RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 May 1944, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

STAR-UNITED & HOKITIKA WIN Weather and ground conditions were perfect for the West Coast Rugby Union’s competition matches on Saturday, and there were two good senior matches at Rugby Park. On the No. 1 ground Star-United, making their first appearance for the season, defeated Celtic, in a bright display. On the No. 2 ground, Hokitika, strengthened by the inclusion of two Cobden forwards, defeated Blaketown. Here again the back play was bright. In the lower grades, Celtic and Blaketown thirds and Celtic fourths were successful. STAR-UNITED v. CELTIC ' Star-United seniors decisively defeated Celtic in the principal match at Rugby Park, by 11 points to three. The margin was eight points, but there was hardly that between the teams for each side scored only one try, the rest of the points for the winners coming from goals. Both sides threw the ball, about well, but solid tackling and mistakes in handling prevented high scoring. Topp. A. Thompson and de Freatus were the pick of the Star-United backs, Topp playing an excellent game at full-back. De Freatus scored eight points off his boot. Jones and Pegley were the best of the combined team’s pack. For Celtic, Millett and R. Thompson were the most dangerous backs, their combination producing a spectacular try. Croudis, Rae and Nelson were the most consistent of the Celtic forwards. Star-United were rewarded with first blood after a number of unsuccessful attempts to break through the defences. A. Thompson cut through smartly to score the first try and de Freatus added the extras. The combined team had the better of the exchanges and towards half-time de Freatus put them further ahead with a goal from a penalty. Star-United 8, Celtic nil. Soon after the resumption de Freatus again came to light with a goal from a penalty in a handy position, but from then on the combined team failed to add to their total. Celtic made determined efforts to reduce the leeway and they were rewarded when Muiett and R. Thompson combined splendidly for the latter to score a try which was not converted. Celtic's further efforts were unproductive. and the game ended: StarUnited 11, Celtic three. Mr C. F. Cockburn was referee. HOKITIKA v. BLAKETOWN Hokitika and Blaketown also provided an even game on the No. 2 ground, with Hokitika winning by 10 points to nil. The winners’ backs were superior to their opponents, and in the tight the Hokitika forwards were also the better, but Blaketown showed up in a favourable light in the loose and their spoiling tactics upset many prominent movements. Nolan, Amberger, and Olsen were the best of the Hokitika backs and Birchfield and Watkin (two Cobden players) with Mitchell and Tomlinson were the most consistent of the visiting pack. Thomas and Lawson were the best Blaketown backs. The teams were: — .„ Blaketown: M. Thomas, N. Lawson, IVI. McDonald, N. McGuire, R. Nelson. G. McLean, R. Leach, N Webster, D. McKendry'; E. Inwood, P. Mitchell, J. Smith, K. Tomlinson, j\. Inwood.

Hokitika: Finerty, Olsen, W. Amberger, Tulloch, ,L West, Nolan Davidson, Chappell, Atkinson, Bradley, Shuker, Michel, Birchfield, Watkin, A. Little. Watkin and /Ymberger scored tries for Hokitika, Davidson converting one and Nolan the other. THIRD GRADE Celtic third graders defeated Cobden by 14 points to 11, after Cobden had led by 11 points to three at halftime. Blaketown thirds., defeated Technical by 11 points to nil. In a fourth grade match Celtic easily defeated Blaketown by 24 points to six.