LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1933, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

WEST COAST BEAT INANGAHUA. RAIN INTERFERES WITH PLAY. Steady rain, which commenced on Saturday night, and continued almost without a break yesterday, was sufficient to cause a postponejnent of the League match between the West Coast Centre’s senior representative team,.and the Inangahua Sub-Centre’s team. The match eventuated, due to the fact that fine weather conditions prevailed north of Ngahere, and the special train arrived bringing the visiting team and supporters, forty-three of the latter from as far north as Murchison. Centre officials endeavoured to arrange for a postponement, but more than 200 people were seated in the train before the weather conditions at Greymouth were telephoned through, and the game had' to go on. The playing field at Wingham Park was covered by a sheet of water, which was being added to continuously throughout the play. There was an attendance of approximately 500. Half this, number of people watched the game, while sheltering in the many cars that were on the grounds. The other 250 received a thorough “ducking.” Both teams must be given credit for an excellent display, especially in the first spell. The play lacked nothing in interest, but it was the clean handling of the backs in the first half that brought forth favourable comment. This was attributable to the ball being more wet than greasy, as the ground did not cut up badly until the second spell. Better combination, and a greater knowledge of the finer points of play, especially in the forward division, assisted Coast towards victory. Inangahua were defeated by 22 points to 5, but such a result does not portray the good football displayed, and the many territorial advantages secured by the losing team. They were not as determined a side when near their opponents’ line, as were the Coast players, and failed to press home their advantages when in a position to strike. They were unfortunate in losing Scott, a clever back, while the absence of C. McElwee, their regular custodian, also weakened their defence. Lamberton was much too slow in this position. Morris and Savage were the pick of the visiting backs, while Ford, Dutton and Robinson were equal to the best in the opposing pack. For West Coast, Dodds played a magnificent game, he being the outstanding back on the field. Martyn at fullback, was next, his work being his best this ' season. Repeatedly he kicked to an opening in the Inangahua team, making it necessary for the opposing players to run some distance to the ball. His tackling and handling remained solid throughout, and this player has solved the question as to who will be full-back in the repre- i sentative team. Preston, behind the West Coast scrum, was another that < gave an excellent showing. His speedy 1 movements and transfers nonplussed 1 Masters on several occasions, and it 1 was common to see Masters receiving s the ball while standing flat-footed, in- ( stead of gathering speed, as ho usually i does. Preston was also grand on de- 1 fence. The other backs played solid- >

ly without being brilliant, Wooster showing up best. Hunt was the best forward in the Coast team, his loose play being high-class, and his efforts in combining with the backs resulting in many promising movements. Calder and Behan were next, Beban being especially noticeable for valuable work. The other trio, by their efforts, did not threaten their chances of inclusion in the touring team. It was the best pack that Coast has fielded for some seasons, and their work in the second spell was the outstanding feature of the play. Dodds retired in the second half., suffering from cramp, and’ he was replaced by O’Connor, who did all required of him. After ten minutes of play in the first spell, Scott (Inangahua) sustained a broken rib, and his loss was a severe handicap to the visiting team. Maloney replaced him. THE PLAY. Play opened quietly, but Coast were first to settle down, and a forward rush transfererd activities to the Inangahua 25. From the scrum, Preston sent a fast transfer to Masters, who whipped the ball to Dodds, to Hart, for Hart to go over, well out. Devonport failed with the kick. Coast 3, Inangahua 0. The visitors replied with.a determined forward movement that gained considerable ground. In warm play near the home goal, Inangahua were doing best, until Coast infringed. Scott essayed a shot at goal, and piloted the ball over. Inangahua 2, Coast 3. It was shortly after this that Scott was brought down, and suffered injury which compelled him to retire. He was replaced by Maloney. Play wad new increasing in interest, and both teams showing up in passing movements, and rugged forward clashes. The two packs were evenly matched. In a bright back rally, Wooster received to speed for the line, but Lamberton brought him low, in the nick of time. From the scrum, Hunt

heeled the ball to Preston, who came around on the blind side and sent Devonport across. Devonport missed a difficult kick. Coast 6, Inangahua 2. Little teritory was conceded by either side, for quite a spell, the forwards contesting every inch of ground, and tight rucking predominated. Inangahua were getting the ball from the majority of the scrums, but the Coast backs were sound on defence. Hunt

was displaying a tendency to break up his scrum too quickly, instead of concentrating on securing - the ball. That was his only weakness. An exchange of kicks favoured Coast, Martyn lining deeply in the opposing territory. Preston later infringed by being offside, and Martyn was beaten by the ball, hut Dodds, who was playing magnificent football, raced to Martyn's support, and sent to Hart, but the latter was well held before he gained any grou,nd. Inangahua were holding the advantage, territorially, their forwards playing at this stage above the Coast pack. Infringements occurred on both sides, the ball being now greasy, and resulting in knocking-on. First Dodds, then Hunt broke away, but they were unsupported, and fairscoring opportunities were missed. Inangahua conceded a force down, after being strongly pressed on their line. An improvement in the Coast hooking placed Inangahua on defence, but the passing went astray. In a strong forward rush, Coast moved to the Inangahua line, and Lamberton miskicked. Calder snapped up the leather, and sent to Masters, who raced across. Dodds converted. Coast

11, Inangahua 2. Half-time was called without further score. On changing over, Inangahua attacked, and Millar showed out in a strong run, but was brought down, and Calder 1 cleared. Playing with renewed vigour, Inangahua tested the defence, and Burns came up to Martyn, but the latter effected a good tackle. Continuing with the pressure, Inangahua were right on the Coast line, and looked almost certain to score, but Calder again saved with a kick over the dead line. Combining in a close forward movement, the Coast pack made a path through the defence, and Hunt then secured' to send to Behan, to Masters to Dodds, but the latter i---- - ’ "d-on. From an exchange of i

3 Hart received from Lamberton. D and speeded for the line, then sent to Devonport, to again receive, but he then dropped the ball. Inangahua forwards then cleared, and in a fine ru,.sh downfield swept aside the defence. Maloney crowning a brilliant ‘ effort with a try. Lamberton missed with the kick. Inangahua 5, Coast 11. Coast attacked immediately, several players handling before' Devonport ’’ was pushed out near the opposing goal 3 line. Dodds then secured and cut a • hole through the defence before sending to Masters, who made another opening for Wooster, and the latter gave the opposition no chance. It was 1 , cleverly engineered try. Masters failed to convert. Coast 14, Inangahua 5. The Coast forwards were now ’ definitely superior, and were lasting ’ better than the opposing pack. Preston . was getting the ball away cleanly, and the other Coast backs were handling ; it, with commendable safety. Play ’ hovered in midfield for a time, then 1 Martyn received and kicked to A. McElwee. McElwee set out for a score, ’ but Martyn raced across and com- • pelled him to use a short punt. McElwee then missed finalising his effort, by ' over-running the ball, and a try that ! would have been well deserved, was ' lost. Dodds at this stage retired, ' O’Connor replacing him. Scott picked : up from the ruck, and sent to Preston, to Masters, to Hart to Devonport. who ; was shouldered out when near InangaIhu,a line. Coast were now attacking ’ strongly, and Masters linked up with 1 Wooster, but the defence held. Con- ' tinning to apply the pressure, the Coast forwards combined well, and packed to the opposing side, where Scott picked up, and was tackled in ; the nick of time. Wooster then received and whipped a smart pass to ■ Masters, who sent on to Beban, and the latter gave to Hunt, who completed the movement with a try. Calder failed to goal. -Coast 17, Inangahua 5. In the next few minutes, from a forward rush, Newton added to Coast’s tally, when he raced in under the posts, and converted. In the closing stages, Inangahua set up a warm attack, but full time arrived with the scores: Coast 22, Inangahua 5. Mr S. Smith was referee, MARIST AND REEFTON THIRDS. The- match between the Marist and Reefton third grade teams, played as a curtain-raiser to the senior game, resulted in a victory for Diarist by 9 points (three unconverted tries) to 5 ' (one converted try). ! All other fixtures were postponed'.

INTER-PROVINCIAL GAMES. HAWKE’S BAY v. TARANAKI. NAPIER. July 29. In the Rugby League interprovincial match played at Napier on Saturday, before a crowd of 4000 people, Hawke’s Bay drew with Taranaki, the scores being 17 points each. It was a fast and open game. Lord and Lady Bledisloe attended. Hawke’s Bay made a splendid showing in their , first Rugby League representative game for ten years. For Hawke’s Bay Smith scored two tries, and kicked three conversions and one penalty goal, and Lister scored a try. For Taranaki Hunt scored three tries, and kicked a penalty goal, while a try each was scored by McDonald and L. Moorhead.

OTAGO v. CANTERBURY. DUNEDIN. July 29. There was a bright game between Otago and Canterbury representative League teams played on the Caledonian ground in fine weather. In the first spell Otago (playing with the wind) were definitely on top, throwing the ball about freely. The Otago backs were constantly on attack, but faulty handling and sound defence kept Otago’s score down to a try by Cinders, while immediately before the adjournment Fraser raced over unopposed for the visitors. Half-time score: Otago 3, Canterbury 3. Play improved in the second spell, when both teams showed excellent form. Otago, however, were always a bit the better side, and after Bartholomew had scored early in the spell they freely attacked. A long series of scrums within a few feet of Canterbury’s line ended in Ginders forcing himself over just before time. The game ended: Otago 9, Canterbury 3.

AUCKLAND MATCHES. AUCKLAND, July 29. (Roope Rooster): —City 15, Devenport 8: Richmond 29. Newton 15; Marist 26, Ponsonby 13. AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, July 29. Sydenham 15, Pirates 3; Hornby 19, Riccarton 5; Addington 27. Now Brighton 12.