RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1932, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH.

cX&TERBURY win narrowly

[SPECIAL TO “STAB.”]

CHRISTCHURCH, August 27. In a match which was chock-full of thrills, the Canterbury ‘Rugby representatives to-day withstood a surprisingly strong challenge from West Coast, whom they defeated by 5 points to 3- The play was fast and open and delighted the gathering of over 7,000 spectators. The teams lined out as follow:— ,• West Coast: Backs. —J. King (list. 71b), C. Schroeder (12st 71b), G. Gilbert (12st 81b), L. Martyn (12st 101 b), W. Hughes (list 41b), A. Fong (10st 131 b), B. Scandrett (list 71b). Forwards.—W. Deere (14st), W. Buchanan (list 121 b), G. Kelly (12st 121 b), L. Hughes (13st), M. Thorilson (14st), F. Frbitas (14st 101 b), R. King (13st), E. Jones (12st 81b). Canterbury: Backs. — A. W. Roberts (12st 71b), W. Brown (list 81b), C. Oliver (12st 41b), R. Flewellyn . (list 31b), G. D. trines (14st 71b), R. Hazelhurst (12st), A. N. Bouterey (9st 81b). Forwards. —-A. Bowes (12st 81b), W. Pease (12st 81b), A. I. Cottrell (13st 5 lb), G. J. Howell (13st 51b), C. H. Perkins (13sf 101 b), J. Manchester (14st 21b), ft. King (13st 51b), G. Thompson (13st 121 b). Canterbury won the toss and West Coast played against a fairly stiff breeze. The Coast forwards worked their way to the Canterbury line almost immediately, and raised the hopes of their supporters, when Rob erts, who tried to evade a Coast loose rush, was caught in possession in his own in-goal. From the \ five-yards-scrum, L. Hughes secured; and was hauled down right on the line, after a great effort. Offside play by Freitas relieved the pressure, and Roberts cleared almost to half way. A loose Canterbury forward rush reached the Coast 25, where King (Canterbury), snapped up in the ruck, and made a good opening to send Cottrell over under the posts. Roberts added the extras. Canterbury 5, West Coast 0. The Canterbury backs were being given plenty of opportunities by Bou terey, who whipped the ball out every tifne he secured it, but the Coast tack ling was splendid, and try. as they did, the speedy home backs were unable to break through. The ball tiriie arid again passed through the whole chain ef Canterbury backs, but as sure as the Canterbury winger redrived the ball hd was downed. The speed of the home backs was bewildering; but clever defensive play on the part of the Coast backs, who kept well inside their irieri, always resulted in the three-quarters being crammed ori- the line, with little roqm in which to move, A fine Canterbury forward attack initiated by Cottrell had Coast in trouble, but good backing up resulted in Manchester being lowered close to the line. A scrum infringement gave a penalty to Coast, arid they eleafed a dangerous situation. Canterbury came back, assisted by a powerful linerkick by Roberts, and Thompson, Cottrell arid Manchester broke through with the ball at toe, only to be held up for an infringe orient. Freitas and Jones headed the visiting forwards in a loose rush, which cleared the line. The Coast backs swiirig into action and Hughes, Foilg and' Gilbert handled in a z promising movement, which ended in the Canterbury quarter. The Coast forwards screwed a scrum cleverly here, and swariried down on the line, but Etouterey, who was being given a torrid time,, saved well. A further liriekick by Roberts put Canterbury again pn attack; arid Bouter&y sent his backs away from a scrum on the Coast side of half-way. Inties attempted to cut in, but Fong made no mistake, and brought off a sure tackle. Cottrell, Bowes and Thompson carried on, but W. Hughes came round and found touch at the 25. Again Canterbury attacked, but again they were kept out, J. King making a clever save in the face of the hoihe forwards. A forward rush headed by Deere, Jones and Freitas had Canterbury defending, but the visiting backs failed, when in a scoring position, and Hazelhurst cleared. The Canterbury backs handled in numerous passing bouts, but they were unsuccessful, and were still attacking at the half-time whistle, with the score: Canterbury 5, West Coast 0.

SECOND HALF IWith the wind behind them in the second half, Coast soon attacked. Scandrett sent the backs away in a good movement, which ended in Schroeder being pushed out At the corner, and almost immediately afterwards, the visitors gained their points. Martyn intercepted cleverly on the Canterbury 25, where a back movement among the home backs broke.down, and ran strongly to score a great try at the corner, as he was up-ended by Roberts. Gilbert just flailed with the kick. Canterbury 5, West Coast 3.

A movement among the Canterbury backs saw Oliver with a fine burst of speed upset the Coast defence momentarily, but Gilbert came round and /brought him down. The Canterbury forwards kicked through to J. King, who found touch nicely at half-way. Again the Canterbury backs broke away, but Fong backed up well, and tackled Flewellyn as he received the ball from Oliver oh the Coast 25. Gilbert kicked hard to Roberts, who was' smothered by several visiting forwards, and the Coasters set up a very dangerous attack, which was, however, held up by a knock-ofi. Freitas, Jones, and R. King were playing great games in the open, and were a continual source of trouble to the Canterbury inside backs. Twice in quick succession Coast were penalised for infringements in litie outs near the home line, and Canterbury cleared. Manchester and Cottrell were prfominent in a concerted movement among the Canterbury forjvards, and soon had Coast defending. Innes cut in nic*y, but the Codst forwards overwhelmed him. Robei-ts had ah unsuccessful shot at

goal from a penalty, and Freitas secured to find line with a great kick almost oh the Canterbury 25. Scahdreti whipped the ball out smartly to his backs, but offside play spoiled a promising movement, and Roberts , sent Coast back. Oliver next made a k fine opening, and ran over thirty five ► yards with a brilliant dash. When threatened*, he let Flewellyh away with what looked to be a clear field ahead,. but J. King came across, and lowered the winger, with a shattering tackle. Flewellyn was momentarily out by the force of the tackle.

Canterbury now set up a hot attack, and gave Coast a hard time defending. Bouterey tried attacks on both sides of the scrum, but they failed, and he then made a good solo effort, only to be overwhelnaed by the Coast forwards. Coast battled their way out of trouble, all the forwards doing their share of the hard rucking, and play remained about mid-field for some minutes. Here Gilbert caught all the Canterbury backs out of position with a smart, effort, but delayed too long in passing to Martyn, and was tackled in possession. This was a good opportunity lost. Both sides were throwing the ball about at every opportunity, and play was highly exciting with such a small margin of points between the teams. From a scrum on the horiie side of half way all the visiting backs handled, and Schroeder put jn a great dash along the line, only to be hauled down five yards from the corner. He threw the ball in-field and Freitas, after a great effort to smash his way over, was pushed into touch. For the next five minutes the challengers gave Canterbury and theif supporters an anxious time, as attack after attack was launched on the Canterbury line. The visiting pack despite the fast pace at which the game had been played were bucking into it in fine style, and only great defence, an£ the experience of the homesters kept the line intact. A penalty for a lineout infringement allowed Canterbury to clear, and play was quickly transferred to the other end of the field, where Brown the Canterbury winger was ptished out at the corner. He tried to steal a march on the Coasters by exploiting the short throw-in, but a Coast forward beat Cottrell for the ball, and a force down resulted. Bouterey saved Canterbury on one occas-. ion by going down on the ball, when he was the pnly Canterbury man between several Coast forwards and the line. Coast agairi attacked strongly, and for the last ten minutes had Canterbury penned in their own 25. Scandrett made two great attempts to get rourid on the blirid side, but on each occasion he was downed. The Canterbury forwards kicked clear on one occasion, and from a good position on the 25, J. King made a great effort to pot a goal, the ball just dropping under the bar, for Canterbury to force down. Canterbury were still defending desperately at the final whistle. Scores: — Canterbury * 5 West Coast .. 3 Mr E. A. Empson was referee.

COMMENTS ON PLAYERS. The Coast backs all played wonderfully well on defence and acquitted themselves creditably on attack. Their tackling was superb, and gave the Canterbury backs few chances to get going. J. King, at full-back for Coast, gave a fine display, his positional play being very good. His kicking might have been more lengthy and itiore accurate, but the Wind was a handicap in the first spell, and the fact that the ground was new to him also affected his accuracy. His, cackling, like that of all the Coast backs, was deadly, and the tackle, with which h& downed Flewellyn, when the Canterbury winger was speeding for the lirie, was the most spectacular of the day, His atteitipt to pot a goal was a good one, and failed only by inches to put Coast ahead. Schroeder made numerous spirited dashes down the lirie, and his speed and elusiveness impressed. x He received more chances than Martyn and tirade the riiost of them. Martyn did all that was asked of him and his try was a good one, the result df a clever piece of work. Gilbert wsis Several times outpaced bv Oliver, but generally gave him little latitude. His work on attack was full

of dash and penetration. Fong was the outstanding back on the field. Ou attack he was clever and fast, and his deadly tackling and great backing up were features of his play. Opposed by Innes/the All Black, he did not miss his man all day, and repeatedly came round to cover the flanks and down Oliver or a winger. Hughes also did his share on defence, and showed up on occasions with dodgy runs. Scandrett gained valuable ground with line-kicks from the scrums and lineouts, and Canterbury found him an annoyance in this direction. His passes were crisp and accurate, more so, than those of his vis-a-vis, Bouterey. The backs all played up close in order to give the fast Canterbury backs as little room to move in as possible, and thus when they received the ball from the scrums, or line-outs, they were usually going too slowly to use it the best advantage. The tactics of the Coast backs in playing up close were justified by the speed with which they smothered the Canterbury backs. . The visiting forwards played great football and were a better pack than Canterbury, though the greater ex perience of the home team, was an asset. In the second spell Canterbury secured the ball from the scrums more frequently than in the first, but the dash of the Coast pack, and their fast breaking up, upset many Canterbury movements before they went far enough to be dangerous. Freitas was the outstanding Coast forward, and was in the thick of everything. His work in the line-outs, where he overshadowed Manchester, the All Black, was particularly valuable. Jones, and R. King were perhaps the most consistent of the other Coast forwards, but all were prominent at one time or another, and all justified their inclusion. As a team, the Coasters rose to the occasion nobly and their efforts as unexpected as they were brilliant, will not soon be forgotten. Roberts was a thorn in the side of the Coasters with his long raking lino kicks, and his tackling and positional play were beyond reproach. He gave a finished display in all departments. Neither of the Canterbury wingers received much of a chance to shine, but Flewellyn showed more dash and initiative than Brown. Oliver played a

good game, and was always a potential try-getter. His speed carried him past, several defenders time and again, but Fong usually came along at the opportune time to grass him. Innes was disappointing for an All Black, though fie played a sound game. More whs expected of him after the reputation he won in Australia, but on the day Fong had him well boxed up. Hazelhurst had A hard job to deal with the fast-breaking Coast forwards, but he performed well. He was not assisted by Routerey’s wild passes at times. Bouterey Was a tower of strength on defence, but his passing was frequently inaccurate. He sent the ball out at every opportunity, and on the majority of occasions his passes were good. The fact that Hazelhurst was standing well away from the halfway may have accounted for inaccuracies in the latter’s passing. Cottrell maintained fils reputation as a great forward, and was Canterbury’s best. He

was prominent in all the movements arid was given able assistance by R. King and Thompson. Pearse gave a good display as hooker. Manchester several times threw the ball out to his backs, and was prominent at times in the loose, but on the whole he was unimpressive as an All Black. Freitas shaded him in the line-outs. The Can. terbury team gave a more finished display than the challengers, but the defence of the Coast side was too much for the home team. SHORT TIME PLAYED. Play had been in progress only thirty-seven minutes in the second spell, when the final whistle went, arid as Coast had had all the better of the last quarter of an hour, the early termination of the game was a disappointment to their supporters and to the great majority of those pre sent.

The referee, Mr E. A. Empson, admitted his mistake in calling time too soon, but said lie had compared the time with one of the line umpires (the Canterbury one) before the final whistle sounded, and he had agreed with the referee that there was then one minute to go. The manager of the West Coast team (Mr A. A. Adams) would make no comment on the matter. The game was over, and that was the end of it, as far as he was concerned. The President of the Canterbury Rugby Union, (Mr H. E. McPhaii) would make no comment when the complaint that short time had been played was referred to him, beyond stating that the referee was the sole judge of time. It appeared that had the referee not made a mistake, there would have been eight minutes more play, and as Coast were attacking strongly at the final whistle, what looked to be a great chance of their lifting the Shield was lost. The President of the Canterbury Rugby Union, said after the match, “I must congratulate Mr Alan Adams and his West Coast team, who, on their game to-day, should have won the Shield.”

It was suggested by members of the Canterbury Rugby Union on Saturday night that should Canterbury hold the Shiled against other challengers, they make a trip to Greymouth and play a match with the West Coast for the Shield. >

COAST JUNIORS BEATEN. In the curtain-raiser to the Shield match, the West Coast junior repre sentatives were soundly beaten by the Canterbury senior B representatives. Almost immediately Canterbury set up an attack, and all the backs handled in a good movement for Mann *o score at the corner. Ollivier missed with the kick. Canterbury 3, Coast nil. Coast set up an attack from the kick-off, but Calwell and Southern were both tackled when within striking distance of the line. After a clever opening made by Ollivier, Dromgoole went over undei- the posts for Cobden to convert. Canterbury s, Coast nil. The Canterbury backs were much superior as a combination, tq the Coasters, and just before halftime, they combined in another pretty movement which resulted in OlliyiriT scoring for Cobden to add the extra points. Canterbury 13, Coast nil. With the advantage of a fairly stiff breeze in the second spell, the visitors played well for a time, and following a good passing bout among ths backs, Southern scored at the corner. Eggleton failed to convert. Can terbury 13, Coast 3. Canterbury had all the better of the play from now on, and though the Coasters defended stoutly, Ollivier, and Coopei* (2), scored tries, one of which was converted by Ollivier. It was the superiority of the home backs that won the gamu Final score: Canterbury senior B 21, West Coast juniors 3.

MERIVALE V. COBDEN. CHRISTCHURCH, August 27. In third grade Rugby, Merivale 27 beat Cobden G. SEDDON SHIELD MATCH.’

BULLER (13), V. NELSON (3).

WESTPORT, August 27.

Under wretched weather conditions, Buller to-day retained the Seddon Shield, defeating the Nelson repre sentatives by 13 points to 3. The home side adapted themselves better to the conditions, and always had the game in hand. Holder (2), and McNeighi scored tries for Buller, Graham converting two, and Snodgrass scored ai. unconverted try, the best of the day, for Nelson. The players on both sides were unable to handle the greasy ball with any degree of certainty, but the form they showed suggested that they would have produced some sparkling football on a dry ground. Mr J. R. Collins was referee.

DITTMAN SHIELD.

GREY DEFEAT LAKE BRUNNER.

But for the wretched weather conditions that prevailed, the Lake Brunner Sub-Division representatives would have put in a more serious claim in their challenge for the Dittman Shield than they did when they played the Greymouth fifteen at Rugby Park on Saturday. As it was the game was very even, but the home team emerged winners by 8 points to 0. Rain fell throughout the match and conditions were unpleasant for the small attendance of spectators. The ground developed into a regular quagmire as the game progressed. The Greymouth side adapted themselves well to the conditions, and although the other side had had as much of the game territorially, their efforts were nullified by the number of their players endeavouring to handle the ball; impossible tactics in the circumstances.

Collins played full-back for Greymouth, he not being chosen to play for Lake Brunner, and he gave a finished exhibition of handling. He was responsible on numerous occasions for clearances from dangerous onslaughts of the tireless Sub-Division packmen. Garring was another Greymouth back who stood out prominently throughout. His work on attack and defence was bright and snappy, while his try was a smart effort. Kirkland, gave a good showing as hooker for Greymouth, and with Furness, Scandrett and Petrie stood out among a hard working set. W. Bell and Birchfield were outstanding in the Sub-Division pack. Roigard proved to be a safe full-back for the visitors, whilst their best inside backs were Reid and Taafe. Helem, the half-back, too often attempted to handle the ball from the base of the scrum, with disastrous results. Lake Brunner, particularly in the second spells had the homsters penned

in their 25 for lengthy periods, but errors such as endeavouring to pass let Greymouth forwards break through with the ball at toe, and all the good work of the visitors’ forwards was spoiled. The teams were:— Greymouth (red and white): —Collins- Jamieson, Reynolds, McEnaney; Negri, Lindbom; Garring; Bell (capt), Kirkland, Crossman, Dunne, Scandrett, Petrie, A.' King, Furness. Lake Brunner (green and white): — Roigard; Kennedy, Ogilvie, McKendrie; Taafe, Reid; Helem;. J. Malloy, W. Bell, Davidson, Birchfield (captain), Rapley, Wilson, Knight, Cowan. For the first ten minutes Lake Brunner set up a hot attack, and Grey mouth were kept defending in their 25. . Even play followed for some time, and then taking advantage of a break-down in a passing movement by the Lake Brunner backs, Greymouth forwards swarmed into the visitors’ territory, further working their way to the line, where the ball was carried over. A five yards scrum was ordered, and Garring secured to dive over in a handy position,. J. Bell converted. Greymouth 5, Lake Brunner 0. Play was desultory until half-time* was called, no further score being registered. Lake Brunner made valiant efforts in the second spell to open their scoring account, and were within an ace of their objective on several occasions, but faulty handling and a stubborn defence kept them out. Halfway through the spell Greymouth added a further three points, when Lindbom picked up, and crossed after a loose rush. J. Bell failed to convert, and the game ended’ soon afterwards without further addition to the score. The final score was: Greymouth 8, Lake Brunner 0.

Mr F. J. Tempero was a capable referee. . X

Owing to the weather, and the state of the ground, the curtain raiser was not played.

WAIUTA V. EXCELSIORS. Playing at Blackwater yesterday, Waiuta defeated Excelsiors by six points to three. The ground was Very wet, and the greasy ball made handling hard, the game being a forward one. For Waiuta, Chandler and Ford scored tries, while McGee scored a try for Excelsiors. Mr R. Davies was referee.

IN OTHER CENTRES.

WELLINGTON V. TARANAKI.

WELLINGTON, August 27.

Wellington defeated Taranaki by 18 points to 17. The honours of the game, however, ■ went to the losers, who played a far better game than Wellington. Apart from the heavy wind, which favoured Taranaki in the first spell, and Wellington in the second, the conditions were good The teams were: —

Wellington: Cresswell, N. Ball, Killeen, MacDonald, Griffiths, Neal, Tindill, Quaid, Lambourne, Diederich, McLean, McPherson, Martin, Barry, Stiver. .' >

Taranaki: —A. Collins, L. Petty, R. Watson, Hunter, Haughton, C. Gudgeon, G. Edwards, J. Young, Gargan, R. Lusk, J. Walker, O. O’Dowd, ’ R. Clarke, D Murphy, C. Wills. Taranaki led by 17 to 8 at the interval. The scorers for Taranaki were: Gargan, Wills, Clarke, and Walter. Collins converted one try and kicked a penalty. Ball (two), Griffiths and MacDonald scored for Wellington. Neal converted three. Taranaki, aided by a fair wind, made a hot attack from the start, and mishandling by the Wellington backs saw them present an opening to Taranaki, Gargan going over under the posts. From a beautiful movement begun by Walker and Killeen, Ball carried on, beating three men, to pass out to Griffiths, who crossed. From a fine burst of passing among both backs and forwards, Ball broke through again to score behind the posts. Wellingtoli were tossing the ball about well, but their movements were mainly across the field. Bi’eatc ing up quickly, the Taranaki forwards smothered play and Wills wen l through to score. From another ruck ing movement, Clarke crossed. Taranaki were now pressing hard, and Col. lins added with a penalty. Just before half-time Taranaki scored again. Play was exciting in the second spell. Taranaki forwards were more than holding their own, and the backs gave Wellington no room to work. At ter thirty minutes, Wellington broke away, Griffiths leading a bout of in-and-out passing, for McDonald to cross McLean sent Wellington away again, and Killeen carried on, for Bail to cross. , Neal converted. Both teams made the pace in the closing stages.

POVERTY BAY V. HAWKE’S BAY

GISBORNE, August 27. The second local instance of a Rugby match this season being ruined through the non-replacement rule was provided to-day by the Hawke’s Bay v Poverty Bay Rugby clash, the latter winning by 8' to 6. Early in the game C. le Quesne, & visiting fiveeigthth, sustained a broken leg. Fiom then on the result was never really in doubt, though territorially the play was fairly even. Hawke’s Bay, assisted by a strong wind, attacked for most of the first half, which ended: Hawke’s Bay 6, Poverty Bay 3. Halfway through the second spell, Halsman, who scored the first try for the homesters, paved the way for Carrington to score, Dennis converting. For Hawke’s Bay, Mataira scored an unconverted try, and Grant goaled with a penalty.

S. CANTERBURY V OTAGO.

TIMARU, August 27

South Canterbury defeated North Otago to-day by sixteen points ro eleven. The visitors led by eight points to six at the interval, but failed to use the wind to the best advantage in the second half. Tries were scored for the winners by Ryan, Adkins, Cailinan, and Seaton, two being converted by Meakle. For the losers, Grain ger and Tempero scored, Grainger con verting one and kicking a penalty goal. WAIRARAPA V. MANAWHENUA. MASTERTON, August 28. Wairarapa defeated Manawhenua yesterday by 22 to 16. The game was fast but uninteresting, the standard of play for the most part, being shockingly crude. For Wairarapa McGregor (two), Burgess, Stringfellow. Himona, and Nunn scored tries, and Stringfellow converted two. McKenzie (two) and Cooper scored tries for Manawhenua. Cooper and Barrett converted one each and Cooper kicked a penalty goal.

DUNEDIN MATCH.

DUNEDIN, August 27. _ Rugby: Varsity A. 20, Southern e. (Ainge Charity Shield). AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, August 27. Varsity 13, Manukau 3, taking third place to Grammar and Ponsonby. Grammar 11, Technical Old Boys nil; Otahuhu 21, Grafton 8; Ponsonby won from Training College by default. WELLINGTON TOURING TEAM. WELLINGTON, August 27.. The following Wellington team has been "selected for the southern tour: — Backs: Cresswell, Pollock, Ball, MacDonald, Killeen, Hislop, Griffiths, Neal, Robins, and Tindall. Forwards: Quaid, Lambourne, Dederich, McLean, Reid, McPherson, Martin, Lamason, Keeney, and Staver. ALL BLACK’S “SPORTSMANSHIP. WELLINGTON, August 29. Though he has not been available for representative'selection, this season, preferring to confine his activities to club football, L. Johnson, the exAll Black, has accepted the invitation of the Wellington Rugby Union tc captain the combined Wellington Senior A and Senior B team, winch is to tour the West Coast Unions. Johnson has been playing fpotbal. throughout the competition senes, and it has been recognised he would have been one of the first representatives for selection had he been available. However, lie sportingly stood down, so tljat the younger players should have a chance. SYDNEY PREMIERS. SYDNEY, August 29. In the Rugby Union competition, Drummovne are major premiers, and will meet Manly, tho minor premiers, in the grand final next Saturday.