RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1934, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S MATCHES ; United and Blaketown Win ' Excellent wea 1 her miiditions prevail 1 <•<l for the see'end grimes ‘M' ’he ' first round of the West (’oust 1 R.ugbv Union’s roinpetitiiOiis on I Saturday. and there was a very large ' a 1 t.enilanr-? at Rugl'v Park where two senior and two jun'ior matches were ( played. Of the 'wo senior games - principal interest was shown in the ( f niied-Cobdcn gam? in which United, I making their first appearance for the 1 season played sparkling football to win 1 Uy 14 points to 7. Blaketown defeated < Stars, but Ihe game was disappointing. < neither set of backs working well. Re- J suits at a glance were:— < Senior: Uniited 14, Cobden f Blaketown ID, Star ’<», Junior: Cobden A 15. Celtic 5. I'nited 12, C’ub'len P» f* Bia kef ov\ n 23, Star 5 . Fourth Grade: Bl;ik(‘t.owu 43, Uiij1.. , (.1 14. UNITED DEFEAT COBDEN The main attraction for most of the large crowd at Rugby Park was the igame on the -V ground between United ami I'l’bden seniors. Past speidaculai |.lny nuuld’d tin* gume |.lir(Uiglimit ami both teams played good and at time.fi sparkling football. United thoroughly deserved their win by 14 points to /, us their bnrk s gave a splendid display. Outs’a nd i ugly goc-il was the e.\’-C antei - bury half. Vincent, who played as first ti\-e eighth, fie was the pivot on which the success of the United backs depended Gilbert. United’s fullback was the best back on the ground, and not once did the high standard of his play drop to a ]ower level. Ilis hamlling was as saf? as a church and hi.s line kicking, lengthy and accurate. Eight of United's points came from his aceu rate kicking, and a remarkable effort was his success with a penalty kick from tire half-way line, 'l’he United backs made an •..•xcidleiit showing ail round, and there was not a. weak Jink. The e’x Merivnle buck, Hendry, playing at centre, wa s nearly as good as Viii' cent, ami the two wingers, Schroder ana ('.•ildttell never let :m opportunity slip, (’i.bden bucks. alHioiigh indi viduailv they were good wer? disappointing as a combination. They had every opportiinity as in fully ninety per cent of the set scrtims, 1 he ball came out to Cobden, Garring. the half, sent if away cleanly enough, and it was nit| his faiu’-t th a 4" the backs did mi go away in litre. H'he rest <_d i in* ri‘‘:i rgiin r<l were playing too shallow, standing still to re<‘<d\'e passes and not running straight. I’-otli sets of f< rwards wore playing well throughout and except in the sei scrums there was little between them Rathbun played a great gain< k in the loose for I niicd and was exceptionally good on doleiice. Jamieson and Ixear also stood out. I ? "i I'ulideii, Wilson. Raplev and Keith stood, out. the former in particular for his ci.nsislonl hooking. A prefly field goal was dropped by King, the (’obden wing er. The teams wore: — (■<ibd<‘n: Lindboni; King, Scott. Martyn; Taaffe Templeton; Garring; Rap lev. Wilson. Mah’onevt. Keith. B(iW<*s. Ila rr. I>i reh field. 11 •• w lt*tl . United; Gilbert; Sidiroder. Ilendrv. (.’ivlil well; ('ol'ins, Vincent; Adams; Shuttleworth, Bell. Cross. Kecir. Jamie son. Rose. Rat hbuii. Jones. Keith kicked off for Cobden, who ha I lest th? toss, and Bell secured sendiii<r out I" Sehin.<ler. who was forced ou-| near the halfway line. ('obden forwards pressed and play centred just inside the United 25. United backs secured but were forced back, Schrodct eventually saving bv forcing down. 11“ had carried the twill over however, and a scrum five yards ensued from which the (/Inion half Garring secured and cut through to di\e over ;uid score in : j handy position Martyn missed the k ick.—-Cobden 3; United 11. Cobden came back on the attack <igoin but; Gilbert saved with a good kick. United forwards thru took charge going through with the ball at their toe. From a scrum near ’the Cobden line, Adams let out t<> Schroder, bust the United

winger was forced out. United backs kept up the pressure but were sent, back bv a good kick bv l/indlmm. Vincent wi-th a great tin,- kick, re gained United's advantage. A forward rush followed, ami the ball beamed from Lindbom’s hands Jamieson picked up To go over for a good try near the corner. Gilbert converted with a great kick. —Unite I o; Cobden 3, Uobden came buck again, but Gilbert’s sat’? handling ami sure kicking again proved the foi United. Play came back Io midfield where a scrum infringement gave Mar tyn a cimnce at a. penalty kick for ( olnlen The distance was t mr far. how'over. After pkny hail once more coine back Io midfiidd Garring found the line with a splconlid kick. Cobden were having slightly l.h? better of the play, 'i’he bustling ladies of the forwards gained i|hem much ground, although solid rleleiicc by the Uiiited rearguard, notably Hendry, Collin?’ and Gilbert, kept Cobden well away from the United line. United, with a rapid change of front, turned defence iirto attack when Vincent se cured and cutting in beautifully gained twenty yards before passing to Caldwell, who was well grassed. A penally kick from the side line for United was. however. Ireautifully kirkeil by Gilbert ami the score was United : Cobden 3. After •tin interchange of kick's Cobden were pressing. ami Scott broke away for a short rim befo; - .? passing Io King, who potted a beautiful goal.—('obden 7; United 8, (.'obden had another chance -to add to their scores when Templeiton essayed an tittempt. at a penalty goal, but the ball fell short. A wonderful fry came to Uniited a. minute later. The movement was sponsored, by Vin-

•eii;t. who (‘arved his way with a jeautiful run through the Cobden earguard. before passing to Hendry •vho let out tio Schroder, 'the winger Hinging himself over in the corner. L'lilbert missed the kick. —United ll; Cobden 7. Halftime came a second later with United again on at'tack. The second spell opened with United forwards pressing an attack home. Bad handling by Sc'ott let the Uniited rearguard to within a f?w yards of the Cobden lin-a, but. the Cobden forwards brought the play back to hajfway. In a, loose dribbling rush, the United forwards forced their way to near the Cobden line. C’obden cleared an<| brought play int" United territory. Cobden were getting the better of the set scrums, but their backs could not co-ordinate their efforts. A shot at a penalty goal was taken from right on the half way line by Gilbert, and the result was never in doubt—a. remarkable kick. — United 14. Cobden 7. Unit-

ed very nearly scored again when Schroder x»ut in a determined run down the side line, the movement ending a few yards from the Cobden line Some relief was gained for Cobden by a. penalty, and play went back to midfield. A fine kick by Lindbom placed Cobden on attack, ('obden kept lip the attack at high pressure. and for a. few minutes play was within a few yards of it he United line- A tine piece of solo liorward work by Rathbun cleared for United. After a period of ineffectual United attack. Cobden took the offensive and play again went within a few yards of the United line, but Gilbert and Vincent clear, ed well in hirn. There was a stoppage of a. few minutes when Hendry took cramp. Despite the handicap of losing fhe bail in the scrums, United were doing most of the attacking. It

must have been heart breaking to the Cobden side l.u se.« practically all their efforts nullified by the splendid work of Gilbert at fullback. Time and again he repulsed with seeming ease the most dangerous attacks, with remarkably long and aeeurate line kicks. Hendry went off injured and his place in the United team was taken l-y Ware. Full time sounded soon after with ('obden on attack, but the score was unaltered. United winning an exciting game by 14 Io 7. Al' I’. .1 Tempero was refere-e. BLAKETOWN DEFEAT STAR. Blaketown seniors proved too good for Star at No. 2 ground at R-ugby Park. Good hard forward play whs to be w it messed in the first spell, but the second spell was id' a very ragged nature. Neithei' set of backs coiihl handle the ball with the result that there was little or nu back play. B. Scandrett. Star’s half, showed splendid defensive (pu'i.lit ies, many times stem ming Blaketown forward onslaughts. Blaketown a heavier pack than Star played as ;i team, M. Olsen in the tight and JI ■ and MeNeight in the loose, showing out to the best ad vantage. The teams were: — Blaketown; O'lsen; Moonie, Negri, Bunt; Elder. Garth; Harrington; Flan nery. H. Sc'ott, M. Scandrett, MeNeight, Scott, M. Olsen. Goodall and Star: lleaslvy; Furness. Fong. T. Hibbs: Beban, Guy; B. Scandrett; Weinberg. Buchanan. Dixon. Cochrane, Dunne. Stevens, Brixton and Ogier Star were early penalised in front of i heir goa‘| and Negri missed an easy kick. Hard forward play ’ensued in Star lerriirrrv. MeNeight broke thiough with the ball at :toe. ILeaslex snapping up to run round smartly and save MeNeight and M. Scandrett broke aw<iy together in a loos* rush but M. Olsen knocked on when a try linked likely. Pascoe. Scandrett ami Gi.odall in turn essayed penalties bin failed. Star were compelled to force down when M. Scandrett kicked through. Following up fast a high pun.t by R. Olsen, Al. Olsen caughtHensley in p’ossossi| m on the Star line, but a free kick to Star brought relief. Elder returned the kick to IHxisley. who lost possession and 11. Scott picked up to lose possession on the line. Ho soon picked up again and scored a well-eartred try. Negri converted. Blaketown 5; Star (i. Star then took a hand at attack. Stevens, Brixton and Weinberg leading a forward rush to Bkikotown’s 25, where Star were awarded a penalty. Stevens was unsuccessful with the kick. H. Sc'ott and MeNeight broke through to Hensley, who cleared with a good kick. Scot I le<| another Blaketown forward rush to ithe Star corner when half-time sounded. So'on after resuming Star backs endeavoured Io open up play. Getting the greater sharp Of I he hall from the scrums B. Scandretit, handed on, but poor passing spoiled Star’s chances ol i scoring. Fong made a good run and sent Guy away, he being hauled down in Bkikotown’s 25. Blaketown hacks then got away fio a passing movement. ' but Elder hung on too long and was tackled in possession. Negri marked I in Star 25. but his attempt to goal was charged down. The gamix under- • went a senssitionul change when l\as- . coe cross-kicked to Moonie’ s wing. ; Moonii l was running at fop sp'ee<l. I and 1 he hall bounced right up into his i ,%rnis and he continued on to run round ■ and score under the posts. Negri r-on-ver.ted. —Blaketown 10; Star 0. Star set up a strong offensive, D Olsen I clearing well on two occasions with ’ good line kicks. Thon follo-vved de- • sultory up and down the field forward i play. Star looked like opening their • account when Buchanan led a rush to within a few yards of Blaketown’s - line, but Scott saved timely. No furi ther score was registered when full . time was called. Mr Jamieson was • referee. ; COBDEN A II (15) v. CELTIC II (5) Cobden A juniors defeated Celtic on the A ground at Rugby Park in a . curtain raiser to the senior fixture. Cobden A played a. bright open game, t throwing the ball, about among tire , backs to advantage, whilst their forwards all worked hard. Celtic put up I a good showing against their more experienced opponents. Tennent, scored . th? first itry for Cobden after a good

back movement The second trv was the result of a clever breakaway l>v Eggleton, he dribbling the ball to within ;.j few yards 'of the line for Alibi-.? to score, Cobden A led bv six to nil at half-time, Earlv in the seeon ' spell Masters scored a good trv for Cobden and then Limlbom kicked a penalty. Soon after Lindliom broke away and selling a pretty dummy, scored a good try. .lust before time. [McGinley scored from a passing rush, running round under the posts. He also c'oitverted. Mr T Flniinigfl.il, was referee. BLAKETOWN II (23) v. STAR II (5) Hlaketown juniors defeated Star juniors at the Technical ground bv 23 points io 5. Goodall (2). Alderton. Leach. 'I ones, Church and Sinclair scor ed for Hlaketown, and Goodall converted one try. .1, Minchin scored for try for Star. Cooper converting-. Mr Al cLanoli I i n was referve. UNITED II (12) v. COBDEN E II (6) United junior s defeated Cobden B <>n the I; ground after an interesting ttame. I nited led by six points to thro.- at half-Jime [’nited t ry-getTors were J. Phillips, Weir and Patterson. Rathbun kicking- -a penalty. Garde scored a try and Todd kicked a. penally for (‘ob.len B. Mr I). McKav was referee. ELAKETOWN IV (43) v. UNITED IV (14). at the Technical ground by 43 points lo II Mr X. Lggleton was reform*. XT SATURDAY’S GAMES. Xe.xt S.uimday Star v Cobden; 1 n *>cd v. Kumara; Hlaketown a bve. WESTLAND MATCHES. Ideal .weather favoured the Wes! land Sub-Union’s matches on s.-tiur day. and there were fair attendances Results were: Senior —Pirale< 15. de feated Russ Excelsiors 11. defeat ed Kiwis !». Juniors—Riniu 15. de feated Kiwis IL Ross 5, defeated School IP Excelsior 12, defeated Ko kata hi 8. 'I he defeat of Ross w|s not antici put,ml, but. while they may have taken their opponents too cjieaplv the Pirates showed improved form If they augment their weight sonic what, Pirates would have fai-.- pro--poets. ’Excelsiors were wit hour b reitas and M. Kelly in their game, but R. King was p’aying, ami proved thei most prominent forward on view, scoring a -well judged try when hr backed up Al. Connelly, taking an in-pass and going behind the stick-. Kiwis opened the better, and notch ed the first six points, a pen:-.lt v go* I by Nicholson and a trv after -i passing movement by George who played on the wing. Kiwi forwards rtitr a 'welil-t rained pack, and had they only a bit more weight, or eve-* a. set of backs able L> use the ball would stand a very fair chanc ■ against, any team in the compel it ion They heeled regularly from scrums, and were tireless in the loose. lot! the ball seldom went far among II" backs when they got it, Ex<-elsio-s tacjkling quickly ami hard. When Kiwis led by G to nil a couple .»!' flue place kicks by L. Hughes from penalties brought the scores even, and then AT. Connelly, an improving winger, ma.de a dash along the 'ine. King hacking him up with jndgmen' Io take a fairly high pass ami sco'.e Davidson adding the major points. Davidson shotwled good anticipation, catching his opponents’ punts in various positions, to which they were directed without much foresight. Kiwj backs lacked combination, kirk ing too often. Watkins used his weight to go straight ahem! occasionally, and is improving, while Fleming stood up to hard work behind the pack, and Diedirflchs •was often in the picture. hut except f‘-'»r George’s try, transfers were generally inefTecitive. Davidson sent the ball among Excelsior backs with better judgment, although there was room for improvement with some screw passes. The teams changed over with Excelsior leading 11 to G. and in the second spell there was only one score, a try by Kiwis near the] end from a forward rush into theJ