RUGBY FOOTBALL West Coast Outclassed By Canterbury

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 June 1948, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL West Coast Outclassed By Canterbury

Establishing definite superiority in both backs and forwards, the Canterbury Rugby representatives outclassed West Coast, winning by 22 points to 3, in the annual King’s Birthday match between the two provinces at Rugby Park, Greymou.th, yesterday afternoon The conditions were ideal and there was an attendance of 4000. It was Canterbury’s first win at Greymouth since 1944. The West Coast team was disappointing all round, but Canterbury plaved brilliantly at times and scored some first-class tries, the speed of "the visiting three-quarters and the smart service given by r. Vincent (half-back) and J. Roach (first five-eighth) being features oi the display. Territorially West Coast had as much of the game as its opponents", but lack of speed and drive (and fine cover defence by Canterbury) gave them little chance of scoring.

Contrary to expectations West Coast did not win. most of the ball — Canterbury had a good margin in its favour in the scrums and in the rucks. Coast had perhaps slightly the better of the line-outs, mainly through the efforts of Birchfield. The Coast pack lacked solidity and cohesion in the tight—too many looking for the break in the open—but they held their own in the open. It was noticeable that M. Wells, who hooked in the second spell, had greater success than B. Mettrick in the first. Not many close followers of the game had much faith in the ability of the West Coast backs prior to the game, there being obvious weaknesses judging by club play, and few of the backs enhanced their reputations. There was a general lack of speed inside and a lack of determined running on both attack and defence. The Canterbury backs had superior speed and the weaknesses in the Coast inside backs emphasised Canterbury’s greater speed. For some years now West Coast backs have been noted at least for their resolute tackling and general defence, but yesterday’s back-line failed in this respect. Fine Full-backs Some of the Coast backs played well at times as individuals but combination was lacking. Both fullbacks, J. Lindbom (West Coast) and ;D. Doak gave almost faultless displays. Lindbom handled and kicked well (in spite of a few failures to find touch) and he brought off some good tackles, but several times was simply outpaced by the Canterbury backs. Doak, except for a lapse or two. handled well and his kicking, while not lengthy, was invariably sure. J. W. Kelly and W. Argus were always dangerous, Kelly’s speed and ability to make the most of an opening marking him out. He scored three fine tries. Argus, the All Black and Kiwi winger, had fewer chances, but looked even more dangerous. It was a pity Bolton did not give him better service. J. Roach was the better of the five-eighths, giving a sound display in all departments and handling perfectly. D. Jones showed speed and a keen eye for an opening but his handling was not always sure. P. Vincent played an excellent all-round game at halfback for Canterbury, behind a winning pack. He worked his forwards well, passed smartly and showed commendable initiative. Walker’s Strong Running Outside Lindbom, who was the best of the Coast backs, E. G. Walker gave a good display of strong running, but lost caste by hanging on too long and trying to free himself of tacklers. He made one or two fine runs and tackled well. R. Stoop was not a success as a winger, but he made a good opening for Coast’s only try when playing at centre. W. Amberger played a patchy game, and only as an individualist. He seems to be better suited to a flank position than to inside back play. Neither R. Olsen nor E. Stoop had the speed off the mark for a successful inside back. They were slow getting up on both attack and defence and Olsen’s handling could have been improved. Olsen cut through several 1 times but did not get far. W. Hamilton, at half-back, played a solid game generally, but lacked sparkle and a number o£ failures to gather the ball cleanly behind scrums and line-outs cost him points. His passing was not as snappy or clean as Vincent’s. Nelson Outstanding G. Nelson was the best West Coast forward, being in everything that was worthwhile and backing up splendidly. It was a pity some of the others did not have his dash. R. Eastdate was the best of the frontrankers and R. Birchfield did some i grand work in line-outs and rucks. M. Herrick, playing his first representative game, gave an encouraging display and his backing up was an object lesson to some of the others. The experience will mean a lot to him. Generally the Coast forwards lacked drive and finish. The Canterbury forwards impressed as one of the best Canterbury packs seen on the West Coast for several seasons. There were one or two rather immobile forwards among them, but generally they played constructive - tootball as a pack-—fewer wingers than usual. Apparently they learned a lesson in Westport on Saturday. M. Hodgins was a successful hooker and A .Couling played an excellent game in the front row. R. Woodham and D. Herman were two good breakaways, and C. Chandler and C. Burdon were often prominent. Couling and Woodham were the best for all-round play. The teams were as follows: — Canterbury Doak; W. Argus, C Bolton, J. W. Kelly; D. Jones, J. Roach 1 P. Vincent; A. Couling, M. Hodgins, W. Brady; D. Herman, D. Stewart, B. Chandler, R. Woodham; C. Burdon. West Coast.—J. Linctbom; R. Stoop, W. Amberger, E. G. Walker; E. Stoop, R. Olsen; W. Hamilton; R. Eastgate, B. Mettrick, P. Eastgate; M. Herrick, R. Birchfield, J. Curtain, G. Nelson; J. Henderson. The referee was Mr A. Fong, ol Grey mouth. Canterbury opened the scoring 20 minutes after the start when fiom a scrum near the Coast 25 Vincent sent Roach and Jones away for Jones to run straight through the defence, fending off a couple of tackles to score in a good position. Kelly missed the kick. Five minutes later Roach sent Kelly awav just on the Coast side of half-way and Kelly showed a clean pair of heels to a couple of defenders to run round and score behind the posts. Kelly added the extra points. Canterbury 8. West Coast nil. This was the position at half-time.

Coast Players Injured Mettrick suffered concussion in tacklin°’ Argus just before the interval and in the second spell he was replaced by M. Wells. An alteration was made in the West Coast backs, Amberger moving in to second five-eighth and E. Stoop to centre. Just after the resumption Olsen was injured in tackling Argus and had to retire. He was replaced by M Stoop who went to the right wing

Walker coming in to first five-eighth. Vincent, Roach and Kelly combined splendidly on the blind side of a scrum in the Coast 25 to open the scoring in the second spell. Roach drew the defence and sent Kelly over unopposed 15 yards from the corner. Kelly failea with the kick. Canterbury 11, West Coast nil. One of Coast’s best efforts came soon after that try. -Walker made a strong run into the Canterbury 25, after cutting inside Roach, and P. Eastgate and Hamilton handled in a fine movement which ended when Nelson knocked on with practically a certain try ahead. Canterbury came back with another try. Roach placed a short pum beautifully behind the Coast threequarters and the ball bounced right for the flying winger Kelly, who ran 35 yards for an easy try 10 yards from the corner without having a hand laid on him. Vincent missed the kick. Canterbury 14, West Coast nil. R. Stoop was moved in to centre and E. Stoop out to the left wing at this stage. Canterbury’s next try was an excellent' effort. Vincent made ground round the blind side of a scrum before sending infield to Couling who made further ground before sending Argus away for an easy try well out. Kelly missed the kick. Canterbury 17, West Coast nil. , x L ■ Soon afterwards Vincent started another movement which ended in a try by Hodgins after Stewart and Chandler had had a hand in it. Vincent kicked an easy goal. Canterbury 22, West Coast nil. With less than five minutes to go West Coast scored its only points of the game. A drooped pass by the Canterbury backs in their own 25 was snapped up by R. Stoop, who drew two men ana sent E. Stoop over in a tackle 10 yards from the corner. Walker’s kick hit an upright and bounced back infield. Final score.—Canterbury 22, West Coast 3. GREYMOUTH JUNIORS DEFEAT WESTLAND For the first time for some years at Greymouth the Greymouth junior representatives defeated Westland by 11 points to 3. The match was played as a curtain-raiser to the West Coast-Canterbury match. Features of the game were the excellent tackling and backing-up of the Greymouth backs and the success of the forwards in gaining possession from scrums and rucks. Tries were scored for Greymouth by J. Henderson and N. Smith, E. Goodall kicked a goal from a penalty and also converted one try. Wallace kicked a goal from a penalty for Hokitika. Mr R. Ferguson was the referee. Playing at Rugby Park yesterday morning in their annual match for the Dixon Cup New Brighton juniors (Christchurch) defeated Celtic (Greymouth) by 14 points to 11. WEST COAST JUNIOR TEAM CHOSEN TO PLAY BULLER The following West Coast junior representative team has been chosen by the selectors, Messrs H. Clifford (Greymouth), and H. Pierson (HokiItika) to play Buller juniors at Westport this month:— Full-back: Wallace (Hokitika). Three-quarters: Nutting (H.), Gardyne (H.), Stewart (Greymouth). Five-eighths: Dobbs (H.), R. Conaghan (G.). Half-back: Garland (G.). Front row: Molloy (GJ, Tinetti (HJ, McDonald (G.). Sides: Schroder (HJ, Clancy (G.). Locks: Thorpe (HJ, Cowan (G.). Last-man-down: S. Garforth (G.). Emergencies:—Backs, Foster (H.), Lalor (G.), Woods (GJ. Forwards: Howat (HJ, N. Smith (GJ, Jones (HJ. __ WELLINGTON DRAWS WITH MANAWATU (P.A.) PALMERSTON N„ June 7. Manawatu and Wellington played a thrilling draw, 6-all, in the first representative Rugby match of the season today, before a crowd estimated at between 6000 and 7000. Although Wellington won two scrums to one, Manawatu directed a concentrated attack on the Wellington half. V. Bevan, and by deadly tackling frustrated most attacking movements. In the closing stages, Manawatu gained full ascendency and ranged the field in bright movements. For Wellington. Phillips kicked a penalty goal and Roberts scored a try. For Manawatu, Harkness kicked a penalty goal and Young scored a try. WANGANUIDEFEATS TARANAKI TEAM (P.A.) WANGANUI. June 7. The Wanganui representative Rugby team beat Taranaki, at’Wanganui today, by 20 points to 9. Wanganui had the better backs although Taranaki improved its back play in the second spell by including G. Beatty, an emergency at first five-eighths. M. Hunter, Wanganui first five-eighths, played an excellent game and T. Henderson, wing-three-quarter, was the fastest and most dangerous back. Beatty justified reports of his form last year. The gate takings were a record for representative Rugby in Wanganui. £558. HAWKE’S BAY AND WAIRARAPA DRAW (PA.) NAPIER. June 7. A field goal two minutes before the game ended enabled Hawke’s Bay to draw with Wairarapa, 8-all, in the annual King’s Birthday Rugby match today. Four thousand spectators watched a thrilling match on a muddy field. In spite of the conditions, play was open and spectacular, escecially among- the Wairarapa backs, for whom the All Black, Couch, was the bright star. A try by Matthews gave Wairarapa a 3-0 lead at half-time. Early in the second half, Frazer scored for Hawkes Bay. Wishnowsky converted. Blake scored for Wairarapa, Couch converting. Just before time, Churchward dropped a field goal, which under the new rule gave Hawke’s Bay a draw, but not a win.