SPORTS REVIEW RUGBY LEAGUE SEASON WILL BE PROLONGED

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1946, Page 9

SPORTS REVIEW RUGBY LEAGUE SEASON WILL BE PROLONGED

Matdies to End of October Visits from Auckland Teams Indications are that the playing season this year is to. be unduly prolonged. As a result of recent postponements, it will be well into October before the senior one-round and knock-out competitions can be completed and there are also in view a special benefit match, challenge trophy games and fixtures against the Otahuhu and Richmond Rovers senior teams from Auckland. The Richmond Rovers match has been fixed for October 27 and, in the meantime this date can be accepted as the end of the season. Close Competition The senior one-round competition, which has now been combined with the knock-out, is in an interestingposition, with Marist and Blackball heading the ladder. The points table is as follows:—

Expansion of Code Reports from Wellington indicate that next season the League code will be established in the Wairarapa. Already, arrangements are under way for the formation of a club at Carterton, where two Wellington teams recently played an exhibition match/ The establishment of League in Palmerston North is well under way for next season and several prominent supporters have envisaged a network of League centres throughou the Manawatu and Wairarapa.. Mountford in Form '

The following comment from a Wigan newspaper indicates that Cecil Mountford, of Blackball, did not take long to strike form in England:—“Those who watched Wigan Rugby League’s club’s first practice match will no doubt be in agreement that Cecil Mountford, the New Zealand stand-off half-back is a very fine player and one who will do well for the club . . . Mountford soon won admiration for his skilful football. He accepted his passes cleanly and served the three-quarters smartly. He also made progress at times before parting with the ball and was quick to get/into position for a re-pass. As his team did the bulk of the attacking, Mountford had not much to do on defence, but whenever he tackled an opponent, he brought him down by means of powerful tackles by the legs. Bradshaw was nippy as scrum-half and the partnership should be excellent.”

Proposed Finale. Although the season is almost over, considerable interest is being taken in the suggestion that the proposed injured players’ benefit match should be between the West Coast team which defeated the Englishmen and a second West Coast side. The suggestion has much to commend it. It is recalled that the similar fixture, West Coast v. South Island, produced one of the best games of the season, from all viewpoints, and there is no doubt that the second team would be capable of fully extending the representative team. .

Two of the South Island players, J. Soster and J. Forrest, were kept out of the match against England by injuries and, from this viewpoint, they would be available for the opposition. Thus two positions would be allocated easily. The choice of the other two three-quarters would probably lie among A. Day, A. Galland (Blackball), J. Curragh (Runanga), and A. Gibson (Ngahere). J. Pascoe (Marist) must be regarded as a certainty for a five-eighth berth, and his outside man would probably be A. Smith (Ngahere). L. Sweetman, the Kohinoor half, is entitled to a trial in bigger football on hi? consistent displays in club games and he might be preferred to Barlow, who, however, is an improved player in the Marist team. As has been the case for the representative team throughout the season, there would be keen competition for the forwards’ positions, with R. Lee and A. Hoggarth (Brunner), A. Gillman and R. Neilson (Hokitika) as the nucleus. Choice of the additional front-row man would probably lie among K. O’Brien (Brunner), M. Laugeson (Kohinoor), and R. Thomson (BlackIt is obvious that with the talent outlined above there is scope for a match which would prove almost, as big a draw card as an inter-provin-cial fixture."

Too Many Trophies? Even on this year’s basis of seven senior teams, it is obvious that the West Coast Rugby League, will have to give serious consideration to the competitions that it will conduct next season. In the past it has always been the objective to conclude the official season at the end of. September, but it is already obvious that this is impossible this year, and indications are that the challenge matches will be too late, if played at all. The suggestion has been made that the knock-out should again be combined with an earlier competition, but another alternative which might find greater favour with clubs would be to drop the one-round competition played at the conclusion oi the championship. The championship could then be of two rounds, followed by a knock-out, with the challenge games played in conjunction with the knock-out, to ensuie that there would be no teams standing down, after elimination from the knock-out. Then, if there was time available, the season could be completed with a one-round competition. Some years ago, when played- earlier* the knock-out created greater interest than other secondary competitions and many have regretted its relegation to an inferior position.

Record Receipts at Gates Season’s Tola] Exceeds £l5OO With the stimulus of the matches against the touring English and Auckland teams, the West Coast Rugby League’s gate receipts this season have reached record proportions, much in excess of any previous figure. The treasurer, Mr L. P. Coffey, reported to last evening’s meeting of the League executive that the gross gates at all grounds to date totalled £1558/11/2. The amounts from all grounds, including representative fixtures, j,vere as follow: —Wingham Park, £713/4/6; Victoria Park, £615/11/6; Blackball, £lOO/5/-; Brunner, £l9/10/9; Kumara, £4/6/-; Rapahoe, £23/16/3; Ngahere, £3O 6/2; Runanga (to June 9), £32/9/-; Hokitika (one gate) £6/2/-. There was an additional amount of approximately £25 from Hokitkia,. which was given to a benefit fund. The secretary (Mr T. F. McKenzie) stated that, pending finality being reached regarding a number of accounts in connection with the representative figures, it was not possible to present a full financial statement, but the indications were that the credit balance at the end oi the season would be between £9OO and £lOOO.

The president, Mr B. F. Connors, was in the chair and there were also present, Rev. Bro. Clarent, Messrs N. Messenger, W. Meates, J. Oakley, J. Griffin, L. P. Coffey, J. Kidd, E. Pattison (management committee), M. Power, W. Gilbert (Marist), T. Merriman (Runanga), W. Todd, E. Kerridge (Kohinoor), A. G. Osborn (Brunner), R. Blake (Ngahere), AKennedy (Blackball), and McKenzie. An application by Linwood third grade team for a fixture on the West Coast next Sunday was referred to the secretary to make enquiries relative to accommodation before setting down a fixture. The president was appointed to attend a special conference called by the New Zealand League to deal with the proposed tour to England next year, to be held in. Auckland on September 27 and 28. It was also decided that, if necessary, a special meeting of club delegates be called on his return.

Labour Week-End Match The Richmond Rovers Club (Auckland) wrote stating that it proposed to send its senior team to the West Coast but, owing to prior fixtures, the Auckland League could not give it permission to travel before October 19. It was suggested that a game be arranged at Greymouth during Labour Day wek-end, when the team would be at full strength. The president said it seemed a pity that .the team could not come earlier, as the suggested date was a little late. , There was no possibility oi ending the season before the middle oi October, said Mr Kidd. The secretary said he had information that the Otahuhu team (Auckland) might play at Greymouth on October 14. In moving that the Richmond Rovers suggestion for a match during the Labour Day week-end be adopted, Mr Meates said that the League had its own ground and would not be interfering with anyone. The motion was carried and it was decided that the West Coast share oi the gate (40 per cent.) be devoted to the injured players’ fund. In reply to a question, the president said that there was also a possibility of playing a special benefit match for injured players. Following a discussion on the pro-' posed visits, Mr Kidd remarked, “There must be something about the Coast when all these teams want to come here.' It cannot be as bad as ‘Not a Wowser’ makes out.” The North Shore Albion Club (Auckland) advised that, owing to unforeseen circumstances, mainly the inability of representative players to obtain further leave, it had regretfully to cancel its proposed visit to the West Coast. The Kohinoor Club aplied for a bye for its senior team on September 29, in order to fulfil a fixture with the Addington team at Greymouth. Mr Kidd stated that the bye would fit in with the fixtures and the application was granted. The Marist fourth grade teams were granted permission to play matches against the St. Joseph’s team (Christchurch) at Greymouth during the coming week-end. Schoolboys’ Tour Cost The secretary submitted a statement showing that the total cost oi sending the schoolboys’ team to compete in the inter-provincial tournament at Auckland last month was £ 126/6/7.

Tentative plans for extensive improvements to the grandstand at Wingham Park, including t ; he provision of additional accommodation, showers, dressing rooms and lockers, were tabled and following a lengthy discussion, including references to alterations to the lay-out of the playing fields, the matter was held over until the next executive meeting; for a definite programme of work to be submitted. Arising out of a complaint by Mi Kennedy that insufficient attention had been paid to junior, and third .grade football, it was decided to play Town v. County junior and third grade trial matches on September 29, with a view to the selection of representative teams. The secretary was also instructed to renew representations to the Canterbury League for matches to be arranged, preferably in Christchurch. Fixtures Arranged for Week-end The following fixtures were arranged for the week-end: , Senior.— Runanga v. Hokitika, a. Hokitika, 2.45 p.m. (J. Griffin); Marist v. Ngahere, at Ngahere, 2.45 p.m. (L. Kinsdlla); JCohinoor v - Brunner, at Wingham Park, 2.45 p.m. (P. ■Sweetman). Thacker Shield: Blackball v. Rakaia, at Blackball, 2.45 p.m. (J. Mathews)'. Junior. —Runanga v. Rapahoe, at. Rapahoe, 2.45 p.m. (C., Fisher). Third Grade. —Knock-out: Runanga v. Brunner, at Wingham Park No. 1, 1.30 p.m. (J. Knowles). Fourth Grade.—Brunner v. Blackball, at Blackball, 1.30 p.m. (E. Bas--1 sett). Knock-out: Runanga v. Marist A, at Rapahoe, 1.30 p.m, (T. Purnell).

Non-competition: Saturday, Marist A v. St. Joseph’s (Christchurch'), at Victoria Park, 2.30 p.m, (R. Baird); Sunday, St. Joseph’s v. Marist B, at Wingham Park No. 1,30 p.m. (H. Bassett). Schoolboys (Saturday) .—Senior; Marist v. Kohinoor, at Victoria Park, 10.30 a.m. (L. McSeveney). Junior: Blackball v. Ngahere, at Blackball, 10.30’a.m. (E. Bassett); Runanga v. Brunner, at Brunner, 10.30 a.m. (C. Fisher);- Marist v. Kumara, at Ku-rna-a> a ' m ’ Griffin).

P. W. L. Points Ch. pts. P. A. Mnrist ‘-i :t — 4G 32 6 Blackball ' \4 :: 1 42 24 6 Ncahere 4 2 2 58 33 4 Brunner . „ , . . fl f-f 1 40 22 4 Hokitika 3 i 9 34 46 Kohinoor 3 1 .19 61 Bimanga 4 — 4 4 I 62 0