RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1935, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

UNITED SENIORS CHAMPIONS GOOD WIN OVER BLAKETOWN The West Coast Rugby Union’s senior championship which has been delayed by representative fixtures was brought to a close on Saturday United defeating' Blaketown in what ,vas virtually the final match, by 11 points to 3, to win the championship tor the second year in succession. Prior to Saturday, United were lead ing Blaketown by three points, tha latter having one game to go, but Saturday’s result put the issue beyond doubt. In the other senior fixture, Star scored an easy win over Cobden by 18 points to 6. Junior grade matches resulted in wins for Celtic (by default) and Cobden. Before a good attendance and in ideal ■weather, United met Blaketown, at Rugby Park. Neither team was at full strength, but several promoted juniors particularly in the United forwards, perform&ll well up to senior standard. As a whole, the standard of football was not high, but there

were plenty of- movements, of class, which prevented the game dragging. Weak tackling, late tackling, and unnecessary pushing and shoving in line-duts and melees detracted from the class of the game. The United forwards had slightly the better of the game, and gave their backs a good share of the ball from set scrums and line-outs, with the result that the blue and white, backs won the game. Hooper, at second fiveeighth for United, was in his best form, and carved great holes in the defence with clever sidestepping and swerving. Contrary to usual, he sel-

dom lost touch with his supports, with the result that his attack was always dangerous. In addition, he tackled soundly. Vincent and Costello also played well, and McNabb at full back was especially sound. In the United forwards, Glen and Blair, promoted juniors, were probably the pick, with Jamieson and Bell also in the picture. In the Blaketown backs, Preston was the best, giving a fine all-round display. M. Scandrett was out of his place in the backs, and was a 100 per cent, more valuable man in the forwards. Roberts was also to the fore' on occasions in the Blaketown backs, but the latter did not get nearly as many chances as their opposites. The Blaketown scrum was not balanced with M. Scandrett out, and gave the hookers little assistance, with the result that J. Bell, the veteran United rake, secured the greater share of the ball. In the Blaketown forwards, A. Scandrett and M. Olson were easily the pick. Notable absentees were: Garth, and •' Pascoe (Blaketown) and Thomson, Rear, Flaherty and Robinson (Uni- j ted).

THE FIRST HALF. Blaketown were first to attack, Preston, A. Scandrett, and Minchin taking play right to the United line, where after R. Olsen had made a fruitless effort to go over on the blind side, W’eir relieved by a force-dowm. Vincent and Hooper, followed by Rose, carried play right to the Blaketown line, but the defenders won a

scrum there, and Preston broke through, making a fine opening. He sent on to Roberts, who drew the full-back, but sent a poor pass to Elder, who failed to take it on the United 25, with a clear field ahead. A. Scandrett in a good run, but Glen beat several men nicely in making a good clearance. A solo dribbling effort by Jamieson took play to the Blaketown 25. where Preston smothered it. United won the scrum, and the backs handled smartly, to send

Weir over for a nice try at the corner. Costello failed to convert. United 3, Blaketown nil. A. Scandrett led the Blaketown forwards to the United 25, but a scrum there saw Vincent break away on the open side, and reach midfield before

he was tackled by Preston. M. Scandrett and D. Olson put Blaketown on attack with fine line kicks, Olson finding touch almost bn the goal line. A scrum followed the line-out, and United won possession for Collins to relieve the position. Rose left the field at this stage, having suffered' a broken finger. He was replaced by Hopkinson. Between the United 25 and halfway, M. Scandrett with a splendid penalty kick equalised the scores. United 3, Blaketown 3.

Preston and Roberts combined nicely to take play back to the United 25, where McNabb relieved. Blair and Glen led a vigorous United forward rush to the 25. Here Hooper cut in beautifully and sent on to Collins to Weir, whose pass went astray almost on the line, Minchin clearing. United came back, following a high punt by Hooper, and Vincent breaking away on the open side of a scrum in the 25, made a gallant effort to force his way over between two opponents, but all three went down on the ball under the posts, the referee ruling “too many hands.” It was bad luck for Vincent, whose effort deserved a try. Right on half-time, Vincent sent Hooper away, and the five-eighth, after beating one man, sent on to Caldwell, who cut infield, leaving the defence standing to score a good try in a handy position. Vincent failed to goal—United 6, Blaketown 3.

SECOND SPELL. In the second spell, Blaketown rearranged their team. M. Scandrett moved into the scrum, Preston played first five-eighth, and Elder second, with Bell moved out to the wing. Twice the re-arranged backs moved well, but each time solid tackling upset them. Roberts cut in nicely once, going as far as the 25, but Hooper downed him with a good tackle, and Glen cleared. Roberts left the field for some seven or eight minutes, to get one of his ankles bandaged. M. Scandrett, who came out of the scrum to second five-eighth, while Roberts was off, broke through nicely at halfway, but hung on too long. When he did pass out after being tackled. Hooper received, cut through, to side-step the full-lfack beautifully. His lack of pace found him challenged, and he centred, but Minchin was on the job, and found touch with a fine kick at half-way. It was noticeable that when M. Scandrett was out of the Blaketown scrum, the hookers were not getting sufficient weight, and United had a monopoly of the ball. However, the blacks’attacked hotly, A. Scandrett, Scott and McLaughlin taking a leading part. Blair and Hopkinson broke away from a line out in their own 25. to take play back to midfield. A goal kicked by McNabb put the blues in a good position, and from a scrujn on the

Blaketown 25, they scored again. United won the scrum, and Vincent sent Hooper away, the five-eighth side-stepping Preston, and passing infield again for Vincent to dive over for Hooper’s try near the posts. Bell added the extras. United 11, Blaketown 3.

M. Scandrett endeavoured to goal again from a penalty, but a long kick missed. Blaketown again re-arranged the backs, Preston going to half, Minchin to centre, and Roberts to first five-eighth. Blaketown were making strong endeavours to make up the leeway, and while there were exciting rallies, United generally had the upper hand. A penalty awarded Blaketown almost on the United 25, had an unfortunate culmination for. the blacks. They elected to kick high, but it went too far, and McNabb raced away, to send on to Hooper to Caldwell, who receiving before he reached half-way, put in a great run, beating two men to score a fine try in the corner. Costello failed to goal. United 14, Blaketown 3. Again United came back, and Hooper I cut in cleverly, and drew the full-back only to throw a bad pass at Collins’ feet, with a certain try ahead. .Play was now becoming fairly willing, and A. Scandrett w’as warned, but he was not the only offender. Preston and 1 M. Scandrett put in good runs, but neither effort bore fruit. Before the close, Collins scored again for United, after Jamieson and Costello had paved the way. J. Bell missed an easy kick. Final score: United 17, Blaketown 3. Mr N. Eggleton .was referee. STARS DEFEAT COBDEN

Star seniors and Cobden threw the ball about freely in their fixture on the No. 2 ground at Rugby Park, providing a bright game. Star fielded probably their best team of the season, and ran out winners by 18 points to 6. Mdnn (3), J. Minchin, Quinn and Gage scored tries for the winners. Masters and Gordon scored tries for Cobden. Of eight tries scored, none was converted. Mr. F. J. Tempero was referee.

JUNIOR GRADE. The junior match played on the No. 1 ground on Saturday, saw Cobden defeat Blaketown by 13 points to 6. For the winners, Long, Guy and Wilson scored tries, McNeill converting two. Tones and Rodgers scored unconverted tries for Blaketown. Celtic juniors won by default from Star, who could not field a full team, owing to illness ’ and injury among players.

The Technical A. v. Technical B. fourth grade fixture set down for Saturday, was not played.

WESTLAND MATCHES In the continuation of the SubUnion’s competition at Hokitika on Saturday, Kiwi seniors defeated Excelsiors by 25 points to 9. Excelsiors fielded a team that was largely comprised of junior players, and the Kiwi backs, who functioned well, were a class above them. Morgan, Roberts and D. Diedrich each scored two tries for the winners, and S. Diedrich one, i S. Diedrich and Roberts converting one each. Baird 1 and Bruhn scored for Excelsiors, and W. Hughes kicked a penalty goal. In a match for the Taylor Cup, Pirates defeated Humphreys by 13 points to 9, the former thus winning the trophy previously held by Humphreys.

a STARS v. IKAMATUA Playing at Ikamatua yesterday, Stars defeated Ikamatua by 9 points to 3 after a fast clean game. The forwards were evenly matched, getting an equal share of the scrums. In the loose, both sets worked well. Combination in the Star backs won the match for them. The Ikamatua. backs worked well individually but showed poor combination. The sun was very bad to play against. The ground was in perfect order. Tries were scored for Stars by D. Robertson, W. Burnett and F. Sara, Lamberton scoring a try for Ikamatua. Mr. H. Kearns was referee. Ikamatua juniors had a bye.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. BULLER DEFEAT COAST. The Buller junior representatives defeated a depleted West Coast junior fifteen by 21 points to 12, at Westport on Saturday. Coast were without Stapleton ,and Blair, two of the stars. Buller had a territorial advantage throughout, and led 18—3, at one stage in_the second spell, but Coast scored nine points towards the close of the game. Mcßride (2), Read, Weenink and Brown scored tries, Powick converting two and Mallett one, for Buller. Douglas, Tindale and Key scored for West Coast, and Adams kicked a penalty goal.

THIRD GRADE REPS. In an open game at Reefton on Saturday, the Greymouth third grade representatives defeated Inangahua juniors by 24 points to 20. The visiting backs were the turning point in the game. RANFURLY SHIELD CANTERBURY DEFEAT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND. August 10.

In the second match this season in defence of the Ranfurly Shield, Auckland lost the trophy at Eden Park today, when they were defeated by Canterbury by 16 to 13. The challenging team was a superior combination, and although it won by only three points, it scored four tries (two converted) to Auckland’s one try. two penalty goals and a potted goal. The home team almost snatched victory from defeat in a whirlwind finish, but Canterbury would have been unluckv to lose.

The game was played under ideal conditions, before a crowd of over 10,000. The Canterbury forwards held the heavier Auckland pack in the set urns and line-outs, and showed more cohesion and mobility in the loose. The Canterbury backs ran straight and with determination, and found the defence of the Auckland live-eighths lamentably weak.

Canterbury's tries were scored by Deavoll, G. W. Thompson. Rankin and Polson. Deavoll converted two tries. For Auckland. Anderson scored a try and Bush kicked two penalty goals and a field goal.

CANTERBURY'S FIXTURES. CHRISTCHURCH. August 10. Canterbury have a fairly heavy list of engagements at Lancaster Park tin's season: August 21 v. Wanganui; August 24 v. Wairarapa; August 31. v. Southland; September 7, v. West Coast; September 14. v. South Canterbury; September 21, v. Otago. The touring side returns after playing Hawke’s Bay at Hastings on Aug-

ust 15, and Wellington at Wellington on August 17. INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCHES ASHBURTON DEFEAT BULLER [FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.) ASHBURTON, August 10. Ashburton defeated Buller by 15 to 12. The majority of the points came from penalties. Ashburton opened well with two tries in the first few minutes and at half time led by 15 points to 6. Buller maintained their form, but Ashburton went off in the later stages. For the winners, Pablecheque, Day and Rose scored, and Varcoe kicked two penalties. For Buller, J. Hill scored-a try, and Graham kicked two penalties and Holder one. OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND

INVERCARGILL, August 10,

Otago defeated- Southland by 20 to 3 in the 80th Rugby game between the provinces played at Rugby Park to-day in fine weather. Otago were much the better team, the forwards showing greater dash than Southland and their backs playing all over the opposition. MANAWATU DEFEAT TARANAKI’, NEW PLYMOUTH, August 10. j Bustling tactics’ * throughout the game won the representative rugby match for Manawatu against Taranaki by 16 points to 13. Play was of a poor standard except for a few bright patches. Taranaki’s experimental half and first five-eighths, the Sangster Brothers failed rather dismally, with the result that the outstanding threequarter line w’as starved for opportunities. Still, Manaw’atu was an improved team, and played with great vim. Each team scored three tries and converted two. Manawatu won by a penalty goal. For Manawatu Hight scored two tries and Blyth one, whilst Beard converted two and kicked a penalty goal. For Taranaki Edward Sullivan and Galbraith scorred tries. Collins converted two. Taranaki played a long way below their real strength.

AT OTHER CENTRES.

WELLINGTON, August 10.

. Senior A, first division: Petone 5 Eastbourne 4; Wellington College 0.8. 10, Poneke 19; Hutt 17, Athletic 6; Oriental 10, Marist Bros. 0.8. 19; Johnsonville 3, Wellington 12. CHRISTCHURCH, August 10. Sunnyside 13 defeated Merivale 0, in the final of the seven-a-side tourney. TIMARU, August 10. Star 8, Zingari 5; Old Boys 21, Geraldine 12; Waihi 16, Celtic nil. WANGANUI, August 10. Old Boys 19, Marist 8; KaieraU 11, Technical Old Boys 3; Waverley 10, Pirates 3. NAPIER, August 10. Pirates 13, Hastings 8; M. 8.0.8. 19, Havelock 6. HASTINGS, August 10. M.A.C. 11, Technical Old Boys 31; I Celtic 19, Hastings Old Boys nil. MASTERTON, August 10. Old Boys 17, Stars 13. WAIPUKURAU, August 10. Te Aute 13, Victoria University 3. At Porangahau, East Coast’ defeated Central Hawke’s Bay by eight to nil.

MAORIS DEFEAT N.S. WALES TOUR’S BRILLIANT ENDING [BY CABLE—PBESS ASSN.—COPYBIGHT.] SYDNEY, August 11. Before an ecstatic crowd of 20,993, including Governor Hore Ruthven. Premier Stevens and Premier Forbes, the Maoris decisively won their third match against New South Wales, the

concluding fixture of the tour by 14 I points to 5, bringing the record for the tour to eight wins and two losses, with 245 points for and 132 points against. The Maori team was: —Nepia; McDonald, Hemi, Phillips; G. Smith, H. Harrison; Mellish; Broderick, Rogers, G. Harrison, Kawe, P. Smith, Cooper, Whiu, K. Reedy. In the New South Wales team, O’Gorman and La rnach- Jones replaced Brown and Turnbull. Nepia won the toss, and took advantage of a sligat breeze. The game was a demonstration of the convincing superiority of versatile forwards against a team intent upon the open passing tactics, with no variation from perpetual hooking and heeling to the backs. The Maoris led 3 to 0 at halftime. The score gave no reflection of the Maoris’ overwhelming territorial advantage. Repeatedly assured tries were lost either by tempetuous overrunning or faulty handling at critical moments. The game was always hard and fast, but loose; both sides vying to get the ball out into the open. Quick breaking by the Maori forwards upset the combination of the home backs. The Maoris also excelled in dribbling, but again their main weakness was round-the-neck tackling. This accounted for frequent moments of anxiety in the closing stages, when Hodgson, Cerutti and Towers were prominent in desperate individual rushes, any one of which might have spelled disaster, notwithstanding the Maoris’ lead. At the style of football played throughout the New *South Wales series, the Maoris were definitely better. They were popular, because of their spectacular methods. Nevertheless, it is doubtful if they are as good a side as the figures indicate. The reason for the Maoris’ victorv was. undoubtedly, the New South Wales desire to adhere to Towers’ tactics of open passing. This is not meant to decry the Maori mastery, but is rather a reflection on New South Wales for the abandonment of lessons learnt in South Africa. Throughout the match, the only hope New South Wales seemed to have was to catch Nepia napping, in the hope of Hodgson and Cerutti following up, when they would have secured opportune tries; whereas the Maoris always moved forwards. excelling .in close backing up. C. Smith’s try followed a spectacular run of 60 yards along the touchline by Nepia. This was equalled, as a spectacle, by McDonald, who ranged into a beautiful position, following Rogers and Broderick as Mellish made an opening. C. Smith playing at fiveeighth. made a wonderful difference to the penetrative powers of the inside backs. Nepia was always cool. Phillips was erratic. H. Harrison and Mellish showed a grand understanding. The best Maori forwards all round, were Kawe, P. Smith and Rogers, with G. Harrison and Broderick superb sidemen. who were always disturbing the home combination and making openings. From the start, the Maoris attacked with the utmost fervour, and raided the home 25 repeatedly, but they lost chances through poor handling at critical moments. Once Cooper crossed the line, but the referee ruled G. Hat

rison's pass olfside. Twice the Maoris were penalised for offside five yards from the line. Nepia missed two attempts at field goals. New South Wales were penalised for an offence in the scrum five yards out, and Nepia

kicked a goal. Towards the end of the first half, K. Reedy injured his knee, and was replaced by Kershaw. In the second spell, following a ruck at the Maori 25, Nepia bumping and fending his way at top speed, gained 50 yards along the touchline, outpacing White. From a ruck following Storey’s tackle, the ball went across to C. Smith, who scored. Nepia converted. Later Neipia kicked a penaltj’ goal, and McDonald scored a try.

SYDNEY PRESS COMMENTS

SYDNEY, August 11.

Commenting on yesterday’s match the “Sunday Sun’’ says: The Maoris convincingly won the rubber by a ■physical and tactical dominance, which completely crushed the home side. They were the better side in every phase of the game. Their attack was sharper and smoother, and their defence was very sound. Tt is difficult to understand how such men as 11. Harrison, Charlie Smith, Nepia, Rogers, G. Harrison, P. Smith and Cooper failed to get in the All Blacks’ touring side. Certainly, if there are eight forwards as good as that Maori champion, G. Harrison, the All Blacks will go through Britain undefeated.

(Recd. August 12, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 12. Commenting on the Maoris’ defeat of New South Wales, the “Herald” says: The Maoris won in convincing fashion. The margin between the scores should have been larger, as the Maoris missed several golden chances. Time after time the defence was beaten, but the Maoris could not apply the correct finish to their movements. Nepia, 11. Harrison and C. Smith were outstanding in the Maoris’ back division. The home team was disappointing.

“The Telegraph” says: If the display of the New South Wales team reflects this State’s talent and ability, years of Rugby famine are ahead. Shaken into disarray, by the battering ram tactics of the touring forwards in the first quarter of an hour, the home team never regained a semblance of balance, and with a shade more luck their way the Maoris might easily have doubled the winning margin.

The “Telegraph” says: The possibility of the Maoris’ slay being extended owing to the shipping strike is causing some bother, not only in Maori ranks, but to New South Wales’ officials. Should the Maoris have to stay on at Sydney, it will take a slice out of the New Soutli Wales Union's profits from the tour. It costs about £4O a day to keep the team, and if the players are held up that will continue to be the responsibility of the New South Wales Rugby Union. Nepia, who sustained injuries to his ribs in Saturday’s match, will probably be X-rayed to-dav.

MANAGERS GRATIFIED SYDNEY. August 11. Mr. Kingi Tahiwi said he was gratified. not merely with the grand results. but at the popularity of the Maoris. He said that there had not been a hitch throughout the tour. He could not speak too highly of the efficiency and sincerity of the Australian officials. He added; "The singing o f ’Auld Lang Syne’ at the end of the

game, when the players formed a circle. and tlie crowd joined in, has proved to me that the tour has been a definite success as a Rugby mission.”

Mr. Wallace said that the team had steadily improved, despite the early adversity due to influenza. He was gratified with the success in Queensland and New South Wales, where there /Were hard grounds, whereas the Victorian grounds were eminently suitable. Had the New South Wales matches been played on a grassy ground, similar to that at Melbourne.” he said, “there 1 would have been only one team in it.”

PROFITS OF TOUR. SYDNEY, August 12. The “Telegraph" says; The New South Wales Rugby Union officials are smiling now. The Maori tour nearly fell through because some folk consideted it would prove unprofitable. Here is the answer. Saturday’s crowd assured New South Wales Union of approximately .£3OO profit. Queensland .£5OO. and Victoria .£ 200.