs Ryan, Henderson, Clarke and Williams. A drum solo by Mr. Gallagher, one of the visitors, was greatly appreciated. do liis address, Mr. Foster gave some good advice to the local players, stating tine all points that they had gained yesterday were won on their own merits. Speechmakers during the evening included Messrs Parfitt, Naylor, Moyle (ChCh), Wingham, Beban and Nissen. THE DEPARTURE. The English, teanp left by the Otira express this morning for Well’ng ton ■where they will play the third test match.