LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 September 1934, Page 10

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

NORMAN COX' CUP MATCH Playing fast, clever football, the Canterbury schoolboys retained possession of the Norman Cox Cup, against AVest Coast, at Victoria Park, Greymouth, yesterday. It was evident, a few minutes after the start of play, that Canterbury had more than a passing knowledge of the code, and as play progressed, especially in the second spell, they ran the opposition to a standstill, and scored at leisure. The first spell was fairly evenly contested, Canterbury scoring eleven points, and later, Coast six, before the interval. Canterbury benefitted from good service by AVhall, who hooked the ball nine times in every ten. The backs handled smartly, made full use of their speed, and outpaced the defence, which was. due to high tacklling, very weak. The final scores were Canterbury 45, AVest Coast 9, Mr. J. O’Neill was referee. The teams were: — Canterbury: K. Clausen, L. Seacord, B. Rutledge (capt.), T. Taylor, K. Cox, T. Bench, J. Kirk, E. AVehner, K. AVhall, M. Higgleson, N. Smith, K. Smith, A. AVoolley. AVest Coast: Downes, Davis, Rogers, Penman, McDonald, Maskill, Dalzell, Beban (2), McGirr, Brown, Dwyer, Heffernan. Canterbury commenced well, the forwards taking the ball to the opposing line. Kirk secured from the scrum, and the backs set out, but Rutledge, instead of attempting to score, essayed a shot at goal, which went wide of the posts. Canterbury returned to the attack. Rogers saving with a neat pick up. Coast could not win a scrum, and were tacked down on defence for a considerable time. Taylor, and Seacord. went close io crossing, then, from a good passing rush. Seacord outpaced iho Coast winger, and scored in lhe corner. Rutledge missed the kick. Canterbury 3, AVest Coast 0. Dwyer later opened up a possible scoring chance for Coast when he cut through the Canterbury inside backs, but he was not supported. Canterbury backs again moved off, and sure handling gave Seacord possession. He swerved clean through, to touch down near the posts, Rutledge missing the easiest of goals. Canterbury 6, AVest Coast 0. For a few minutes Coast forwards held control, yet they could not drive home the attack. Canterbury then set off in a close forward rush which took them up to the opposing line. Here Kirk secured, and, running in smartly, touched down. Rutledge goaled. Canterbury 11, AVest Coast 0. Apparently satisfied to take a rest, Canterbury eased up, and the Coast forwards, headed by Beban, went to the opposing 25. Then Brown secured, and made his way across for I a try, which Dwyer failed to convert. I AVest Coast 3, Canterbury 11. Play' had been fast and interesting, due en-I tirely to the good showing of the Canterbury team. Coast rallied, how- , ever, and for a time had the visitors on defence. Clausen was sound at ; full-back, however, and took the ball cleanly. Coast pegged away, the forwards holding together strongly, and from a scrum right on the Canterbury line, McDonald picked up, and fell across for a try. Dwyer made another weak effort to goal. AVest Coast 6, Canterbury 11, at half-time. On changing over, Coast were first to attack, but Seacord beat them back. > This midget player showed great ;

speed, and was clever with his footwork. After the first ten minutes, Canterbury backs again moved away and Seacord secured his third try, Rutledge failing to goal. Canterbury 14, Coast 6. AVithin- a minute Canterbury were back on the Coast line, AVehner being pulled down as he was about to fall across. Rutledge was there, however, and he picked up smartly to score. Kirk missed the kick. Canterbury 17, West Coast 6. Coast were tiring fast, and Bench, who was prominent for sound and clever play in the Canterbury backs, left the opposition standing, yet lost the ball as he kicked oyer the Coast full-back’s head. Again Rutledge was (here, and he scooped up the ball for another try. Bench failed to goal. Canterbury 20, AVest Coast 6. Coast could not foot it with the opposing backs, who were having a great share of the ball, and apart from Beban, Brown, and McGirr, the ' others were visibly tired. From a final rally by Coast, Beban went across for a try, Brown missing with the kick at goal. AVest Coast 9, ! Canterbury 20. Then followed a succession of tries by the visitors, who met with little opposition. Taylor added two in quick succession, then Rutledge did likewise, none being converted. AVithin five minutes Rutledge received from Bench, who had drawn the defence, and then passed to Taylor for the latter to score under the posts. Rutledge converted. Canterbury 37, AVest Coast 9. The next try came to Wehner, and the final effort saw Rutledge race through the whole of the Coast team, and over the line. Higgleson, who was in support, asked him for the ball, and Rutledge unselfishly handed to him, so that he could touch down. Rutledge converted, and the game finished two minutes later, with the scores: Canterbury 45, West Coast 9.. The Canterbury boys left, this morning, on return to Christchurch, in charge of their manager, Mr. Clark.