RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 10 August 1925, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

HONOUR TO STARS CHAMPIONS OF 1925 EXCITING -GAME WITH UNITED. RECORD CROWD AT PARK. Results at a- Glance. Star I (16) —U.iited (8). Blaketown 11 (181- —Cobden (5). Barrytdwn II (5) —Cobden (3). Tech V (12) —Cobden (12). Grey Tech (17)—Hokitika D.H.S. (15). ‘ So, the close of the inter-club competitions for the 1925 season sees the boys of the Amber and Black jersey once more nt the top of the list, the champion Rugby team of the West Coast Rugby Union. They deserved their wi.i on Saturday. Playing a dashing game, and letting very little slip by, after the fust ten minutes or so, it was not hard to foresee the result of the match, which statement is not intended to detract from the merits of the opposing side—the popular United, who felt the absence of Gordon McKay. Far from it. The trouble with the Blues was that they hung too closely together, albeit their play on the whole was good, and their tackling deadly. So indeed was Stars, which, conjointly made the game a fast and exciting one. The crowd was the largest seen at any Club match in Greymouth for a lo.ig time, the spectators almost entirely encircling the field. As has been mentioned before, the first ten minutes saw United tackling in deadly earnest —they were dangerously near the Amber citadel during that time—and the shouts of “United United!’’ issuing from hundreds of throats floated across the green. Those first ten minutes were moments of intense excitement. The Amber supporters were having an anxious time. Once, during the first stages of the game, when Steel broke away, tl ey yelled their approval, but it was cnly la transient effort, Warnes’ kick from a mark restoring the Blue Supporters'' confidence. The first spell—l 3 to nil—was more even than the scores wou’d / seem to indicate, but there can be to gainsaying the faet that Stars had the* better of matters. The second half was decidedly the more imeies*ing portion of the game, and bjth aides were “kept to it’’ all the t-’me. United, in this spell, piled on eight points, Ambers adding another try to their total. Taken all round, it was a good clean game of Rugby, providing more excitement in the initial stages than at the end, and was a fitting close to on e of the most interesting club compeitious that the Coast has had in latter times. Stars proved the victors by Hi points to eight. Walton was easily the outstanding figure for the losers. He played a hard safe game, and his kicking was a feature of the day. In this, he shared the honours with Goodall, (the IStar full-back. Mcrv. and Pat Jamieson also played a dashing game for their side, but “Pip'' Jamieson appeared to be a little off colour, partly accounted for by over-eagerness. The foregoing remark is ’needful of qualification. “Pip’’ played a good game—the spectators one and all recognised that — but he has played many a better one this season. Warnes, Ames and Charteris were also noticeable in the afternoon's operations.

Mosley, Goodall, Steel, Turtill, Nelson, and Thomas were th e most prominent of the winners. The first-men-tioned player played his game of games, and was instrumental, besides being the actual scorer, in more than one try being registered against the opponents. Th e opponents of Goodall, who vouchsafe the fact that he is “no good when bustled'' had plenty of opportunity of revising that opinion on Saturday. He played a sterling game, and was as a brick wall to those who tried to “get through.’’ Steel, although obviously not at h<s best, was nevertheless a tower of strength to his side, and Nelson and Thomas played with their usual swift and bridiant dash. Mr J. Guerin made a.r efficient and impartial referee. THE GAME. Turtill kicked off for Stars, Pip Jamieson returning Hie leather to the Amber twenty-five flag, and play remained in this dangerous quarter for some minutes, L’niteds immediately’ assuming the offensive. Stars were hard put to it for a while until Turtill kicked to mid-field. Up and down play was indulged in for a while, and then a combined United rush was instituted. To th 0 spectators it appeared to be a moving mass of Blue surging down on a weak Amber defence, and they’ cried themselves hoarse. But they had reckoned without Goodall. He was there and he had the leather up in a trice, and before the onlookers were quite sure of what had happened, the ball was sailing overhead finding touch at the 25 flag—a powerful kick. But the Blues were not to be outdone, and they soon had matters (and the ball) in their own hands, play’ being shifted to Star ground with a swiftness that was remarkable. Here, just when things were looking black for the Ambers, Steel broke away, but was grassed. Stars,were on the ball, however, and were moving forward when Warnes marked, the resulting kick, though good, did not go near the posts (the wind militated against that) but it had the result of transferring the scene of actions to within a few yards of the Star line. From a line-out, Walton secured and passed to Warnes, who missed, and a certain try was lost. Play’ still remained in close proximity to the Amber goal, and only the sound defence saved United from getting over. Up to this stage, with the one exception mentioned, the Blues were dominating the game. Then the Ambers became animated. Nelson, Thomas, Steel and Turtill swept down that field in a manner that roused the spectators to cheers, but a penalty for offside play thwaned the pffort, Warns’

f kick finding midfield. Following up smartly, the Blues once again assumed the aggressive. Steel was there, right in the thick of some solid play, and picking nip smartly, he kicked to within two yards of the Blue line, where the leather found touch. From the throw-in, Mosley secured, and literally vaulted over the line, amidst a salvo of cheering, thus drawi ig first blood for the day. The attempt at the majority bore no fruit. Stars 3—United 0. The Ambers evidently intended following up the advantage, and things ' were “not too rosy’’ for United, when Pip Jamieson swooped up dexterously, and made a. magnificent run to midfield before he was grounded. Some exciting play followed, and both sides ' jfound occasion to exert themselves to I the utmost. Here another penalty . against Stars gav e Blues the advan- , tage, although Warnes’ attempt at goal J proved another failure. But United Agave the Ambers an electrical few A minutes immediately. Play had been I taken to half way when a combined forward movement on the part of the Blues literally swept down all opposi.l tion, and the cries of “Tliey’r p over, they’re over’’ could be heard from the , frenziedly excited crowd. But they wer e 1101 —although almost. Steel had saved the situation when Uniteds were within inches of scoring, by kicking ou t —the ball going over the spectators’ heads. Stars got the better of I’the throw-in, and Mosley, Turtill and Steel, in a pretty passing movement, were carrying the Amber banner to what looked like another score, when Walton saved by tackling the latter at half way. The Uniteds’ tackling was superior to Stars throughout the game. Mosley secured the ball and kicked to ten yards off the line. Then, Goodall, rushing forward, caught the return kick unfailingly, and instead ot kicking back, as players and onlookers thought it was his intention to do, made a magnificent solo run to half I way. He spoiled a wonderful effort, however, by holding on to the ball, and found the grass. Shortly after, from a line out, Mosley secured the leather, swung into action ,encircled all opposition, and passed neatly to Nelson, who also made a great run, transferring the leather at the crucial moment to Thomas. The last-named cleared about six men, including the full-back and scored. Steel made no mistake with [ the kick. | Stars B—United 0, Stars were to add another five points to their score, before the half time bell sounded. It happened in this wise. From some scrimmaging play in midfield Mosley picked up, made a great run, and passed to Nelson. The latter passed to Jarden, who got over, Steel again adding the majority, The spell ended shortly after with the scores:—

Stars 13 —United 0. Play was very even for some minutes after the commencement. Uniteds instituted one forward rush, but Goodall relieved by a mark. Shortly afterwards P. Jamieson took a shot at goal, the ball just missing, and then a free kick to Uniteds allowed them to register their first score, Walton sending the leather beautifully between the posts to the accompaniment of deafening cheers. Stars 13—United 3. The crowd was now wildly excited, and seemed, if sucK were needed, to transfer some of their enthusiasm into the teams. First one side and then 'he other would break awr.y, and likely looking scores were brought to nought by thg splendid back-walls of defence. Here was Rugby of “the good old days’’ and the hearts of the onlookers were gladdened as they witnessed it. There were two sensational incidents in this spell. The first was provided by M. Jamieson, who picked up the ball at midfield, and ran. right through all opposition, scoring Uniteds’ only try. Walton added the major points. Stars 13 —United 8.

The- Ambers then put United on the defensive. Play was at midfield when Nelson got the ball and made a great solo run almost to the Blue line, where he was grassed, the leather going .rut. Shortly after the same player had a shot at goal from a mark, the ball falling short. The second exciting moment occurred after a period of hard play. The Ambers hud gradually ground down the defence of the Bluea and wer e slowly moving towards the sought for line, the spectators the while being on the proverbial tenterhooks. A few yards forward the Star jiack moved, only to b e driven the same distance back. And so it had been for some minutes, when Mosley snapped up the oval and threw high to Steel. It was quick work, but Steel was ready for it. By an encircling movement (he could never have got through the defence otherwise) L<.reached the line, thus adding the lastscore of the day’, but his attempt to convert failed. Star 16—United S.

After this both sides made repeated attempts to score, but their efforts were fruitless. Thus ended, in ding dong fashion, a ding dong cup competition. Among the spectators were many visitors from Hokitika and other centres. BLAKETOWN WINS JUNIOR CUP Blaketown ran over Cobden for lhe junior cup competition, winning easily by- eighteen points to five. Barrytown juniors beat United juniors by five points to three after an exciting game. In the fifth grade, Technical drew with Cobden, the scores being twelve all. NEWMAN SHIELD MATCH. The Newman Shield match between Greymouth Technical School and Hokitika District High School was won by the former by 17 points to 15.

WESTLAND GAMES. No senior game was played on Saturday in Westland. There were a couple of junior matches, which resulted contrary to expectations. Kumara put it over Hari Hari on the Kumara ground, while the leading team is the junior competition, Ranieri,

were defeated by the Excelsiors by three to nil. In the latter game Referee Cutbush ordered off a couple of men, Karieri thereby losing their most enterprising five-eighth, Pfahlert, while Excelsiors had to dii without Sumner. Dale scored for the winners. In their previous game, Excelsiors also defeated Kamen.

Great Ssddon Shield Tussle

MARLBOROUGH JUST WIN. FROM THE BAYS. BLENHEIM, August 8. The second Seddon Shield irateh o! the season, between the Golden BayMotueka reps and the Marlborough reps (holders) was played tc-day in good weather, on a heavy ground. There was a record attendance, including hundreds of visitors from th? challenging district. The teams were very evenly matched until the last twenty minutes, when Marlboi ougli assumed the ascendency. The game was fall of excitement througlout. First on side was leading, and then the othir, and the spectators were moved tc- a high riteh if enthusiasm. Phillips opened the scoring account by kicking a penalty for MaiDiorcugh, but a few mirrtes late - FoxkT.t scored for th.) Bays, an 1 Bcwers converted the try. Just on the Inter .-al F.skctt again scored, the kick miming. Half time found the stores 8 to 3 in the Bays’ favour. Ten minuteii after resuming, Connolly scored for Marlborough, an<t Hudson converted, making the scores level. Ten minutes later J. lloßoake totted a beautiful goal for the Bays. Thin Hodson scored lor Marlborough leaving the score 12 to 11 in the visitors’ favour . Marlborough now straiiifrf every nerve to overtake the handicap. They made repeated assaults on the Bays line, but the defence held till just in the call of time. Then Tim Smith put in a wonderful run, and lir set Byrne and Phillips in action, a try being scored, in a perfect pandemo -ium of: ex citement. The kick fail'd, leaving Marlborough the winners by 14 to 12.

RANFURLY SHIELD. HAWKE'S BAY v. SOUTHLAND. NAPIER, August !?. A Ranfurly Shield match the thir I of the season, was played yesterday, and resulted in another good win for the holders (Hawke’s Bay), Southland being defeated by 31 points to 12. A strong wind in the first half enabled the visitors to get a lead of twelve to eight at half time, but in the second spell, Hawke's Bay easily rattled on the points.

MOASCaR CUP. ANOTHER WIN FOR TE AUTE. NAPIER, August 9. In the Moascar Cup match played as n curtain raiser to the Ranfurly Shield match, Te Ante College defeated Whangarei Boys’ High School by 40 to 8. The visitors led eight to six at half time. WATRARAPA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP. MASTERTON, August 9. Tn Saturday’s Rugby games Red Stars (9) beat Carterton (0); Gladstone (17) beat Masterton (12). Featherston defaulted to Martinborough. With one game to play, Red Stars are practically assured of the senior championship, with Gladstone (last year’s premiers) runners up. COLLEGE GAMES. WELLINGTON, August 9. Tn the Rugby college semi-finals, the results were: — Wanganui IS beat Christchurch 3. Wellington 11 beat Nelson 8. THE GAME IN J’BANCH.

IMPROVEMENTS ON N Z. MODEL [Reuter Cablegram.] PARIS, fiugust 7. The newspaper “L’Arlc” discus.it length the question of i he romodolling of French Rugby fno ball on 'he lines of the AU Blacks’ ,p l 'iy, in view of the mediocre results uchiewd by Framce last season. The paper sayj; “The New Zealand ru’e in regard to throwing in from touch will be applied in France next season,’’ but >t tliiiks that the rule that the ball ear only be kicked straight into touch whei Hie side attacked is within its owi twentyfive is beycud the present level < f French Rugby, on account if tie physical effort needed.