Seasonable Sports

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 July 1931, Page 8

Seasonable Sports

RUGBY FOOTBALL. PLAY AND PLAYERS. Had United Won: The best exhibition of Rugby seen this season was Saturday’s match between Kumara and United Juniors. It was a splendid game in every way, and considering the bad yate of the ground, and the issue depending ou the result, few infringements were made. Had United won, it is more than likely that the teams would have had to meet again in a play-off for the championship. In such a case the match would have been a great drawcard for the local Union.

la Tills Their Season: For something like thirty-five years, Kumara have been trying to win a Rugby championship. They have gone close on many occasions, but have yet to succeed. This season points to them being the winners of the junior competition, and should it so happen, it will be the most popular victory in the history of West Coast Rugby.

The Exceptions: Every one of the thirty players in the Kumara-United match gave, of their best on Saturday, and it was this fact that contributed largely to the game being carried on at such a fast pace. There were tjvo players, however, who stood out prominently for good play, one on either side, McNabb the Kumara half-back, and Garth, United’s first five-eighth.

Clever and Courageous: McNabb was clever, and came through a gruelling afternoon seemingly as fresh as when he took the field. He was smart behind the scrum, and the few times that he was caught in possesion, were due to the referee allowing the United wing fo'ward or the breakaways to get round before the ball was properly out of the scrum. There was a noticeable laxity here. McNabb, in addition to sending his backs away smartly, seemed to be always where the play was thickest, his defence being a feature of the game. His sense of anticipation extricated Kumara from several perilous positions. If Saturday’s was his usual game, then in McNabb the junior selectors have one certainty for their team.

Garth at His Best: On a field where every player is dong his best, it is sometimes difficult to single out any individual player for special mention, unless that player forces comment by his outstanding display. Such was the position in regard to Garth on Saturday. He was head, and shoulders above any other player. Wherever one looked in following the play, Garth was either in possession or tackling the other fellow in possession, or doipg something else that must have made Kumara heartily sick of him, and his own team heartily proud of him. He is the most promising player in sight, and with a little extra weight would find his place in higher grade football. Where he now is, however, is the best place for him, and Warwick Rothwell made a mistake when he loaned Garth to the senior team.

As Others See Us: Commenting on the Buller-West Coast match on Saturday, the “Westport News’’ has the following on Coast players :-r-Martyn was a regular Rock of Gibraltar as custodian, and his performance was little short of Greer’s, the Buller full-back. R. King did not impress, but Lemin played a brilliant game on the opposite wing, and he was one of the best backs in the Coast team. Taafe, J. King, and Houston shone in spasms, but the latter was very sound in defence, as was Davidson, who played a fine game at halfback. Billy Deere, Jock Bell, and Rathbun were the pick of a fast set of forwards. Freitas, the ex-AH Black, was never prominent, and seems to have slipped a good deal.

An Able Leader: In Collett, the Technical School third-graders have an able captain. He is clever, both on attack and defence, and his versatility on the field is an encouragement to those he leads. His handling is clean, he kicks with judgment, is unselfish, and tackles hard and low. Being of strong physique Collett has all the essentials of a good Rugby player, and. he should go far in the game. Knmara’s Captain: Tanner, the Kumara captain, is a big fellow, but does not use his advantage in height and weight over his smaller opponents. He gave a splendid display of wing-forward play on Saturday, and not once did the referee have to watch to catch him offside. Tanner placed the ball in the scrum fairly on each occasion, and while he played a hard game, his tactics were unquestionably clean right through.

Juggling for Grounds: At each meeting of the West Coast Union,, difficulty is experienced in placing the many teams, owing to the limited playing areas available. Three matches on the one ground is now the usual thing. The remark is often heard that when the Union’s own grounds are in a suitable condition for play, the difficulty will be overcome. It has evidently not occurred to members that they have two grounds available at Victoria Park now, nnd when they go over to their own Park, they will not be in any better position. Without the services of Victoria Park, they will be in exactly the same predicament as they are now placed. The Union will not then have any greater number of playing areas at its disposal, and the same juggling with grounds will continue, unless it is decided to retain Victoria Park. There are too many teams in the various competitions for the number of playing fields in Greymouth. Cobden Domain and the Technical School grounds are not always available, and the position is a. serious one* with the Union. As matters now stand, it is the third and fourth grade teams that suffer, the latter In particular, and it. is noticeable that these young players are not receiving the.due consideration which the Union should give them, when arranging the fixtures. Often the remark is passed by some member keen

on encouraging these grades, that “it is time, they had a game.” Everybody on the Executive agrees but that is as fax’ as the mattei - is considered. It must be disappointing for the fourth graders to be passed ovex* so lightly, and although Union members recognise that it is from these youngsters that Rugby will receive its players in a few years to come, they confine their attention to providing for the seniox* and juniox* grades, allowing the others to take “pot luck.” The opposition codes, League and Soccer, give very serious attention to their lower grades, so why do not the Rugby Union do the same?

SOCCER CODE. (NOTES BY X.Y.Z.) The final of the Chatham Cup will be played on Saturday. Dobson are favourites though Rewanui will put up a hard fight. The Westland Cup competition will go further ahead, Cobden meet Greymouth. Only one goal separated these two teams in their last match, and a draw will be a good result. Taylorville should beat Runanga. Cobden and Taylorville were freely tipped as the Chatham cup finalists after their victories of the week before. Cobden beat Dobson by seven goals to two and Taylorville beat the strong going Greymouth team by three goals to one. Dobson turned the tables on Cobden to the tune of four goals to two, and on play the margin should have been bigger. Rewanui ousted Taylorville by three goals to one. Such are the glorious uncertainties of football. Interest is being increased and 1.931 is likely to be the most successful season the code has had on the Coast.

Last week the management, committee suspended a registered player of the Dobson Club sine die, for interfering with the referee after the game. This player was a spectator at. the Cobden v. Dobson match and a decision of the referee did not “meet” his eye, so after the game was finished he was wanting to have a bout of fisticuffs with him. The referee duly reported him to the management committee, and the latter body are to be complimented on the stern manner they dealt with the case. In seasons past, the officials under the jurisdiction of the Westland Football Association have not had the protection that should have been given to them. If a player was sent off the field by the referee the management committee would only caution the player or send him a letter censuring him. It is to be hoped that in future if a player is sent off the management committee will suspend the player for at least one playing Saturday though his offence is only of trivial nature. However, this season the players have to be complimented on the sporting manner they have contested their matches, as not one player has been ordered off the field, but one should touch wood.

On the other hand, are the spectators fair to the referee ? I say certainly not. Saturday after Saturday. I visit the different grounds, and the barrack of certain spectators is enough to keep any referee from taking up the whistle. I would like to see the management committee take a stern hand with all the clubs concerned to see that all the referees officiating get a fair spin. Letters should be sent to the clubs telling them that they are responsible for the conduct of their supporters; also they are responsible to see that the referee is treated in a just manner. I trust the management committee will take the hint as the old saying goes “a stitch in time saves nine.”

The visit of the Canterbury district winner in the Chatham Cup to Greymouth is causing a great deal of comment. A number have tipped the Thistle as likely to come over, but in my opinion Rangers or Nomads will likely be the team. Both semi-final ties in Christchurch last week-end resulted in a draw. Rangers drew with Nomads after extra time two goals each. Technical Old Boys did likewise with Thistle though the score on this occasion was three all. As only two Saturdays remain to finish the district finals, Canterbury teams will have to go all out as the competition cannot be delayed. Rangers have not been beaten this season and if this team comes to the Coast it will be an eyeopener to the average Soccerite on the Coast.

■ S. Marley returned to the game on Saturday last and played for Rewanui against Taylorville. He put up a creditable display and with a little more training he should come right back into his old form. Moor (Rewanui) played his best game to date for his Club, and Dobson are going to have a busy time on Saturday trying to get past this defence, Timlin, Marley and Moor.

Malpass has been showing consistent form all the season and Rewanui supporters are expecting that the sole selector can hardly pass him for representative honours in future games. Taylorville’s team was all at sixes and sevens on Saturday. The forwards lacked combination with the result that the Rewanui defenders had them on toast throughout the game. Thomas the outside left for Taylorville did not play and his presence was sadly missed.

There is no more consistent left back in Westland Football Association area than E. Cowe of Cobden. Saturday after Saturday he is the mainstay of his side and in the opinion of many he has been due rep. honours long ago. McTaggart at inside right for Cobden played studied football throughout and it was not his fault that his side went under.

Another playei' who has not caught the eye of the selector this season, is Mitchell the Dobson goal-keeper. He is a player above the average and well worthy of rep. honours. All Dobsbn half-backs played well on Saturday and it was their wide swinging passes to either wing throughout that kept Cobden from settling down to their usual game. So far this season I have not given very much space to the Third-grade but next week all going well, I will sum up all the teams. A question that all Third-graders are asking just now is when is the five-a-side medal com- v petition coming off? Personally, I don’t know, but it is time the management committee got a move on in this matter.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL. NEWS AND NOTES. Next Sunday’s Game: It is a rule of the West Coast Rugby League that all finals must be played at Wingham Park, and the drawn game between Marist and Runanga on Sunday will mean that, the two teams will meet again at Wingham Park next Sunday. The exciting nature of last Sunday’s game will make certain a large attendance, and given a drier ground the match seems likely to be as exciting as its predecessor. Good Half-back:

In any of the games in which he lias appeared this season, Masters, the Runanga half-back has usually by his outstandingly good play earned for himself the distinction of being the best back on the field and last Sunday was no exception. He never let pass a possible opening and was a rock on defence.

Not at His Best: Harrison the Runanga full-back, was not up to his usual high standard in Sunday’s game and his defensive work suffered by comparison with that of Quinn, the Marist last, line of defence, who was always where he was wanted.

A Speedy Winger: Devonport, on the wing for Marist, was the outstanding back for his side, and the way in which on several occasions he turned defence into attack marked him out as a winger of much more than average ability. Experience is all that Devonport needs to make him one of our best. He is one of the fastest wingers in the code. Speed and Courage:

Among the best of the newcomers to senior League, must be classed the Marist five-eight. Con. O’Leary. Every game in which he has taken part this season has seen him one of the fastest and most clever backs of his side, and on Sunday last his performance was even better than usual. Speed off the mark is his principal asset, and this combined with sureness in handling makes O’Leary outstanding on attack. But it is on defence that he is of most value to his team, for, although small in stature, O’Leary abounds in courage and his tackling is really deserving of the adjective “deadly.” -Fitzgerald the other Marist five-eight was not outstanding on Sunday. Speed was not one of his best qualities, and in many cases he did not get the ball away quickly enough, and was often caught in possession.

A Dull Game: , Little in the way of good football was seen in the Marist v. Runanga junior match, which was the curtainraiser to the senior game at Wingham Park on Sunday. The winners, Runanga, had all the better of a game in which the play was in the main confined to the forwards, who gave a mediocre display. The outstanding player was A. Currie, Runanga, who scored two tries and was responsible for most of the others. Currie’s performance on Sunday would have quite justified his inclusion in the Runanga senior team, and next year he should be a valuable addition to that team. The Runanga club is fortunate in the possession of two good junior teams from which its future senior thirteen may be chosen, and the policy followed by that club of giving every possible encouragement to its junior players is one that could be copied with good results by all the other clubs.

The Pirates Club: If sufficient senior players can be obtained it is the intention of the recently-formed Pirates Club to enter a team in this season’s senior competition and it is more than probable that a junior team as well will also take the field. In the lower grade a new team would fill the gap left by the withdrawal of Kohinoors, and in this connection it is understood that several prominent Kohinoors players have transferred their allegiance to the new club. If the club decides to enter a senior team, the new team may be seen in action in a friendly match against Brunner on Sunday next.

A Wise Hove: It is not often that a captain of a team chooses to let slide the opportunity of adding to his side’s score that a penalty kick in a good position presents, but Coulson, skipper of the Marist thirteen chose wisely on Sunday when he allowed Calder to put his forwards on attack with a high “up-and-under” kick, rather than attempt what seemed an easy penalty kick. The whole Green pack surged after Calder’s kick in a well-nigh irresistible rush that finally resulted in Calder himself scoring the best try of the day. Art of Dribbling:

The final of the Knock-Out Cup at Wingham Park on Sunday may be classed as a triumph for the Marist forwards who gave the best exhibition of forward play that has been seen on the park for a long time. With the possible exception of Martini, whose efforts were not particularly noticeable in the second half, the entire Green pack worked like Trojans from beginning to end. In the first half, they dominated the play and were unlucky not to score more points. Theix- dribbling tactics were a treat to watch, the control they showed in handling the. greasy ball being much above that usually seen. Theii 1 work, both individual and concerted, quite overshadowed that of the Runanga pack, who, nevertheless, played a solid and reliable game. Durning, Caldei’ and O’Brien were the pick of the Marist pack, and Newton and Griffiths, for Runanga were always in the picture.

Too Much Back Play I: The majority of the victories that have come the way of Runanga this season have been due to the unquestionably good combination that its backs Ixave displayed. But last Sunday the ground conditions ,were an effective drawback to efficient back play and it might have been expected that Runanga would have modified their tactics to some degree. But they confounded the critics by reverting to their usual style of back play whenever opportunity offered and their handling of the greasy ball was a credit to their training. In direct opposition to the Marist points, the Runanga tries carpe mostly as the re-

suit of passing rushes in which most of the Runanga backs handled. Had the Runanga men placed more reliance than they did on kicking, the game might have suffered as a spectacle, but the result might have been different. Last Sunday was not a day that favoured back play and the Runanga team might have been well-advised to make the game more of a forward one.

OLYMPIC GAMES, 1932.’ NEW ZEALAND’S TEAM. Practically ever since 1923 when the International Olympic Committee met at Rome and allocated the Games o. the Xth Olympiad to Los Angeles, California, the view has been expressed in New Zealand from time to time in the intervening years by those keenly interested in the great Olympic Gaines movement that here was New Zealand’s big chance of being able to send away a stronger and more representative team than, she had ever been able to in the past.

The years have rolled by and in twelve months’ time or thereabouts the Games of the Xth Olympiad will be opened in Los Angeles. The passing of the years has not dulled the enthusiasm of New Zealand officials; it has served to put a knife-edge on their enthusiasm, and at the present time, as a result of their endeavours, an appeal is being made to the people of New Zealand by way of the Big Windfall Art Union, with a view to raising funds sufficient, it is hoped, not only to enable New Zealand to take a place among the nations of the world at Los Angeles, well represented in as many branches of sport as possible, but to establish a capital fund to draw upon for representation at future Olympiads. A good response is anticipated to this appeal, and, of course, the bigger the response the stronger the New Zealand team is likely to be. The desire of the New Zealand Olympic Games Council is simply to see the best of our performers in the branches of sport catered for in the programme for Los Angeles, given an opportunity of representing this Dominion in competition with the best from the other nations of the world. The Olympic Council wisely is not aiming too high. It does not expect miracles. Only once in the past since the Dominion was first represented at the modern Olympiads—at London in 190S —has a member of a New Zealand team won an Olympiad title, and that was at the last Gaines at Amsterdam in 1928, when Ted Morgan won the welterweight boxing crown; but always have we heen represented with credit.

In looking back on performances at past Olympiads and in considering the prospects of New Zealand at Los Angeles, it should be remembered that competition is not confined to the representatives of two or three countries, but is open to the youth of the world, so that the task of a New Zealand Olympic team is ever so much harder than, say, a New Zealand cricket or football team on tour in the Old Country. At the Olympic Games in Amsterdam over 3000 athletes representing 46 nations participated in the opening parade, and when the extent of the competition and its international proportions are remembered it is something of which to be proud if New Zealand, after the preliminary heats, has a representative in the final of any one event. It is in that light that the question of New Zealand’s representation at Los Angeles will best be approached.