RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1934, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Won by United STARS DEFEAT COBDEN. Before a fair attendance, and with the weather beautifully fine, the West Coast Rugby Union’s senior championship for 1934 was decided at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon, when United defeated Blaketown after a good exhibition of the code, by 16 points to nil. United last won the championship in 1931, whilst they were runners-up to Cobden last year. The points also counted for the Mcßrearty Memorial Shield, and United Club with two wins to its credit, lias bright prospects of annexing both. Stars easily defeated Cobden seniors in a Mcßrearty Memorial Shield match on the B Ground at Rugby Park, by 16 points to nil. UNITED BEAT BLAKETOWN. Although United defeated Blaketown by 16 points to nil, in the final of the senior championship, the score in no way indicates the respective merits of the teams. It was not until the last ten minutes of play mat United were definitely ou top, although Blaketown *s defence was at times sorely tested. United obtained an advantage in the early stages of play when Gilbert kicked a penalty. Blaketown thereafter practically right up to half-time were on attack, and only faulty handling and sound defence kept them out on a number of occasions. Blaketown got more Ilian their share of the ball from set scrums, and their backs were early seen to advan-

tage in pretty passing movements. United backs showed up on attack on occasions, but their success was due mainly to the fine work of their forwards, who were all-round heavier than the opposition pack. Thomson played a fine game for United, both in the tight and the loose. Gilbert, the United custodian, constantly drove Blaketown back with his long aud accurate line kicks. His handling was almost faultless. There was little brilliance about, the Blaketown packmen, although they combined as well as possible against a superior pack. Bunt was the most versatile of the backs, whilst Garth played a sound game behind the scrum, giving his backs every opportunity with snappy passes. Elder had most opportunities on the left wing and was responsible for some smart dashes, whilst he defended soundly. The Blaketown backs were somewhat overwhelmed on occasions, by the fast United forwards, but good backing up saved many a dangerous-looking situation. Schroder was United’s best inside back, but after making good ground, was inclined to hang on too long. Weir played a good game on the wing. The teams were:—

United; Gilbert (captain); Caldwell, Schroder, Weir; Collins, Vincent; Bell; Jamieson, Bell, Rear, Rathbun,’ Rose’ Shuttleworth, Thomson, Jones. Blaketown: R. Olsen; Moonie, Reg. Olsen, Elder; Negri, Bunt; Garth; Scott, Olsen, Bell, Pascoe, McLaughlin, Scandrett, McDonald, Scott. Blaketown backs commenced to tunct'ion soon after the kick off. but faulty handling spoiled many good openings made. United 'forwards took play to Blaketown’ s 25 where a. Blaketown forward was penalised for shepherding. and Gilbert goaled from an easy position. United 3, Blaketown 0. Blaketown were attacking for the greater part of the remainder of the first .spell, but faulty handling and failure to run straight, spoilt many chance'’. Bunt attempted to cross when h c secured from Garth from a serum on two occasions, but was held up on the line. Negri soon after cut clean through the opposition, and had only Gilbert to pass. He handed out to Bunt, who failed to accept and the ball went over the line to be forced down. Half time soon after sounded United set up’ a hot attack on resuming and Shuttleworth was over the line but lost possession, and the ball went over the dead-ball Tine. A smart crosskick by Schroder, saw Garth fail to gather in, and the United forwards

swarmed over the lino, but a forcedown resulted. Uni'ted came back to the attack, and R Olsen was in troublp in front of his goal. Vincent snapped up’ and handed on to Schroder, who (dapped on the pace to dive across for a fry. Gilbert failed to goal. Uni’ted 6 Blaketown O. United forwards with a combined rush were almost over a‘f the corner but. a. force-down resulted. Soon after .Toups dived over from a forward ru.’h, which Elder momentari’v staged. Gilbert converted from almos* in front of fh e goal. United 11. Blaketown nil. Bunt retired just before time. Just on time. Jones picked up following a forward rush and handed infield to Collins, who scored beside the upright. Gilbert goaled United 16, Blaketown nil. Air F. JTempero was referee STARS OUTPOINT COBDEN. Starting late owing to a third grade game having to be played on the ground, Stars and Cobden seniors played two very short spells in their match at Rugby Park. Stars fielded a strong side, whereas Cobden were obliged to supplement their ranks with junior players. Stars played bright, open football, and won by 16 points to nil, after leading by 13 points to nil at half-time. Stars were on attack for the greater part, and showed more initiative and combination. Cobden defended soundly, however. Buchanan got the lion’s share of the ball from the set scrums. The first try came to Star when Lindbom mis-kicked, Ogier diving over for a good try. Soon after Fong made a good opening and sent on to Mathieson, who executed the scissors movement to go over for a fine try under the posts. Stevens goaled. Fong next scored a runaway tr'2 from half-way. Buchanan picked up from a forward rush and handed on

to Fong, who had a. clear run to the line. Stevens converted. In the second spell, Scandrett dived over for a good try from a serum near the Cobden line. Mr D. McKay was referee. LOWER GRADE GAMES. Celtic juniors defeated Cobden B by 14 points to 9, at Cobden Domain. Tries were scored for the winners by T. Duffy, C. McGinley (2) aud T. O ’Donnell, McGinley also converting one. Star juniors fielded a strong side and recorded their first win of the season when they defeated United by six points to three, at Rugby Park. McDonagh and Minchin scored for Star, and O’Hara for United. Cobden A juniors defeated Blaketown by 11 points to 9, after a keen and evenly contested game, at Rugby Park. Tries were scored for the winners by Lindbom, Egglcton (2), the latter also converting one. Banks, Bruhn and Iggo scored for Blaketown. United third graders defeated Kama ra by 14 points to nil at Rugby Park. Sotheran (2) and Arthur (2) scored for the winners, whilst Swinburn converted one try. WEST COAST TEAM. TO PLAY NELSON. The selectors. Messrs T. Mclntosh and T. P Ryan and D’. R. Dowell, have chosen the following tenn to represent West Coasf against Nelson at Greyniouth on Saturday next:— Full-back—G. Gilbert. Three-quarters—E. I’fahlert, A. Fong. C. Schroder. Five-eighths—A. Beban, Muir Half-back—B. Scandrett. Forwards—A. Bowes. M Olsen M. Kelly, L Hughes, F. Freitas, M. Thomson. M. Scandrett, E Jones.

Emergencies—(forwards) J. Mahoney and J. Jones; (backs) M. David son. A King and W. Vincent. GREY JUNIORS V HOKITIKA. The following team has been chosen to represent Greymouth junior representatives v. Hokitika at Greymouth on Saturday nex^t:— Full-back, W. McNabb (Blaketown), three-quarters, F. Lindbom, W Tc-n--nent (Cobden), C. McGinley (Celtic); five-eighths. Pascoe (Cobden B), B. Egglcton (Cobden A), Captain; halfback, Adams (United); forwards. R. Honey (Celtic), D Wraight (Blaketown). J. Moss (Cobden A), J. Weir (United). W. Knowles (Celtic), N. Willis (Cobden A). G Long (Uni'ted). D. Abbie (Cobden A). Emergencies backs) 11. Lindbom (Cobden A) Todd (Cobden A). Davies (Cobden A); (forwards) R. Barlow (Cobden B),Hildeibrand (Blaketown), Bruhn (Blaketown). Players are required to attend training at Cobden gymnasium on Thursday at 7.30 p.m. WESTLAND MATCHES. The senior knock-out competition of Westland sub-union, saw Excelsiors gain an easly lead on Saturday. At Ross the Kiwi and Ross teams drew with three points each, after a good game. At Hokitika, Excelsiors beat Pirates by 13 points 'to nil. Tries were scored by George, Muir and Connolly, two being converted by Hughes. The form shown was not good, line-kicking predominating, but the winners’ backs were better. For Excelsiors Muir. Mitchell and Roberts were the best backs, while Hughe?, Freitas and M. Kelly did well in the forwards. Thorpe. O’Connor and Broadhurst played hard forward games for the losers, and of their backs, Pfahlert and Ogilvie wero prominent. Both sides played numerous juniors, who showed promise. In a collision between himself and Pfahlert, Staines, Excelsior threequarter was disabled, while also was Ogilvie, Pirate five-eighth, whose knee was put completely out. In a junior game Ross and Kiwis drew with a try each, but the Hokitika team had the better of the play.