RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1931, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES. COBDEN DEFEAT STAR. Ideal weather conditions favoured Rugby players on Saturday, and the West Coast competitions were advanced a stage. The only‘senior game at Greymouth was played on the Recreation Ground, and p resultedi in a win for Cobden, who defeated Stai by 20 points to 15, in a game characterised by more than the usual quota of excitement, but not much really good football. The play was practically monopolised by the packs, and there was an absence of the sparkling back passing rushes which constitute one of the main attractions of the game as it should be played. .Cobden wereexpected to win, and were heartened by a considerable number of enthusiastic barrackers. At one stage m e second spell, with the scores standing at 20 to 9, and the Cobden forwards dominating the play, a runaway victory seemed likely, but Star staged a thrilling finish, keeping Cobden penned on the line for the last five minutes, in a desperate effort to secure at least a draw. The defence held, however, and the game ended with a five-point margin in favour of the team froin across the river. Playing at Hokitika, Excelsior defeated Blaketown by only one point. The second senior game scheduled tor decisibn at Hokitika was not played, Rivals defaulting to United. Detailed results of the matches in the various grades are as follow:

SENIOR. Cobden 20, Star 15. Excelsior 13, Blaketown 12. United beat Rival, by default. JUNIOR. United 21, Blaketown 0. Kumara 17, Star 5. Kiwi 6, Excelsior 3. THIRD GRADE. 1 Technical 29, Cobden 3. United 30, Blaketown 3. FOURTH GRADE. Technical B 12, Technical A 8. COBDEN 20, STAR 15. Losing the toss, Star kicked off against a fresh southerly breeze, and play went to the Cobden line, but the defence was sound, and the tables were turned, offside play spoiling the retaliatory movement. The Cobden forwards set up a strong attack, and all but scored after a number of lineputs, and Cooper, the Star full back, was caught in possession. More lineouts and scrums followed near the Star line, and then the Cobden backs got away, faulty handling spoiling the chance. Another free kick to Star saw Furness find the line at half-way. Securing from a scrum in the Star 25, Cobden looked dangerous, but Cooper managed to force down. Another offensive ended when the ball was kicked too hard. Then Scott tried to notch four points, but the direction was faulty, and Cooper*forced down. The first thrill came when Earthorne secured near half-way, and put in a great run to score near the corner. Fong’s kick failed, and Star were three points ahead after 25 minutes’ play. Less than five minutes later, Cobden equalised, a loose rush taking them right to the line, where Birchfield scored wide out. Lindbom failed to convert the try. Star 3, Cobden 3. Cobden resigned the attack, and Cooper was over-run before he could clear, Fong falling back to stop the rush. The relief was only temporary however, and another attack took the ball to the Star corner. It was passed right across the field, and, after a scramble in the other corner, F. Eggleton forced his way over. Lindbom’s kick missed. Cobden '6, Star 3. i’ Before half-time, another good try came to Cobden, the result of a passing rush, Taafe scoring wide out. Birchfield took the kick, but the ball did not rise. The spell ended with the scores: Cobden 9, Star 3. Except for one breakaway, when Star opened their account, the first half was almost entirely played in Star territory. The Cobden forwards played a bustling game, and their hookers were successful in the majority of- the scrums.

Hoping to have the benefit of a good breeze in the second spell, Star were disappointed, as the wind dropped. The spell opened snappily, Star returning the kick, their forwards following up in a loose rush which carried them right to the Cobden line, a force down resulting. Offside play gave Fong a free kick, but he just failed. He returned thd kick-off and placed Star, on attack. Cooper made a weak attempt to field the ball a moment later, but Fong came to the rescue, and found the line. Cobden attacked, but too-hard kicking enabled Earthorne to force down. Star were awarded a penalty, and Fong notched a goal after the spell had been in progress about ten minutes. Cobden 9, Star 6.

From the kick-off, the Cobdenfforwards battled their way right to the Star line, and Birchfield scored nicely, wide out. Lindbom took the kick, but failed to raise the ball. Cobden 12, Star 6.'

Cobden repeated the performance almost immediately, a smart offensive being finalised when Rimmer dashed across the line. Birchfield failed to convert. Cobden 15, Star 6. Cobden continued to press, but Earthorne relieved with a nice line kick. Fong tried to pot a goal, and Cobden forced down. Then a somewhat lucky try added to Cobden’s tally. The ball bounced in their favour, Star were caught out of position, and Keith had an easy run to behind the posts. He converted his own try, and Cobden led by 20 points to fi. Time was getting short, and at this stage there looked to be only one team in it. Cobden maintained the offensive, but were sent back to halfway when Buchanan found the line. Offside play saw Cobden penalised, and Fong landed a goal. Cobden 20, Star 9. The hopes of Star supporters were raised a few moments later, when Furness intercepted a. pass on his own side of half-way, putting in a good run, kicking over the full back’s head, regaining possession, and taking the ball almost to the Cobden line, where Petrie, who had followed up fast, scored. Fong missed with the kick Cobden 20, Star 12. Star then came into the picture, and

the final few minutes were exciting. Two promising rushes were spoiled by faulty handling, enabling Cobden to force down. Offside play again saw Cobden penalised, and Fong notched another goal. Cobden 20, Star 15. The remainder of the game was a strenu ous effort by Star to equalise, but they were still endeavouring to score when the final whistle went, leaving Cobden with a five-point margin. Mr W. Williams was referee. EXCELSIOR WIN NARROWLY. After an open game at Cass Square, Excelsior defeated Blaketown by the narrow margin of one point. The play was fast throughout, and there were many attractive passing bouts, although the Excelsior backs were the better combination. Martyn, who played a fine game for the home team, opened the Excelsior score with a try, which he converted himself. There was no further score before the spell ended.

On resuming, Blaketown attacked, but. their attacks lacked finish. A free kick was awarded, and Pascoe landed a fine goal for Blaketown, repeating the performance before the game ended. Excelsior attacked strongly, and Hughes scored after cutting in. Martyn failed to convert. Shortly after, an Excelsior passing rush ended in Martyn scoring another try, which he converted. Blaketown took a turn at attacking, and Scott .scored after a loose rush. Before the final whistle, Lemin added another try. Mr A. Cutbush was referee. JUNIOR GAMES. The United backs had a day out at k the Recreation Ground, in the Junior game against Blaketown, scoring seven tries (Ellis (4), Turtill, Garth, and Haglund one each), none of them being converted. Blaketown failed to score. Mr Reed was referee. Playing at Kumara, the home team defeated Star by 17 points to 5. Mr Dewe was referee. At Hokitika, Kiwi defeated Excelsior by 6 to 3. THIRD GRADE. United easily defeated Blaketown at the Technical School ground, the scores being 30 to 3. For United, Adams (2), Rathbun (2), Drumgoole (2), Beckman and Preston scored tries, three of which were converted by Adams. Blaketown’s score came from a penalty goal by Goodall. Mr Jamieson was referee. Technical defeated Cobden by 29 to 3, the game being played on the winners’ ground. For Technical, tries were scored by Smith (2), Kay (2), Wylde, Gilmore and Keddie. Two each were converted by Collett and Smith. W. Hibbs scored a try for Cobden. Mr Thompson was referee. FOURTH GRADE. ‘ -——- The Technical A and B fourth: graders met on the school ground, on Saturday morning, the B team winning by 12 to 8. Mr Bicheno was referee. REEFTON DISTRICT. REEFTON, May 11. Waratah defeated Landing at Landing by 6 to 3. The senior match Landing v. Reefton, did not take place, owing to the latter not being able to field a team. IKAMATUA v. WAIUTA The first match for the Junior Banner was. played yesterday at Ikamatua between Ikamatua and Waiuta the game ending in a draw 3 points each. The game was fast throughout both teams working hard from start to finish. Neither set of backs could get going, being smothered as soon as they got the ball. The score was a good indication of the game, the teams being evenly matched. R. Davis kicked a penalty for Waiuta and J. Pfahlert did likewise for Ikamatpa. Mr. A. Bradley was referee. CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. Rugby matches played here to-day in perfect weather resulted:—Christchurch 21, Albion 6; Sydenham 11, Old Boys 5; Linwood 9, Varsity 6; Merivale 16, Athletic 0. DUNEDIN MATCHES DUNEDIN, May ’9. Pirates 19, Union 6; Southern 10, Zingari 0; Varsity A 24, Alhambra 6; Kaikorai 22, Dunedin 5; Taieri 14, Varsity B 11. WELLINGTON RESULTS WELLINGTON, May 9. Senior A: University 19, Old Boys 3; Berhampore 5, Poneke 19; Oriental 6, Petone 10; Hutt 17, Marist 6; Eastbourne 8, Wellington 17; Athletic 5, Miramar 3. „ Senior B: St. Pat’s Old Boys 17, Porirua 0; Training College 6, Oriental 16; Hutt 3, Old Boys 8. AUCKLAND RESULTS AUCKLAND, May 9. Grammar Old Boys Rifles 6 to nil. Varsity beat Manukau 13/3. Tec Old Boys beat Grafton 12/9. Ponsonby beat Marist 9/3.