Seasonable Sports

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1935, Page 4

Seasonable Sports

LEAGUE FOOTBALL. PLAY AND PLAYERS. The code is going along with a good swing, but .some of. the teams are not getting down to practice and training as they should. Pirates seniors are not showing any improvement, and the Club’s juniors could also make better showings. The determination to win next time, would greatly help. A Fast Set: Marist, as in other years, are relying on the backs to carry the day. The senior team has a smart set this season, and with useful forwards, the side is going to take a lot of holding. A Strong Six: J Blackball forwards are aiming to be the best in the senior competition, and on Sunday’s play they will reach their ambition. The others have a grand leader in J. Calder. Hooked the Ball: R. Williams had a great share of the ball from the set scrums on Sunday. His hooking for Marist made matters easy for the backs. It was unfortunate that a painful knee injury should cause his retirement. Thereafter Runanga had more success in the scrums. Williams is starting off well. Best for Long Time: E. O’Brien played an exceptionally good game on Sunday. He combined well with O’Connor, and made several clever openings which caught Runanga unprepared. O’Brien would be a top-notcher if he would develop consistency. First This Season:

T. O’Connor, last season’s Marist captain, was behind the scrum on Sunday, for the first time this season. He showed that he is as good as ever, and his return to the game will do much to strengthen the back line, which is now the best in the competition. Played Well:

J. Roberts, the Marist senior centre, played good football against Runanga, being at times brilliant. He made one or two mistakes in sending the ball infield instead of handing it to Gilbert when the latter held scoring chances. Still, Roberts did as much useful work as any other on the field.

Safe at Full-back: R. Pollock was safe at full-back for Marist. He handles well and usually gains ground before getting in his kick. Pollock is fast, and does not take liberties. He is likely to develop into a strong last line. A Little Slow: Kiely is a clever five-eighth, and it is as well that he plays with his head, for on Sunday he was slow to get moving. Once he stirs up speed he is fairly fast, but a live-eighth needs to be quick off the mark, and Kiely can do better than he did on Sunday. He made good openings, and is shaping for .representative honours, if he remedies his one deficiency, i ■

Two Useful Wingers: In Beban, and Gilbert Marist seniors are well served with wiug three-quar-ters. Both handle safely, are strong runners and can einplo ya swerve when necessary. They are the best wingers, as yet, in the competition.

Now Captain: Jack Beban has been appointed captain of the Marist seniors, and although he is not in a good position Io follow the play of his team mates he has shown himself as a leader. Beban. if he decides that a player is not pulling his weight, will not be afraitl to tell him. He played solidly on Sunday.

Strong Front Line: With G. Scott, J. Beban and R. Williams in the front row, Marist have three useful men to combine in getting the ball from the scrums. They worked successfully against Runanga, and Beban, who shifted from breakaway to his new position, has strengthened Williams in hooking. Best as Forward:

Medlin was not at home playing as five-aighth on Sunday, for Runanga, and he welcomed W. Glynn replacing him. In the pack, Medlin went well, and put plenty of into his play, but. he is still careless about keeping on side.

Not Up to Standard: D. Manderson is a voting player not yet up to senior standard. He is not happy in the grade, and would probably welcome an opportunity to return to junior play. He would, if Runanga cannot find a man to replace him, be better as a full-back, than a fiveeighth, but Crowe is doing well in the full-back position, and should not be removed. Crowe played another sound game against Marist.

Handy Man: W. Glynn was told about the weakness in his five-eighth line, at the interval, and he decided to attempt to strengthen the position by himself going into the backs. He effectively blocked the attack, and played a really good game, showing that he is an allrounder of class. Pirates’ Mistake: With Blackball having the best puck in tho competition, Pirates’ seniors made the mistake of attempting to make play tight. This suited Blackball, whose forwards found the opposition weak.

| RUGBY FOOTBALL. NOTES AND .COMMENTS. I The continuation of the West Coast Rugby Union’s competitions on Saturday last saw. Blaketown take the lead in the senior competition, with a meritorious win over United, and Cobden scored a convincing win over Star. After heavy rain, the grounds at Rugby Park were in good order, though heavy, and the main attraction was an interesting game/ in which the forward play in the second spell was a feature. Blaketown owed a great deal of their success to their splendid scrum, which assisted Olson to secure a much greater share of the ball than his opponent, and they also ieccived a great deal of help by the clever game played by Garth, at half. The United forwards, the best they had fielded this year, gave a good display, and fought hard to the finish, but they were up against a ■strong combination. The Blaketown backs functioned much better than on the previous week, but United had few chances. Weak Link: At full back for Blaketown, D. Olson did not play his usual safe game. His handling and kicking were faulty, though he tackled well. Late in the second spell, when United were taking the play to him as much as possible, he improved. Too Slow:

The new United half. McNabb, was much too slow getting the greasy ball away on Saturday, and his first fiveeighth was left many times to go through without it. On defence, McNabb played solidly. It is understood that Vincent will be back behind the United pack before many more games.

improved Games: The Blaketown five-eighths, Bunt ami Preston played improved games against United, and were never found wanting. Bunt made several good runs, beating Hooper badly on at least one occasion, and Preston showed sound defence.

Imposing Record: The United Club have an imposing record in senior seven-a-side tournaments, as with Monday's victory, they have now won this competition every year since 1921, except three. In the three exceptions, one was a loss; two years ago they were bracketed winners with Stars, and last season there was no competition.

Acquisitions: The Robinson, brothers are acquisitions to the United Club, and on Saturday, R. Robinson, was little behind the two leaders, Uniach and Rose, all day. He showed a keenness for work, and was still looking for more at the finish.

Overkeen: Referee F. J. Tempero had to keep his eyes well open in the principal game on Saturday, as, almost from the start, there was a good deal of mixing in the tight rucking, and in the scrums. He issued two warnings which were evidently taken to heart, for though hard, the game was thereafter comparatively free of unpleasant incidents. Tackling a man unduly long after he had passed the ball was popular for a time on Saturday,-and United lost what looked a certain try, but for such a tackle, downing Gilbert.

Cobden Backs Fast: The Cobden backs functioned well on Saturday, against Stars, with Hopkins and Eggieton the particular stars, and if they can only get a reasonable share of the ball against Blaketown, they will help to make a fast open game. However, this looks unlikely, as, on form, the Cobden pack does not look comparable with the Blaketown eight.

Splendid Game: J. Garth, Blaketown half, followed up his good game behind the pack against Stars with a splendid display against United, on Saturday. He received any amount of chances and made the most, of them, varying his attack nicely and using the. line effectively to save over-working his forwards Good But—: E. Collins, the United full-back, played a, good game against Blaketown. but for two mistakes. which) gave Blaketown their two tries. He failed to tackle Elder though that should not altogether becounted against him. as Elder is elusive, and he was too slow in getting in his clearing kick, when R. Olsen scored. Collins’ accurate line-kicking helped United out of many dangerous situations. '

Hooper’s Debut: J. Hooper, Canterbury representative of last season, made his first appearance when he played first fiveeighth for United on Saturday. He received few chances owing to the failure of the blue and white forwards io get. the ball, but when they did gel it, he was not too well served by McNabb, at half. Hooper showed cleverness on occasions, but an alarming] tendency to tackle high did not. creat-c a good impression. Ho made amendsi in the seven-a-side tournament on Monday, when he played a clever game, showing great speed off the murk, and excellent footwork.

Splendid Hooker: M. Olsen, with a tine pack behind him. has already proved the best hooker in the local competition, and. on Saturday, bis consistent raking was a big factor in the success of his team. His opposite. Uniach. was not given the best of support by an ill-balanced scrum. Both played fine games in I lie tight hard rucking. Olsen excelling in Uiis department. Young but Good:

Thi yoiing I'lakelown forward, ?. Scandretl, gave his best display so far this season, against United, when lie was in tin' limelight consistently. He Im. weight, courage and some speed, and a continuation of Saturday’s form must bring him in line for rejresenlalive honours.

Another Young Player: Another >oun:,' forward, who is puttine a. good foot forward this s“;is<>u. is N. Rose t United). Though not in his first season in senior football. Rose is young and his weight and height. combined v, itli bis Keenness

for work, make him one of United’s best. Better Than Ever: The United back, G. Gilbert, is playing better than ever, and he will be watched with interest when the All Black trials commence. On Saturday he was the'outstanding United back, doing more than his share oh defence, and adding the initiative and penetration to what there was of the United rearguard attack. In the seven-a-side, his value to United was well exemplified, when he was in the midst of all the worth-while movements, and displayed a faultless defence. Excelsior Club: The Excelsior Club (Hokitika) has withdrawn its application to the Westland Sub-Union for permission to seek entry into the Greymouth competition, after the other Hokitika clubs had discussed the Question. The clubs’ delegates expressed a wish that Excelsiors remain in the Westland competition and, in withdrawing the application, the club’s delegate said it had been made only with the object of assisting the Sub-Union. It had been considered the club’s withdrawal would balance the Hokitika competition and would benefit the Westland finance, with home and home games, with Greymouth teams. The Excelsior Club was congratulated on its sportsmanlike attitude.

Preparing for “All Blacks”: Colonial sides have always found Llanelly a hard nut to crack, and the Welsh backs are bent on giving the “AU Blacks” a hard game when they go to Stradey next season. With a view to accustoming their team to playing 40 minutes each way, Llanelly are inviting all their opponents from now until they meet the “All Blacks” to play the full international distance. This should test the stamina of the Llanelly pack, which has been somewhat suspect this season. TE KINGA V. ROTOMANU.

Te Kinga played a. friendly match against Rotomanu on Sunday, under conditions reminiscent of the good old days of Rugby football. The match entailed a walk of three and a-half miles to the Rotomanu railway station, wliere the team was picked up by a lorry, which conveyed them ovei’ the last two miles to the football ground. After an even game, Te Kinga won by 9 points to 8. D. Beaton scored three tries. K. Hodgkinson kicked a penalty and scored and converted one try for Rotomanu. Mr. S. Kinraid was referee. For Te Kinga, Mumford, Hibbs and F. Dehore were prominent in the backs. D. Beaton was the outstanding forward. For Rotomanu, K. Hodgkinson was the mainstay of the backs, and Kettelty and Shaffrey were prominent in the forwards.

The Rotomanu ladies supplied afternoon tea after the match. Mr. F. Dehore thanked the ladies and the Rotonianui team. He regretted that he could not take some of Mr. Ryan’s ground back to Te Kinga, to enable them to return the complement to the Rotomanu players. Mr. Ryan said that the ground used did not belong to him, but the owner was a good sport, and they would always be able to have the use of it if thev desired. A second match, was arranged to take place in a fortnight’s time, and an endeavour is to be made to arrange a game for the younger players. BASKETBALL.

NOTES AND HINTS. From the fact that there are about 9000 girls (excluding Primary School and a large number of Secondary School players) playing basketball under the control of the'New Zealand Basketball Association, it will be seen how popular the game has become. It is striking evidence,of the growth of the game that in 1925, the total number of teams was 193, while that number, by 1935, had increased to 932.

Coast Competitions: Because some players have Wednesday half-holiday and others. Saturday, the West Coast Association conducts Wednesday and Saturday competitions, which are distinct. There are si.x A Grade and ten B Grade teams in the Wednesday competition and six A Grade and eleven B Grade in the Saturday competition.

[improved Standard: Early indications are that, the standard of play will be much improved this year, the result of keenness and consistent training on the part of the majority of the teams. As the teams have been in action on only one Saturday. it is too soon to make any detailed criticism. There was, however, far too much bunching together, instead of opening out. Crisp, effective passing is impossible until this fault is overcome. It is no use just getting rid of the ball and hoping' for the] best.

Rule Infringements: There were too many infringements of rules. 'l'he worst offence is personal contact. Jostling, pushing, and holding on io an opponent, seem to be considered by some as part of the game. Over-guarding, side defence, and back defence occur much too frequently. A player may de/'end her opponent by jumping squarely in front of her, with one or both arms moving in the vertical plane. This type of offence spoils the game, and] intreduces roughness.

SOCCER NOTES.: PLAY AND PLAYERS. The Greymouth team appear to lack confidence in their ability to overcome an opponents’ lead. They have a solid combination and on Saturday last were playing, like a winning team until Hall inadvertently headed through his own goal.' This reverse seemed to upset the Grey side, and Marist found scoring easy. Consistent Forward: R. Pollock is playing consistently good football as centre forward for the Marist team. He is a bustling type, who is capable of putting in a hard . shot. He scored three goals on Saturday, the first which he headed in from a hard cross, being the gem of the match. He has a fault however, of receiving a pass with , his back to his own goal, instead of taking the ball side on. Anderson Prominent: A pleasing feature of the WaiutaDobson match on Sunday was the success of John Anderson as centre-for-ward. He changed over from centrehalf at the interval, but he soon made his presence felt. His three goals wore well earned and provided someone can be found to replace him at centre-half, he should make all the difference to the Dobson forward line.

Rearguard Sound: Page, Keenan and Douglas defended solidly for Waiuta on Sunday. Page in particular, was outstanding; and it was not his fault that Dobson registered four goals. It is in the forward division that the Waiuta. team needs strengthening. Crossed Well:

Although we did not have a, great deal of the ball on Saturday, Smythe made the most of his opportunities when he did gain, possession. His smart centres were a feature of the Greymouth 1 attack, Vaughan scoring from a particularly well placed cross, which curled in between the Marist backs. '

Bayjey in Form: F. Bayley played one of his best games, on Saturday. He received a large percentage of the ball and' lost no opportunities of putting' his inside men on attack. He has plenty of speed and crosses well. If he main-, tains his present improvement, he will go a long way in the game. Good Goal:

Vaughan scored a pretty goal when he beat Timlin, to the ball on. Saturday. He had no time to manoeuvre for his shot and as a ‘first timer’ his effort could scarcely be improved upon.

Best Way to Kick: Charles Buchan, that brilliant Juside forward, once said that in his* piayD’g days he always liked his wing men to take a corner with their "natural” foot—that is, the outside left with his left foot and the right-winger with his right foot. This way, he said, the ball swung out from the goal and was easier for the attack to meet. The other, and more fashionable, method these days, is for wingers to take corners with their “opposite” foot. It looks effective, but the ball curls away from the inside forwards and can be easily met by the defence.

HOCKEY. NEWS AND NOTES. To-day. the All India hockey team opens its New Zealand tour at Dannevirke, where the local eleven will be working overtime. Interest in the visitors is now keen, and it may not be out of place this week to give a

little information about the players in this renowned team.

The Forwards: Dhiau Chand, captain and centreforward, is acknowledged to be the world’s best hockey player. He has been in first-class hockey since 1922. In 1926, he scored over 100 goals for the Indian Army team in New Zealand, and in 1928 deserved much of the credit for winning the Olympic Championship for li'udia. In 1932 Olympic tour he scored 101 goals establishing a record for the 27 matches played. Only 28, he is as fresh today, as he was ten years ago. Rup Singh, his brother, can do anything with the ball, and scoring goals is child’s play to him. The two brothers form a brilliant combination, witli Singh playing inside left. He is 25. L. A. Davidson is an excellent forward, who has distinguished himself in the Bengal inter-club and inteiprovincial matches. J. R. Carr,

is the third Olympic player of the 1932 team, of which he was one of the youngest members. He is quick and lias a remarkable sense of anticipation. Often puzzling his opponents by carrying the ball on his stick for a considerable distance. Carr’s only fault is in erratic shooting. He is one of India's fastest wingers. Shahabuddin is perhaps tho fastest right wingplayer in India to-day. and he possesses uncanny judgment. With the half-backs, selected in the team, he will be particularly happy. He takes the ball well into tho circle and fre- , quently passes back to the ilnside t right or centre-forward. I The Halves: ' E. Nestor is a brilliant all rounder, and a- first-class half-back. Masood is a sound, but unspectacular half and ’ is said to be shaping towards being a second I’enningcr. lie is the pivot of t the team. M. J. Gopalan and Mohd. ’ Naeem aie two other sound halves. J Backs: < in Mohd. Hussain and P. Das. the | loam has a very sound second line of ,] lefem-e. Das is only 25 years old and • played for Bengal in the 1932 provin- j ■ial tournament. He is a dependable t

1 right back. Mohd. Hussain is a speed}' and accurate tackler. He lias I played in many important tourimj meats in Northern India as well as ■ ■ i in Bombay and Calcutta. The Goalies: I The two goalkeepers. T. B. Blake and N. Alukerjee, are sounl players, with splendid records. Blake especial}- has a brilliant record as a goalie, although he is only 22. Alukerjee is H aged 2G, and has played with distinetian in interprovincial trials. () I Their Hobbies; | ’ < ’liic Neu Zealand Association ha., h advice that the members of the team| u ar«- particularly Keen cm big yamu| s

shooting, and the Indian Federation wished to know what was available in this line in New Zealand. Deerstalking parties are to be arranged, and if possible hare drives; Their favourite indoor game is bridge, and several members of the team are stated to be expert at this intricate game. Food: In the tour of the Indian Army team, difficulties arose regarding food, owing to the various castes in. the team insisting on killing- their own meat. There will be no such problem with the present team, which will consist of men ofja more travelled type, and-they will be prepared to take the usual food as served in New Zealand. All the members of the party will stay.vtogether, and there will be no distinction- whatever between. the Indian and AngloIndian players. The Indian Hockey Federation believes that every nation, caste, or creed is on equal terms, and each person should be given his due on merit alone.

Olympic Record: . At the Olympic Games in 1928 India won the men’s hockey with five wins in five games, scoring 29 goals and not having a goal scored against. An average of nearly six goals per match against internatoinal teams reads well, but this was beaten at the 1932 Olympic Games when India won the Olympic title with a total of 32 goals for and 2 against in two games. To do this the Indians defeated Japan by 11 to 1 and America by 21 to 1. <

Local Games: For the second week in succession weather conditions caused the postponement of all local games. Although not actually competing in championship matches, players should bear in mind that only six weeks remain before the Indians arrive here.' Constant and if possible, daily practice is essential if players expect to be selected to meet the visitors.