TWO WEST COAST SCHOLARS SCORE TEAM’S 20 POINTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 August 1949, Page 3 (Supplement)

TWO WEST COAST SCHOLARS SCORE TEAM’S 20 POINTS

The curtain-raiser to the West Coast-North Otago match at Oamaru last Saturday had a West Coast flavour about it, for two Greymouth youths were members of the Waitaki Boys’ High School first fifteen which defeated Otago Boys’ High School in the first match played, between the two schools for almost 20 years, writes the Evening Star reporter with the West Coast team. The two did a lot to establish the West Coast’s reputation for Rugby ability, foi* between them they scored all 20 points to Waitaki, which won by this margin, Otago failing to open its account. J. Martin, son of Mr J. Martin, of Greymouth, was captain of the Waitaki High School team, wjiile outside him on the right wing was Russell Steel, son of Mr and Mrs J. Steel, of Greymouth, and a younger; brother of J/R. Steel, who later that day played on the right wing for West Coast. Steel was one of the outstanding backs on the field. He was given good assistance by Martin. Martin kicked through for Steel to catch the fullback in possession, allowing the former to score the first try, and then Steel raced from half-way to dive over in the corner in a tackle. It .was an excellent display of determination and speed. Steel was also on hand to take a pass for a second try, following which Martin, called on when other kickers had failed, goaled from a penalty to make the half-time score. 12-0.

The biggest thrill came, however, when Steel beat his man at half-way, raced down the side-line with Martin in support and “sold” a perfect dummy to the full-back. Steel then outstripped the field to score under the posts. Martin converted the try, and later kicked a good penalty goal to give the two West Coasters the total 20 points scored in the match — an-almost unique performance.