LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1945, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

COAST v. CANTERBURY VISITORS HEAVILY DEFEATED Probably the strongest League football team ever to represent the West Coast met Canterbury at-Wing-ham Park yesterday in defence of the Ahisy Shield and inflicted on the visitors the greatest defeat in the history of the code in the province. Included in the Canterbury team were men who had made their mark in international football, but they were no match for the brilliance of the Coasters. They were outsmarted in every phase of the game, and the crowd of over 2000—probably the largest seen at Wingham Park—was, despite the one-sided aspect of the match, treated to a thrilling display of speed and combination against which Canterbury had little or no defence. Apart from an early thrust and isolated attacks, Canterbury were mainly on defence, and their efforts to penetrate, securing as they did a slightly larger share of the ball from set scrums, revealed a sad lack of plan or co-ordination. They were fit and did not give out at any stage, but were faced with a combination that would be hard to beaUanywhere, and few alterations will be necessary in the Coast team to go to Auckland, where it is confidently expected they will give a better display than last year. The Canterbury forwards and backs worked as separate units, and it was the alliance between these two on the part df Coast that resulted in the sweeps that carried West Coast from a defensive position to the opposing goal posts. There was plenty of individual brilliance in the Coast team, particularly among the backs, but once a break was made there were as many as five forwards racing in line ready to receive a pass if it became necessary. The game was a tribute to the Coast captain, Ces. Mountford, who gave his best exhibition to date, scoring no less than 28 of the team’s 60 points, four tries and eight conversions. Well marked after the first few minutes, nevertheless he cut through the defence time and again, and opened up breaks on the field. He was in almost every scoring movement. McNaughton again played judiciously and with Ord gave a faultless service to the scoring outside backs. A. Stenhouse, playing his first game for the Coast, completely vindicated the selectors m their choice, displaying speed, determination and a clever cut-in that carried him past many would-be tacklers. He was most impressive. Forrest, on the other wing, did nothing wrong, though receiving few opportunities and marked by a redoubtable opponent in C. Davison, and he played an excellent game. J. Soster did not have a great deal of work to do, but gave a creditable exhibition and was far better than Walker, the Canterbury custodian. W. Mountford played, up to his usual standard, but could, like several other backs, pay more attention to his defensive play. W. Glynn staged a great comeback in the forwards, and was easily the best forward on the field. He displayed some of the speed, anticipation and fitness that made him a leading figure some years ago. Another newcomer, Aynsley, also played, a great game and was on the ball all day. He had a wellmatched confederate in .J. Newton, j who played one of his best games this season. One of the most impressive forwards was Mcßride, who played hard football without flashing into brilliance. He was practically the only player, forward or back, who consistently tackled, low and his example could be followed by many backs to advantage. K. Mountiord and Merriman were not up to the standard of the others, but were by no means disgraced. Davison was the best Canterbury three-quarter, but was 'bottled up. Brown got few chances and like the other backs rarely penetrated. Neale was the better five-eighth, Lewis kicking too often, but both failed to set up to their opponents quickly enough and anticipated too much — often wrongly. A. Greening was content to do much on his own without feeding his backs. Smith and Neale were the best forwards and In a good team would have been conspicuous, but both have passed their prime. G. Newton played a ' solid game, and Noonan spoiled a good exhibition by rough tactics. The Greymbuth Highland Pipe Band and the Brunner Brass Band played selections during the afterThe teams were: West Coast (rod and white): J. Soster: J. Forrest W. Mountford, A. Stenhouse; C. Mountiord (captain), J. A'lcNaughton; M. Ord; M. Aynsley, T. Merriman. J. Newton, C. Mcßride. W. Glynn, K. Mountford. Canterbury (red and black): H. Walker; C.’Davison. R. Brown (captain). L. Bench; F. Neale. E. Lewis; A. Greening; R. Dunn. L. O’Brien, p. Smith. A. Gillman. J. Neale, M. Noonan. THE PLAY. Coast opened the scoring with dramatic suddenness. Canterbury had kicked off and wove pressing alter eight minutes of play when Coast hooked from a scrum on the- 25. McNaughton quickly sent on to C. Mountford, .who ran across field before sending on to W. Mountiord. The latter, however, did not take the pass, which bounced back into C. Mcuntl’ord’s hands, and he dashed through for 50 yards, swerving round the full-back and sent on to J. Forrest. who raced 25 yards to score a rood try fairly well out. Newton missed the kick. Mcßride was conspicuous in a Coast attack, and Forrest was bundled, out in the comer alter Sester had set his backs going. Gillman retired at this stage with al cut over the eye, being replaced by G. Newton. The play was exciting as Coast continued to press and a scrum saw the ball come to W. Mountford, who fended off a wouldbe tackler and ran in under the poste, converting his own. try. West Coast 8, Canterbury 0. Stenhouse made a couple of thrilling dashes but was given little room to work in. Aynsley went over but was penalised for offside play. C. Mountford cut. through in typical fashion, but was downed by Davison just short of the fine. A scrum was formed and Coast secured, Ord sending McNaughton away, and the five-eighth sent a reverse pass to Glynn, who crossed fairly well out. Newton concerted. West Coast 13. Canterbury 0. Merriman took the ball away at his toes and several forwards handled but Aynsley dropped a pass with a clear run. However, he touched down shortly after when Stenhouse streaked down the sideline and passed in to K. Mountford, to Aynsley, and the latter went over near the posts. C. Mountford converted making the score West Coast 18, Canterbury 0 after 25 minutes of play. McNaughton dived for the line but fell short as Coast kept up their attack. Hbwrever the ball was played and Merriman’scooped up the leather to dive over. Newton failed to convert. Canterbury forwards broke away, led by Newton, who was solidly dropped by Soster, and a score looked unavoidable when Noonan e dropped a pass. Coast recovered quickly and soon had Canterbury defending .again. Walker sent up a clearing kick, but this was fielded by McNaughton find he transferred to C. Mountford. The latter raced through to the. full-back ' arid sent .a long pass-to J. Newton, who fended off a high tackle to score iri a handy position. C. Mount-

ford converted.. This was after 39 minutes of play and half-time sounded with no further score and Canterbury attacking. Two minutes after the resumption West Cohst scored a great try, bringing the score to 31 to 0. McNaughton again got under the kick from Walker at about half-way, and he sent on to C. Mountford, W. Mountford, Stenhouse and Glynn, and as- this quartet raced clear of’ the Canterbury defenders a whole row of Coast forwards formed in support, stretching right across the goal-mouth. It was Newton who crossed after a per'feet illustration of co-ordinated play and C. Mountford goaled. Good work by Stenhouse brought about Coast’s next try. A scrum had gone down on Coast’s 25, and the ball travelled out to W. Mountford, who transfer-? red to Stenhouse after a short burst. Close to the sideline and with only a few yards to work in, Stenhouse sidestepped two opposing backs and completed a deen thrust into Canterbury territory before handing on to C. Mountford, who raced for the posts with five Coast men running in a line alongside of him. Mountford also converted' A dropped pass by Lewis a few minutes later enabled K. Mountford to .scoop up the leather and he shot out a pass to C. Mountford, who sprinted infield, catching the Canterbury men on the wrong foot, and he again touched down between the posts and converted the try. West Coast 41, Canterbury 0. C. Mount ford, again broke through but was grounded by Bench. However, his pass to W. Mountford was accepted and the latter passed on to Stenhouse as he reached Walker, and Stenhouse scored handily. McNaughton missed the kick. In 18 minutes of play in the second spell Coast had scored 18 points, and the crowd had been given a treat. AV. Mountford was pushed out in the corner twice as he attempted to increase Coast's tally. Canterbury belatedly opened their account with startling rapidity. A long kick had been taken by K. Mountford, but his pass to Soster was a poor one and Neale scooped up the bouncing ball and raced through with an open field ahead of him. Soster, however, chased and grounded him just short of the line. The ball was played and there were few Coast defenders m the vicinity when Smith picked up and he raced over for a good try. Noonan converted. West Coast 44. Canterbury 5. Forrest gained 30 yards with a determined dash and Aynslev picked up to score near the posts, C. Mountford converting. A minute after Ord kicked through and shot out a pass to C.. Mount ford, who dived for the corner. Newton’s kick from the side-line hit the cross-bar. Coast 52. Canterbury 5. A scrum in Coast’s territory saw Stenhouse pass to C. Mountford, who sent back to him, and the latter cut through before sending a long pass to W. Mountford, who just beat Davison to the corner. Newton did not convert. Full time had gone, but two passing movements from a, scrum in Coast territory took play to Canterbury’s posts and there AV. 'Glynn cleverlymanoeuvred his way over and C. Mountford converted. The final score was AA z est Coast 60, Canterbury 5. Referee: Mr. T. F. McKenzie.

In the schoolboy 6st 71bs curtainraiser between Town and Country teams, Town won by 9 points to nil after an interesting display. Following the games both teams were entertained at a complimentary dinner at the Club Hotel where the President of the AVest Coast Rugby League, Mr. B. F. Connors, presented the Coast captain, C. Mountiord, with the Anisy Shield. TEAM FOR AUCKLAND The team to represent the AVest Coast at Auckland on August 4 was chosen by the selectors following yesterday’s game, and there has been only one alteration to ihe side, Malone (Marist) going in while Merriman has not been chosen. The team is:— Backs: J. Soster. A. Stenhouse, Ay. Mountford. J. Forrest, C. Mountiord, J. McNaughton, M. Ord, R. Forrest, R. Nuttall. Forwards: C. Mcßride, AV. Glynn, M. Aynsley. J. Newton, S. Clark, P. Malone, L. Forrest and K. Mountiord. The school-boy 6st- 71b. games played at Victoria Park on Saturday resulted as follows: Marist 20 —Kohinoor 3; Runanga 26—Blackball 13; Brunner 25—Kumara 5. J.n a 7st 71b. game, Marist 25. beat Runanga 14. AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. AUCKLAND, July 22. In a League football match, Auckland beat Wellington by 46 points to 7. Wellington was overwhelmed, being bewildered by the tactical play and speed of Auckland. N.S. AVALES V. QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, July 22. A. record crowd for an Inter-State match at Brisbane, numbering 30,000, saw the New South Wales Rugby League team defeat Queensland by 30 points to 19.