COAST RUGBY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1934, Page 12

COAST RUGBY.

[TO the editor.] Sir,—After witnessing the last Nelson v. Coast match, I was tempted to air my grievances, but unwisely cua not, a procedure that makes my first remarks rathei* belated. In this match the refere'e lost many opportunities of giving the paying public a view of Rugby as it should be played, but did he or did he not see the rough play and illegal tactics on both sides. Surely the game is hard enough for a forward without having to suffer “head locks” and “elbow jolts. ’ It wrestling is to come why not introduce “the flying tackle” to advantage? I maintain that a referee should not .say, “Don’t do it again!” but simply “Don’t do it!” Players would then know when to expect their marching orders. x , Again, in Hokitika last Saturday, “dirty” play was very prominent but enough! Mr Cutbush has already been taken to task by your paper. I refrain from any criticism as to his control of the game except with regard to too much “playing the man.” The views of too few spectators have appeared in print this season, a factor which naturally arouses public interest, but it appears to me that your Rugby specialist could drop a few helpful . hints to all players instead of extolling the merits of good players at the expense of the weaker ones, as he did after the Dittman Shield game. This was a good match, but Hokitika lost because they simply gave tries away and failed to score normally easy ones, and not through definite superiority of the victors, who deserved to win. I selected King and M. Kelly as the best two forwards on the ground, but Bowes, who came here with a reputation he has not upheld, was certainly not better than the “All Black” who played an inspiring game. In Hokitika, M. Kelly is considered second only to King, and doubtless is a great front row toiler, who, with B. Kelly last year and Bowes this, has made things easier for the supposed hooker, but how many “Coast” supporters know that all three front row men hook the ball?

In yesterday’s Rugby notes it is suggested that M. Kelly be a sideliner at Wellington. It is absurd to suggest he is the ninth best forward on the Coast. As front-row man he should be in the first three selected, but of course, why keep a good set of front-row men when some more experimenting can be tried? To the travelling team good luck, but to Davidson/ a thorough sportsman and still in many eyes Coast’s best half, I must extend my sympathy.—Yours, etc.,, ’ EX-PLAYER.