RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 July 1933, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

RU RU DEFEAT TE KINGA. After a hard and exciting game be fore a large attendance, Ru Ru defeat ed Te Kinga at Moana, by 24 points t< 13. The scores do not indicate tin closeness of the game; in fact T Kinga' had Ru Ru defending for mor than three parts of the match am were unlucky in not adding to thei score on several occasions. Te Kinga kicked off. Ru Ru bavin? six players on the field to defend thei goal line. However, Te Kinga electei to kick to the line instead of goin? over foi- a try. The Ru Ru team wa soon up to full strength. Ru Ru wen first to score, L. Southern breakin? away to kick to C. Cowan, who kickei across field, the ball going back ove the goal line for L. Southern to rac< up and touch down in a handy posi tion. Birchfield failed to convert, mak ing the score Ru Ru 3, Te Kinga nil The Te Kinga pack soon had Ru Ri defending, and a long period of line outs and scrums took place near tin Ru Ru line, Birchfield Taaffe and Ken nedy having a busy time defending frequent force-downs helping to sene Te Kinga back. Eventually, R. Birch field made a great run to send to Ken nedy, who raced down field along th< touch line, sending back infield t( Birchfield, who raced over to toucl down behind the posts for a great try Birchfield converted to make the scon Ru Ru 8, Te Kinga nil. From the kick off Te Kinga wer< soon camped on the Ru Ru line. Ru Ri were penalised in front of the post: for C. Cowan to goal. Ru Ru 8, T( Kinga 3. The Te Kinga forwards were nov playing all over Ru Ru. Klempel miss kicked across his own goal mouth, D Beaton fielded smartly, but was heli up on the line, but managed to throv himself clear, and go over for a tr? mear the posts. C. Cowan converted Ru Ru 8, Te Kinga 8. Te Kinga were now definitely super ior to Ru Ru and looked like addin? to their score, but the Ru Ru forward: put more dash into their' play, and i great struggle ensued, Ru Ru gettin? into Te Kinga territory for the firs time by forward play. From a scrun on the Te Kinga line Reg Birchfieh at half received. , slipped round th< open side, gave a perfect dummy am raced round behind the posts, to scon a fine try, and add the major points Half time was then called with Ru Ri leading 13 to 8. After the interval Te Kinga looke< like running up a big score, J. Hibb: scoring for Te Kinga about five min utes after the game resumed. C. Cowai converted, making the scores 13 all Tremendous excitement prevailed whei Te Kinga continued to hammer at thi Ru Ru line. Weinberg was almos over on one occasion, and only splen did defensive play by Birchfield kep him out. The Ru Ru backs, as usua came to the rescue in the last hal hour, Kennedy, Taaffe and L. South orn being too speedy for the opposi tion. L. Southern " raced half th< length of the field to be downed by C

Cowan and Birchfield, Kennedy am Taaffe launched frequent attacks whicl tested the defence, T. Hibbs and Hodg kinson being promient in good defen sive play. From a line out S. Cham berlain received and handed back t< Birchfield, who sent Kennedy awa; for a good try beside the posts. Birch field converted, making the scores Ri Ru 18, Te Kinga 13. Up and down play followed with Ri Ru backs staging frequent premising back movements. L. Southern wai almost clear on several occasions Eventually he was rewarded, whei with great determination, he threv himself over for a well earned try The kick at goal failed. Ru Ru 21, T( Kinga 13. Taaffe put the issue be yond doubt when he raced 50 yards beating a half-a-dozen would-be tack lers to touch down wide out. R. Birch field’s kick failed. Ru Ru 24, Te Kingi 13. Te Kinga forwards were on toj during the closing stages of the game; but the Ru Ru defence held until the whistle went foi’ time, with the score Ru Ru 24, Te Kinga 13. Mr S. Kinraid controlled the game

For Te Kinga, D. Beaton was the best forward on the ground, and was ably supported by Maughan, Weinberg, W. Becker, and J. Hibbs. T. Hibbs and Hodgkinson were the pick of the. backs, while Cosgrove showed up on both attack and defence. * Williams at centre was forced to retire through injuries, five minutes before the game ended. For Ru Ru F. Dunstan and W and I. Willis were a hard working trio, and were ably assisted by Robinson and I 'Chamberlain. R. Birchfield besides i playing half-back, assisted the forwards on numerous occasions. Taaffe, ( i Kennedy, and L. Southern played their) usual game, and with R: Birchfield/ were responsible for Ru Ru’s win. ) KOTUKU 13 v. STILLWATER 9. (

The Kotuku team defeated Stillwater, by 13 points to 9. Stillwatei were decidedly on top in (he first spell and lead by 6 to 3 at half time. The Kotuku forwards, ably led by C. Bryan, paved the way for two tries in the second spell. For Kotuku tries were scored by M. and J. Crimmins, both being converted by J. Molloy, who also kicked a penalty. For Stillwater, Collins and J. Warren (2), scored tries. The match was a rugged forward game with Stillwater vainly trying to open up the game. They did make a few good passing rushes; but the Kotuku forwards were breaking very quickly and were usually able to stop any dangerous back movements. For Kotuku C. Bryan was the outstanding forward, being a tower of strength to his side. J. Crimmins was a hard worker in the scrums. J. Malloy was the best of the backs and played a safe game at centre. For Stillwater, M. Hallinan was the best forward, while J. McEwan, J Warren and R. Smith played well.’ Of the backs, Collins played a safe game. F. Croft at half got the hail away smartly, while O’Brien played well at full back, sending Kotuku back with deep line kicks. Mr V. Satheriey controlled the game.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Lake Brunner Sub-Division followers are delighted with the result of the first representative fixture, at Greymouth. Every member of the team fully justified the confidence placed in them by the selectors. The members of the team cannot express adequate appreciation for Mr Baillie’s attention during the day, and it is hoped that the Sub-Division will endeavour to show their appreciation in a practical manner when the Greymouth team returns the match. Te Kinga have a fine forward pack , Beaton, Weinberg and Maughan are a trio of forwards who would rot dis-

grace any provincial side, 'while W. Becker and J. Hibbs would be a welcome addition to many a senior fifteen. T. Hibbs is the only senior back in the Te Kinga team; but has to play out of his place in club football. K. Hodgkinson is fast approaching senior standard, and will be a fine player with a little more experience. The Rußu forwards are bettei- than they get credit for. F. Dunstan played a

great game. Ivan Willis played his best game to date; but should learn Ito back up. He would then be a good . forward and. would not be caught offside so much. Ray Birchfield's try iWhen he sold the dummy reminded 1 one of Jimmy Mill. L. Southoin’s de-1 fence was almost up to standard on Sunday. Continuous improvement would be welcome, in view of approaching rep. matches. S. Connors is a welcome addition to the Ru Ru. team.

Ru Ru have now Avon the Shield, and would still have a one point lead if defeated by Kopara in their last match.

SEDDON SHIELD. NELSON, July 4. For a number of Aveeks there has been an interchange of correspondence between the Nelson and West Coast Rugby Unions, regarding Nelson's challenge date for Seddon Shield, which’ was originally set doAvn for July 22. For various reasons, the West Coast does not Avish to play on that date, and Nelson has advanced reasons for not accepting other dates, which have been offered by the Coast. The Nelson Union, last night, itecided to refer the matter to the Noav Zealand Union for a ruling.

POSITION OF TEAMS. Points Sli’ld P. W. L. D. For Ag’st P. Ru Ru .. 7 6 1 97 54 12 Kopara 6 3 2 1 20 28 7 Te Kinga 6 3 3 52 43 6 Kotuku 7 3 3 1 51 66 7 Stillwater 7 1 6 30 56 2 Stillwater and Kotuku defaulted to Kopara.