RUGBY LEAGUE Dominion Honours Gained

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1946, Page 9

RUGBY LEAGUE Dominion Honours Gained

More Recognition for

West Coast

When the New Zealand Rugby League team takes the field against England at Carlaw Park, Auckland, on Saturday it will include four West Coast players, the largest number from this district to gain international honours in one season. Even before West Coast’s great victory over the English tourists, the improvement in the standard of the football here had been recognised in the stronghold of New Zealand League, Auckland, as a result of the West Coast team’s performance last season and the win of the South Island side earlier this year, and the inclusion of four players in the test side did not come as a surprise.

In fact, in view of recent performances, the West Coast might easily have suppilied a greater quota. One of the unlucky ones appeared to be K. Mountford, who played outstanding football as breakaway forward against the Englishmen at Greymouth, and if he maintains this season’s standard he appears to have first-class prospects for a trip to England next season. Two others with chances of gaining higher honours, J. Soster and 'J. Forrest, were put out of the running on this occasion through injuries which deprived them of the opportunity of playing against the tourists. Also, R. Nuttall (full-bdck) and M. Ord (half-back) impressed the critics at Christchurch and Greymouth and must have come into the New Zealand selectors’ calculations.

Results to date in the Englishmen’s tour of the Dominion have encouraged hopes that New Zealand can win the test and the interest of all Rugby League followers will be centred on Carlaw Park next Saturday. Auckland Visit '■

Efforts to induce an Auckland representative side to visit Greymouth have at last borne fruit, and the match scheduled to take place at Greymouth at the beginning of September is certain to create exceptional interest, in view of the two teams’ performances against the Englishmen. A few years ago, the idea of a West Coast side beating a fullstrength Auckland team would have been remote indeed, but few would care.to give away points in hazarding a guess at the result of the forthcoming match.

Gain for Runanga Several years ago, T. Anderson, the Runanga wing three-quarter, was regarded as one of the most promising young backs in the senior grade. He recently returned from active service and made a re-appearance in his old position for Runanga on Sunday. Conditions were against any of the three-quarters giving good displays, but Anderson was one of the most effective Runanga backs and he should prove an asset.

Another Reappearance Another Runanga player who'has been off the active list tor some time, N. Kiely, made a reappearance to fill a gap in Sunday’s team and at fullback did well. His kicking was good and his handling of the sodden, ball wns above the team’s average. He was particularly sound on defence, and it is to be regretted that, apparently, his retirement was premature. Backs’ Small Gains . One of the deciding factors in the close game at Wingham Park on Sunday was the failure of the Runanga backs to gain ground when they did get into action. All made the mistake of cross-field running and frequently the ball passed through three pairs of hands, only for play to stop 10 or less yards nearer the Ngahere line. The same fault lias been noticeable in the Runanga backs under much better playing conditions and has proved costly. An example of what damage a straightrunning five-eighth can do, particularly when he has reached top speed before taking the ball, was given by A Gibson, the Ngahere second fiveeighth. His try, gained in this manner was one of the bright spots oi the’match and later he almost succeeded with the same strategy. A. Smith, at first five-eighth, was also impressive on Sunday and exploited the stab-kick to good effect, without over-doing it.

Promising Forward Ngahere produced several youn 0 players on Sunday and the result was a tribute to the vigour which they infused into their play. D. McVicar, at breakaway, gave one of his best displays to date and he must be regarded as a possibility for higher honours next season. Mel. Ord was also at the top of his form and was tireless in his efforts, being at the head of nearly all. the loose rushes. He also gave a good display of hooxing, although all of the forwards must be given a share of the credit lor Ngahere’s possession of the ban, the scrum being compact and wen packed.

“Speculators” Paid Sunday was one ol the lew days upon which “speculator” kicks could be excused, as it was almost impossible to pick up the ball, lying inches of mud, on occasions, anc. there is no doubt that Howden, the Ngahere full-back, made unusua y successful use of them. He never missed and frequently got his oj.it of serious trouble with football that was more like Association than League. Playing out of his usual position, Howden got through a haid clay’s work in great style.

Kicking Record The performance bf J. wxiiianio, the Brunner five-eighth, in kicking five penalty goals against MariSv on Sunday and thus gaining all ot m team’s points, was unique thio \~ c son. Irrespective of the positions from which the kicks were taken, n was a great effort on a water-mggec field.