LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 June 1937, Page 4

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

INANGAHUA BEAT COAST. FAST GAME AT REEFTON. Although holding only a five-point advantage at half-time, Inangahua de.cisively beat West Coast in the first Rugby League representative match, of the season, at Reefton, yesterday. The score of 24—14. was a fair indication of the run of the play, Inangahua being in the ascendancy throughout the second spell, while the first spell was territorially even. It was the Inangahua backs* that carried the day, Scott, Kiely- and Mitchell repeatedly breaking right through the defence, with neatly executed movements and sheer speed. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, Coast having a slight advantage in the loose. The ground was in good order for the match, but a thick fog made conditions unpleasant and cold for a large attendance of S'pect Atoys. ilieludins 158 who made the trip by the excursion train from Greymouth. In the second half the fog became so thick that it was almost impossible to see the players on the opposite side of the field.

The outstanding player on the field was undoubtedly P. Scott, Inangahua’s captain and second five-eighth. He had a hand in almost every scoring movement, and with Kiely to support him, cut the defence to pieces. Kiely also played a splendid game, running fast and straight, and defending well. A new player, R. Mitchell, was also effective in the three-quarter line, showing a surprising turn of speed. McKenzie was faultless as full-back, both on. attack and defence, and played up to his best form. The Inangahua forwards were a fairly even lot, Fox, McManus and Chandler being perhaps the most effective.

The West Coast selectors were justified in their selection of the young Blackball player, C. Mountford, as full-back. He handled well and ran his backs into position, his only fault being a disinclination to kick when hard pressed, with tne result that he was several times caught in possession. The’ Coast three-qularter line was not impressive as a unit, although Roberts, Weir, and Beban were responsible for some useful individualistic efforts. The fact that Walker, at second five-eighth, mishandled repeatedly, limited the opportunities of his outside men. Kirk, at first fiveeighth, was probably the best of the Coast backs, both on attack and defence. Morris played a sound game .behind the scrum, and did the work 'of two men. Perrin, Affleck and Seguin were all grafters in the tight, while Dunn and Brown shone in the loose. The game was played at a fast pace throughout, there being a number of sparkling movements, which kept the spectators’ interest, even when Inangahua were well in the lead. /I failure to pack the scrums correctly was the worst feature of the game, the ball seldom being hooked cleanly by either side. The teams were asi follow: —

West Coast: C. Moulntford, J. Roberts, J. Weir, A. Beban, D. Kirk, C. Walker, R. Morris, R. Brown, W. Seguin, P. Affleck, S. Perrin, B. Dunn, W. Glynn.

Inangahua: T. McKenzie, R. Mitchell, N. Kiely, R. McDougall, P. Scott, W. Clark, C. Wade, J. Fox, E. Chandler, F. Jackson, R. Morris, G. Richards, J. McManus.

THE PLAY.

West Coast won the toss, but there was no advantage to be gained. Play opened with bright passing by -both sides, while Scott repeatedly sent Coast back with well judged kicks. Eventually, from a scrum at half-way, Inangahua hooked and Wade sent on to Clark, to Scott, who cut through before passing to Kiely, and the centre easily side-stepped Mountford to score.in a handy position. Scott converted. Inangahua 5. West Coast nil. Kirk, Perrin, and Glynn took play to Inangahua line v T ith a loose rush, and from a ruck in the corner, W. Glynn dived over. Weir failed to convert, leaving Coast two points down. Clark sent Scott away from midfield and exploiting a neat scissors movement, Scon uanded on to Kiely leaving him almost unopposed. He was cau'ght on the line, but Mitchell was following fast, and ho picked up to dive over for a good try. Scott converted. Inangahua 10, West Coast 3. The reverse spurred Coast and McKenzie saved his line twice in succession. Coast were not to be denied, however, and from twenty yards ,out Perrin passed to Kirk, to Walker, and back to Kirk, w'ho flashed in under the posts. Weir converted. Inangahua 10, West Coast S. Morris put Inangahua on attack with a dribbling rush, and eventually Mitchell secured and passed to Clark, to Scott, to Kiely, to

McDougall, the winger scoring in the corner, after the ball had traversed the width of the field. Scott was unsuccessful with the kick, leaving Inaugahuu five points in the lead. Behan, Morris and Glynn penetrated deep into Inangahua territory and although the movement broke down momentarily, Behan again secured and crosskicked to the IJlind side, giving Rebels a clear run to-the corner. Weir was unsuccessful with the kick. Inangahua 13. West Coast. 11. The next Inangahua. try came as the result of one of the best movements of the match. McKenzie fielded the bail in

Jiis own 25, and ran thirty yards to send Scott and Kiel}’ away, the latter outpacing the opposition to score under the posts. Kiely missed the easiest of kicks. Inangahua 16, West. Coast 11. Half-lime found Coast attacking strongly. The fog appeared to thicken during

the interval, and when play was resumed, it was almost impossible to distinguish players across the field. Inangahua, opened with a hot attack, and kepi. Coast, hemmed in their own twenty-five. Scott missed two penalties and an attempt, al a field goal, before Coast gained brief respite,

through the efforts of Morris, Kirk, and Roberts. Inangahua returned to the attack, and a cross-kick by Roberts. in front, of his own goal posts presented them with a try. it being lidded by Scott, who sent on to Kiely, to Mitchell, who raced over in lite corner. Scott failed to convert. Tnangab.ua 1!). West. Coast 11. Mitchell again showed his pace a few minutes later, when ho received from Kiely, on the Coast 25, and flashed up the line , io score in a handy position. McKenzie con verted. Inangahua 21, West it. Throughout the second halt. West Coast hud been outclassed. but. they rallied in the closing stages and from a. loose ruck on the Inangahua line. Brown picked up to dive over. Behan missed a diffi'•ul: kick, leaving the final score.

Inangahua 21, West Coast 11. Mr It. Davis was referee. CURTAIN RAISER. An exciting, inicre.-ding curtainraiser was provided by the Marl'd (Crcymouth) and Reefton juniors. Both teams threw the ball about, well, and the result was a draw, eight all. Knapp scored two tries for Marist. Ryan converting one. I-'or Reefton. Sara, and .McPherson scored and 57. Scon kicked a penalty. Mr I. Scott was referee.

IN OTHER CENTRES. j CHRISTCHURCH, June I!', j Addington IS, Hornby IG. Sydenham ■I. Waimuir' 2. ! WELLINGTON, June 19. 1 Ponsouby (Auckland) 20, St. George 2'\ Petone 11. Combined team 5.