RUGBY FOOTBALL Good Displays In Friendly Fixtures At Omoto Grounds

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 April 1948, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL Good Displays In Friendly Fixtures At Omoto Grounds

None of the senior teams playing in the friendly matches under the jurisdiction of the West Coast Rugby Union at Omoto on Saturday was at lull strength, and little line could be obtained on the relative merits of the learns. There was sufficient in the matches, however, to indicate that the standard this season will be good —as high if not higher than last year—and if the efforts of the teams playing on Saturday to play constructive football are maintained and developed, a highly successful season is in prospect. Both matches were bright and interesting, in spite of the usual first-of-season lapses, and the standard was relatively high. Last year’s champion team, Blaketown, defeated Cobden by 13 points to 11, after being down 8-3 at halftime, and Star defeated United by 20 points to G. There was the usual crop of new players, some from other districts, and others from last season’s lower grade teams, and while some showed considerable promise there were others who rather belied the reputations that preceded their appearance. . . Blaketown BLaKETOWN 13, COBDEN 11. Both Blaketown and Cobden set out to open up the game at every opportunity and there were some bright movements in a fairly high-scoring vame. Both teams were minus players who will be regular players when the competitions commence next Saturday. Among the Cobden backs the most impressive were J. Lindbom (at first five-eighth), R. Wright (second five-eighth), J. McKenzie (winger) and W. Borlase (half-back). Wright is back again with his club after army service in Japan, McKenzie is a promoted junior, and Borlase formerly played in Buller and Marlborough. A. McCone, B. Mettrick and Herrick (a promoted junior representative) were prominent in the Cobden forwards. The Blaketown forwards were led by A. and C. Panther and D. McKendry. C. Richardson (a promoted junior) and C. Muir were two new inside backs of promise in the Blaketown team. R. Morgan, R. Nelson, K. Walsh and J. Benyon were all prominent at one stage or another, and the Elaketown backs combined to score some good tries. Tries were scored for Blaketown by R. Nelson (2), K. Walsh, and C. Richardson. Muir converted three. For Cobden, A Inwood and R. Watkin scored tries, one of which was converted by Lindborn. E. Russell also kicked a goal from a penalty. STAR 20, UNITED 6

The speedy Star backs were unfortunately badly served as far as possession of .the ball was concerned in their game with United, and it was onlv the closing stages of the game that they showed something of their possibilities. B. Hayton was in top form in the Star backs and scored two splendid tries. The Star forwards played well, led by J. Pegley, M. Lambert, B. Dixon and G. Nelson, but unfortunately for its- backs the Star team appears to be without a good hooker. , , j n The United forwards played well as a pack and showed considerable promise, but the United inside backs, except their capable half-back, J. Robertson, were not strong. Robertson, T. Mathieson (a promoted, junior at full-back), and. A. Laing were the best of the United, backs. J. Moar hooked the ball consistently for United. Leaders in the United pack were W. Hill, D. Tucker, Pardon (ex-H.5.0.8., Christchurch), F. Holmes and A. Glen. Tries were scored for Star by Hayton (2), Pegley, and G. Nelson. Hopkins converted one try and Nelson kicked a splendid goal from a penalty and L. Richardson scored a try. The referee was Mr L. Stewart. Playing at Hokitika, Celtic (Greymouth) defeated Excelsior by 30 points to 9; Rovers (Buller) defeated Kiwi by 38.t0 nil. Lower grade matches resulted as follows: — Junior grade.—Celtic 12, Magpies 3; Blaketown 17, Star 6. . Third grade—Celtic 19, Technical 2