RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 17 September 1932, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

West Coast’s Bid FOR SEDDON SHIELD. The West Coast Rugby representative side, the same as that which played so well against Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield, left for Westport yesterday, under the management of Mr A. A. Adams, in quest of the Seddon Shield, this challenge being the last of the season Buller will be asked to play unless West Coast wrest it from them. In view of their recent performance in Canterbury, West Coast appear to have an excellent opportunity of holding the Shield a second time, but it cannot be overlooked that Buller are playing on their home ground, and if wet, as it is most likely to be, Buller with their big forwards, will be favoured. On the other hand, if it is a fine day, West Coast, who undoubtedly have a superior set of backs, should fully extend Buller. Therefore in defending the Shield against what must be termed the most serious challenge of the year, Buller will meet a team that is fit and confident, and one that both in forwards and backs has dash and vigour. During the past few seasons, there has been a steady development in the standard of Rugby on the West Coast, and the game, whatever the score may be, should be a keen, exciting and clean tussle from bell to bell. The West Coast forwards are a good weighty lot, with plenty of speed, and are all solid grafters. Thc backs individually are a promising set, and with the matches at Canterbury and Hokitika, combined with consistent training and team work, they have now moulded into a fine combination.

The West Coast team will be captained by AV. Deere, an ex-Wellingtou representative, who has played in every match for Coast this season, and with Buchanan and Kelly will comprise the front row men of the scrum. Buchanan is the hooker, who in the past few matches has proved himself a capable man in this department. He will be having his third game for West Coast. Kelly has represented the Coast in past seasons, and is a good all round forward. L. Hughes, M. Thompson, F. Freitas, and R. King arc the middle row men. Hughes is a heady, reliable and consistent forward, who has been a representative of thc Coast for some seasons now.

Thompson had his first game for th side against Canterbury, and he is good line-out forward, with plenty o weight, and a good turn of spec* Freitas is the only player who ha

gained All Black honours, he having represented New Zealand against Australia. His knowledge and experience of forward tactics make him the leader of thc pack. King is a bustling type and a. tireless worker, who has also represented Coast in past seasons. The back-ranker, E. Jones, is at present playing wonderful, football. Hv has plenty of speed and is a good worker in the loose.

The full-back, J| King, who is vicecaptain. has represented thc West Coast for a good many seasons, and is still a young player. He is a useful man in any back position, but the soundest full-back to be found, his handling, tackling and kicking being at all times, faultless. The threequarter line is a strong one, being made up by C. Schroder, G. Gilbert and L. AFartyn, who in the past few matches have hold these positions. A strong runner, Schroder has had few opportunities since he gained representative honours this year. Gilbert was two years ago a Buller idol, and if he does not have an off-day in handling, he will prove a dangerous man. A powerful runner, Gilbert has made many points this year both in club and representative matches. Martyn has been playing brilliant football of late, and is a useful man in goal-kicking alone. AV. Hughes and A. Fong are a strong combination in the five-eighth positions. Both have heady attacking methods, whilst they are both sound in defence, Fong in particular being a star in this direction. B. Scandrett, the half-back, is a solid defensive player, who is also a former Buller player in that position. He was the regular man behind the Buller pack in thc past two seasons, and this -will be his second game for AVest Coast. In addition to his defensive qualities, he delivers a well-timed pass. A good crowd of AVest Coast supporters left yesterday for Buller, and a much larger contingent will make the trip to-day. If AVest Coast can lift thc Shield, it will not be overdue, as it will be the second time in the. twenty-six years that the trophy has been played for. for the AVest Coast to gain it. AVest Coast took thc trophy off Nelson in 1923, drew with Buller to hold it, and the next time out lost it to Golden Bay-Motueka, after holding it for three weeks.