LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 14 June 1933, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The Alanagement Committee of the West Coast Rugby League met last evening, Air A. H. AlcKaue presiding. Accounts totalling £4 9s were passed for payment. A vote of thanks was passed to Air T. Anisy for the assistance given by him to the Secretary in compiling data tor the League annual. The Canterbury League advised that ir- connection with the South Island selection of teams they were in favour of there being a selector for each centre. The Chairman said he was convinccil (hat the New Zealand League would not entertain the idea of three selectors, ami furthermore it would entail the playing of an expensive trial game. Mr Hunter said that that was how i* used to be done. As the West Coast League’s suggestion has already been forwarded to Canterbury, the discussion was then allowed to drop.

The New Zealand T.eague wrote regarding the West Coast’s challenge for the Northern Union Cup. The N.Z. League pointed out that the rules of the competition stipulated that no games for this trophy could be arranged before the closing date. June 30th, and tha-t in the meantime South Auckland had been advised of the challenge. Mr Hunter: We will just have to wait. The ('hairman said that it would then be too late to arrange the tour. All the other representative sides were going to Auckla-ml in July, an.l they would clash. They wanted to get to Auckland before any of the others. The South Auckland League advised that they were unable to do anything with the challenge until they received word from the N.Z. Council. The Taranaki League wrote stating that they would be pleased to have a visit, but they made no definite offor of a date, while the Hawke’s Bay League advised tha-t July Lsth and 29th were the suitable dates for them.

After some discussion it was decided to write to the Auckland League asking them to arrange a game on July 22nd at Auckland, as the West Coast League wish to play Hawke’s Bay either on tin* 15th or 29th. The Northern Sub-Centre repliml to the League’s suggestion that a representative match should be played with the Sub-Centre, prior to the final selection of the team to tour the North Island. They suggested that the game should be played in Reefton, and that the Centre’s team be composed of senior players. It was decided to play the game at Reefton on July 25th. the usual division of the gate to apply. The Waiuta Rovers Club forwarded an appeal against the decision of the Sub-Centre that the Ahaura-Rovers gam? should be re-played, owing to a protest by the former Club that four minutes short time had been played. It was decided to withhold decision on the matter pending the receipt of further information from the SubThe referees’ reports were received, and arising out of the report on the Birate-Alarisf junior game, wherein the referee reported that both teams had been half an hour late, it was decided to open a caution list, and that the two offending teams b<‘ placed on it. s-..n<| they be advised that any repetition of Hie offence would result in tlii'ir being lined 10s. It was left in the hands of the Finance Committee to procure six representative jerseys and socks. The selectors were instructed to select the team to play Reefton over the next week-end, and to make any recommendations regarding the players they consider as certainties for the North Island tour. It was decided to purcha/e a ball for each of the five winners of the seven-a-side compel it ions. FIXTURES. Senior: Blackball v. Runanga at Llackball, 2.45 p.m. (J. Neilson); Marist v. Pirates aJ Wingham Park. 2.45 p.m. (S. Smith). Junior: Marist v. Runanga at Dunollie, 2.45 (T. Purnell); Ngahere v. Pirates at Wingham Park, 2.45 (J. O’Neil). Third grade; Brunner v. Pirates at Wingham Park, 1.15 p.m. (C. Currie). Fourth grade; Alarist v. Runanga at Dunollie, 1.15 p.m. (I. Scott); Pirates Schoolboys Saturday. Cobden v. Marist at 11 a.m. (J. Grifton); Runanga v. Blackball at Dunollie, I p.m. (C. Currie). Fifth grade; Runanga v. P»h:.ckbal! at Dunollie, 2 p.m. (J. O’Neil); Alarist a bye. NOTES AND COMMENTS. ■With tin* exception of a strong sun, ideal conditions prevailed for the games last Sunday. The Ma rist-Runanga game was <i great struggle between two evenly matched teams, and was productive of bright, and interesting football. Mar

ist's victory was the- result of good team work. Whenever the forwards launched an attack the backs were always in support. The rear division of the Runanga side played without cohesion. Seldom did they back up their forwards and as an attacking force they were practically negligible. Glen of Runanga, was the outstand ing forward on the field. His play on Saturday stamps him as one of the best forwards on the Coast. Ho was ably supported by Newton, who by sheer force of weight burst through on several occasions to gain a lot of ground. The rest of the pack individually distinguished themselves at some time or other during the game. Marist were a fit team on Sunday ami consequently fast, following up was the order of the day. Sharpe, the Runanga custodian was

often caught, in possession by the fast Marist forwards. Scott ably lead the given pack and was conspicious as much in defence as in attack. Behan played good all-round football. lli s safe handling was much in evni-e-nce on Sunday. He initiated man\ good passing movements and was iv sponsib’e for many timely saves. O’Connor, behind the Marist scrum varied his play well. lie occasionally kicked into the gaps, which invariably lead I<> a forward onslaught. Once ag.iin he ddnonst ratel his opportunism by working the blind side of the scrum to score before a hand could be. laid on him. Sweetman, at full-back, gave a good exhibition of safe goal keeping. Although only a junior. h«« is the best, full-back in the competition. Brady played sound football until the time of his forced retirement. It is to be hoped that his injury is not serious. O’Brien has a remarkable facility for cutting tn. Ho wa s always dangerous when in possession and made many good openings Pirates extended Blackball at Wing ham Park. A feature of the game was Preston’s display at half-back for Pirates. His play was singularly fr"o from mistakes. Wooster, at first five-eighth gave a much improved display, but he still has a tendency to hang on too long. Hunt and Jones were the best of the Pirate forwards. The former hooked well, gaining the ball from the major ity of scrums. Jones was reliable in defence and on attack was always pro minent Blackball missed the services of Dodds, who is nursing an injured ankle Kells, half-back for Blackball, gave goo<l passes from the base of the serum but was otherwise uninspiring. Calder has now reached his best form and on Sunday was the outstand ino- player On the field. He scored al) of Blackball’s points. Hodgson is a tireless worker and ably supported Calder. Players with an rye on represent a tive honours will enhance their claim bv training consistently. The apparent weight and age of the Runanga fourth graders is a subject of much comment among spectators. It is to be hoped that the Centre will look into this matter ond insist on the rules governing grade football being adhered to