Disappointing Match At Hokitika: Visitors’ Success

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 June 1948, Page 8

Disappointing Match At Hokitika: Visitors’ Success

Tn contrast to yesterday’s game, the match at Cass Square, Hokitika, on Saturday between South Auckland and the West Coast second team was a dismal affair. The standard of the football, with the exception of a few bright patches, was not up to club average.

Solid tackling and spoiling tactics by both, teams kept the scoring down in the first half and at the interval each side had notched only one penalty goal. In the second half, South Auckland backs functioned much better and they were responsible Tor some enterprising and entertaining football. There was an attendance of about 600.

Home Backs Fail

The West Coast backs, however, consistently failed to function as a team. They lacked combination and even usually reliable players, such as G. Menzies and R. Forrest, were forced into mistakes by the lively and fastbreaking South Auckland forwards. The ball seldom travelled the length of the West Coast backline, either through mishandling or players being caught in possession. This latter fault, which was also common to the forwards, led to endless playing-the-ball and was the chief reason for the drab football. The West Coast attempt to counter the visitor’s superior speed and combination in the backs by keeping the play tight was another factor.

The South Auckland backs also mishandled a good deal, particularly in the first half. Overhead and ground conditions were perfect and it appeared that a new, lively ball upset both teams. In the second half, however, South Auckland played with greater confidence and with good backing up they had West Coast defending for most of the spell.

The outstanding West Coast forward was J. Calder, although F. Mulcare and F. Malloy also played well. As a whole, the pack appeared to lack leadership. The best south Auckland forwards were A. J. Skinner, F. Williams and J. Rogers.

The only really impressive West Coast back was L. Sweetman (halfback). W. Pascoe and J. Gibson on the wings tackled well but had no attacking opportunities. A Hines, who replaced R. Nuttall as full-back kicked well, but was a little shaky in his handling and defence. The best of the South Auckland backs were O. Brooks, P. Tukere, R. Stevens and L. Allen.

The teams were as follows: — South Auckland. —R. Stevens; P. Tukere, O. Brooks, D. Hedges; J. Pawson, W. Phililps; L. Allen; A. Hilton, A. Skinner, S. Harlock, R. Dow, J. Rogers, F. Williams. West Coast. —A. Hines; J. Gibson, R. Forrest. W. Pascoe; G. Menzies, I. Marley; L. Sweetman; F. Mulcare, J. Calder, F. Malloy, D. McVicar, J. Higson, W. McLellan.

Scoring Movements South Auckland had a territorial advantage in the first half, but was unable to press it home, due to handling mistakes by its own five-eighths and solid West Coast tackling. The West Coast backs had chances, but never got far, with Marley spoiling an otherwise good display by failing to get the ball a way quickly enough. Calder and Mulcare made several good openings, but support was lacking on each occasion. The only points in the spell came from

penalty goals, Stevens and Hines both securing two points. . Brooks and Hines both kicked penalty goals early in the second half and with the score at four-all, the game brightened up. The first try scored by Soutn Auckland came as the result of a good back .movement, completed by Tukere. Brooks converted. Stevens increased the lead with a splendid field goal from the 25 and in the closing stages Williams sold several “dummies” in a brilliant solo run from just inside the Coast 25 and virtually jumped over Hines as the full-back went into tackle, to score between the posts. Brooks converted, to make the final score, South Auckland 16, West Coast 4. Mr L. Kinsella was referee. TEAMS CONGRATULATED

Congratulations to the .South Auckland team on its splendid record on the West Coast and to both teams on yesterday’s display wer.e extended by many speakers at a social function last night. It was attended by the players and officials of both leagues, Mr B. F. Connors, president of the West Coast League presiding. The co-managers of the visiting team, Messrs W. Davies and E. Sutherland, replying to the speeches of congratulation, paid tributes to the West Coast sportsmanship and hospitality. ; Mr O. Brooks, on behalf of the visiting team presented the Runanga club with a pennant, inscribed “Presented to the Runanga Rugby League Club as an appreciation from the South Auckland touring team —1948 season.’/ The pennant was received on behalf of the club by Mr T. Merriman. The South Auckland team will leave tomorrow, on its return to Huntly.