LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 2 September 1927, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

COAST V. OTAGO. DETAILS OF THE GAME. The West Coast-Otago match was played at Caledonia Ground, Dunedin, last Saturday, under very bad ground conditions. Despite this, tiie teams gave •m interesting display, doing their >est with the greasy ground and hall. 1 nder the circumstances the fair-sized crowd was treated to an interesting game, with more than occasional flashes of brightness that more than compensated for the drab patches that were inevitable when the players and ball became bogged. The bail should have been kept at the feet more, and in this respect Otago could learn a lesson from the way in which the West Coast \ an men carried out their share of the task. J hey were immeasurably superior to the local pack in the loose. Molloy, Rogers, and Hansen being al wavs conspicuous. The Otago forwards 'were a little disappointing, and the Blues

owed their suecses to the better combined efforts of the back division. A feature of the game that would hardly appeal to the spectators was the wretched scrummaging, the ball hardly over going into the scrum at all. The trouble -was due to both hookers who were too busily engaged trying to outwit each other to care very much Whether the ball wont in or not. The referee apparently gave up the attempt to persuade the “ rakes ” to mend their ways, as there would probably have been a penalty kick after each attempt at scrumming had he been inclined to penalise the breach. These tactics will have to be dropped if the game is to become popular in Dunedin. The hookers concerned wore Tallentyre (West Coast) and Townsend (Otago). The former was the South Island hooker last year, and the latter is regarded as one of the best in New Zealand, ami. though both can hardly be complimented on the tactics adopted in the day’s game, it must be admitted that they are players of class. The best back on the ground was Dan Sullivan, who was at his brilliant best. He only made one mistake all day. He fielded the “greasv pig” without the slightest difficulty, ami kicked with rare judgment. On several occasions he put in some superb dashes, aiid was chiefly responsible for the home team ’s win. Much was expected from Olliver on the wing, but he rarely sighted the hall, especially in the second half.

though once or twice he showed tin crowd a. taste of his qualities. Clydesdale played up true to the form he has displayed in club games this season and was always seen scampering goalwards. Denniston, on the other wing, did not connect with the leather as often as he might have done. Vorrath was a big disappointment as first fiveeighths, and he tried to cut in too much. M’K“wen and Jacob were fair. The best of the West Coast backs Were Kennedy on the wing, Pinn, full back, and Dodds. On a dry day they might have been a match for the opposing rearguard, though they made i creditable showing in the second spoil. THE TEAMS. The teams were as follows: — Otago.—D. Sullivan, A. Denniston, W. Clydesdale, B. Olliver, W. Vorrath, *E. M’Kewen, B. Jacob, T. Herd, A. 'Townsend, F. Hickey, E. O’Connor, J. O’Connor, B. Eckhoff. > West Coast.— S. Pinn, W. Cust, M. Mason, W. Kennedy, L. Kinsella, J. Dodds, W. Johnson, P. Rogers, J. Tallentyre, W. Mansen, S. Molloy, J. Gordon, J. Dando. THE GAME. West Coast kicked off, and shortly afterwards the ball went to Mason, who slipped. Eckhoff made a good opening and kicked judiciously over the twenty-five ,where Hickey, who was fast on the scene, picked up smartly and handed out to Vorrath, who scored ; a gift trv. Sullivan failed to convert. Otago 3, West Coast 0.

Both sides were finding the leather hard to hold, and the slippery nature of the ground was adding to the difficulties. A lob pass from M’Kewen to Clydesdale was mulled by the latter. The Green forwards, although holding their own well in the loose, did not make much headway, as the nippy Otago backs were proving superb in defence. After Kinsella failed to gather in the ball from his half, Sullivan secured the ball, made a short dash, passed out to M’Kewen, who raced down the flank before passing to Denniston. The last-named made a bright run before being tackled by Pinn and Mason about the same time.

There were seine bright flashes of bacK play, in which Jacob attempted to take on the whole of the opposition. Infringements were fairly frequent, and were spoiling the game from the spectators’ point of view; free kicks were handed out liberally to both sides. On one occasion Denniston broke away with great dash, but again the whistle blew. Both sides were kicking too much, Sullivan sending the hall right into the midst of the green backs, who, however, could not take advantage of the opportunity. There was a sparkling bit of play when Jacob sent on to Vorrath, who cut in 'nicely and transferred to APKewcn, the ball eventually going on 1o Clydesdale, who punted from half-way ot near the goal line. Oliver followed up fast 'but Pinn was equal to the occasion and cleared nicely. Otago still continued to worry the visitors, but faulty handlong on the part of the inside ruined promising movements. Hansen gathered the ball from a rebound off Eckhoff, but, although he made a good run, he could not penetrate beyend the half-nay line. Dan Sullivan, v ho was proving one of the best backs on the ground, again set his backs going but once more Vorrath, who was not showing anything like his club form failed to handle cleanly. Dando hopped away smartly, but had no support. A moment later Pinn (full-back) repeated the performance. Mason, a Maori player, was showing nippiness among the Cost backs, but found difficulty in getting a foothold. When he became accustomed to the quagmire he showed up to advantage, and aft<*r a good run kicked nicely and followed up fast. In the ensuing scramble an Otago player infringed, and Dodds piloted the ball over the bar. Otago 3 * West Coast 2 From the kick Otago invaded Green’s territory, and a foolish, kick by Johnston saw the ball go to Sullivan, who galloped away towards the goal line before passing to Oliver, who beat three men before colliding with the corner flag. The ball travelled out through various hands to the' other wing, whore M‘Kewen scored after sonic pariiculayly good work by Jacob, Clydesdale, ami Oliver. Otago .. .. 6 West Coast 2 The Green forwards, led by Rogers, with the ball at their feet, looked dangerous, but again the übiquitous Sullivan came to the relief of his side by Inking a mark in the teeth of a strong attack. M‘Kewen, who was,

showing up brilliantly in defence and attack, was responsible for nipping in the bud many promising Coast passing movements. Clydesdale scored Otago’s next try after a brilliant piece of back play, in which most of the Blue rearguard participating, Clydesdale coming up to take an in-pass from Oliver, and flinging himself over the line. The try was entirely due to his fine sense of anticipation, and won a round of applause. Eckhoff was successful with a splendid kick. Otagoll West Coast. 2 Clydesdale, Vorrath, and M'Kewen were in the next Blue movement, Denniston failing to connect with a difficult pass. Otago looked dangerous until a breach of the “play the ball” rule on the part of Townsend gave the Greens a chance to clear with a kick. Dodds extrictated his side from trouble with, a nice run. but unfortunately he made the mistake of kicking into Sullivan’s hands. The Otago full-back, having easily fended off his would-be tackler, gained a big slice of ground. Greens immediately came back by reason of a kive by Johnson, but Clydesdale got possession and penetrated right through the opposition. Unfortunately he sent out a forward pass, and a certain try went begging, 'fhe West Coast forwards leaped into new life, and aided by a determined run by Mason, swooped down field, where Dodds collected two more points for his side with a penalty. Otago II West Coast 4 Just before half-time Clydesdale put l.is side on th? offensive but no further score resulted. SECOND SPELL. In the start of the sec-' ond session Otago advanced wit.i short, snappy passes, taking the at-; tack to within striking distance, but j a force-down relieved the situation | Another bad mistake on the part of Vorrath allowed Gust Io break through

to the Blue twenty-five. From a scrum Johnson sent out a wretched pass, of which his five-eights were not able to take advantage; but Cust camo on to the scene again and transferred to Kennedy, the Green winger, who eluding a couple of defenders, scored in a handy position for Dodds to convert. Otago II West Coast 9 Coast Lad gingered up considerably during the interval, ami were Holding their own in all departments. Although the players were sibling about the ground, they were holding the “greasy pig” well, though many of the passes were wild. Sullivan failed to gather in a low kick, ami there was some fierce work under the goal posts. Some tigerish work by Eckhoff brought welcome relief to the Blues. gave Dando a chance to equalise the scores, but his kick went awry. The Green forwards swooped down dangerously after the Blues had been penalis'd for obstruction on the part of Eckhoff. These were some bright flashes of play by both sides, the game being hard ami fast, with the Coast forwards predominating in the loose Jack O’Connor, with a great dribbling rush, took play to half-way, and Sullivan'gained further ground after an exchange of kicks. A mud scramble in midfield occupied the next few minutes. Dodds found touch with a

speculator when Oliver looked dangerous. Jacob sent the ball out to his backs, Vorrath cut in. and Clydesdale carried on the movement. He threaded his wav almost to the line before passling to Jacobs, who was within an ace oAcoring. Dodds cleared from a ticklish. situation. . Vorrath followed up a short kick by M’Kewen. but the movement broke down owing to long kicking into the ha mis of the oppositing backs. The Green forwards once more got then side out of trouble with a combined dribbling rush, but the Blue backs, who were proving better in defence than in attack, stopped the invaders The Blue rearguard again strove valiantly Io get through, the ball travelling through half a dozen hands, but Oliver failed to take his pass. A moment later Oliver whizzed his way through but be coul.l not escape Kennedy, who grounded him. Otago continued to be dangerous until the Green forwards took charge again. Denniston mulled l.adlv, enabling Molloy to dart through. Johnston intercepted, and ended another Blue handling movement, Malloy carrving on the good work with the ball at his feet. Kennedy put the Greens on' the offensive again, Sullivan threading his way through half a■ upponents and dispatching to Hickey, who was flung out of touch. There was a stalemate for some time until the Blue forwards got a new lease of lite, E O’Connor being prominent. Hie backs lost most of the ground that bad been gained l>v failing to field th ■ ball, allowing the Coast vanguard to pround their wav through.. Dando essayed a shot at goal that missed. M Kewen collecting the leather and rushing along the flank, and then transferred to Jacob. Clydesdale was the next to handle, and the game ended immediately afterwards. 'file game ended: —

Otago West. Coast .. ■ ■ ■ ■ J Mr G. Packer was referee. SECONDARY SCHOOL TOURNEY. TIMARU, September 1. The South Island Secondary Schools Rugbv tourney concluded to-day in Ifl 'weather before an attendance of 3000. The final between Timaru and Christchurch resulted in a win for Timaru by 14 points to S. Both team. Timaru showed better nimbinu ion and finished off their movements mon convincingly. The losers’ inside men wore rather selfish, and were brought IhefmXJ'of casmUGes, ‘i/'ee'played McDonnell, Arnold (2) and Scott One trv was converted by Jtuki. losers, Foley scored and \ ‘ a verted, and the same playn Kichmi a penalty goal. Otago beat Ju a curtain laisi.i, uuigu Southland by 17 joints to H was one of the most int.iesting of the lourunment. Early mt ie " tl ' Smithland were ° l ver ' V .'; e ’" kowed Christchurch, but to-day th<J . •I wonderful r -versal of form, and were only beaten in the last two minutes, k ' feature of their play was sound tackling, wbi.h al "’Trios I 'we'r’ o 'scored for Otago hv Garden and . “XT kicked two penalty goals and <• nicit ,-d -i t’-v. For Southland, Mi Donald scored.. Strang kicking three penalty WELLINGTON REPS. WELLINGTON, Sept,. 1. The Wellington Rugby team to play .Otago on Saturday is as follows: •,

Malcolm, Svenson, South, Elvy, Nicholls, Johnson, Kilby, O’Regan, Claridge Pringle, Emerson, Taylor, Shearer and Porter (wing forward); emergencies, Mr Hardy, Edgar, Rushbrook and RamWEST COAST SCHOOL REPS. By yesterday’s express the West Coast Primary School Boys’ League rep team left for Christchurch, where they play the Canterbury School reps to-morrow for the Norman Cox Memorial Cup, donated by a prominent Horn by Club supporter. The team return on Tuesday. TEAMS FOR WEEK-END. The Blackball teams for the weekend are:—Seniors v. Grev at Cobden on Sunday:—M. Smith, F. Cuthush, A. McDonald, J. llaisty, J. Dodds, J. Dando, L. Kinsella, P. Rogers, W. Parsonage, W. Hansen, JT. Long, T. Skilton, R. Williams. Juniors v. Kotuku at Blackball:—W. Olli ver, Jaskcr, T. (’rooks, G. Nuttall, E. Sheehan, E. White, J. Meadowy croft, L. Hudson, S. Lewis, C. Gilman, R. Nelson, A. McGee, L. Neilson. Third Grade v. Grey at Cobden at Sunday:—A. Lamberton, S. Whitehead, IT. Caldwell, E. Dumpleton, E. Sorenson, E. Leitch, R. Neilson, W. Clark, W. Ross, J. Hartshorne, T. Robertson, J Gray, A. Jamieson. The Grey senior team to play Blackball at Cobden on Sunday and to assemble at Kiely’s Hotel at 2 p.m., is as follows:—A. E. Thomas, J. Mason, M. Mason, R. Bond, Stan Smith, W. Johnson, R. McHirus, B. Gordon, J Harris, W. Sherlock, H. Petrie, C. Mof* ' fitt, J. Gordon; reserves, W. Davis, A. Leos, and A. llelcm. Grey Thirds to play Blackball at Cobden 1.30 on Sundya will 'be picked from The following:—Smith, CodVre, Wills, Gordon, Cairn ey, Twohill, Barbara., Lynch, Bond, Steel, Hartshorne, Ross, Winn, Roberts Thompson and Higgins. i