RUGBY FOOTBALL Coast Little Unlucky To Lose To Canterbury

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1949, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL Coast Little Unlucky To Lose To Canterbury

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day (0.C.). —After leading 11-5 at halftime, West Coast was unable to maintain its advantage against a strong W*nd in the second spell and was defeated by Canterbury by 15 points to 11 in the final representative match of the year, played at Christchurch on Saturday. Coast forwards played all over Canterbury in the first half, while quick tackling by breakaways and inside backs kept the Canterbury backs from shaping as they did against Australia. ; A, number of close calls prevented West Coast’s tally from being higher, and, in-the final minutes of play, West Coast almost snatched victory when after a brilliant passing movement from the Coast goal-line R. Breeze set sail for the Canterbury line only to be hauled down a few yards short. There was an attendance of more than 4000 at the match. ' Early in the game the West Coast forwards showed plenty of dash, and until the Canterbury pack settled down to. its work the visitors held an advantage- The backs saw plenty of the ball, but the passing was slow and across-field, and at no stage did the Canterbury backs appear unable to deal with the position. Inside Back Play

With fast-breaking forwards and five-eighths who stood on top of the Christchurch backs, West Coast adopted a style of football that stopped tries on one side and did not add to the other side’s total. J. Fraser and G. O’Callaghan, the West Coast fiveeighths, appeared to be allowed latitude by the referee, and several times the Canterbury five-eighths, P. V. Kearney, was bowled over while P. Vincent, the half-back, with the ball was making progress towards the West Coast line. The attention paid to Kearney by the West Coast five-eighths gave Vincent every chance to make his favourite dash from the back of the scrum, and several times he left the opposing backs standing. Vincent and Kearney were again called on to carry the back team for Mglcolm, at second five-eighths, and Reeves, at centre, were off their games! and dropped passes with disturbing regularity. Eddington, at full-back, was a poor substitute for K. Stuart, who was standing down with an injured knee. Shouldered with the extra responsibility of pack leader, Henderson played an inspired game—in line-outs,

scrums, and -heavy rucks. Seiwood played another good game and Chandler and Hardie, both a bit. jaded by hard football, were often prominent.

Outstanding Back The safest back on the field was the West Coast full-back, J. Lindbom, who gave a masterly display of handling in a heavy wind arid kicked with the unerring accuracy of'a master. R. Breeze, at centre, made several fast breaks which gained ground, even though the inside service was slow. G. O’Callaghan and J. Fraser, five-eighths, and Richardson, an emergency half-back, did good work on attack, but- showed up splendidly on defence.. J. Gillan at wing-three-quarters .handled well and kicked with judgment, and, starved of scoring chances, M. Stoop held his end up. ' W. J. Curtain and J. Woods were two fast-breaking forwards who caused the Canterbury backs some worry, and GNelson, No. 8 forward, hunted well in the loose. The bulk of the hard work was done by J. Hagen, R. Eastgate, and J. Flynn.

The teams were: — "Canterbury.—L. Eddington, R. Smith. D. Reeves, J. Kennedy, J. Malcolm, P. Kearney, P. Vincent, J. Stewart, O. Selwood, P. Eastgate, C. Hardie, B. Chandler, N. Dalzell, Z. Dalzell, M. Henderson. West. Coast. —J. Lindbom, M. Stoop, R. Breeze, J. Gillan, G. O’Callaghan, J. Fraser, G. Richardson, R. Eastgate, K. Fisher, W. Curtain, J. Woods, J. Hagen, J. Flynn, M. Wells, G. Nelson. Mr C. F. Cockburn was referee. The Play West Coast set up a hot attack- on the Canterbury line early in the game, and after the forwards had made several vain attempts to carry the ball over the line O’Callaghan picked up in the loose and scored a try, which Lindbom converted. With play still in the Canterbury twenty-five Fraser took a mark and potted a very fine goal, and when Eddington at full-back misjudged a high kick Nelson was on hand to score wide out.

Canterbury opened its account when Vincent dashed from the scrum and had a clear run to the -line while the West Coast five-eighths were busy tackling Kearney. Reeves converted. At half-time West Coast led by 11 points to 5. Canterbury had all the. better of the second half, and a long kick by Malcolm went out at the corner. When a scrum was formed Kennedy came through fast at first five-eighths and went, over for a try, which Reeves converted. A brilliant passing rush in which at least eight Canterbury backs and forwards took part broke down with play within a tew yards of the line, and Smith snapped up the ball and went over for a good try. Reeves kicked his third goal. Canterbury won by 15 points (three goals from tries) to 11 points (a goal from a try, a try, and a goal from, a mark).