RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1936, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

GREY 16> SOUTH WESTLAND 10. VISITORS IMPRESSIVE. In the final trial heiore 'selection of players for epeciaj trainipgin view of the Seddop. and H ao^^ y Shield challenge.. matches.. the Gr?ymouth representatives defeated Sojth Westland at Rugby Park by sixteen points to ten,. .. Conditions were anything but.favourable, to good .ootball; there being incessant rain and a„ fairly, strong northerly, wipd with the consequence that the nan was greasy, and the ground soft, but tho fair crowd who braved the cold and rain, saw a fine game in which the showed- impressive form. Their backs handled splendidly considering, the conditions, and their forward!?,- though lighter than the Grey eight, were fast, and a good deal livelier than their opponents, and all but two of the South Westland pack were prominent all day, and on many occasions four and five men came ” through in the loose with the ball at their toes, the Grey forwards, apparently with no knowledge of rush stepping, being practically powerless to stop them. The South Westland backs turned on some bright movements. despite -the conditions, and were more dangerous than the Grey reargU'dtd. Only the superior condition and weight of the Grey fifteen enabled them 10. take the margin of six points in their favour. South Westland were without two oi thenstars. Gilman and Hendry, and Grey were without Collins. ( The Grey tea in was disappointing. The forwards, for a Idng time, seeined unable to make headway against the Southerners, while the backs showed little initiative.. Gilbert, Mann, and Costello were the pick of the Grey backs, though Allsopp and King brightened up considerably in the second spell. Connolly .was disappointing, and obvidusly had a day off. tor his form was far from in keeping with his displays iu the last two club matches. . Birchfield, Olson, Kirkwood and Blair were the best Grey forwards. . .. .... Vincent played a line ajl-round game at half .for South, and McNabb,, Jno. Nolau and Wyatt were others who showed up. McNabb has improved since his last appearance in Greymofitli, while Wyatt Iboks ,a likely player. COX played a splendid loose - forward.,gatfte, in South pack,, and was well ba'eked uh by Berry, Cdwan, Thiele, and the Walsh brothers. 1 ho teams were:—Greymouth (red and White); G. Gilbert; L. Pedrotti, A. Ring, W. Mann; M. Connolly, J. Costello; P. Allsopp; J. Kirkwood, M. Olson, A. Scandrett, R. Birchfield, P. J. Hammond, W. Blair, It. Kcar. Connolly replaced E. Collins, tho chosen second live-eighth, who was suffering from a knee injury. South Westlaud (blue and white): Juo. Nolan; McMillan, F. Wyatt, Jas. Nolan: Hurrell, W. McNabb; ,R. Vincent; Jim Walsh, Jno. Walsh, C. 'ihiele; G. Berry, B. T. Baird, Gardiner, B. Cowan; J. Cox. South Westlaud had the use of a strong breeze in the first spell. In the first five minutes, the Grey forwards pressed hard, but the visitors soon came into their own, and after Vincent bad cleared, they took a turn on attack. Obstruction outside the

Grey 25, gave Baird a chance, but his kick went wide. Cox, Gardiner and Thiele led the visitors back, and they camped in Grey territory, for some time. Their backs had frequent chances, but tailed to break through, and Gilbert ultimately cleared the lines. Baird had another shot from a penalty, from just outside the 25, in a fairly good position; but tlie kick went wide, and Gilbert cleared well down. The line-out saw South Westland drop the ball at their toes, and they swept through with a lively rush. The Grey backs in to assist in the defence, and Vincent sent his backs away. With, two men cverfupping, Wyatt allowed himself to be bustled by Mann, and dropped his pass. King and Connolly broke away with the ball at toe, and looked ’dangerous when Jno. Nolan took the ball nicely froni their feet and lined On the visitors’ 25. Birchfield led the ( Grey forwards in a dribbling rush, but McNabb kicked clear only for Gilbert to take the ball high over his

head, and make a fine run, beating several nien, but support was lacking ilie Grey backs were getting chances, but the South were quick to come up cn defence, and forced the Grey backs m i css field frequently. The first try came when Mann made a brilliant run through a nuniber /of the. visitors and got clean away. He reached the fullback after a fine dash, and passed bn to Olson, Who forced his way over determinedly, Well out. Gilbert' goaled with a good kick. Greymouth 5, South M estland nil. ...- The Southerners were spurred by this reverse, and an up anji under by James Nqlaii shiv tlie Soutli foriyirds with Gardiner, Thiele and the Walsh b.others away in a fast dribbling rush, which culminated in, a good try by Gardiner, well oiit. Baird connected .with a good kick. Grey 5, ( South Westland 5. I'-ia.lr, Kirkwood and Birchfield were i. 'ininentjn a S lodse rusli.by the Grey 1-rwards, but Wyatt and McNabb.seiit tl 'ni’. back. A melee about the Grey saw Vincent break away from the ruck, and after a good run, he drew

.Gilbert and sent McMillan in for a liiio try under the posts, for Baird to add the extras, 'the score: Sen th 10. Grey 5, at half-time. THE SECOND HALF. In the second' spcll._.twp.alterations in "ositions were made. Gilbert came up to centre in the. team, and in ti>- South team, Hurrell, (second liveeighth) and Jno.- Nolan (full back) changed places. Sotitli were first to threaten real .'danger in the second sj Ml. Cok breaking through when Allsop • failed to get tile ball away proper).’.. add Cdwah and Thiele supported Cox in a rush to the Grey 25, where Connolly saved. Costello was next jjrohiiiienl, beating one man well only ..to be., downed with the bail on the South 25. Gilbert,came through with tlio ball at toe, and kicked to the centre for Connolly, to carry bn ovey the line, but Hurrell and he.went down oil tho ball together. Hard'

rucking play took place on the South line, but Wyatt cleared the lines, when ho broke away, and Cox and Jno. Nolau carried on in a fast movement almost to the Grey 25, Mann relieving the pressure. The South backs, handling well, made some progress, but McMillan failed to take a pass when ho had. a chance. King tumbled a high ball in his own 25, and Jno. Walsh and Berry broke through, only for Costello to send them back. Grey were penalised on their own 25, but Baird, from a faiily good position, failed to goal. Prom the drop out, the Grey forwards combined in their best dribbling rush of tho day. Blair, Kirkwood, Pascoe and Birchfield all taking part in a movement which went right to the South line, where McMillan carried over to i’orco down. From the scrum, the Grey backs moved away, but good defence bustled them, and Vincent made a good clearance. The South backs turned on a fine passing bout all the line from Vincent to James Nolan handling, for Nolan to kick through, but the ball went into touch in goal. Grey’s second try came when a splendid dribbling rush took them to the South line, Birchfield and Allsopp winning a race for the ball, for Birchfield to touch down near the posts. Mann added the extras to even the scores: South 10, Grey 10. King was moved up to second fiveeighth and Connolly went back to full back. A few minutes later, Allsopp made a jerky run from about halfway, and Gilbert put in a determined run down the line, bumping off a couple of tackles, to semi Pedrotti ever for a fine try at the corner. Gilbert tailed t<> convert. Gley 13, South 16. South made frequent efforts, partit ularly among the back, and occasionally by tine concerted forward rushes, to even up, but the Grey defence held. Before the final whistle Birchfield, Blair, Pascoe and Hammond led the Grey forwards in a strong rush, which ended in Hammend scoring well out. Gilbert failed to goal. Grey 16, South Westland It). Air W. McLaughlin was referee. KIWIS v. PIRATES In the. only senior club match played on Saturday, Kiwis and Pirates played a drawn match, three points all, at Cass Square, Hokitika. The match was played in heavy rain, and was confined mainly to the forwards. There was no score at half time, but in the second spell. Donaldson scored for Pirates and Roberts scored for Kiwis, neither try being converted. JUNIOR GRADE United Juniors defeated Blaketown at Rugby Park by nine points to three, after a fairly evenly contested game. Harvey, Isaacs, and R. Ferguson scored unconverted tries for the winners and Brown scored for Blaketown. CELTIC DEFEAT STARS Star Juniors were no match for Celtic in a match played on the No. 2 ground at the Park. Celtic winning by 22 points to 3. Davies (3), Honey, Duffy and O’Connell scored tries for Celtic, Heaphy converting two. Shaffrey scored an unconverted try for Stars. THIRD GRADE Cobden Thirds defeated Technical, by 32 points to four. Kiely (3), Watkins (2), Skeats, Hector and Hadcroft scored tries for Cobden. Kiely converting three and Watkins one. Zampese kicked a field goal for Technical

nicai. Blaketown thirds defaulted to Stars. FOURTH GRADE Technical A fourth graders drew with Technical 8., on the School ground, three points all. Parry scored for the A. team and McLeod for the

B. team. United fourth graders won by default from Blaketown. PLAYERS TO TRAIN. Messrs. D. R. Dowell, T. P. RYan, and T. Mclntosh have chosen the. following 29 players for special training in view of fixtures with Canterbury, Marlborough, and Otago: — Backs: G. D. Gilbert (Grey), G. McNabb (South Westland). R. Vincent (S.W.), M. Davidson (Westland), W. Mann (G.), J. Costello (G.). H. Pfalilert (W.i. J. Agnew (W.), E. Collins (G.), S. Hendry (S.W.), L. Pedrotti (G.). R. Roberts (W.), F. Wyatt (S.W.). Forwards: R. R. King (W.), R. Kirkwood (G.). M. Olsen (G.J, P. Gar-

den (W.), J. Walker (W.I. B. Kelly (W.), B. Thorpe (W.), J. Cox (S.W.). Jas. Walsh (S.W.), J. Gilman (S.W.). R. Rear (G.). A. Scandrett (G.). P. Pascoe (G.). R. Birchfield (G.i, A. Ironside (G.), G. Berry (S.W.). SEDDON SHIELD. MARLBORO'S EASY WIN. BLENHEIM. August 9. Outclassing the challengers in all departments except scrummaging, Marlborough retained, the Seddon Shield, heating Golden Bay-Motueka by 36 ppihts to 8. Conditions were ideal for tire/epeh style of play which Marlbor(jtigh atippted. The football was pleasiiig in spite of the oii'e-sidedness of the gaine.... Marlborough scored eight tries, Lane converting six. Brown, McMahon, and Paine each scored twice, and O’Sullr-

van fill'd Lane once. For,‘ihe. challengers, Lunn afi'd Jury scored. Bufich con.verting .one. Lane was in excellent all-rpuhd .form, being; .tlje best back on the field. Brown and Ppine were dutstahdihg. loose forlVards., Lunii was the pick of the visiting backs and

Jury was a good heavy forward. AUCKLAND DEFEATS S’THLAND INVERCARGILL, August. 8. Greater all-round speed enabled the touring Auckland Rugby .team to defeat Southland by 19 points to 16 at Rugby Park to-day. 'rhe weather was fine, but the ground was heavy. The game began brightly, but developed into a dour forward struggle until half-way through the second spell, when there were some brilliant moves by both sides. The forwards were well matched. Southland's superiority in the tight being offset by the more effective short passing of the Aucklanders, of whom Hadley, Pepper, and August were outstanding. The best Sonthlanders were Sherriff, Irwin, Purdlie and Mattingly. The backs adopted different tactics, Auckland depending on its fast wings, while Southland, after losing Mitchell after 30 minutes’ play, sought to penetrate in the middle. Byerley was tho most prominent Auckland back, Beyer being sound at full-back, while Sharp

played an excellent game as the Southland centre. Purdue i Southland) was a better half-back than Frankham. Auckland attack strongly from the kick-off, and had Southland defending desperately. Sharp cut in an Auckland passing and passed to Mitchell at the half-way flag. The Southland captain evaded two or three tackles, and ran 50 yards with only Beyer to beat, but the full-back caught him two yards from the line. The All Black wing regained bis feet and scored in the corner. Wesney converted with a great kick. Southland was playing all over I Auckland until the visiting backs j took the game into the Southland twenty-five. Mitchell was injured and j

left the field. During his absence the Auckland backs handled cleanly for Byerley to score in the corner. Bush converted. Moyle retired injured and was replaced by Frankliam. Soon afterwards Mitchell retired from the game. Auckland continued to attack, and Curtayne fielded a clearing kick and kicked a field goal. Auckland was now definitely superior, Hadley taking the ball in every scrum and the backs delighting the crowd with quick passing. The Auckland forwards broke through in the middle of the field, and August finished a good rush by scoring under the bar. At half-time Auckland led by 14 to 5. The second half opened quietly with

: Auckland holding the upper hand. The : Southland forwards broke through to s the Auckland twenty-five, and Mat- : tingly kicked a goal from a penalty; Southland was now more than bolding its own, the forwards beating Auckland, and the backs being much improved. However, Auckland was too fast, and Byerley, after,a strong run, cleverly threw in to Bush, who scored and converted. Play was exciting as Southland rushed play into Auckland territory. Calder made a good opening for Wesney, who scored for Southland wide out. Mattingly converted. There were still 20 minutes to play, and Southland appeared to have a chance of victory. The

crowd cheered wildly when Mattingly kicked a penalty goal, and Southland was only three points behind. However. the Auckland defence held against the onslaughts of the Southland forwards, and the final scores were: Auckland 19. Southland 16. AUCKLAND 11. v. THAMES AUCKLAND. August 9. The annual Representative Rugby (match" between Auckland B and i Thames Valley resulted in an easy win for Auckland by 39 points to 11.

J Auckland's superiority in all depait ' nieiils was most marked, the whok team displaying much more dash and . combination than the visitors. AucKI land’s tries were scored by Dogan (•,). I Cdoiiev (2). Hook. Mcßeath. Thompisoh. and W. Smith. Hook converter. I four tries and Hedge converted two. I For Thames Valley, Childs, Rowe, and I Sisterson scored tries, one oi which | was converted by Barblich. I MANAWATU v. NORTH OTAGO [ OAMARU, August 9. i In the first match of their tour. Manawa'.ti beat Nc-ith Otago by 11 'points to 11 (five tries, one converted. !io a converted try, an unconverted I . . z ti fni.M n.i 1

1 try, and a penalty goal). Ihe liall- ' time score was 3 —6 in favour of Noith j Otago, but in the second spell the visitors’ passing improved, and they threw the ball about in spectacular 'fashion. Waugh scored three tries for i Maiiawatu. ! SOUTH ISLAND TEAM. i ■ DUNEDIN, August S. I Tho selection of the South Island ittam has been postponed until after itho Auckland-Canterbury ’ match on ; Monday. i IN OTHER CENTRES.

H CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. J i M’erivale 5. Linwood 3. Christchurch > 25, Varsitv IS. Sunnyside 0. Albion 0. : Old Boys' 41. Athletic 9. Sunnyside ’. win championship. ' i Superior inside backs and the ad- ! ; vantage of greater weight in both -: backs and forwards gave Old Boys’ [ i High School a win over St. Bede’s ! College in the annual match played ' on the High School ground by 11 points to 0. , . AUCKLAND, August S. . Training College 12, Technical 5; I Grafton 23, College Rifles 12: Otahuhr 12, Manukau 3: Marist 11, North Shore G. University won from Gram-

mar by default. WELLINGTON, August 8. Senior A.: First Division: Pduekc 7. Athletic 11. Wellington College Old Boys 27. Eastbourne 13. Petone 12. Mai’ist 18. Wellington . 12, St. Pat’s College Old Boys 6. Hutt 12, .Johnsonville 8. Senior A.: Second Division—Athletic 20, Wellington College 0.8. 17. University 35, Oriental 13. Wellington 16. Pirates G. Miramar beat United by default. TIMARU. August 8. Star 11, Zingari 0. Old Boys 5, Te-

muka 5. Wailii 11. Celtic 9. Ger aldinc a bye. NAPIER, August 8. Hastings 11.5.0.8. 12. M. 8.0.8. 11. Technical 16, Pirates 0. WANGANUI, August S. G.O. Boys 3, Kaierati nil. Technical Old Boys 14, Marist 5. NEW PLYMOUTH, August S. Tukapa 27, Inglewood 7. Clifton 27. Star 3. Hawera 17, Eltham 5. Athletic 23, Opunake 8. Waimate 21, Okaiawa 3. Kaponga IU, Patea 0.