REEFTON DITTMAN SHIELD MATCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1946, Page 4

REEFTON DITTMAN SHIELD MATCH

COMMENT ON CHALLENGE GAME (0.C.) REEFTON, Sept. 16. On Saturday Greymouth (challengers) met Inangahua (holders) in a game for the Dittman shield and was beaten by 12 points to 8 in a fast and exciting game. Play, however, was confined mainly to the forwards. The ground was in good order, but the ball was greasy and appeared to be difficult to Inangahua forwards, except in the set scrums and for quick heeling, always had the edge upon the Grey pack and for most of the game, helped by long line kicks by the backs, kept play in the Grey half. Inangahua employed well-judged kicks and with the forwards following up fast and tackling hard the Grey backs had few chances of going into action. Though Grey heeled from the scrums, Burrows, Murphy and O’Regan were usually at hand to smother any attempt of F. Roberts, the Grey half, or his inside backs to attaclc For Grey, L. Martyn, the fullback, had a busy day, and played well, though his line-kicks were not as lengthy or accurate as those of I his opposite number. F. Roberts, at half, had plenty to do and did well, considering the attention of the Inangahua forwards. The outside backs had few chances. They showed speed on occasions but were caught in possession. Forwards who were prominent were A. Krakosky and A. Glen, who led an even pack. Their quick following up stopped many clearing kicks. For Inangahua, L. Fitzgerald proved to be alert, particularly on attack. Bonifacio was shaky on attack for a start but his defence was solid. Condon had few opportunities, and his kicks were on the short side. H. Bellis was safe and sure. P. Cutbush was safe but had few opportunities on attack. Newcombe defended well, but was inclined to run with the ball before passing. This gave his backs little time to set up an attack. McKane’- played well, his line kicking being a feature. He was caught in possession, however, and the resulting attack gave Greymouth its try. Of the forwards, the hardest working in an even pack were O’Regan (who was the best forward on the ground), Burrows, Nieper and Bannon. The weakness of the forwards lay in their failure to pack quickly enough in loose rucks. COAL PRODUCTION FIGURES The weekly coal production in the Reefton district mines for the week to September 14 was 2494 tons, as compared with 2888 tons in the previous week. The continued fine weather assisted open-cast mines to maintain a good daily output. PERSONAL Dr. J. L. and Mrs Wicken, who have been visiting Gore for the golden wedding celebrations of Mrs Wicken’s parents, Mr and Mrs J. Spittle, have returned to Reefton. The wedding will take place on September 18, at Brompton Oratory, London, of .Flying Officer Cyril Hughes, R.N.Z.A.F., younger son of Mr and Mrs W. Hughes, of Reefton, and Miss B. Cunnane, of County Mayo (Ireland), a former member of the staff at New Zealand Forces Club in London.