RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1936, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

EXCELSIORS—BLAKETOWN WINS. COBDEN—KIWI DRAW. In ideal football weather, the West Coast Rugby Union’s competitions were continued on Saturday. The weather was fine, though dull, and there were no handicaps in the way i.i sun or wind. The senior competition saw Excelsiors overwhelm Pirates. Bia keto wii defeat Stars, and Cobden and Kiwis draw. The only senior match played at Rugby Paik attracted only a fair attendance, and though the game was not spectacular or thrilling, interest was maintained to the final whistle. The Blaketown Lacks provided most of the highlights, though W. .Mann (Star) was the outstanding back on the field, and piovided plenty of trouble for the Blaketown defenders with his speed and tricky running. Pirates were never in the running with Excelsiors, but Cobden and Kiwis turned on a keenlyfought game, in which the speedy Kiwis' rearguard compensated largely for the lack of success of their pack. In the junior grade, 'United had a somewhat lucky win over Blaketowm, and the Stars defaulted to Celtic. Unfortunate features were the defaults of Star juniors and Blaketown third graders.

BLAKETOWN DEFEAT STAR. In an interesting, though by no means exciting match, at the Park on Saturday, Blaketown seniors defeated Star by 17 points to 8. Blaketown were the better all round side, on the day. but on the run of the play, their margin of victory might have been much less. Star wore unfortunate in not having the services of at least two of their best men. J. Beban and W. Deere. Their forwards put up a splendid fight against a good pack, but W. Mann was the only reliable back. Blaketown had the more dangerous rearguard, the three-quarters, Elder. Pedrott i and A. Olsen giving plenty of trouble. M. Olsen gave Blaketown a lion’s share of the ball from the set scrums. In the loose the Star forwards were always dangerous. Pedrot fi, Elder. W. Minchin and McHerron were the pick of the winners’ backs, and A. Scandrett, Pascoe, and M. Olsen of the forwards. Mann was the only back of senior class in the Star rearguard, but he played brilliantly in all departments. Monk Stevens, Hammond and Furness were prominent in the Star pack. It was a good even game, but Blaketown, with a definite superiority in the backs more than offset the advantage which Star had in the loose forward play. Pascoe was an invaluable aid to Blaketown. scoring eight points off his boot. The teams were: —

Star. —Muir; J. Minchin, Mann, Long; Aiderton, W. Dixon; Gage; Hammond, Buchanan, Monk, Stevens, Furness, Patterson, Fell; Wilder. Blaketown. —McHerron; Elder, Pedrotti, R. Olson; Dowdall, W. Minchin; Goodall; Furness M. Olsen, A. Scandrett; Bruhn. Pascoe, M. Scandrett, Stackhouse; E. Preston. Blaketown defending the southern goal were first to open their account. Goodall secured from a melee about half way, and whipped the ball out to W. Minchin, to Dowdall to Pedrotti. The centre clapped on the pace, and made a good run before sending Elder over at the cornel 7 . Pascoe converted with a line kick from the sideline, io give his side a five points lead, af| ter five minutes’ play. Blaketown were doing most of the forcing, and the forwards gave the backs plenty of the ball. However, W. Minchin was playing too deep at first live-eighth, and missed several passes. Star were penalised on their own 25, and from well out Pascoe landed a gooij, goal. Blaketown 8, Star nil.

Fell, Hammond and Wilder led the Star forwards into the Blaketown quarter, assisted by a fast clearing kick by Dowdall, but a knock on held them up. A scrum in front of title Blaketown posts, saw Olsen get the ball, and Minchin in trying to clear, kicked over his own line. Elder forcing down. Mann, with a good line kick, brought Star back to the 25, where Mann made a bright effort to go on his own only to be well downed a few yards from the line. Goodall ultimately cleared a dangerous position for Blaketown. Stevens put in a bright burst, when he intercepted a lob pass by Goodall. He kicked through to MeHerron and tackled him in possession, but W. Minchin cleared. Dixon was proving much too slow at first fiveeighth for Star, and gave Mann, the only dangerous player in the backs, no room in which to move. McHerron put in a good run when he field- • ed a high punt by Mann, and he beat several would be tacklers before finding touch near the Star 25. Blaketown were looking decidedly dangerous. but a penalty for a scrum infringement relieved the pressure. A high put by W. Minchin had Star in trouble. The full-back fumbled badly, but Minchin spoiled a grand opportunity, by obstructing Muir, and the penalty gave Star much-needed relief. Mann had four shots at goal from penalties, but was out of touch and missed narrowly on each occasion. Blaketown attacked hotly in the last ten minutes of the spell, but the Star forwards battled hard and kept them out. Right on half time, Mann again failed narrowly with a good kick al goal from a penalty. Half time score: Blaketown 8, Star nil.

SECOND SPELL. Muir went up to wing three-quarter, Mann to five-eighth, Long to centre, and Dixon to full-back in the Star backs for the second spell, and Minchin went to full back and McHerron to five-eighths, in the Blaketown rearguard. Soon after the start, Star were penalised for an infringement, during a dangerous Blaketown attack, and Pascoe landed an easy goal. Blaketown 11, Star nil. Pedrotti and R. Olsen combined nicely to take play to the Star quarter where Blaketown camped for some time on the Star line. Gage eventually cleared, and Aiderton made a nice opening, spoiled when he sent a bad pass to Mann, who might have been dangerous. Goodall put his side in a good position again, and Pedrotti made a good opening to send R. Olsen away. The winger centred nicely, when hemmed in and Pedrotti took it well and beat a couple of defenders to score a good try. Pascoe missed with the kick. Blaketown 14, Star nil.

Mann put his side in a good position with a dodgy run which gained 25 yards. From a melee after Fell was tackled in possession, the -ball came’ out to Stevens, who showed some pace to score a good try, well out. R. Furness converted with a fine kick. Blaketown 14, Star 5.

Monk and Stevens were playing fine football in the Star forwards, and led the pack well. Blaketown’s next try

was a gift. Dixon threw a lob pass back to Mann, when he had been tackled. and Furness intercepted and ran over for an easy try from the 25. M. Scandrett failed to goal. Blaketown 17, Star 5. Before time, Mann made another characteristic run, beating several by changing his pace cleverly, and he ran Long into position, for the winger to run 30 yards for a good try. Furness failed with the kick. Final score: Blaketown 17. Star S. Mr. N. Eggleton was referee.

EXCELSIORS DEFEAT PIRATES-

A convincing victory was recorded by Excelsior seniors over Pirates tit Cass Square, on Saturday, last year s champions winning by 32 points to nil. The Excelsior pack, led by King, played hard, and played well together, and they were admirably supported by a fast set of backs. Pirates were seldom in the picture, being outclassed in all departments. They fielded several promising players, but their efforts were those of individuals, which were ineffectual against the combination of the Excelsior team. For Excelsiors, Davidson (2), Connolly, Kelly, Fleming, and Muir scored tries. M-ackniel. a promising full-back, converted two tries and potted a goal, and Davidson converted three tries. Mr 11. Rutland was referee. KIWIS —COBDEN DRAW.

Cobden and Kiwis seniors played a drawn match at Cass Square, before a good attendance, each scoring nine points. The Cobden forwards played well together as a pack, though they were not as vigorous as in the previous match, and they received possession from most of the set scrums. However, their backs, as on the previous Saturday, could have mademuch better use of the chances they received. Kiwis were inferior in the forwards, but their backs were a livelv set. and combined well. For Cobden, King (2), and Birchfield scored unconverted tries, and Morgan, Mason and Chinn scored unconverted tries for Kiwis. Mr J. Collett was refei ee. JUNIOR GRADE. UNITED DEFEAT BLAKETOWN. United and Blaketown juniors provided a bright curtain-raiser to the senior match at Rugby Park, United winning by five points to 3. Play was fairly even, but. Blaketown had all the better of the second spell, and only inability to finish off promising movements prevented their scoring tries. Hamilton scored a try for United, R. Ferguson converting, and Quartermain scored an unconverted try for Blaketown. Mr R. Newport was referee. Star juniors defaulted to Celtic. LOWER GRADES. Blaketown thirds defaulted to Star. Cobden third graders defeated Technical, at the School ground by 37 points to 15. Blaketown fourth graders defeated Technical on the school ground by 15 points to 12. In friendly matches, United seniors defeated Celtic Juniors by 17 points to 9, and Star thirds defeated Celtic thirds by 29 points to 5. IKAMATUA MATCHES.

Two games were played at Ikamatua, yesterday. In the senior game, Ikamatua- defeated Stars by 10 points to nil, while the home juniors defeated Cronadun by 13 to 6. In the senior match, Ikamatua were first to score, after a period of midfield play. From a ruck, W. O’Malley secured and passed to Bra’dley, to Fitzgerald', to Free, the latter scoring. Cowan converted. Ikamatua s—Stars5 —Stars 0. From the kick-off, the Ikamatua forwards got going, but a forward pass spoilt a good chance. From a scrum, Stars secured possesion, Miller kicking well down the field. The Star backs moved nicely, and only the backing up of the Ikamatua backs saved a sure try. The Ikamatua forwards, led by Broadhurst and Maloney, made a good concerted effort, Steele following up fast to score well out. The kick at goal missed. Ikamatua <S—Stars 0. From a scrum, Stars secured, but kicked too hard, Ikamatua clearing. Stars were awarded a penalty in the Ikamatua 25, but the kick at goal failed. Ikamatua forwards, who were playing well, again got going, Hagen securing to score in a handy position, the kick failing. Ikamatua 11—Stars 0. From the kickoff, the Ikamatua forwards took charge, and from a good effort, Maloney touched down, Cowan converting. Ikamatua 16 —Stars 0. Stars now took charge of the game, but forward' passes spoilt their chance of scoring. From an Ikamatua infringement,Miller had a kick at goal, but missed. Even play was the order tin-

til near time, when a Star forward was caught off-side in his own 25, and Cowan’s kick at goal, a good one, raised the score to Ikamatua If)— Stars 0. Mr A. Bradley was referee. In the junior game, Ikamatua forwards proved too good for Cronadun. The passing on both sides was good. The game was fast and clean throughout, the spectators being pleased with the class of football. For Ikamatua, tries were scored by Warring, Goodall and R. Bradley, Bradley and Fitzgerald each converting one. For Cronadun, Gibbilini scored a try. Cutbush kicked a penalty goal. Mr F. Malley was referee.

IN OTHER CENTRES. WELLINGTON, May 9. Eastborne 8, Poneke 6. Athletic 20, Marist 0. Wellington 19, Petone 17. St. Patrick’s 22, Miramar 3. Johnsonville 20, Pirates 3. CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. Old Boys 10, Varsity 6. Christchurch 24, Albion 3. Sydenham 22, Merivale 21. Sunnyside IS, Linwood 8. AUCKLAND, May 9. Ponsonby 17, Training College 11. Grafton 17, University 17. Technical 0..8. 9, Grammar 0.8. 8. TIMARU. May 9. Stars 7, Old Boys 6. Temuka 9, Zingari 8. Waiho 10, Geraldine 6. DUNEDIN, May 9. Alhambra 22, Varsity B 11. Kaikcrai 8, Varsity A 6. Southern 18, Dunedin 3. Union 21, Zingari 3. Pirates 19, Taieri 14. OAMARU, May 9. North Otago Athletic 26, Excelsior nil. Maheno 28, Old Boys 3. INVERCARGILL, May 9.. Marist 15, Albion 11. Blues 12, Star nil. Pirates 45, Mataura 6. MASTERTON, May 9. Red Star 19, Martinborough 5. - NAPIER, Mav 9. Napier H. 5.0.8. 16, M. 8.0.8. 9. Hastings H. 5.0.8. 18, Pirates 7. HASTINGS, May 9. M.A.C. 13, Celtic 11. Havelock North 11, Hastings 7.

WANGANUI, May 9. Kaierau 14, Marist 3. Technical Old Bovs 11, Old Boys 11. Pirates 14, Ratana 3. DARGAVILLE, May 9. Northern Star 11, Southern 3. Kaihu Valley 3, Ruawai nil. PALMERSTON N., May 9. Massey College 12, United nil. Old Boys 21, St. Pat’s 10. Kia Toa 16, Feilding A. 6. Feilding Old Boys 9, Feilding B nil. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 9. Tukapa 34, Old Boys 5. Inglewood 8. Star 3. Kaponga 17, Okaiawa 0. Stratford 22, United 0.