RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 July 1933, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RUNDLE CUP MATCH. : WEST COAST 11, DULLER 8. The SYsst Cogst Rugby representatives (challengeJ’S) defeated Buller at Victoria Square, Westport, on. Saturday. In a match for the Rundle Cup, by 11 points ,to 8, before a large attendance. The 'ground was sodden following recent fains, and the ball •j?obn ’ became heavy and greasy, thus .making handling difficult. ■ The ganm ’.jwas not as spectacular or •th.rillmg as. .was anticipated, the first spell, wlicn 4Coast had the territorial advantage, jbeing very tame, except for a few isolated movements. The second spell brightened up considerably, and. towards the end there was intense as Buller reduced West {Coast’s lead to one of three, ;Both sets of backs opened hp ~: the: .'game at every opportunity, but deadly tackling by both sides usually_set:'tled back movements before they ‘went far. The visitors had the ter■ritoriail advantage throughout the first - spell; camping in the Buller quarter for long periods, but /seemed unable to press home their ■> advantage. Buller made fairly fre■quent excursions of shorter duration into the West Coast territory, but the \Coast defence held. The visiting forwards had an advantage in weight and secured the ball from the majority of thp scrums, with the result that the Coast. backs had plenty of opportunities. However, Buller also received a good share of the ball, and, their backs were not starved. The Coast forwards did not break up as 'smartly aS their opponents, due probably to their intentness on putting in their Weight, but in the second spell they did better in this respect Jones and King causing’ the Buller backs a deal of concern. The home forwards gave,as much as they received in the loosed and on occasions had the defence badly rattled. The Coast backs .'appeared to have more dash and penetration than their opponents, whose centre of attack was Holder. The superior pace of the Buller wingers saved them on several occasions, when Coast wingers broke away from passing rushes. E. Pfahlert, the Coast custodian, a wing three-quarter, who was tried cut as full-back, was not a success. His positional play was not good, due, no doubt, to his lack of experience m the position, , while his handling was ijot of the-best. -He was not called on 'to.tackle to ahy great extent, but hi? jilie-kickirig could have been improved Considerably. C. Schroder seemed to iliave an Off day for he was not nearly tas bright as usual. His tackling was 'not good. His was a good, effort which sent W. Hughes over. L. ■Martyn, ;tlie other Coast winger, made 4the most' of’his opportunities, and the ti-y he scored was the work of a .strong determined winger.

GILBERT WAS THE BEST . BACK on the ground, he doing a tremendous amount of work in all departments. The try he scored was a beauty. On defence'his backing up saved several dangerous situations. A. Fong, still feeling the effects of a bad ankle, played a sound game. He was closely .watched /throughout, and. he was given few chances on attack. His passing was a model of accuracy and crispness. As usual, he was a tower of strength on defence, his tackling being deadly. W. Hughes makes a practice of unwinding at least one' brilliant run during a game, and on Saturday his effort resulted in a fine try. Throughout the game he was sound in all departments, and he made no mistakes. B. Scandrett played a fine game behind the Coast pack. His passes were much surer than those of his opposite, and his defence was beyond reproach. Again and again hisHin'e kicks from the base of the scrum or from the line-out, gained valuable ground for his team. -/■Scandrett appears to have the happy .Jtnack of always doing the right thing. L. Hughes was the most prominent of the Coast front row, and did a lot of work in the loose. J. Kirkland and B. Kelly with M. Thomson were solid workers in the tight," the last-named being perhaps the best of the three. Kirkland acquitted himself well as hooker. R. King, the Coast secondrow forward was the

THE BEST FORWARD on the. ground. He was a- tiger for wpiik in all departments and led-the pack consistently. His fast, breaking from the scrums and lineouts was a feature of his play. F. Freitas, the captain, was another who played well. He pushed his weight in the scrums and shone consistently in the loose. M. Scandrett was in the thick of everything without being very prominent in the loose. His best work was in the tight solid scrummaging. E. Jones, the last man down, as was his game, gave the Buller inside backs plenty of trouble. He was always in the picture in the loose. W. Greer player a surprisingly good game as custodian for Buller, and did not let them down once. His positional play and handling were faultless, while his line-kicking was very valuable. His effort to hold Afurtyn, when the Coast winger scored was . good, and it was Martyn’s good ‘ work rather than Greer’s poor tackle, liiat resulted in a try being scored/ J. Hill was the best of the Buller three-quarters, and gave a. fine exhibition. His speed was a distinct asset, and he made several very dangerous’runs. T. Connolly, the other home winger, gave a sound display, without being brilliant. E. Holder, the All Black, was the best Buller back, being always dangerous on attack, and a sound defender. In addition to scoring one try .he made a beautiful opening for Hill to score. Loder, the captain, was the more impressive of the five-eighths,' though Simpson, marking Kong, carried out his job well. Loder was fast off the mark, and passed crisply, but he found W. Hughes too hard to get ’ past. A. Reid played a creditable game behind the home pack. At timeshis passing was a little erratic, but; on defence, he went down to everything in approved style. The Buller forwards were n very even lot, all doing their share. G. Orman, the hooker, was consistently in the- picture., W. MeNcight was unfortunate in having to rctiir. but Ins substitute E. Morcton. gave a good display, bi-! efforts in the loose being valuable. R. Gilsennan was a valuable lineout man, and was a consistent toiler in the tight. Robinson and Jack were more prominent in the Ibose, as was J. Calwell. The latter did not play with as much dash as is expected of a loose forward. G.. Mason and Stewart, were solid graft-

ers, with Mason perhaps the more consistent. THE PEAY.

The teams were as tollow. -- ( West Coast (red and white). I nilback E. Pfahlert, three-quarteib, C. Schroder, 0. Gilbert. L.M»r yn; fiveeighths, A. Pong, W. a , back B- Scand;e.t; forward., L, Hughes, J. Kirkland, B Kelly, RAW, R. Thomson, M. Scandrett, r. F ••(captain); . E. Jones. Buller (cardinal and blue). Full bgrk W Greer; three ■quarter £ j, l. Connolly E. Holder, P. Hill; fiveeighths,J. Simpson, D. S. Loder (captain); half-back, A. Rem; forwards, G. G. Orman, J Stewqit , Itob.iison; G. Jack.'R. •Gilsennaii, W. MeNeight, J. Culdwcllr.. • won the <oss- hucl i)layed w<th the sun at their backs, Holder kicking off for Buller. The Bulier nacKS went away from a serum, at halt-way, but 'Simpson was c iUght ’ in possession;, and another scrum resulted. • brom that .Coast-secured and B. Scandrmt sent'Hiis‘jbacks/away. Gilbert sent a had ;pa?s-to-Schroder, but the wingei found, touch on the 25 with a heity speculator.;’^'M. Beandrett showed up in a strong run, but "the Buller pack with a loose rush returned play to midfield. . Freitas sent Coast back again into the Buller quarter with a ■long line. McNeiglit received an injury to his knee at this stage, and was forced to leave the field. He was replaced by Moreton. • A scrum on the Buller side of half-way saw Fong receive from Scandrett. He - shortpunted, and Gilbert following up fast caught Greer in possession, and toilowing a melee the ball went out in the Buller 25, Coast were doing all the attacking, but there was not muc i play of an exciting nature during the first quarter of an hour. On one occasion when the visitors looked dangerous, Orman took a clever mark. His kick, however, went straight to Schroder, who raced infield. He transferred to W. Hughes, who cut clean through the opposing backs to score a fine try under, the posts. It was a smart pieC© of' tvork, cleverly capped by Hughes.- Fong missed an easy kick. West .Coast 3, Buller nil. After Coast, had again driven Bui er into .their .25; .a/penalty saw Holder .find touch at half-way.. The Buller forwards, headed by Orman, Gilsennan and Robinson broke through the line-out, and the ball came out to Holder. The centre kicked high, and Pfahlert saved a dangerous situation for Coast, by forcing down. From a scrum after the. drop out, the Buller backs went, away in a snappy movement, Hill being pushed out about ten yards''from the line.. Reid secured from the line-oqt, and whipped out to Loder, who, however, was caught in possession by Hughes. The Buller backs again went away in a nice movement. Hill evaded', a high tackle by Schroder, but; Gilbert came across in time to tip .his'Feel and upset him a few yards from the line. A line-kick by B. Scandrett took play to half-way, but Buller, came again, and Gilbert again saved what looked like a tiy when he grassed Connolly when within fifteen yards-of the line. The home pack were playing,with plenty of dash, and giving the Cdast defence plenty of trouble. Pfahlert, by running into the pack, after he-had fielded the ball well, gave Coast some anxious moments, but a little later he went down well to a rush headed by Orman, Jack, ' and Stewart, and'saved the situation. From a scrum near the Coast line, Scandrett booted downfield, and the Coast forwards carried on to the Buller 25.. Thomson, gcandrett, and King were noticeable for. strong work in a loose rush, but Greer sent them back. A solid battle took place on the Buller '25, until Reid cleared. From halfway, the Buller backs swung into action, and Hill at/the end of the line, short punted for Pfahlert to force •d’own. Gilbert stole' a inarch on Buller when ho gave only a short kick for the drop-out,.and the ball went out at hall-way. .From here Jones and King led the Coast forwards into the Buller quarter, where they were held up. The Cdast backs-got moving,-but deadly tackling upset the movement, and a long line-kick fby Holder again put his side oir the fright side of halfway. Gilsennan and Mason were at the head of a Buller loose rush, which Pfahlert made a poor attempt to stop. Coast were in dire trouble for a few minutes, but Fong ’ broke through a Buller passing bout and cleverly drove them back to the 25. W. Hughes was ruled Off-side.near half-way, and Holder tried for a goal. The ball, however, was too heavy, and fell short, i’ong gained good ground with a line.ack,' and Coast were again on the Offensive.. Twice 1, the Coast backs handled to the end ,of the .line, but on •/•th occasions they failed to penetrate the de. once. Then. Robinson broke through with the ball at his toe, and took play well downfield. The Buller forwards with a concerted dribbling rush had the Coast defence all at sea, but Martyn’s pace enabled him to kick the ball out near the corner. Coast cleared their line aided by a penalty against Loder for off-side play, and then Scandrett gained about forty yards with a kick, which won applause. Then from a return kick, the ball bounded off Martyn’s chest into Gilbert’s hands. The centre clapped on top speed and swerved and side-utepped his way past four or five men to score a great try well out. Martyn added the extras with a fine kick. West Coast 8, Buller nil. Halftime came soon afterwards, with no change in the score, and play about the Coast 25. Both teams had endeavoured, to open up the game, but the ball was heavy and greasy, and consequently hard to handle. Play had not been very exciting, particularly in the first quarter of an hour, which was very tame. However, there was some fine forward play, both packs working hard all the time.

SECOND SPELL. ' ■'ljay had not been long in progress in the. second spell, when Reid sent his backs away on the Coast side of half-way in a- mo.vcment which caught almost all the Coast backs'out of position. Hill made a great run down the line till Fong came across and lowered him with a shattering tackle inside .the-'Visitors’ 25. The ball was kicked back infield, and then over the line, and. Holder, with his geat pace, won in a race for the ball to touch down well out. He failed to convert. West ■Coast JS, Buller 3. Mason (Buller) was injured and bad to leave the held. lie was replaced by R. Gardner. The Coast lacks broke away in a snappy movement, ami Fong, who was closely watched, cut through and beat one man. He sent on to Gilbert to Schroder, who kicked out on the Buller 25. The Buller backs broke away for Holder to kick downfield to Pfahlert. The visitors’ full-back camo up at .top speed, fielded the ball beautifully” and found touch near, the home

25 He was applauded for a good piece of work. Jack and Moreton were in front of a Buller rush, which ended when Fong found touch at halfway. From here B. Scandrett came round the blind side of a scrum and sent on to Martyn, who ran stongly for 20 yaids before he was lowered by Connolly; First Orman and then Reid sent the home backs-away, but low, hard tackling by the Coasters always upset the movements. Greer was applauded for a long kick which found touch at half-way. Here Buller were awarded a penalty, and Holder punted high. A misunderstanding between Gilbert and M. Scandrett let Buller in, and Orman took the ball in his stride. ■There was great excitement as a terrific forward battle ensued on the Coast 25. Working like tigers, Coast literally pushed Buller back to near hah’-way. R. King, L. Hughes and Jones were at the head of the pack. When a Coast rearguard movement broke down, Gilbert found touch at the 25. Then from a scrum about there, Scandrett. whipped the ball out to Hughes to Fong to Gilbert to Martyn. Th© winger cut infield as he received the ball, and beat the winger, Connelly. He broke through Greer’s tackle with a great effoit, and dived over to a well-merited try well out. He failed with the kick. West Coast 11, Buller 3.

Play had been resumed only a few minutes when Buller landed their second try. Reid sent his backs away from a scrum on the 25. Loder. Simpson and Holder handled, and the centre cut in beautifully. broke through Gilbert’s tackle, and drew the lull-back before sending on to Hill, who ran over unopposed in a. good position. It was a good try. the result of a line opening by Holder, who raised the flags with a. good kick. West Coast 11, Buller S. Excitement now became intense, and spirited barracking came from all parts of the field. Gilbert put in a good run down the line and kicked' to Greer. The full-back kicked over the Coast line, and Schroder forced. Several times the Coast forwards attacked, hut kicked too hard, and Greer made no mistake in sending them back. Scandrett seal th (; visitors’ backs away in a movement which ended when Martyn way tackled in the Buller 25. From a melee Gilbert broke away and looked dangerous, but Holder tackled him from behind. B. Scandrett sent W. Hughes away on the blind side, and the five-eighths found touch five yards from the line. Coast now set up a hot attack on the home line. The forwards put plenty of weight and dash into their wor.k,

but the defence held. Twice the Coast backs tried to open up the game, but Greer sent them back twice. Pfahlert secured from a return kick, and punting high, followed up fast. Greer secured, but his kick was smothered, and Pfahlert secured again, only to be tackled. Coast kept up the pressure for some.'minutes, but Hill relieved Buller by kicking through, and finding touch at half-way. The Buller backs handled on two occasions. On the first, Gilbert grassed Holder as he tried to back through, but on the second Holder put in a long run, but bis pace went astray in the Coast 25, when Buller had a great opportunity. W. Hughes kicked clear, and King, Kelly and L. Hughes led the Coasters out of the danger zone. The loose forward rush reached the 25, where Gilbert with a clear run in, was brought back, Martyn having knocked the ball on. A penalty and then a line-kick by Greer sent Coast back, but King led his men back to the attack.- The visiting forwards were playing line football, and now had decidedly the better of the argument. The Coast backs made an effort to break through, but Greer kicked through, and the ball ultimately rolled out on the half-way mark. Greer was proving a tower of strength, and saved Buller time and again. Before the close of the game, Xing led his forwards in another onslaught on the Buller line, but the deence held, and, the final whistle sounded, with the scores: — West Coast 11 Buller 8 Mr 11. Casey controlled the game.