RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1934, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NOTES AND COMMENTS The standard of Rugby being played continues to draw large crowds to Rugby Park, and last Saturday, when there was a comparatively minor atti act ion, Cobden being generally reckoned too ‘Strong for Star, there wt re almost as many present, as on tin' previous Saturday, when United and Cobden provided such a line game. So tar, the broadcasting of club matches which is being carried out by Station 3ZR, has not affected the gates adversely. In the senior competition, so far, United and Cobden are level, with two wins each, but. Cobden have played one game more than United. Star ami Blaketown have had one win each, but. Kama ra have yet to score. In. the junior grade, Cobden A are leading with 6 points, followed by Celtic, and United with 4 points each, Biaketown and Cobden B 2 each, and Star nil. Stars Surprise:

Tlio class of football turned on by Star, on Saturday, against. Cobden, was ?. genuine surprise for most followers ct the game, and if the amber and blacks can re-produce that form, they will more than re-coup their two losses. Their forwards played a wonderful game, particularly in the first spell, showing dash ami enthusiasm. Had Ogier been left, in the pack, where ho was playing an outstanding game, instead of being taken out. to play centre, there might, have been a different story when the final whistle was sounded. The Star backs had ample opportunities, and were well served by Scandrett at half, but. they did not make the most, of them, though they certainly turned on some bright, movements. Beban and Fong could not be blamed for trying so often on their own to break through the defence, as Ihe three-quarters were weak.

Sound Full-Back: The Star full-back, J. Measley, gave a sound display on Saturday, his positional play,’ fielding and kicking being good, while he showed commendable keenness to get to the ball on the full. His kicking can hardly be termed strong, but he usually manages to find the line, and does not have his forwards racing up and down the field, while he kicks to the opposing custodian.

Fine Display: The South Island representative, A. S. Fong, played a fine game at. first five-eighth on Saturday, and made at least two openings which should have been capped with tries. On one of these occasions he practically threw a golden opportunity away, when, after cutting out all the Cobden inside backs, ho waited too late before punting over the full back’s head, and was upset—quite fairly—before he could avoid the full-back’s tackle. Fong could even have run round the Cobden full-back on that occasion, us there was no other Cobden player within ten or fifteen yards of him.

A New Winger: Stars new League recruit, Williams, did not create a very favourable impression in his first game, mainly on account of his failure to “go low,” on all occasions. Several times he showed that he could tackle, but he seemed disinclined to go round the knees. He showed some speed and dash on attack. Valuable Forward:

Stars have a valuable forward in V. Stevens, who is a worker from beginning to end. On Saturday, he was frequently to be seen at the head ol* Star rushes, and lie scored a good try.

Coming Representative: / B. Rapley lias shown in his three games for Cobden, this season, that he is a cut above the average, and as he combines physical fitness with a capacity for hard work, he will be a strong contender for a front row position in the representative fifteen. Rumour has it that Cobden will play him as hooker in future, as he has shown a liking for the job, and no mean ability as a rake.

Cobden Forwards: The Cobden forwards sadly missed Dennehy, a leading loose forward, and Barr, a strong lock, on Saturday, and Wilson, the, hooker, consequently did not receive the assistance he should have. The inclusion of Dennehy and Barr will strengthen Cobden.

Consistent Hookng: W. Buchanan, erstwhile representative hooker, gave his backs a plentiful supply of the ball on Saturday. Backed by a well-packed scrum, Buchanan’s booking was • clean and quick. On Sunday, he will'probably be opposed by Rapley, a contender for the reps., and a fair idea of (heir relative merits will then be available.

Badly Missed: D. Garring was absent from behind the Cobden scrum on Saturday, and none knew it better than Cobden. 11. Lindbom was doing fairly well, when repeated attacks of cramp forced him to vacate the position. Scott was brought in from the wing three-quar-ter. but this re-arrangement did not work any improvement, though Scott got through a good deal of solid work. Straight-Runner:

The advent of A. Lindbom to the Cobden live-eighths on Saturday, when H. Lindbom had to drop back fo fullback, gave the backs much-needed penttralion. Lindbom is a. straightrunner. and made use of a deceptive side-step. Cobden would be well advised to keep A. Lindbom in the fiveeighth line, provided they can unearth a competent full-back io take his pldce.

L. Martyn’s Departure: Tho Cobden and West Coast representative wing three-quarter. L. Martyn. who has left ihe district, will be missed. Never at his best in a. club game, Martyn played with consideriable success as a representative wingicr. and last year earned nomination for the South Island 'team. On. his day he was an excellent place-kick, and has scored many points in club and repre■ ciitative football off his hoot. Cobden will find it hard to replace Martyn. Kumara Players: The Kiimara team is young ;.i>di light and on Saturday, though limy displayed promising form in places, they were nd match for the United fifimn, Several players <d’ .ibilif.i

■wi re noticed among them: P. Gilbert, wing ihree-qnaiter, W. McNabb, lull back, and W. Bell, forward. Gill) Tl showed some speed and any amount of dash and determination, while his tackling was sound. The try lie scored was a good effort. McNabb extiicated his side from several dang-'r-ous situations, with coolness. He is a sure handler, and kicks well. Bell was to be found in the thick of everything, and his tackling of the l ulled inside backs was a. feature. ol his game.

Re-appearance: M. Thomson made a, re-appearance witli the United pack on Saturday, alter an enforced spell, and made his presence felt, lie was wedl supported hy Rear, Rose, Rathbun, and Gross.