TOO GOOD FOR BULLER

Grey River Argus, 28 May 1935, Page 7

TOO GOOD FOR BULLER

COAST FORWARD.':. A MEDIOCRE REP. MATCH. (Our Own Cerresnonrone.) WESTPORT, May 27. Alter a patch of very wintry weather early lust week, a change set in on Friday, and on Saturday the conditions were almost perfect for the clash between Coast and Buller Rugby reps. The match was given a colour of importance by the fact that selectors were present with the object of choosing the team which will battle at Nelson on Wednesday in a match that will determine the chances of several players of getting inclusion in the more important All Black trial games. The fixture did not produce the good football that was generally‘expected, and were it not for a few bright spots introduced at intervals, it could be termed a drab affair. Coast gained a cleancut victory by 19 points to G and they thoroughly deserved to win. Territorially, especially in the first half, there was no . marked advantage held by either side. When the sides took the field there was a very noticeable difference in their physique, the visitors being much the heavier side. The Coast forwards were always on top, and their backs, though they failed on many occasions to round off passing movements were more thrustful. The Buller forwards lacked the devil that has been so pronounced in previous seasons, and the back line, due to bad positional play, faulty passing and other lapses, did not at any stage impress. Of the full-backs, Graham, on the play, was every bit as good as Gilbert as far as line kicking was concerned, but his tackling was not true. Both players pulled their sides out of several awkward situations, and each earned applause for fie’ding and line judgment. Holder and Mann were the two best wingers on the ground, and handled all they were asked to in brilliant fashion, but to the Westport man must go the credit of scoring the best try of the match. West did well at centre, but was responsible for several knock ons. Hooper and Hughes played well together and were easily a better pair than their opponents Strachan and Power, who seldom did anything useful. Davidson was the best of the halfbacks. He was nippy and alert and showed plenty of enterprise. Reid’s service from tho scrum was slow and his work generally was not as finish ed as that of Davidson. The hookers shared the honours. McNeight was a tower of strength to the Coast forwards and was the best on the ground. Ron King was a hard-working forward but did not reveal the form expected of him. Freitas, Al. Scandrett and Uni'tcke were the other most valuable Coast forwards. In the Buller pack, Buttress was outstanding and he was well supported by Harding, Orman and Brown. The game was played in the presence of a large attendance and the gate should give the Buller Union’s finances a much needed kick along. Coast had the sun to their backs in the opening half. A few minutes after the start Gilbert was given an oppor tuni-ty to open the scoring, but failed to land a penalty. Hughes, Hooper and Schroder joined in good work, but the latter was pushed out by Graham. Buttress was prominent in a Buller invasion of Coast territory, when Gilbert forced. Coast got possession from a serum at midfield, but a promising movement broke down at AVest, who knocked-on, with Schroder in a good position. Buller forwards combined in a good dribbling rush and after gaining much ground were he’d up cleverly l>v AVest. Coast were penalised and Holder’s kick was accepted by Davidson, who sent the hall out at half-way. Ahern and Graham were responsible for taking play to Coast 25, but two movements launched in quick succession broke* down before the ball reached Ahem. Buller forwards pressed and got to Coast lino and Reid sent a timely pass to Holder, who just failed to open the scoring. Pratt was caught oil-side and the ball was sent out at midfield by Gilbert. Holder broke away in a dash that looked like trouble for Coast, but he was well brought down near the line by Mann. Coast’s heavy forwards came into the picture and got to Buller 25, where Mann burst away, and after zig-zagging past Graham, was joined in a passing rush hy Davidson, which ended in the Coast winger (Mann) opening the scoring with a good try far out. Gilbert failed with the kick. A few minutes later Holder narrowly failed to get the equalising points for Buller with a penalty kick. Pratt, a Buller forward, suffered an injury to his head, and retired, being replaced by Lake. Buller’s attempt-? at attack before the interval were in several instances spoiled by passing which on’y resulted in loss of ground, the chief offenders being Strachan and Power. The score at halftime was 3 to nil in favour of Coast. Soon after the resumption, the Coast

big men, Kelly, Freitas, King and McNeight joined in some hot attacks, and kept the Buller defence busy. The ball went out to AVest from a determined rush, and he got over at the corner for Coast’s second try. Gilbert converted. Buller forwards, headed by Harding, Buttress and Orman, took play to the Coast 25, and as a result of clever handling by Holder aud Ahern, the former went over for a sparkling try, the same player failing to add the points. Coast soon resumed the attack and the Buller forwards were in poor shape. Hooper, who was playing a great game, scored for the visitors, bringing the score to 11 to 3 in their favour. Holder, a few minutes later, was again seen in a determined run, which, be finished by scoring his second try. Graham failed to add the points. Tho Buller pack weakened against. the energetic work of the heavier side, and M. Scandrett got over for a try which L. Hughes converted. Coast forwards who were now having matters mostly all their own way returned to the attack and Scandrett again scored, which made the register 19 to 6 in favour of Coast. There was no further scoring. # Mr. H. Casey was an impartial referee.

Graham an emergency position, as like Gilbert, be is quite capable of playing a good game at five-eighth or centre. Holder and Mann, on their display, were foregone conclusions for the wingers’ positions. They are both speedy and resolute, and can produce a clever swerve whilst, in top gear. Wost was unfortunate to be beaten for the position of centre. He was called upon to do a lot more work than Ahern, and got through it in good style, but I suppose the. snappy try which the Westport boy gave to Holder impress- . ed the selectors, and probably was the deciding.factor in getting the trip to Nelson. However, he is a fine type of centre, and though he has only come into the limelight this season, he could not bo referred to as inexperienced. He is quick at making an opening and uses caution with his passing. The » choice’of Davidson as half-back wast the only possible one. He did a lot more effective work than Beid and his all-round disp'av impressed one that he is well equipped with all the tricks ex perience can teach. The non-inclusion of either Strachan or Power caused no surprise. The former was too anxiouto bite off more th in lie could manage and his passing was not properly timed. Power, who was making his debut in big football, was not a success as second five-eighth. Hooper an] "'V Hughes worked well togoHmr nrd w.nfi enterprising without making it hard for their supports. 'Trie former is a player of much promise and should go a long way in the game. The whole back Hue should fit iu well together and should be capable of giving Hiller and Mann an onp.-.-tur ily Io pre du co a thrill or two.

The forwards, among whom Ale Neight, R. King and AT. Scand'-'t t a.e outstanding, should prove a good pack of scrummagers. They have weight and speed. All the others on Satur day’s play earned their places with the possible exception of Robertson, who was a trifle lucky to catch the selectors’ eye before Brown or Kelly. However, on the whole, the team must be accepted as a fair reflex of tho combined strength of Coast and Bu'le’’ football on Saturday’s form, aud should meet with approval.

The team is as follows: — Full-back: Gilbert (W.C.). Three-ouarters: Mann (W.C.), Ahern j (B.), Holder (B.). Five-eighths: Hooper (W.C.), Hughes (W.C.). Half-back: Davidson (AV.C.). Forwards: McNeight (AV.C.), Orman (B.). M. Scandrett (W.C.). Uniack? (W.C.). Buttress (B), Harding (B.), King (AV.C.). Robertson (B). Town v. Country: The annual Town v. Country Rugby fixture will take place on the AHctoria Square on the King’s Birthday. The selected teams are as follows:-— TOWN SENIORS. M. Robinson W. Shorrock P. Ahern E. Holder A. Strachan T. Connelly AV. White. J. Lake O. Prince G. Phibbs J. Brown J. Buttress A. Pain E. Harding J. Easton Emergencies: Backs, A. Twamley, V. Mc-Herron; forwards, F. Kaye, W. Cron dis. COUNTRY SENIORS. A. Graham W. Neighbours C. Jones J. Hill H. Power M. Hill A. Reid R. Pratt G. Orman J. Stewart E. Moreton J. Johnson K. Corrie L. Doherty C. Robertson Emergencies: Backs, A. Dunn, E. Humphries; forwards, 11. Mann, and Hughes. TOWN JUNIORS. F. Powick W. Weenink J. Mallet A. Jost E. Brown D. Luff O. Woodward Cooper AV. Thurlow Burt Murphy Beck Perkins Hennessey Kirkwood Emergencies: Forwards, Walshe, and Spencer: backs, R. Weenink, O’Brien. COUNTRY JUNIORS Stephenson Hannnli Boswell Millar Hayward Pbi'ip Reid. Morgan Prosser Forman Fox Fleming Hayward AViseman 1 Greenhalgh Emergencies: Forwards, Withers and ' Chippendale; backs, Wilcox, Robertson.