RUGBY FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1945, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SEDDON SHIELD CHALLENGE. MARLBOROUGH DEFEAT COAST. In one of the best games .seen at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, tar several seasons, and certainly the best this season, West Coast narrowly failed in their attempt to wrest from Marlborough the Seadon Shield on Saturday, after leading by six points to nil at half-time, and the final score was: Marlborough 11, West Coast 6. The match was the final challenge for the year and the trophy will now be held by Marlborough until the challenges commence next year, when West Coast will have the first chance to lift the trophy. The weather on Saturday was fine and the hard, dry ground must have been a contributing factor in Coast’s lack of condition towards the end of the game. The crowd was large, £382 being taken at the gate. Coast was on top by a long way in the first half, and their supporters’ hopes that the trophy would return to the Coast were high. They secured the ball from a big majority of set scrums, though Marlborough were superior in the line-outs and loose rucks, and the Marlborough backs, who have been used to securing a lot of the ball, had an unusual defensive role to play. Backed up by the superb defence of Lindbom, who gave one of his greatest displays to date, Coast forwards, with vigorous and concerted attacks, made great bites into the holders’ defence, and the Coast inside backs, following out their instructions, sent high kicks up towards the full-back when securing from the scrums, and the Coast forwards following up smartly, often caught the full-back in possession. Marlborough, however, gave a much better exhibition in the second spell, their play in all departments improving, and when, towards the finish, the Coast’s condition gave out, their backs and forwards gained the upper edge and several thrusts were stopped just short of the goal-line. After Marlborough took the lead, West Coast fought back, but were unable to score.

King and Birchfield played excellent games in the Coast pack, with Birchfield giving one of his best displays this season. However, all the forwards played well and there were no shirkers for they were up against a formidable pack. Constable and Nelson figured largely in the looser movements* while Pegley , and Thompson were always to the fore, Thompson, in particular, getting through a lot of work in the tight. Fisher in the first' snell, though opposed by a hooker with a big reputation, secured most of the ball, and though he was not so successful in the second half, won 21 scrums to 15 against him. THOMAS ILL. Without having the reputation of the Marlborough backs, the Coasters were every bit as good, though neither side could penetrate much, except towards the end. The Marlborough backs were the more dangerous, though solid tackling kept them down. Hamilton took a gruelling behind the Coast pack, but came back for more and despite the punishment was responsible for some dashing runs, besides doing all that was required of him as a half-back. Coast was unfortunate in that Thomas, probably their best back, became ill on the journey to Blenheim and. though he was solid and managed to bottle up Welsh and exploited a high kick successfully, was not in his usual form. He was later removed to hospital and remained there after . the team left. Hurren gave a good display, though he was more conspicuous 'in the second spell. Amberger was always dangerous, and- left no doubt as to his defensive ability, keeping the South Island representative, Edwards, under control. A little more ambition on attack, perhaps, would have been to Coast’s advantage. Wright, was by far the better winger, handling and tackling well and being quick to grasp an opportunity. Silcock, however, had an off-day. and was not up to the standard of the others. Lindbom, as previously stated, was superb. receiving rounds of applause for brilliant handling and line-kick-ing, often sending the attackers back up to 50 yards. He was injured in a tackle just before Marlborough secu'red their only try. Though he did some good work towards the end of,the game. Jackson was poor in comparison with Lindbom, ’ but the other Marlborough backs were sound. Sowman particularly impressed with a fine swerve, but Welsh did not give any indication of his. reputed class. Edwards and Chandler combined well and their speed enabled them to bring off some good moves. Haines was easily the best forward and was in everything. He handled well and made some effective runs. Hegglun and Bennett also played well, and these three were much better than the rest of the Marlborough pack.

The teams were:— West Coast: J. Lindbom; L. Silcock, W. Amberger. R. Wright; P. Hurren, M. Thomas; W. Hamilton; J. Pegley, K. R. Fisher, A. Thompson, E. Constable, R. R. King, R. Birchfield, L. Skerton, G. Nelson. Marlborough: V. Jackson; R. Croudis, L. Edwards, H. Chandler; G. Sowman. K. Welsh; R. Nesbit; E. Haines, T. O’Sullivan, T. Hegglun, G. Heslcp. L. Simpson, F. Bennett. B. Gibb, G. Mustchin. THE PLAY. West Coast, got the early advantage, with Marlborough securing little ball from set scrums and line-outs. Haines was prominent in a forward attack which for the first time menaced Coast's line, but Birchfield cleared nicely. A high kick to the goal-line by Hamilton had Marlborough in trouble, and Croudis just got the ball out a few yards from the corner. Marlborough forwards were offdide and Lindbom’s kjick from about 45 yards out just fell short. A quick passing rush brought Coast up in front of Marlborough’s posts and, from a scrum there, Hamilton snapped out a pass to Thomas on the blind side. The latter transferred to Wright, who raced over wide out to open Coast’s account. Lindbom narrowly missed the kick. West Coast 3, Marlborough 0. A minute after a penalty kick was awarded to Marlborough for obstruction in front of the Coast’s posts, but Welsh’s kick was poor and went under the bar. Sowman, swerving brilliantly, raced through the Coast’s back line, but was grounded in front of the posts. A free kick saved a dangerous situation for Coast. Pegley made ground when he intercepted and a high relieving kick to the line by Edwards was taken excellently by King, who sent on to Wright, but he was pushed out in the corner. Marlborough were penalised 25 yards out for handling in the scrum, and Lindbom put over a great kick. West Coast 6, Marlborough 0. Lindbom won rounds of applause as he repelled Marlborough attacks with brilliant handling and- line kicking, and halftime came with West Coast stilb attacking and six points in the lead. A quick heel and change of direction had West Coast defending early in the second snell, but they rose to tbw occasion. Welsh again missed a fairly easy penalty kick. VZith Thomas grounded a quick heel gave Marlborough a chance, but Coast managed to force. A third kick by Welsh, again In front of the posts, gave Marlborough their first points. Coast 6, Marlborough 3. A nice nasslng burst by Edwards and Chandler took play right to Coast’s line, where play was quickly swung ' to the other side of the paddock, and Crou'dis dived over, but the

pass to him -was forward. Edwards and Chandler again figured in two passing movements which were dangerous, but Amberger and Wright saved. Marlborough were settingup a great attack, but Coast were valiant in defence of their lead and Marlborough were unable to cross. However, another penalty from a fairly easy angle saw Welsh goal and equalise. West Coast 6, Marlborough G. Coast forwards appeared tired and Marlborough'began to take the upper hand. A burst by Chandled took play up to Coast’s line, and then Hegglun forced his way over with four Coast forwards hanging on to him, and though his ruling was questioned, the referee awarded a try. Welsh converted. Marlborough 11, Coast G. Coast were enlivened by’ this reverse and Amberger made a great dash along the wing only to be grounded. The game ended with Coast still pressing hard and the score: Marlborough 11, West Coast 6. ; Referee: Mr. K. Mclntyre. The West Coast team returned to Greymouth last evening. CANTERBURY CHAMPIONS CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 16. Marist won the Canterbury Rugby Union’s championship for 1945 on Saturday, when it defeated University by 9 points to 8 on the oval at Lancaster Park in a game that was dourly fought from whistle to whistle—a game that was marked by many infringements caused by the over-keen-ness of players. It was plain in the early stages that neither team was prepared to give any quarter, and had it not been for the very firm control exercised by the referee, Mr. W. J. Brown, the game might have developed into a very ragged and rough exhibition. In the first quarter of an hour both sides offended by lifting in the scrum, offside play, shepherding, and in playing the ball while on the ground, and it was some time before the players realised that they were there to play football and play it according to the rules laid down.

WELLINGTON AND MANAWATU

WELLINGTON, September 16. ‘Wellington and Manawatu drew, 3-all, in a representative Rugby football match at Athletic Park yesterday. The weather was unfavourable to open play and the match was disappointing, with plenty of dropped passes, particularly by .Wellington. O’Donnell scored an unconverted try for Wellington, Stewart kicking a penalty goal for Manawatu. SOUTHLAND v/sOUTH OTAGO INVERCARGILL, Sept. 16. In a return Rugby football match on Saturday, Southland beat South Otago by 19 points to 0. Southland played much better football than in their previous : matches this season, reproducing some of the combination which made their previous teams so formidable. The match provided fast and entertaining football on a good ground, and in ideal playing conditions. For Southland tries were scored by R. Wadron, A. G. Sutherland (2), and E. G. Walker. R. Campbell converted two and kicked ' a penalty goal.