RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1930, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

GRADE MATCHES. / UNITED NOT YET SECURE. United did not increase their grip on the senior championship as a result of their match with Rivals, which ended in a drawn game. The position remains virtually the same as it stood before the week-end matches were decided. United continue to hold a four-points lead over Rivals, but with three matches yet to be played, two defeats to the leaders, and three victories for Rivals would necessitate a play off between these teams for the championship. However, United are fairly secure, and although Excelsior may be looked to as a fifteen likely to lower United’s splendid record, there does not appear to be much danger of one of the other two teams collecting a victory at the expense of the leaders. Conditions for play on Saturday were suitable to players, but the presence of a biting wind on Victoria Park was not welcome to the handful of spectators who preferred club matches to the opportunity of listening to the wireless account of the, fourth test. Cobden Club fielded four teams, winning three matches, the seniors being the one team defeated. Excelsior triumphed over Brunner at Cass Square. There will be a further break in club matches next Saturday when representative games will claim attention. The team to play Buller at Westport has not yet been announced, the selectors, Messrs Adams and Dowell, not having forwarded their selection to the secretary.

BLAKETOWN DEFEAT COBDEN.

The play in the Blaketown-Cobden match was well up to senior club standard, especially during the first spell, when several bright passing movements, and fast loose forward play, transferred the ball quickly from one end of the field to the other. The pace eased off in the final half however, and the standard of play dropped considerably. Blaketown always had the game in their keeping. Only for a matter of ten minutes in the early part of the second spell, when they attacked to some purpose, did Cobden look likely to swing the result round to their favour. Blaketown backs were too speedy, and handled much better than the opposing line, it being early evident that from this department the blacks would rely on victory, and so it proved. The winning team showed improved form

on that displayed by them during

their game against United, and form -in future matches, equal to that shown on Saturday will entitle them to every respect in the Knock Out Competition. Cobden played well, but/the back line appeared to be disjointed, and could not foot it with their speedy opponents.

Following the commencement Blaketown went up to the Cobden line, but play was quickly transferred to the Blaketown 25, where McEnaney broke away to race well upfield before he was stopped. The ball then came to Negri, who cut through to score in a handy position. Pascoe failed to goal. Blaketown 3, Cobden 0.

Fast play followed, with Cobden having the advantage, and at the Blaketown 25, offside play by the defenders resulted in Coloden being awarded a penalty, which King turned to advantage. Cobden 3, Blaketown 3. Moving quickly upfield, Blaketown penned Cobden on the line, but a simple chance to g'oal from a penalty was missed by Pascoe. Both sides now had turns on attack, but no advantage came until Cobden were penalised for offside play, and Dunshea raised the flags with a splendid long range kick. Blaketown 6, Cobden 3. Determined efforts by both teams made play interesting, but the defence on each side was sufficient to keep out attacks, until again Cobden infringed, Dunshea piloting over a second great kick. Blaketown 9, Cobdeu 3.

Cobden now put forward every effort to reduce the handicap and several bright passing rushes looked promising, but the defence held. It was Blaketown’s turn to be penalised, and, illegal scrum tactics brought this about, enabling King to kick a good goal from well out near the side line. Cobden 6, Blaketown 9. Blaketown immediately replied with a fast back attack, Bunt racing away to give Cooper the ball, then the halfback sent on to Hannam, to Lemin for the latter to go across at the corner. Dunshea made a good but unsuccessful effort to add the extra points, and half time arrived with the scores, Blaketown 12, Cobden 6. Blaketown went immediately on attack in the second spell, a bright back movement being held up when Hannam obstructed near the Cobden line. The penalty kick brought relief to Cobden, and play then passed quickly from one team’s territory to the other. King had a long shot at goal J’or Cobden the ball falling short. Cobden made determined efforts to penetrate the defence, Blaketown being fully tested to keep their line intact. Pascoe was hard pressed by two Cobden men and resorted to illegal methods by playing the ball while on the ground, stalling off what looked likely to culminate in a try. He was penalised, but King could not add the points with a kiqk at goal. Continuing

to apply pressure, Cobden hammered for an opening, but although several promising movements were undertaken, the defence held. Blaketown forwards led by Scott then broke away, play going up to Cobden’s 25. From a scrum in front of the Cobden goal, the ball came to Cooper, who sent Negri away, for Hannam to receive and later Lemin, whose pace carried him over at the corner. Pascoe narrowly missed with the kick. Blaketown 15, Cobden 6.

Going down to the opposing 25, Cobden made play lively by keeping up a strong offensive, which was ultimately rewarded when Sexton raced across in a handy position. King failed to add the major points. Cobden 9, Blaketown 15.

A period of doleful play then followed until Negri badly beat the Cobden backs to score a clever solo try in the corner. Pascoe again made a good but unsuccessful attempt to goal. Blaketown 18, Cobden 9. The final score was collected by Cobden, who made a last effort to reduce the leeway by a sustained forward attack. The ball then came back to Rimmer, who ran for the posts, but finding his progress blocked, handed

to Meade, for the latter to race in well out. King found the distance too great, his shot at goal falling short. Cobden 12, Blaketown 18. The final whistle sounded without alteration to the scores. Mr T. Mclntosh was referee.

UNITED AND RIVALS DRAW.

Playing at Cass Square, Hokitika, on Saturday, United and Rivals scored eleven points each. Pfahlert opened the scoring, securing a spectacular try for Rivals, to which Webster added the extra points. Later Pfahlert again put in a clever run, Schist backing him up in time to receive the pass and race across at the corner. The shot at goal failed. A rally by United gave Jamieson possession, and the winger ran iin without opposition, touching do.wn under the posts, for Kennedy to convert. bnited. 5, Rivals 8. Lively play followed, then Pfahlert added his second try near the posts, but Webster missed with the kick at goal. Rivals 11, United 5. A splendid penalty kick by Saunders brought United within striking distance, the ball sailing over the cross-bar to make the scores United 8, Rivals 11*. Exciting play continued to hold the attention of the large crowd present, first Rivals then United raising the hopes of their supporters by well sustained attacks. The final score came when Jenkins sent Wilson away, the ball then going to Rodgers, who outpaced several Rivals to score well out. Saunders failed to convert. With the scores even, determined efforts were made by both teams to add the winning points, but the final whistle left honours easy. • Mr. A. Cutbush was referee.

EXCELSIORS BEAT BRUNNER. ' Fielding a weak team, Brunner were well beaten by Excelsior at Cass Square. Placed on the defence throughout the major portion of the game, Brunner showed a strong resistance, but their heavier opponents finally secured victory by 20 points to 7. Staines started the scoring with a potted goal for Excelsior, to be followed with a try by Martyn, which he also converted. Brunner then secured an advantage, Guy also potting a goal, and Mclntosh kicked a penalty, making the scores, Excelsior 9, United 7. Staines later added a try for Excelsior, which Martyn converted. The latter collected a further three points from a penalty kick, and the final score for Excelsior was added by Freitas in the form of a tray. Mr. Mora was referee.

JUNIOR GRADE.

COBDEN DEFEAT UNITED.

The inclusion of six third grade players did not add to the prospects of United defeating Cobden in the junior match played at Victoria Park on Saturday, despite the fact that the third-graders acquitted themselves in a manner entitling them to their various positions. Cobden were decidedly heavier, and possessed greater speed than United, while team work was not interfered with, as in the case of United. At the end of the first half Cobden led by three points, a penalty goal by Lindbom, to United’s nil.

Early in the second spell, United gained the lead, McNeight scoring under the posts, for Bell to add the major points. United 5, Cobden 3. Play resumed at a fast pace, both teams handling well, and the forwards coming away in strong movements. From a line out near the United line, the ball travelled to Scott who placed Cobden in front with a field goal. Cobden 7, United 3. Playing confidence Cobden from this stage on held the advantage, although United continued to offer a stubborn defence until the final whistle. An intercepted pass resulted in Scott running fully sixty yards to score under the posts, Lindbom converting. Cobdon 12, United 5. Later from a scrum Bowes set the backs going, to finally receive again and himself score in a good position. Lindbom failed to goal. Cobden 15, United 5. The concluding score came on the call of time, Wlson racing in under the posts for Lindbom to goal, leaving the result, Cobden 20, United 5. Mr A. Fong was referee.

THIRD GRADE.

COBDEN CHAMPIONS

Technical School found Cobden in scoring mood on Saturday, and went milder to their heavier opponents by 20 points to 3. The absence of four backs left Technical School an easy prey, and had Davis, Leitch, Kay and Boucher been present, it would have been a much more evenly contested game. For the winners Knox (3), and Grant (2) secured tries, while Burke converted one, and Mclntyre dropkicked a penalty goal. Chalmers secured a penalty goal for the losing side. Mi’ B. Charteris was referee.

FOURTH GRADE.

COBDEN AGAIN.

Cobden fourth graders defeated Technical School, which played two men short and made a creditable showing against their heavier opponents. Minchin (2), Robertson, Marley, Moss and Smith (2) secured tries for the winners, two'of which were converted making the final score 25 to nil. Mi’ S. McKay was referee.

IKAMATUA v. LANDING Ikamhtua juniors defeated Lauding at Ikamatua yesterday by 11 points to nil. It was a' poor display neither team showing up to recent, form. Scorers for Ikamatua were: Russell, Langdeu and Pfahlert a try each, the latter converting one. Mr. McManaway was an efficient referee. GREY JUNIORS v. WESTLAND

The following will represent the Grey Juniors in their match with Westland on Saturday August 16. — L. Lindbom (Cobden), Sloss (United), Smith (United), Minchin (Cobden); McGrath (Kumara), Garth (United); Gordon (Cobden, Captain), McKnight (United), Barnes (Kumara), Wilson (Cobden), Tanner (Kumara), Shuttleworth (United), Blithol (Cobden), Cooper (Kumara), Hewlett (Cobden). Emergencies: Backs—Scott (Cobden), Shaw (Cobden). Forwards—Kyle (United), Bowes (Cobden). Any unavailable to notify the selectors immediately, and town members are requested to practice with Cobden team at Star Hall on Wednesday.

INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCHES.

CANTERBURY DEFEAT H. BAY.

’ CHRISTCHURCH, August 9.

On a wet ground in a game which, was far below interprovincial standard, Canterbury beat Hawke’s Bay by 12 points (four tries) to 3 points (a try), at Lancaster Park to-day. The Canterbury forwards were speedier than the Hawke’s Bay pack, and generally outplayed them. The Canterbury hacks were all round much better than Hawke’s Bay, but the defence of Grenside and Evans, especially Grenside, saved the visitors time and again. Grenside was the best back on the ground. Canterbury’s tries were scored by King (three) and Williams. Grenside scored the visitors 4 only try.

AUCKLAND v.- TARANAKI.

AUCKLAND, August 9.

In a scrambling game at Eden Park this afternoon, Taranaki touring team was very lucky to draw with Auckland. The home team scored two tries while Taranaki’s points came from a try and a penalty kick, which was held as a goal, though the ball fell well under the crossbar. Neither side was at full strength, five of Auckland’s best men being absent in Wellington for the fourth Test,'while Taranaki was unable to get its best side on tour.

The conditions were bad. The ground was heavy and slippery, and light rain fell at intervals during the game. The play thererfore was mostly confined to the forwards, and was largely, of a scrambling nature. Taranaki forwards controlled the game at the start, but Auckland backs countered in several passing rushes before the ball became too greasy. Hook narrowly missed a try and then from a forward scramble, Palmer scored. The kick failed. Auckland forwards were penalised and Hunter took the kick. The ball went between the posts, but fell well undei’ the crossbar. Both line umpires signalled no goal, but the referee had already blown his whistle and awarded a goal. Just before half time, Jones scored at the corner after an Auckland back movement. The kick failed.

Play was very scrambling in the second half, Collins and Hunt, in Taranaki backs using the line well to keep Auckland forwards out. Jamieson inaugurated a fine Auckland attacking movement, A. Knight, Solomon, and Jones carrying on, but the winger was blocked. From the resultant scrum, Taranaki forwards heeled and broke away. They overwhelmed Butler, and carried on with the ball at the toe for Guy to score between the posts, after a rush that had covered three of the length of the field. Collins missed an easy kick, and the game ended six all. Mr. G. Peace was referee.

DUNEDIN RESULTS.

DUNEDIN, August 9.

Alhambra 8, Varsity B. 3, Kaikorai 26, Pirates 7; Dunedin 7, Zingari 6; Varsity A. 41, Taieri 15; Southern 22, Union 0.