SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1920, Page 8

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

■ i 11.^ RUGBY NOTES. NEWS AND TOPICS. PLAY AND PLAYERS. (By ‘Pirate.”) Correspondence and Contributions to “Pirate,” Star Office. For a few days Rugby has settled down into its normal running, and the only items of interest at present are the inter-Club competitions. The re turn Buller match too, is not forgotten, while the Marist visit is being eagerly awaited.

The weather Jast Saturday was not exactly Sahara Desert weather, yet the teams turned out. As a result of the inclement weather, the games were comparatively uninteresting from a spectator’s point of view. A fourthgrade team became so disgusted with the weather that it threw in the sponge, and (if one may appropriate a terra suitable to the weather conditions) “went out for a duck.” A fact which is very prominent in football everywhere to-day is that very few players use their heads to the extent they should. There is a lack of initiative, and even seasoned players are settling down in a stereotyped rule-of-thumb method of play. The team captains are mainly responsible for this, and Rugby can be made much more interesting by their combined efforts in this' direction. In this connection blackboard diagrams are of the utmost value before field training and no team practice is complete without this. Do not be satisfied, with rule-of-thumb modes of play; work “stunts*"’ on ymur opponents. Even

the old “stunt” of a back doubling beyond the wing in a rush is rarely seen now on the Coast. Revive it and many more. Make football a thinking game, and then there will be value to all, players and spectators, in every game. Standing on the line, one is surprised at the number of people who understand football rules and points better than either the referee or the players. If the Union could induce thp*c. people to form a team, they would form an invincible (not invisible, as at present! combination. According to these touch-line footballers, no referee has succeeded in noticing a pass off the ground. For general information

then, this rule may be made clear. The whole matter rests on a. definitionthat of “tacklin'*.” A player can pass off the ground any time unless he has been “tackled.” Now comes the definition of “tackled.” No player is tackled unless he is held in such a position that he can neither pass ro>* plar the ball, and if spectators will watch any iw m “. thev will see that a genuine “tackle” is a rare occurrence. The referee’s task is hard enough without the adyice.of all the er-champion—-(anythin'* here but Bu<*bv.A The: schools’ competition is at a very

interest.ng stage at present. Marist A lias defeated Stale B, while State A lias come out on top of Marist B To-morrow Marist A will meet State A, and a good game should result. Marists’ back combination is good and if State wishes to come out victorious, it must indulge in sol.d, safe tackling. Last Thursday Marist A defeated State B. The game was rather onesided, but held some rather exciting incidents. Unfortunately Jim Doogan dislocated his hip during the game. He is only a very small boy, yet not a cry or a groan escaped him while he was being taken home, and school players will be pleased -to hear that he is doing splendidly and will be about again very shortly. RUGBY UNION SPORTS.

The programme of the sports which the Rugby Union and teachers are lidding 011 Victoria Park next Wednesday should provide some stirring contests among the boys in the Seven-a-sidc tournament and the relay races. It is a very considerable time since a good afternoon’s Seven-a-side football and sports has been held in Greymouth, and the holding of this gathering will do much to revive a keen interest in matters athletic among the youths and boys of the community. There will be a seven-a-°side tournament for secondary boys, primary boys and fourth graders. The relay race will include contests for senior, junior, fourth graders, secondary schools and primary schools. The introduction of basket ball, overhead ball and relay races for girls will bo a feature of the afternoon, and should give an impetus to the girls’ sports in our schools. We wish the Union every success. SEDDON SHIELD MATCH. The match for the Seddon Shield to be played in Westport next Saturday. between Buller and 'Marlborough (challengers) is causing tremendous interest both in Westport and

Blenheim. Marlborough is determined to capture the shield this year, notoriously difficult to defeat on their unturned. The .Duller men will be as fit as bands can make them and their forwards will play a great game. Judging by Marlborough’s decisive win of 21 points to 6 over the Wellington B. team last Saturday, the chances of the Shield remaining on the Coast are not too rosy. Compared with Marlborough’s performance, Buller’s win of 9 to nil over the Inangahua team last Saturday, is not at all impressive. Buller, however are greatest force in Rugby football lies, own ground, and the Buller forwards will die hard. It will be a strenuous and keenly contested game. THE ALL BLACKS.

Since 1884, nine New Zealand Representative teams have played in kew South Wabs. Twenty-two. games have been played between rerresentative teams, of which the All Blacks have won eighteen, lost three and drawn one. In the face of these figures, it is not difficult to know where the greatest force i nßugby football lies. Followers of football on the .Coast were shocked on Monday to find that Jack Steel had been laid aside by an accident when playing against New South Wales last Saturday. This fine player, has fulfilled all that was anticipated of him, and it was exceedingly bad hick to meet with an accident so late in the tour. We all wish him

a speedy recovery, and it is to be sincerely hoped t licit lie will be able to take his place in the Coast threequarter line against Buller on September lllli.