LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 June 1930, Page 9

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

INTER-ISLAND MATCH. GAME ENDS IN DRAW. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] f AUCKLAND, June 14. The annual inter-island Rugby League match was played at Carlaw Park. The match ended, with considerable excitement, in a draw, each side scoring 22 points. The South Island team appeared to be hopelessly beaten by the superior Northern backs, but in the last ten minutes, the Southern forwards outclassed those of the North, two tries being registered in ten minutes. The visitors’ vanguard gave a great display, especially after losing Townsend, their hooker. The game was fast and interesting, and it delighted a crowd estimated at 14,000. The score at half-time was seven all. O’Brien (the West Coast forward) scored a try and Eckhoff kicked two goals for the South Island, while for the North Island, Clark scored a try and Dufty kicked two goals. In the second half, McKenzie, Pearce, and Calder scored for the South, while Pearce kicked three goals. For the North Island, Brisbane (2), and Timms scored tries, while Dufty kicked three beautiful goals. In to-day’s game the South Island forwards were superior. O’Brien. Griffiths and Dobbs played great games. Eckhoff did good work round the scrum, but lie was given plenty of latitude. Pahi was weak behind the scrum. The Southern fiveeighths, Dodds and Amos, compared very favourably with Wetherill and Meyer. Amos made a big impression with his splendid tackling. Pearce was easily the best South Island three-quarter. Wetherill and Brisbane played splendidly for the North Island, whose backs gave a clever display of clean passing. Dufty’s magnificent kicks repeatedly saved the North. A. Clark, S. Clark and Timms were the North’s best forwards. In the Possibles and Probables Rugby League trial match for the selection of a team for Australia, the Possibles won easily by 28 points to 3. This game was disappointing, and few of those who took part are likely to be chosen in the touring side.

"HOW THEY PLAYED.”

O’BRIEN'S ILL FORTUNE

[special to “stab.”]

AUCKLAND, June 14

The “Derby” of the New Zeeland Rugby League, the annual contest between the North and South Islands, proved a creditable struggle at Carlaw Park to-day. and demonstrated again, following the South’s decisive victory of last year, that the North Island has no monopoly of talent. The game was not the brilliant spectacle formerly staged, but it was very strenuous, and a draw just about fairly measured the contenders. Being unable to get the ball from the scrums, the southerners made reparation by fast raiding in the loose, supported by relentless tackling, which took the sting out of the opposition. A great deal of the credit for the defence must go to Eckoff (Otago), Amos (Chch.), Dodds (West Coast) and 1 ) Pahi (the southern half-back). The West Coast forward, O’Brien, stood out easily as the best forward on the ground, his fast dribbling, short passing, and tackling being prominent at every stage. He was ably supported by Griffiths, Calder and Dobbs. Thicks (Otago), who replaced Townsend in tho second half, was good in the open. The South Aucklanders, Trautvetter, Timms and Menzies, were always in the thick of the hard stuff,, and the North Island breakway, Clarke, shone out on many occasions. When O’Brien had to retire towards the end of the game, and South payed with four forwards, Eckoff roving, the southerners gave a taste of their ' real worth and literally swept, their way to what in the circumstances.was victory. The crowd was delighted with their turn of fortune, and cheered on the wearers of the white jerseys. Shbrtland played well behind the northern scrum-men, and gave the inside backs a very generous share of the ball, but they were unable to function with the best results for several reasons, one being that Wetherill played too much solo, and his supports were unable to follow up his deep thrusts. The outcome was that Meyer (Northland) was often in the shadows, and the North Island virtually has'to thank Brisbane, at centre-three-quarter,' for being’in a winning position. He was fast, elusive, and dangerous, but the erratic nature of his insides, combined with quick smothering defence by the South, prevented tho wingers haying many chances. Tittleton shaped better than Perry, but neither showed much superiority. As far as the other flankmen, Bond (Canterbury) and Pearce, were concerned, tho last mentioned was the better of the two. Dufty overshadowed his vis a vis, Palamountain, but the nine-i teen-year-old colt got through a lot of useful work, and shows much promise. McKenzie, at centre for the South, was good on attack, but can improve his defence, though he was not bad. The. crowd was delighted with the South s final effort, which added sparkle to a keen and diverting fixture. Gregory (Auckland), Paki and Abbott (South Auckland) and. Hobbs (Auckland) were prominent in the cur-tain-raiser, in which Mason (AA est Coast) was not a success at centre. O’Brien, the West Coast forward, was brilliant, and when he retired he was found to have a serious leg injury, a broken tibia. He will, therefore, be unable to go to Australia.

TO TOUR AUSTRALIA.

GRIFFITHS AND CALDER IN.

AUCKLAND, June 15. The following is the New Zealand League team for the Australian tourL Seagar, C. Dufty, H. Brisbane, M. Wetherill, S. Clark, S. Watene, C. Gregory, L. Barchard, S. Riley (Auckland). T Timms, K. Trautvetter, R. Stephenson, G. Tittleton, E. Abbott, and W. Jones (South Auckland).

E. Meyer (Northland). C. Dobbs and L. Amos (Canterbury). . X H. Pearce and A. Eckhoff (Otago). J. Griffiths and J. Calder (West Const) • The team leaves Wellington by the Ulimaroa on June 27. M. O’Brien, the West Coast forward, would have been a certainty for the team, but an examination after the inter-island game revealed that

he had broken the tibia (main) bone of his leg between the ankle and the knee.

MR. WINGHAM’S OPINION

Asked by a “Star” representative to-day to express his opinion on the team selected to tour Australia, Mr. J. D. Wingham, manager and team selector of the 1925 League All Blacks to Australia, said that it was disappointing to find that the South Island could produce only six players out of a selected twenty-two.

“The forwards selected from the North Island must be exceptionally brilliant players when men of the stamp and quality of Stevens of Canterbury, Townsend of Dunedin, and Coulson of West Coast cannot find a position in the team,” said Mr. Wingham. “It is to be hoped that the front row men are of similar quality to J. O’Brien, Lowry and Herring of the 1925 teain, for New Zealand will require to have that type of player, when the tests are played, as Australia will field a formidable side. With players like G. Treweeke, L. V. Armbister, and E. Root in the forwards it will take strong men to stand up to them. Only four of the 1925 team, Dufty, Wetherill, Brisbane and Gregory, have again been chosen to tour and apparently those four players are as good as ever. Not one of the 1925 forwards has been included. I .am glad to see that matches will be played in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton, for at a civic reception in Parliament Buildings, Brisbane, I stated that those three places should each get a game, as the Englishmen previously had played there and the matches were particularly profitable.

“General disappointment will be felt at Dodds not securing a place in the team, for repbrts credit him with having played a very clever game, and West Coasters were expecting him to be selected. General sympathy is also felt towards Mick O’Brien who through misfortune on the eve of selection, now misses the trip,” concluded Mr. Wingham. DUNEDIN MATCHES. DUNEDIN, June 14. Kaitangata 30, Athletic 0; Christian Bros. 43, Kaikorai 23; City 5, Pacific 2. CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 14. Addington 6, Waimari 0: Sydenham 7, Woolston 6; Hornby 22, Marist 3. KANGAROOS V. REST. SYDNEY, June 15. In the Rugby League football match, played before fifteen thousand spectators, the Kangaroos yesterday defeated the Rest of Australia by 42 points to 19. The Kangaroos played a dazzling game.

CLUB COMPETITIONS.

RESULTS OF MATCHES. SENIOR. Blackball 6, Nelson Creek 5. Brunner 21, Koliinoor 7. Runanga 3, Marist 3. JUNIOR. Runanga 6, Marist 2. Ngahere 7, Nelson Creek 5. THIRD GRADE. Marist 6, Brunner 0. FOURTH GRADE. Marist B 22, Marist A 17. FIFTH GRADE. ■Marist 3, Runanga 0. SIXTH GRADE. Runanga G, Marist 4. MARIST AND RUNANGA DRAW

In dull but fine weather, the Rugby League competitions were continued s yesterday afternoon. At Wingham j Park, Marist met . Runanga seniors, ] and there was a fair attendance of 1 the public, who anticipated an excit- j ing and willing contest. Such anti- i cipations were never realised, for play ( was as dull as the weather. Runanga < infused plenty of effort into the game, but were dogged by hard luck, being 1 beaten for a score twice, through the i ball rolling over the dead line, and i by the frequent forcing down by Mar- j ist players, who excelled in this meth- ] od of preventing a sequence of tries i being piled up against them. Mar- i ist played the most lifeless game seen i on the Coast for several seasons, and mayi be judged extremely fortunate in sharing the points with Runanga, but the honours of the match were decidedly with the latter team. Runanga lost the toss, and immediately set out on attack, but Doogan. intercepted a pass and raced upfield attended by Murphy, who on receiving the pass was well held by Harrison. The Runanga forwards immediately came down field, and Phillips hesitated about what he should do with the ball, allowing the opposition to smother him, and play came to the Marist line. Unintentional offside by a Runanga forward resulted in a scrum being ordered under the home goal posts. Harrington lost his team a splendid advantage by not refiling behind the scrum after putting the ball in, and Doogan relieved with a line kick. The youthful Runanga pack came back to the Marist line, and Brown had to move smartly to force down. Almost immediately Griffen again forced down. The home side appeared to ■_ be demoralised by the quick thrusts of the Runanga forwards and good fortune greatly assisted them from having several tries recorded against them. Phillips twice prevented scores when he intercepted a pass, and later went down to a determined rush. Coulson eventually relieved the pressure with a punt upfield, and O’Connor raced to get possession and took play to half-way. After 20 minutes of defence, Marist now ■ stepped into Runanga territory, but a promising attack was nullified when > O’Connor took a forward pass. Play • returned to the Marist 25, where • O’Connor again offended and Maddison had an unsuccessful shot at goal. • Runanga persevered with the attack, > but individual defence prevented a score. Marist then evened up for a moment and pushed by stages to the ■ opposing 25, where Harrington was penalised for illegal scrum tactics and Doogan had a fruitless shot at goal. t The Marist effort here ended, and again they were pushed back on their 3 line. A great forward movement bj r Runanga was checked within two yards of the scoring area. Harringr ton was at this stage ordered off for r remarks made to referee Dewar. Mps,t sop had a shot from a penalty, but

was unsuccessful. Glen then made a very fine dribbling run through the Marist team only to lose a certain score through the ball going over the dead line. Half time followed shortly afterward without either side, having scored.

On resuming,, Masters, who had filled Harrington’s place behind the scrum, was responsible for several good solo efforts, but he was on each occasion unsupported. Runanga held the advantage for some considerable time, then O’Connor received the leather from a scrum and broke clear before‘the opposition were aware the ball was away from the packs. The Marist half-back sent on to Matthews, who scored in the corner. Doogan missed with the kick. Marist 3, Runanga 0. The success stimulated Marist to introduce a little spark into their play, ■ and Runanga were kept busy on defence. Play at last became interesting, and a determined forward rush by Runanga ended when Matthews forced down. The pace quickened, and Runanga lodged attack after attack until eventually a fast passing movement gave Masters his opportunity, and he crossed at the corner. Newton just failed wi’th the kick. Both teams strove to add to the score, but after several attempts to goal from penalties, the game ended Marist 3, Runanga 3.

BLACKBALL 6, NELSON CREEK 5

At Nelson Creek yesterday, before a largo attendance, Blackball defeated the home team after* a very interesting game. Creek were without the services of Calder, O’Brien and Bennett, while Dodds and Williams were absent from the Blackball team. Caldwell’s goal kicking was a feature of the match. The teams were: — Nelson Creek: Williams, Simpson. Helem, Skelton, Tibbles, Butterworth, Southern, Sweetman, Malloy, Brownlie, Fisher, Kennedy, Sadler. Blackball: Wright, Oliver, Leitch, Meikle, Moorhead, 1 Kinsella, Kells, Clarke, Kidd, Hudson, Leitch, Caldwell, Neilson. Referee: Mr W. Allen.

Kinsella kicked off for the reds, the ball going to Butterworth, who was well collared. From play that was of a give and take nature, Kinsella miskicked, Kennedy taking play to the reds twenty-five, but Weight sent them back with a good line kick. Creek gained possession from a scrum but gained little ground. A forward rush headed by Hudson gained much territory for the Reds, but Tibbles intercepted a pass from Kells and carried play to half-way. Kinsella secured and ran to the full-back being well tackled by Williams. From the scrum, Kinsella got over the line but lost possession. 1 Creek found relief in a force down. Tibbles carried play to the Reds’ 25, where Southern had an unsuccessful pot at goal. Creek forwards went to the Red line and from the scramble, Sadler picked up and scored wide out. Tibbles’ kick hit the upright and rebounded infi'eld. Creek 3. Blackball. 0. Caldwell gained ground with a good line kick, Hudson carrying on, but kicked over the dead line. Blackball backs had a chance, but they were fumbling many passes. From give and take play the Reds were penalised for off-side and Creek set up a forward rush but Wright returned well down field. A Creek player was caught off-side and Caldwell kicked a great goal. Nelson Creek 3; Blackball 2. The Reds were now throwing 7 the ball about and Creek were hard pressed. From a scrum Southern secured and put in a good run, but he had no support. Offside by Creek relieved the Reds and shortly after an infringement allowed Reds to take play to the Creek 25, and their forwards were almost over, Leitch being held up on the line. From a penalty Caldwell’s kick hit the upright, Creek forcing. Shortly after, Kells secured, but kicked over the dead line. Play returned to half.way, where offside by ‘.Creek saw Caldwell kick a beautiful goal from almost halfway. Blackball 4, Creek 3. Play was taken to the Reds’ 25, where Oliver kicked out on the full and from the scrum Southern gained possesion and set the backs awffy, but a forward pass spoilt a good movement. Neilson retired with an injured shoulder, being replaced by Gray. Half-time sounded with the scores, Blackball 4, Creek 3. Tibbles started play by kicking to Leitch who returned to the Creek 25, and Brownlie put a nice run but found no support. Creek forwards were putting plenty of vim Into their play picking up in the ruck, Caldwell finding the line. Leitch was off-side, but Creek gained little ground. Brownlie headed a rush to the Red 25. Play was now of a fast nature and Gray was caught offside in front of the posts. Tibbles goaled from an easy position. Creek 5, Blackball 4. From a Red forwards rush, Clarke broke away, but Williams forced. Play was mostly confined to the forwards, very little back play being attempted. Creek gained ground from a free kick and the Reds had to force. Wright took the ball from the opposing forwards’ feet and put in a great run to the Creek line. Creek were penalised and Caldwell kicked an easy goal. Blackball 6, Creek 5. Shortly after the Blackball forwards were found offside which gave Tibbles a chance to put his side in the lead, but he missed with an easy kick. Much good play by both sides was spoilt through overeagerness. Caldwell gained ground with a. good grubber kick and from a scrum the Reds gained possesion, but the Creek defence held. The Reds kept up the pressure, but Brownlie broke away taking the ball at his toe to the Red 25. From a scrum Creek secured and all the backs handled, Skelton being pushed out on the corner. Leitch secured and kicked to half-way, full time sounding immediately after with the scores, Blackball 6, Creek 5.

BRUNNER BEAT KOHINOOR. At Brunner, the home team lasted better than Kohinoor, and in the second spell added sixteen points to the latter’s two. At half-time Kohinoor were* 7 and Brunner 5, but the final scores were Brunner 21, Kohinoor 7. JUNIOR GRADE. MARIST MEET DEFEAT. Until the final whistle sounded yesterday, Marist juniors had not this season had to acknowledge defeat, but Runanga presented it to them at Dunollie, after a. fast and interesting game. At the interval Marist led by 2 points to nil, M. Kiely having kicked a successful penalty goal.. In the second half, W. Curry and C. Curry scored for Runanga, but Marist failed to increase their two points, leaving Runanga winners by six points to two.

NGAHERE 7, NELSON CREEK 5.

At Nelson Creek yesterday, Ns a " here defeated Nelson Creek after a close game. The first spell ended o all, C. Williams scoring for Nelson Creek and Ryan converting the try, while Mayne scored and converted his? own try for Ngahere. In the second spell Donaldson kicked a penalty goal for Ngahere. Mr- W. Allen was referee. THIRD GRADE. MARIST DEFEAT BRUNNER. At Wingham Park yesterday the Marist and Brunner third grade teams met. After an even game Marist won by six points to nil. O’Leary and Lo each secured a try for the winners. FOURTH GRADE. MARIST B. BEAT MARIST A. _ I A fast and open game between the two Marist fourth grade teams, Played at Wingham Park yesterday resulted in the B. team defeating the A s by to 17. FIFTH GRADE. MARIST WIN. On Saturday at Wingham Park, Marist and Runanga fifth grades met, the Marist side winning by three to mi. SIXTH GRADE. RUNANGA WIN.

At Wingham Park on Saturday, Runanga and Marist Sixth Grad^ s played an evenly contested match, Runanga proving victors by six points to four.