SENIOR RUGBY SURPRISES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 July 1931, Page 10

SENIOR RUGBY SURPRISES

THREE TEAMS NOW CLOSE. FOR CHAMPIONSHIP HONOURS Under favourable weather conditions, the West Coast Rugby, Union competitions wore advanced a further stage on Saturday. The playing areas were in good order, and the three o’clock matches were not handicapped to any extent by the slight easterly wind. At Victoria Park a large attendance was present to witness the Excelsior-Star match, a hard and even contest being anticipated. With Star going from one success to another in their previous five matches, many wore prepared to see them hold their own against the unbeaten Excelsior fifteen, and as victory to Star would awaken renewed interest in the senior competition, the big majority present demonstrated by applause of Star movements that they waited for Excelsior’s downfall. Their wish was fulfilled more easily than the most ardent Star supporters could have hoped for. On the play, Star were definitely superior, their advantage in forward play being responsible for their well-deserved victory. Unable to cope with the repeated thrusts which the Star pack employed throughout the game, Excelsior forwards offered little protection to their backs, who were called on for over-much defence, and given only rare opportunities of attack. It is to their forwards that Star owe their popular victory, for they carried the brunt of the play, while their backs, after being given many chances to show their worth as an attacking combination, failed on every occasion effectively to combine. They defended well, but as their forwards controlled seventy-five per cent, of the play, they were not required to over-exert themselves in this direction. Excelsior were early troubled by the Star pack, and the quick following up of Deere, Mclntosh, Petrie and Co. allowed them no time in which to assemble their forces for attack. Honours were even in the scrums, but in the line out Freitas was a tower of strength to Excelsior, yet smart smothering by Star prevented any great advantage being gained. It was a hard forward game, but excessive line-kicking continually broke interest in the play. Excelsior suffered their first defeat this season, but still hold pride of place in the competition. Saturday’s defeat however, makes their prospects of being ultimate winners of the championship less bright, for it places Cobden within two points of them, and lifts Star to third position on the ladder, one point behind Cobden. With another round to play, the competition stands in an interesting position. Cobden accounted for Rivals at Hokitika, by 9 points to 5, while the easy manner in which Blaketown disposed of United seniors, was the most surprising result of Saturday’s fixtures. Kumara juniors have a sufficient lead in that grade to be declared winners and their first success after many seasons of Rugby, will be popular with all followers of the code. The various matches resulted as follow: — Senior: —Star 9, Excelsior 3. Cobden 9, Rivals 5. Blaketown 30, United 11. Junior: —Kumara 14, Cobden B. 3. Cobden A. 11, United 0. Star 9, Blaketown 4. Thirds: —Technical 33, Blaketown 0. United 13, Cobden 6. Fourths: —Technical 20, Cobden 0.

EXCELSIOR’S FIRST DEFEAT. Quickly settling to their work, the Star forwards adopted hurry-up tactics from the commencement and bustled Excelsior on defence. Line kicking prevented any concerted movement until Deere, with a determined rush pounded his way through the opposition, and on being brought down near tlio Excelsior line, threw a pass to Petris for the latter to scramble over, ten yards from the corner. Deere’s attempt to convert fell short. Play had been under way for only two minutes, and Star led by three points. Spurred on by this early success Star forwards herded together well, and made repeated thrusts with the ball at toe, Excelsior being thrown on defence for a considerable period. Davidson, the Excelsior half-back, was prominent on defence, and finally he succeeded in getting the ball up to Henderson, the Star full-back, who ran forward to have a shot at a field goal, which he narrowly missed. Play hovered about the half-way mark, then Star forwards gained the upper hand pushing their way to the 25, where Guy secured possession, but kicked too hard, the ball going dead. From the kick-off the Star forwards continued to harass Excelsior, Bell being outstanding for good work on attack. He picked up smartly, and van through several of the opposing players, fibfore handing on to Deere, who hurled himself at the line, but was well tackled, and on the

ball going over, Stevenson forced. A good run by the Excelsior backs placed Star on defence, Reynolds finding relief in a 'force down, following a hard kick by Martyn. The latter player was practically useless to his side owing to receiving an injury to his right leg shortly after the game had commenced. Star forwards settled down again, and drove the opposition back to the 25 line, where an infringement gave Deere a chance to increase Star’s lead with a penalty kick, the oval falling short. Excepting for an occasional break away by the backs of both sides, which however, broke down through faulty handling, play was con-j fined to the forwards, in which department Excelsior were unable to hold Star. Petrie, Deere, Buchanan, and Mclntosh were the loaders in the Star forwards, but packing well made the side formidable. The consistent attacks made by Star had Excelsior pinned down, and it was only by offering a stout, desistance that the latter managed to hold their line intact. From a. forward tussip near the Excelsior line, tho ball was booted over, McCleary racing Deere and Furness to

tho-touch down. The scrums slightly favoured Excelsior, but the backs on either side, were met by good tackling. Earthome made a strong run and penetrated deeply into the defence only to be caught, in possession. ' Hard kicking again sent the ball over Excelsiors’ lino for Stevenson to force. On resuming, Star forwards again overshadowed the opposition and Martyn was called on to relieve the pressure with a good line kick. Davidson secured from a scrum in his own territory and raced away, gaining a big stretch of country before booting to Reynolds, who saved for Star by kicking out near the corner. Too much use was being made of line-kicking, the delay caused by I such tactics being considerable. Excelsior rallied temporarily, and from ai long way back Martyn had a shot at goal from a free kick, the leather falling short, and Earthorne returned it to

half-way. Excelsior continued to press, but hard kicking alloiyed Henderson to force. For'the feyt remaining minutes to halLtime, Excelsior, had a decided advantage, but could not successfully finish off their attack. On changing over, Star immediately attacked, and Davidson was called on for much defensive work, which he carried through exceedingly well. Play was enlivened by the backs of both teams attempting movements, but these were quickly broken up by inferior handling, or selfishness on the part of individual players. The forwards continued to fight hard, Star having the best of matters. Freitas was caught offside, and Deere had an easy chance to goal, only again the ball fell short. Play remained in the Excelsior territory until Beban secured and attempted a “pot,” which narrowly missed its objective. From a lino out near half-way Freitas, who had been prominent in this work, secured to send McCleary away, the ball travelling along the entire Excelsior line, but sure tackling prevented a score. Pressing home their advantage Excelsior had Star in difficulties right under the goal posts, until overeagerness caused a forward to get offside, Fong clearing with a line-kick. Davidson then obtained possession and worked his way into a good position for a “pot,” but his attempt was unsuccessful. Reynolds secured and after making a good run. sent the ball in amongst the Star forwards, who carried on to the "Excelsior corner, where from the scramble, Fell dived across. Fong handled the - ball twice when placing it for the kick at goal, and the referee ruled no kick. Star G, Excelsior 0. Play see-sawed for a spell, then Star again went up to the opposing line where, after a series of scrums, Davidson gained possession from a scrum, and lined near half-way. Infringements against both sides gave Martyn and Fong opportunities to score from penalty kicks, but their efforts were unsuccessful. R. King, who had been playing a useful game in the Excelsior pack, was at this stage ordered off for questioning the referee’s decision. Star moved up to near the Excelsiors’ line, where Davidson was penalised for hanging-on, Deere increasing Star’s lead With a easy goal. Star 9, Excelsior 0. With little time left for play, Excelsior made a final rally, Schroeder, at wing-three-quarter gaining much ground by his dodgy runs, but being unsuppported, the advantage he secured was nullified. With Excelsior striving hard to score, a Star man. was caught offside and Martyn goaled from an easy angle, just as the boll sounded full-time. The final scores were. - Star 9, Excelsior 3. Mr. T. Mclntosh was referee.

BLAKETOWN TROUNCE UNITED Blaketown were without the services of Negri, Boutercy, and McDonald in their match against United, yet they scored a meritorious victory, winning in hollow fashion, by 30 points to 11. It was during the second spell that Blaketown piled up the score, their back line being too speedy for the opposition. L. Harrington, a third grade player who filled Boutorey’s position behind the scrum, gave a clever exhibition, his handling being clean, and his transfers smart and with good direction. Pascoe was in goal-kicking mood, and one of his successful attempts, was secured from right on the half-way line. Baldwin was outstanding for United, while Walton also played his usual safe game. In the forwards Scott led the Blaketown pack, Bell and Rathbun being most prominent for United. United quicklj’ settled down and play had not been in progress for more than two minutes, when Baldwin threaded his way through a weak defence, to score a good try. Walton converted and United led by 5 points. Blaketown did not appear to be able to offer much resistance, for United had matters very much their own way. Then a Blaketown player was penalised for offside tactics, Walton imi proving the position for United by kicking a goal. United 8, Blaketown 0. From this point on, Blaketown rallied and by determined forward play, gained a big stretch of ground. McEnaney fielded a high kick from United, and quickly gathering speed raced right through the opposition, to touch down for a clever try. The kick at goal failed. Blaketown 3,

United 8. Even play continued for a spell, then a penalty kick gave Pascoe a chance and he placed a goal. Blaketown 6, United 8. A few minutes before half-time. Blaketown had a definite advantage, which they pushed home when Bunt followed up a kick to score in a handy position for Pascoe to add the extra points. The interval arrived with the scores Blaketown 11, United 8. On changing over Blaketown set up a strong attack, which carried them over the United line, they being unlucky in not scoring. Back play from both sides made the game interesting, then from a penalty at half-way, Pascoe collected a great goal. Blaketown 14. United 8. This further reversal spurred on United and they went down to the Blaketown 25, but when attacking strongly, Shannahan turned the tables by picking up smartly to send on to Bunt, who badly beat

three men before giving. to Lemin, and the latter outpaced the opposition to score a well deserved try under the posts. Hannam missed an easy chance to convert. Blaketown 17, United 8. With the score piling up against them, United made a strong movement into Blaketown territory, and placed the leaders on defence. They worked to the opposing goal, where Bell of Blaketown, picked the ball from the scrum, under notice of the referee. Walton I made no mistake with the kick. United 11, Blaketown 17. That was the last opportunity offered United, for Blaketown held advantage till the whistle. The forwards pushed their way to near the United line, and from a scrum near the corner,' Harrington gathered in the ball to race across and touch down near the posts. Pascoe converted. Blaketown 22, United 11. Blaketown backs now sho-wed out in some good movements, and when Harrington shot a nice pass to Pascoe. the latter easily evaded the weak

tackling to score a try. which Dimond converted. Blaketown 27, United 11. Continuing to play bright open football, Blaketown enjoyed the run of play, and on the call of time Harrington sent McEnaney away for the winger to add his second try. The kick at goal failed, time sounding with Blaketown easy winners by 30 points to 11. Mr Reid was referee.

COBDEN DEFEAT RIVALS. Better team work gave Cobden an advantage over Rivals, and the match between these teams, played at Hokitika, ended in favour of Cobden by 9 points to 5. In the forward division, Cobden fielded a heavier pack but despite this, Rivals won the majority of the scrums. Adopting bustling tactics, Rivals held their own with the opposing pack for the first few minutes, but once they settled down, the Cobden forwards

used their weight to advantage*, and Rivals were iplacsd on defence. Houston was prominent for a good defence, the Rivals captain saying his team time.and again. Hard pressed, Rivals twice infringed, giving J. King opportunities to goal. The first he narrowly missed, but the second from a better angle, he sent over. Cobden Q, Rivals 0. Rivals came away with a strong attack, Stopforth making a nice run before handing on to Pfahiert for the latter to go on to close up to the Cobden line, where on being tackled he lost possession, but. Mitchell was alongside, -and he snapped up the leather to cross near the posts. Webster added the extra points. Rivals 5, Cobden 3, The reversal livened up Cobden, and for a spell Rivals were kept busily defending. Repeated thrusts by Cobden went very close to success, but the tackling was sure, while, on more than, one occasion the failure of the Cobden backs to accept simple passes, deprived them of points. Continuing to have the best, of play Cobden had Rivals hard pressed, and when the ball came to Southern this winger dashed along the line .to brush aside the defence and score in the corner. J. King failed with the kick. Cobden 6, Rivals 5. Cobden had now a definite advantage, and returned to Rivals’ territory where they launched both back and forward attacks, Houston being called on for strenuous work to keep them out. He was ably assisted by his colleagues on defence, hut without Houston, Rivals would have been a weak side. In the second spell the Cobden backs combined and several nice movements made, them dangerous, only sure tackling keeping them out. Carter, the Rivals full-back rose to the occasion, and repeatedly sent back the attack. The match developed into a series of attacks by Cobden which Rivals were equal to, and it looked unlikely that Cobden would have added any further score, had not Carter been penalised for hangingon, when right under his goal. I. King was given a simple kick for Cobden, which he turned to account, making the scores, Cobden 9, Rivals 5. Until the final whistle, Cobden held the advantage, but were unable to penetrate the solid defence, the, game finishing without further score.

JUNIOR GRADE MATCHES. COBDEN A. SUPERIOR TO UNITED. United never at any stage of the game looked like winning over Cobden A. on Saturday. They played atf well as Cobden would allow them. but. the latter saw to it that. United had much more than an even share of work on defence. Cobden were definitely superior in the forwards, and they kept hammering at the opposing pack until, in the final fifteen minutes, they had United weak in comparison. Play was fast, and passing amongst, the backs and the forwards made it decidedly interesting. Cobden took the offensive from the start, and excepting occasional rallies by United, continued throughout to make the play. United became disorganised by the determined and repeated manner in which the opposing forwards carried on-t their work, and were given little opportunity to do anything other than defend. Johnston, a Cobden forward, was the outstanding player on the field, his efforts in leading the attack, his handling, and his tackling being of a high order. Garth, for United, was prominent on defence, but his attack was not successful or as determined as that shown by him in previous matches. The fact that Cobden fielded only fourteen players in the first spell, and yet had the better of play, while facing an easterly wind which at that period was fairly strong, made United’s efforts appear unaccountably weak. Johnston collected two tries for the winners, Scott one, while Johnston also converted one, making the score 11 to nil. Mr. A. Jamieson was referee. A few minutes before half-' time. Wollett, a United forward received an injury to his shoulder 1 which caused him to retire, but his position was filled by an emergency.

STAR AND BLAKETOWN In a match in which team work was missing, Star defeated Blaketown juniors at Victoria Park by 9-points to 4. Individually some of the players were good, but collectively neither team was equal to the standard expected of junior grade players. McGinley was outstanding in the Star team, and in scoring three tries, collected their points. Attempts to convert the tries failed. Blaketown had an'even share of the game, but were unable to finalise any movement, their points being secured by Dunshea, who Wicked a field goal. Mr. B. Charteris was referee. KUMARA BEAT COBDEN B. At Kumara, the home team accounted for Cobden B. by 14 points to 3. The winners had all the best of play. Mr. L. Dewe was referee. THIRD GRADE RESULTS. UNITED DEFEAT COBDEN "At the Technical School grounds, United defeated Cobden third grade team by 13 points to 6." Superiority in the back division greatly assisted the winners. Tries were scored by Rathbun, Adams and Preston, the firstmentioned two players converting one each for United, while for Cobden, Hibbs secured two tries, which were unconverted. Mr. B. Winchester was referee.

TECHNICAL WIN EASILY An all round superiority gave Technical School an easy game with Blaketown, School running out winners by 33 points to nil. The match was played at the School grounds, and Mr. W. McLaughlin was referee. 1 FOURTH GRADE Tn a fourth grade match, at Victoria Park, Technical defeated Cobden by 20 points to nil, the match being controlled by Mr. W. Pring. REEFTON DISTRICT.

REEFTON, July 12. Kiwis were defeated at Waiuta by S to nil. Reefton Primary School defeated Waiuta by 9 to 3, on Saturday. IKAMATUA TEAMS. Waratahs defeated Ikamatua at Reefton yesterday by 17 points to 3, after a very hard game. The Waratah backs were far superior to their opponents, handling the ball well. Faulty handling and passing by Ikamatua lost them many chances. For Waratahs tries were scored by Morris (2), Smith and Allen, Scott converting one and also kicking a penalty goal. Bannan kicked a penalty goal

for Ikamatua. Mr A. Bradley was referee. Ikamatua schoolboys defeated Mawheraiti at Ikamatua on Saturday bj' 20 points to nil. Some good football was witnessed, and with a bit more practice both teams will be well worth watching. Tries were scored by W. O’Malley (2), J. Fitzgerald and G. O’Malley, W. O’Malley converting one and R. Bradley kicking two penalty goals. Mr A. Bradley was referee. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. BULLER v. INANGAHUA. WESTPORT, July 11. The Rugby match, Buller v. Inangahua, was played at Victoria Square today in fine weather. Buller, which fielded a good team, had no difficulty in winning by 26 to nil, tries being scored by McNeight (2), Caldwell (2), Holder (1), Goodall (2). and Robinsen. Caldwell converted one try.

TARANAKI DEFEAT SOUTHLAND.

NEW PLYMOUTH, July 11. Taranaki defeated the touring Southland team to-day by 22 points to 15, in a thrilling match, played in fine weather with a dry ball. Southland proved a strong and dangerous team, but Taranaki kept them in hand with superior back play and general combination. First one side and then the ether was in the lead; and every try was good. Taranaki exploited the short put over the line and quick follow up with success, and the passing among their backs was good. Southland were always dangerous in the loose, as they showed in the first minute of the game by scoring a runaway try. Taranaki gave a vastly improved display compared with the match against Wellington.

HAWKE’S BAY v. AUCKLAND. NAPIER, July 11. The earthquake benefit Rugby match to-da.y between Auckland and Hawke’s Bay resulted in a win for Hawke’s Bay by 19 points to 8. INTER-AU CK LAND MATO IE AUCKLAND, Julv 11. Auckland B .14, boat South Auckland 8. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. CHRISTCHURCH, July 11. Christchurch 11, Varsity 3; Old Boys 19, Sydenham 8; Merivale 33, Linwood 12; Albion 29, Athletic 8. AT WELLINCL’PON. WELLINGTON. July 11. Hutt 21, Old Boys 0; Wellington 17, Manst iO; Miramar 19, Berhampore 10, Onental 3, Athletic U; Petone 19 Varsity 17; Poneke 15, Eastbourne 8. DUNEDIN RESULTS. DUNEDIN, July 11. Southern 3, Kaikorai 3;' University 9, Alhambra 0. and^Kn/"' 0 , inatchos to go Kaikorai Universdy are now equal, with Southern one point behind.