LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 June 1925, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

WEEK-END MATCHES. (Notes by “Scribe.”) The Omoto Ground is in tip-top order, and. seems to improve with every game. When the wet Weather comes on, the playing area on -the Racecourse will probably be the best on the Coast. Perfect weather prevailed, for the week-end matches, in marked contrast to that experienced in Canterbury. At Omoto yesterday the strong wind which betokened rough weather on the other side of the ranges dropped to nothing by the time the second spell of tiie senior match commenced. , > Consequent upon the selection of several of the best players from the three loading teams, two of the senior matches were postponed until a later date. The third was that between Inangahua and, Greymouth, and it turned out to be a very even struggle, with the Northerners perhaps a little lucky. It appears that there is no “dud” team now in the senior coinpetition, and hard tussles may be.staged by the matching of any of the teams. Marist Juniors were decidedly lucky to defeat Blackball at the “Rec.” on Saturday, but neither team can be congratulated on the standard of play.

Far better combination is being seen in the third grade, and the back play in the higher grade does not compare with that in the lower. If further proof were wanted that the ■ junior competition is chiefly characterised by tils evenness of the teams, it was supplied on Sunday when the three contests staged all saw very close struggles. Greymouth did tue hat trick by defeating Rovers in a game- in which some of the players were either raw recruits to League or had forgotten anything they ever learned about it. Brunner and Nelson Creek had a tough struggle at Brunner, the crowd being a record for the ground. Brunner finally ran out winners by 8 points to 3. Runanga Juniors had a narrow win over Inangahua at Dunollie. In the third grade Athletic had their first match on Saturday, and made a creditable showing against Greymouth, who are at the top of their form. Rovers prevailed again over Marists in what was probably the most important match in the second round, but none of the winners’ points came from tries, Marists keeping their line inviolate. Brunner had their first win in ilia school grade, and Runanga easily defeated Nelson Oreek-Ngahere at the Grade. ~,, . . t I O 1

The attendance at Saturday’s matches at the “Rec.” jwas not so large as wag expected, tHY draw not being considered equal to a senior fixture. Athletic Club fielded its team in black jerseys, but it was seen early that the new -players had no chance with the superb combination of O’Leary, Sexton, Russell and Mason Bros., who played from start to finish, League as it shoxild be played. Hay, a new winger for Grey, proved a hard man to stop, and was over early for two tries, outpacing tho opposition easily. O’Leary also added a try before halftime. After the interval M. Mason (2), J. Mason, and . Russell scored tries, O’Leary converting one. Magee kicked a good~p e nalty goal for Athletic. This player, with Mclnroe and Shannahan, stood out for the losers. “Monty” Rodgers was the best forward on the ground. « Marist and Blackball Juniors were at full strength, the latter playing Stephenson and Oliver, who have been seen in senior’ football this year. Moody, a new forward ,had a couple of good but unsuccessful shots at goal for Blackball early in the game. The miners had the better of the play, but the back machinery broke down on every occasion, and the Marist defence held well. Oliver took a running shot at goal and had the mortification of seeing the ball drop just outside. After a long spell of even but unspectacular play Marist invaded Red territory, and

from a five yards scrum Clarke secured and bounded over. Quinn converted with a very good' kick from a difficult angle. At half-time Marists were pressing, and Dudley was thrown out near the cornel’ as the whistle sounded. A spell of even play after the interval terminated in close exchanges near Blackball’s line, and Doogan secured and touched down. Quinn failed to convert. This was practically the last Marist attack, and to the enJ of the game their defence was tested severely. Croft caused jubilation among the Rod supporters by getting over after a five yards’ scrum. Moody converted. Cutbush relieved Marist several times by dribbling, for which he disclosed a isal aptitude./ For the rest of the game there was a very keen struggle, with the spectators urging Blackball to even up, but although chance after chance came their way, there did not appear to be a scoring man in the team. The game thus ended: Marist 8. Blackball 5. Mr V. Armstrong was referee. Cutbush was the best player for Marist, through Doogan having an offdav, and Quinn was very safe. King, Larcombe and Morrissey were prominent among the forwards. Playing at Brunner yesterday, the homo juniors defeated Nelson Creek by 8 points to three. Mr T. Todd was referee. A fine silver cup has been presented to the Brunner Club, and will be utilised as a trophy for challenge matches to be played on tho Brunner ground. Inangahua Juniors gave an improved display against Runanga at Dunollie, but were beaten by 9 points to 5. The visitors scored first, Campbell getting over and Gilroy goaling. Heslin, Gray and Houghton scored for Runanga.

Greymouth Juniors had, as usual, several new players in their team when they met Rovers au Omoto. It would ge generous to describe the game as interesting ,but it was very even, with Rovers failing to make the best use of the strong wind in the first half. Weir scored an unconverted try for Greymouth shortly after the • game commenced, and O’Neill, who was tho outstanding player for Rovers, evened up for Blues. Williams failed to land a goal for the mining team from a penalty kick in a fairly handy position, and the score was unchanged at tho interval. In the second spell play livened up considerably, and Greymouth worked up a little combination. “Cardy” Williams landed a good penalty goal from some distance out, and Twohill fielded the ball nicely at midfield, and ran up strongly, putting his backs in position. He shot out to Dynes, who badly fooled the opposition ,running in for a try, which was the brightest feature of the . match. Griffen failed to convert. Mr C. Dewar was referee.

The game between« Rovers’ third grade and Marist was remarkable in two respects—the largo crowd which it drew at Dunollie, and the nature of the scoring. Both sides handled beautifully, and the spectators were enthused by; the brilliant exhibition .of League. Rovers were the heavier’ team, and weight gave them an advantage over the clever Green thirteen. Even so, had Kiely not left his shooting boots at home, Marists might have evened up. A strong wind made good place-kicking all the more meritorious. Winstanlcy landed two penalty goals c,ut of three shots for Rovers in the first; spell, and Preston got over for

Marist at the corner. This player is probably the best forward playing in the third grade. Another try was scored'by Marists giving them the lead at the interval. With the wind, Rovers proved too strong for their opponents, and they treated the crowd to a slashing exhibition of clean, fast football. Nelson (Marist) was obliged to leave the field early in this half, increasing Blues’ advantage. Winstan* ley showed how goal-kicking may become a deciding factor, and he landed three beauties, the angle apparently not affecting his judgment in the least. Despite strenuous efforts, Blues failed co cross the Green line, ahd tile scoi'o stood at the final whistle 10 —6 ih favour of Rovers. Mr W. Hopkins was referee. Brunner School had its first win of

the season on Saturday, defeating Blackball by 6 points to nil. Runanga School, which is leading in the competition, defeated Ngahere-iNel-son Greek by 19 points to nil. The boys in this grade are playing with great enthusiasm, in view of the approaching visit of a team from Canterbury. Inangahua did not field as strong a team as that which downed Marists at Reeftoh, but the McElwees, Clegg, Cutbush and Lynskey were all there. Grey, mouth turned out about the best team this year, and Sherlcck, a new player, was included in a strong pack, in which Leach, Giffney and Eisner were prominent. Giitney hooked with excellent precision, resulting in the backs getting more than a fair'share of the ball. Campbell was very good at hall, 'Jho.r.as being the only Grey back superior to him. Malky was too fond of kicking in the first half, but did far bettir in the second. McGill was off colour a'nd repeatedly dropped his passes, but Defmeny proved a sale winger and hand’ed cleanly, getting through a lot of work with ciedit.

bheikck and Holmes, the other Grey backs, made a far better showing after the interval, the latter taxing Thomas’s place. “Snowy” moved up to five-eighths, and the game theieafter was more open. Harris and McAlpine did yeoman work iii the blue forwards, while McVicar. the veteran, did everything that was asked of him, and has no reason to be ashamed of his display. Austin McElwce yielded too much to the temptation to play off-side. Clegg, five-eighths, was the best player on the. ground, and might easily have been included in the West Coast players in the trial. Cutbusli was dangerous near the line, and Charlie McElwce was everywhere when Inangahua had hard work in stopping the Green rushes. Lynskey .and J’ur. ton also pleased spectators by their

good showing. Tho first feature worthy of mention was a good straight run by Campbell, who) handed to D j ach near the 25. The latter was grassed yards from the objective. Up-and-down play slightly m favour tof tho visitors ensued, and Austin McElwee broke clean away at the 25. He was too fast for the home backs, and touched down behind lire posts. Charlie McElwee converted. A great line-kick by McGill put Grey on the right side of half-way, and la snappy parsing rush saw Holmes reach the corner. Thomas had a penalty shot at goal, and one of the umpires signalled success, but the other and the referee disagreed, although among the spectators there were very few who did not agree with the minority. Hanrahan was warned for tooi much appeal, ing. Cleg set the visiting backs in mo. tion, but a knock on spoilt a splendid prospect. C. McElwee had a running drop-kick at the posts, and Thomas saved wonderfully. The wind had now dropped and the half-time ensued, but the ball remained in play, and Cutbush secured, to bolt through his opuonents for a sparkling try. C. McElwee added the other points. Campbell short-kicked over Piutoii’s head after securing from a scrum, and

Sherlock (winger) 'went up fast and dashed over witli half a score of his opponents diving for his legs. Thomas failed to convert. For a period Grey pressed, but the play reached neutral territory. An infringement at half-way near the touchline gave Harris liis chance, and he booted a great goal with his left foot. Immediately afterwards, Thomas landed a goal for Greymouth from closer up, but from a still more difficult angle. Sherlock headed a Grey fonvard rush to midfield a little later, and Thomas opened up play with a long pass to Malloy. Play was transferred to the line, and Campbell dived through a bunch of opponents for a try. Thomas evidently had his shooting boots on, and he made no mistake with the kick. The last ten minutes were all in favour of the home team, but the final whistle still found them two points belurid. Mr C. Hall was referee. The following are the positions of the various teams: — SENIOR.

Any points scored by Athletic will not be counted in the championship, table, but the team will contest the Robertson Cup. .FOURTH GRADE.

The Kunanga Kugby League Football Club will hold their annual ball in the Miner’s Hall on Friday, July 10. ‘Williams’ Orchestra will supply the music.

SOUTH ISLAND TRIAL-GAME. MOUAT IN FORM. (Special to “Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. The senior League competition was suspended to-day to allow the New Zealand selectors to see the South Island players from Otago and West Coast and Canterbury in action, in view of the South Island match against North Island at Auckland on June 27, from which a New Zealand team for Australia will be selected. The teams filed on to the field with heavy rain falling, but the ground wa» in splendid order considering the fall overnight.. Showers at starting time

left the surface greasy. There was a good attendance, the big stand being packed. The teams were: Otago and West Coast: Full-back E. Watsvn (O); three-quarters, D. McKay (0), B. Oust (C), J. Hasfie (C); five-eighths, IDodds (C), P. Prescott (0); half-back, B. Jacobs (0); forwards, H. Mears (C)> B. Eckhoff (0), T. O’Connor (0), T. O’HaJlahan (C), H. Thomas (0), N. Mouat (C). Canterbury: Full-back, E. Brosna- ’ han; three-quarters, J. Parkes, PO’Connor, F O’Malley; five-eighths, 0. Fitzgerald, J. Sanders (captain).; half-back, R. J. Watt; forwards, E. H. Ellis, A. Green. L. Vivian, N, Vivian. A. Collie, Ff Henry. Mouat kicked c£f for the combined team, .and it held the advantage t 1 the Canterbury backs broke away through Sanders and Watt. Mouat was prominent for good forward work, A penalty by’ Mouat fell 811011;, but Sanders’ return kick was charged and Mcmrs dashed in for .a try which Mount converted.

Otago and West Coast 5. Canterbury 0. The Canterbury backs were set go■'ing by Watts, but the ball was wo greasy to handle cleanly and the forwards carried on. Mouat caused some amusement by a slide in the mud after Brosnahan. Then Hastie put his s'de attacking with a dribbling rush, McKay stopping a hot rush by Parkes, ILnry and Sanders. Mouat was then instrumental in saving another rush. Sanders cut in and had his men on the attack. O’Malley, Parkes, Henry, Watt and Sunders handled, the lastnamed scoring wide out, but ParKes’s kick failed to rise. Otago and West Coast 5, Canterbury 3. Tiie combined team’s foiwards burst through and seemed near scoring when O’Connor saved with a line kick.

Mouat caught Brosnahan in posstssi?n on the Canterbury lin?. a leek to dead line saving. Brosnahan earned an-duii’-e f c ,r a great kick down the line, which put Canterbury on the attack. Mouat and O’Ha.llrhan looked to have a scoring chance, till Fitzgerald upset the latter, and Henry saved with a strong run. Parkes shot past from a scrum, and was attacking with Watt' when the ball went with rhe half time scores, Otago and West Ccust 5, Canterbury 3. A hailstorm came with the opening of the second spell, with the combined team attacking through Prescott, TJionia sand Mouat. O’Connor came through and had the red l and blacks in good position. An injury to Hastia caused him to relire, W. Desmond coming on. O’Connor interrupted a pass from Dodds and with O’Malley was stopped on the line. Sanders gave Parkes a hard chance, but he was hauled down. A hard shot bv Fitz-

uerald went wide, and then Desmond caught Brosnahan in possession. A bad pass stopped the combined team when in a good position. The visitors’ forwards were controlling the ball' in the loose, but the greens secured most, ly in the scrums. From just inside half-way Mouat kicked an impossible looking goal lamid great applause. Otago and West Coast 7, Canterbury Desmond had Bresnahan defending with a long kick and caught him in possession. Mouat missed a long penalty, ami then Canterbury were off again. O’Connor and Thomas saved with a long dribble, but Canterbury returned. The combined forwards had the best of the concluding stages, and then Prescott gave Desmond a chance and he scored a fine try just on time bv easily side-stepping Brosnahan. Mouat goaled. making the scores Otago and West Coast 12 Canterbury 3 Mr W. Healey refereed. SOUTH ISLAND TEAM. CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. The following team, including two emergencies, has been selected to represent the South Island against North Island at Auckland on June 20: Brosnahan (Canterbury), Parkes (Canterbury), McKay (Otago), Prescott (Otago), C.• Fitzgerald (Canterbury), Sand.ers (Canterbury), Watt (Canterbury), Ellis (Canterbury), Mouat (West Coast), Green (Canterbury), Thomas (Otago), L. Vivian (Canterbury), Henry (Canterbury), O’Connor (Otago). LATER Hastio (West Coast), will also play at Auckland. The West Coast League will probably have something to say about the South Island selection (writes “Scribe”). It is difficult to believe that Canterbury players have earned more places in the team than the West Coasters. They have never proved it, and the Canterbury League is not showing any undue anxiety to put the matter to the test.

P. W. L. D. Pts Runanga 9 7 2 0 14 Marist 9 7 2 0 14 Blackball 8 5 3 0 10 Inangahua 8 3 4 1 7 Roa 9 3 6 0 6 Greymoutli 9 0 8 1 1 JUNIOR. Marist 9 8 1 0 16 Blackball 9 6 3 0 12 Brunner 10 6 4 0 12 Nelson Creek 8 5 3 0 JO Runanga 7 4 3 0 8 Greymoutli 8 3 5 0 6 Rovers 10 2 8 0 4 Inangahua 7 0 7 0 0

THIRD GRADE. Rovers 9 6 2 1 13 .Greymoutli 8 5 2 1 11 Marist 8 4 3 1 9 Blackball °9 4 5 0 8 Nelson Creek 7 2 4 1' 5 Brunner 5' 0 5 0 0

Kunaiiga 3 2 1 0 4 MarisL 3 1 2 0 2 SCHOOLS COMPETITION. Kunaiiga 5 5 0 0 10 Brunner 5 2 3 0 4 Ngahere-CTcek 5 2 3 0 4 Blackball 5 1 4 0 2