RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 October 1933, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP. COBDEN WIN FINALS. The final of the West Coast Rugby Union’s senior championship and Knock-out competition was played on Saturday at Rugby Park in good weather and before a fair attendance. Cobden defeated United by 14 points to 10, and the score was a fair indication of the respective merits of the teams. Cobden seemed at all times the more dangerous combination, while the United backs were too slow to make much headway. The pace and clever handling of the Cobden team carried the day. Both fullbacks played good games, though neither had much work. Martyn was the most successful of the wingers, scoring two tries, but A. King also played a fine heady game. Schroder and Ellis had few opportunities owing to the failure of their inside backs. Scott made one beautiful opening which led to a try and he carried out his task of shadowing Gilbert comparatively well. Gilbert was the mainstay of the United backs, and did more than his share in all departments. Taaffe and Rimmer were much more effective than the United pair of five-eighths. Taaffe,

particularly, showed speed, and sharpened up the attack. Collins played a sound game, but seemed slow in giving his passes. Jones, the representative forward, was out of his place. Several times he made attempts to cut through but none was successful. Garring played a clever game at half for Cobden. His passes were snappy and his speed made him dangerous. F. Bell was comparatively slow at half for United, though his defence was good. Birchfield, Mahoney and Dennehy were the pick of the Cobden forwards, while Thomson, Robinson, and Jamieson stood out among the United packmen. The teams were: —

Cobden: Lindbom, King, Scott, Mar tyn, Taaffe, Rimmer, Garring. Mahoney, Wilson, Alex King, Gordon, Birchfield, Dennehy, Keith, Hewlett. United: Campbell, Schroder, Gil-

bert, Ellis, Jones, Collins, Bell, Cross, J. Bell, Robinson, Jamieson, Kear, Thomson, Weir, Rose. United won the toss and defended the southern goal. The blues were awarded a penalty on the Cobden 25. J. Bell kicked an easy goal. The goal was disallowed, however, as he did not kick from his mark. From the scrum Cobden cleared their line. Rimmer put his team on attack with a nice line, and then all the Cobden backs handled to King, on the wing, who inpassed to Scott, whose transfer went astray. Gilbert came through and found touch near halfway, taking the .ball from the feet of the Cobden forwards. Next Martyn made a nice save when Jones broke through with the ball at his toe. A short punt by Rimmer let Cobden through to the line. In saving, a United man hung on to the ball too long, but Martyn missed an easy kick. Collins sent Cobden back to past half-way and here F. Bell sent his backs away. Jones handed on to Gilbert after , recovering what looked a bad knockon, and the centre scored a fine try well out. Gilbert added the extra with a good kick. United 5, Cobden nil.

Garring cut in nicely near the blue 25, but his pass went astray, and Jones and Gilbert combined well to

take play to the opposing quarter. Scott and A. King were prominent in a. Cobden passing rush which ended on the United 25. Keith, Birchfield, and Dennehy headed the forwards to tho line, where Birchfield scored in a good position for Martyn to convert. United 5, Cobden 5. The Cobden backs were throwing the ball about well, and were giving United plenty of trouble. Birchfield, Wilson and Mahoney broke through from near their own line, but Gilbert came round and took the ball from their feet. He centred nicely, and as Alex King failed to take the ball, Collins secured and scored in a handy position for Gilbert to goal. United 10. Cobden 5. Cobden now attacked and a passing bout in which Taaffe, Dennehy, and A. King took part, ended when King was tackled on the line by Jamieson. Garring secured from the second scrum on the line, and was over in a. flash for a fine try. Martyn missed the kick, and the half-time

score was: United 10, Cobden 8

SECOND SPELL. Early in the second spell, Jones tried to cut in several times, and was caught each time. From a line-cut about half way, the hall came out to Rimmer, who sent on to Taaffe to Scott. The centre showed surprising speed and ran Martyn into position before sending him over for’ a fine try at the corner. Martyn failed to convert. Cobden 11, United 10. From a scrum about half-way United hooked. F. Bell sent a bad pass Io Collins, who failed to take it, and let Cobden in. Dennehy’s pass was taken by Ellis, who endeavoured to kick clear. The ball, however, went off the side of his boot, and straight into the hands of Martyn, who dashed over at the corner, with all the United backs out of their places. He failed with the kick. Cobden 14, United 10. The Cobden players, both backs and forwards, were throwing the ball about well, and always looked dangerous. United, on the other hand, were slow and back movements usually broke down at Jones, who was not at home playing second five-eighth. After a. strong Cobden forward attack in which they kept United penned in for over five minutes, Schroder cleared nicely, and Jamieson, Thompson and Robinson broke through to halfway. Scott was marking Gilbert well but. all his tackles were high. United staged a good concerted attack in which both backs and forwards were prominent. Gilbert, Ellis, Thomson and Robinson were in the thick of the attack on the Cobden line, but a penalty relieved, and Martyn cleared well. Up and down play followed, hut. there was nothing more exciting, the final score being Cobden 14, United 10. Mr F. J. Tempero was referee.

JUNIOR SEMI-FINAL. In tho semi-final of the Junior Knock-out Competition, rapahoe defeated Kumara, at Kumara, on Saturday, by 12 points to 8. Kumara led by 8 points to 3 at half time, but the visitors then assumed the upper hand, and ran out. winners of a fast game. Dalziel, Ryall and B. Dunn scored for the winners, and Baird kicked a penalty goal, while McNabb scored a try, and Ryan converted the

try, and kicked a penalty goal for Kumara. Mr T. Flannigan was referee. This is the first, occasion during the past three seasons, that Kumara have suffered defeat on their home ground. Rapaho'e will now meet United in the final. WEST COAST V. CANTERBURY. Messrs A. A. Adams and D. R. Dowell have chosen the following team to play against Canterbury at f Greymouth on Saturday: — 1 Full-back: G. Gilbert. i Three-quarters: E. Pfahlert, C. 1 Schroder, L. Martyn. Five-eighths: J. B. Taaffe, A. S. s Fong (captain). Half-back: R. B. Scandrett. ? Forwards: M. Scandrett. J. Kirk--5 land, M. Kelly, R. King, M. Thomson, , F. Freitas, L. Hughes, E. Jones. ’ Emerg.: Backs: M. Davidson, J. > Behan; forwards, A. M. Jamieson, B. i Kelly, W. Thiele. FENTON CUP MATCH. In a Fenton Cup match at Te Kinga yesterday, Kopara defeated Ru Ru by 9 points to 6, thus retaining the trophy for the season. The teams were: — Kopara: Roigard; Simpson, Rochfort, Ryan; Caesar, Bell; E. Taaffe; Rapley, Cowan, Tuck, Davidson, Rose, Abbott, Dense, Rochford. Ru Ru: Helem; Glover, L. Southern, Daniel, B. Kennedy; J. B. Taaffe, R. Birchfield; B. Wilson; N. Willis, S. Chamberlain, H. Feary, F. Dunstan, C. Robinson, B. Birchfield, J. Robinson. E. Taaffe, for Kopara, scored the first try of the match with a smart effort, round the blind side of a scrum i near the line. W. Bell failed to convert. The Kopara forwards dominated play for the remainder of the first spell. Rapley scored the second try | for Kopara when L. Southorn made a | weak clearance. z ' In the second spell, Ru Ru had the , better of the play. R. Birchfield and B. f Birchfield' both landed fine penalty goals. Caesar kicked a penalty goal for Kopara to give his side a lead of | three points. Mr F. Stott was referee. LAKE BRUNNER TEAM. The Lake Brunner senior B. repre- | sentative team to play the Greymouth I junior reps at Moana on Sunday next I will be: —Full-back, J. Warren (Ko- | tuku); three-quarters: B. Roigard (Kopara), D. Wallace (Stillwater), R. Smith (S.); five-eighths: A. Rochfort (K), J. Webber (S.) half, E. Taaffe

(K). Forwards: J. Crimmins (K*otuku), C. Moffitt (S.) capt.,, A. Dense (K.j, F. Dunstan (Ru Ru), J. Warren (S.), W. Becker (Te Kinga), N. Willis (Ru Ru), T. Southorn (Kotuku). Emergencies: Backs —S. Daniel (Ru Ru), C. Cowan (Te Kinga); forwards —M; Hallinan (S.), E. Tuck (Kopara).

BLAKETOWN CLUB’S BANQUET. The annual banquet of the Blaketown Rugby Football Club was held in the Blaketown Hall on Saturday night, the President, Mr J. E. Joyce, presiding over an attendance of over one hundred. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. A. Adams,. J. Guy and F. W. Baillie. Numerous toasts were honoured, and an enjoyable time was spent by all. During the evening reference was made by several speakers on the progress made by the club, and the President, who was also the club’s coach, was warmly congratulated on his work. During the evening, items were given by Messrs W. Richmond, L. K. Hodge, A. Airns, F. L. Bell, G. Brown, I. Elder, G. Beer and L. Payne’. Messrs J. Patterson and J. E. Joyce were the accompanists. The toast list was as follows: “The King”; “Blaketown Club.” proposed by Mr W. Delaney, and responded to by Mr G. R. Harker (Patron); “The President,” proposed by Mi‘ H. Scott and responded to by Mr J. E. Joyce; “The West Coast Rugby Union,” proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Mr J. Cornish; “The Referees,” proposed by Mr Roberts, and responded to by Mr D. McKay; “Kindred Clubs,” proposed by the President, and responded to by Messrs Gilmore and Fell; “The Senior Team," proposed by Mr W. Scott, and responded to by Mr M. Scandrett.

RANFURLY SHIELD. CHRISTCHURCH, September 30. Canterbury easily defeated King Country to-day in the last challenge of the season for the Ranfurly Shield. Canterbury had more speed, back and forward, and their combination was much too good for the visitors. Canterbury scored eight tries, four of them being converted, and potted a goal. Canterbury were faced with, a weak opposition, and showed some of the brilliancy they displayed in earlier Shield matches. The final score was: Canterbury 36; King- Country 0. HAWKE’S BAY v. WELLINGTON. HASTINGS, September 30. Playing inspired Rugby, Hawke’s Bay beat Wellington by 23 to 20 this afternoon. Hawke’s Bay proved irresistible, though Wellington seemed tired. The half-time score was 23 to 8 in favour of Hawke’s Bay. Lamason, Barry, Page and Fuller scored tries for Wellington, and Fuller converted two, while Lilburne potted a goal. For Hawke’s Bay Rolls (3), Reaney and Bradley scored tries, Le Quesne potted a goal and Bradley and Rolls converted tries.

WAIRARAPA V. MANAWATU. MASTERTON, September 30. Superior speed and combination enabled Wairarapa to defeat Manawatu this afternoon by 19 to 17. Both sides turned on an attractive brand of football, and, as the score indicates, the fortunes fluctuated throughout. Tries by Fitzgerald (2), and Stringfellow, one of which was converted by He'mi, gave Wairarapa. a half-time lead of 11 to 9. For the visitors McKenzie and Strange scored, and McKay kicked a penalty. Wairarapa dominated play for the greater part of tho second spell, increasing the lead to 19 —9. Manawatu, however, came to light with a late run, to bring the score up to 19 to 17. Devine and Stringfellow scored for Wairarapa. Hemi converting one. For Manawatu, Bramwell scored and McKay converted, and also kicked a penalty goal. IN OTHER CENTRES. WANGANUI, September 30. Rugby: Hawke’s Bay Colts 9, Wanganui Colts 6. Taihape (Huia) 13, Kaierau (Wanganui) 7. Union Cup final: Technical College 18, Kaierau 0. AUCKLAND, September 30. Manukau 9, Marist 7; College 18. Grammar 16; Training College IS, Grafton 3; Ponsonby'22, University 13; Technical Old Boys 11, Otahuhu 6.

MATCHES IN BRITAIN. LONDON, September 30. To-day’s Rugby results were: —Cardiff 13 v. Pontypool 11; Devonport Services 3 v. Redruth 10; Llanelly 21 v. Newport 0; Waterloo 0 v. Dublin Wanderers 3; Watsonians 21 v. Edinburgh Institution 6; West, of Scotland 8 v. Glasgow Acs. 16.