SPORT IN BULLER

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1935, Page 7

SPORT IN BULLER

Rugby Football WESTPORT SPRING ANOTHER SURPRISE. GROUND AMENITIES. Wintry conditions prevailed at Westport for the week-end out-door attractions, but in keeping with the hardiness shown by footballers all matches scheduled were played. The Victoria Square was occupied by the Hockey Association where two games were to be played. Keen interest was centred in the visit of the Beaver (Blenheim) team, but the miserable weather conditions considerably interfered with the attendance. Koronui ladies turned up at full strength to fulfill (their engagement in the curtain raiser, but their opponents, a Westport. ladies’ team were considerably short of players, only three putting in an appearance. The country team, who (went to the expense and inconvenience of travelling from Waimangaroa were entitled to better treatment, and it is a matter in reference to which the Association should have something to say at. it s next meeting. However, a practice game was arranged which compensated the visitors to an extent for the disappointment. The Beaver team turned on some bright hockey in their match versus Westport representatives. The visitors won the game by G goals to 4. If anything alarming occurred in the Rugby fixtures, it was the defeat of Stars by the fast-improving Westport side. Both teams scored a try and Ihe conversion by Westport gave them a well-deserved win. When the teams met in the opening round, Stars had a runaway victory and Westport suffered other big reverses, but now it looks as if their bad patch is over, and they have become a team that will have to be reckoned with before the season finishes. Their match against Rangers on Millerton should be well worth a visit to that township. The important town Rugby fixtures were p’ayed on 'the trotting track, and despite previous rainfall the ground was in fairly good order. The changing facilities for players at this venue are anything but adequate and the Buller Rugby Union should see that they are given more consideration, especially in adverse weather conditions. The same remark could

apply to Victoria. Square, where amenities are also lacking. If players could visuadse a nice, hot bath or shower after a game it would be an inducement to turn out under any conditions. and now tluvt the Borough Council has decided to floodlight a portion of the area for training purposes, they might, if approached, consider doing something on Hie lines above indicated. The cost Would be a small item when compared with the great service it would j.rove to footballers, members of the Athletic Club and devotees of other forms of sport. Old Bovs trave’led to Millerton and went down to Rangers by 11

points to 3. The latter have so far kept their unbeaten record intact, and the position of the team at present in the championship 'table suggests that the senior shield will go to the country this season. Old Bovs were without the services of Holder, and the Rangers had to manage without Orman, both of whom were nutting Buller Rugby on the map in the Possibles v. Probables game at Chris'church. At Grairty. Rovers and United, who «i"e contesting booby honours in the senior shield competition, played a c'osely contested game which was won by Rovers by the on'y Three points scored in the match. Star juniors after a run of misses broke the spell with a narrow victoty over R vals. Pirates (Denniston') thou ,, h , tbey managed to play a draw with OM Boys (Westport) d‘d not improve their position on the bottom of the junior ladder. Granity High School continued in a winning ve n by soundly trouncing Technical students (Westport). The country team, playing attractive football, have won all their games and in doing so thev have piled up an average of over 20 points in each of the six matches p’ayed. Thev. at the present stage, look like holding a strong mortgage on the Phillips Cup. Old Boys third string defeated Ngakawau by 8 points to nil. and held their position as runnerup to Granity High School. Another Upset:

Westport senior fifteen, who seem to be enjoying a joke with the prophets. again upset predictions on Sat urday when they defeated Stars by 5 points to 3. The fact that the winners went down to the same team by a 30-point margin earlier in the season, made the win all the more surprising. The- success of the Westport team can be mainly attributed to training, and though by no means a brilliant side, they could be referred to as the fittest in 'the competition. Owen Piince, one of Star’s best for warCs, turned up late and hvas substituted by a junior player. Of the game itself, it was not spectacular and provided few finished passing movements. Play was mainly confined to the forwards, and in this department \Westport appeared to hold the whip hand. The only score registered in the opening half came from good work by Auld and Easton for Westport the latter getting over for a try which Atkin converted. Prior to the interval, Stars tried desperately to wipe out the deficit, but the defence rose to the occasion, and with sound tackling and spirited scrummaging, kept their five-point lead intact. In the second period. Westport defence rose to brilliancy, and repelled several determined onslaughts by Star backs and forwards. The only score of the session came from a try by Twamley, for Stars which was not converted. ‘‘Buck’’ and “Cob ’ Allen. Easton and Auld were of great value to Westport in the forward line. Butterfield, Atkin and Thurlow were the best of the backs. For -Stars, Brown, Lake and George were always in the van. and of the backs, Ahern. Twamlev and Connelly were the most reliable.* Mr A. S. Dalton was referee. Rangers Again Impress:

Rangers (Millerton), retained their jealously-guarded home record by defeating Old Boys o n the Recreation Ground at Millerton on Saturday by 11 points to 3 and as a result are now well entrenched at the top of the senior ladder. The weather conditions were b'cak and wintry, and as was generally expected, the match was fought out between the forwards. Hill, Moreton and Taylor scored tries for Rangers one of which Graham converted. Old Boys’ only points were provided by Quinn with a penalty goal. Tho forwards were well matched, but Rangers made more of

their scoring opportunities. Mr Kil gour was referee.

Star Juniors’ First Win: Star juniors collected their first points for the season at the trotting track on Saturday, when they defeated Rivals by 11 points to 9. Considering the adverse weather, the game was fairly open, and the two tries scored by Stars kvere secured from passing bouts in which both forwards and backs combined well. Ryan (2) and Woodward got tries for the winners, the former also being responsible for a conversion. Rivals’ points consisted of two penalty goals by Jones and an unconverted try by Donaldson. For Rivals, Perkins, Jones and R. Dalkie were always prominent, and for Stars, Brown, Parkinson and Finnerty amongst the backs played a great game. Of the forwards, Murphy, Walsh and Spencer were always doing something. Drawn Game at Denniston:

Old Boys (Westport) and Pirates (Denniston) met on the Hill in the junior competition, and after a tense forward struggle a draw resulted, both sides scoring 9 points. The ground was cut up and sloppy and a heavy fog which enveloped the playing area at intervals did not tend to make matters a pleasure for either players or spectators. Robinson and Mallet got tries for the visitors, and Strachan kicked a penalty goal. Hannah had the distinction of scoring al l Pirates’ points, with a dronped goal and a converted try. Mr Vic Smith was referee.

Country on Top: The country teams are noi.v at Ihe head of affairs in the three grade competitions. Rangers seniors consolidated their position by defeating Ohl Boys and appear to have n firm grip on the honours. Their second string are a’so on ‘top and hold a three-point lead from their nearest rivals. Gran Ity third graders will take some knocking off their pedestal for the Phillips Cup. The three teams mentioned have all played six games without suffering defeat, and if the trophies all go to the country, which looks highly probable, it wiP be a unique happening in tho history of Rugby in the Buller.

No Occasion for a, Grouse: The writer of these notes acted in the capacity of referee at the recent wrestling bout between Narbares and King ’Elliot, and would ’.ike to refer to an incident which took place in the second round of the contest. The Frenchman was securely trapped in a well-executed Boston crab, and a submission fall was given against him. The hold is one of the most punishing and dangerous in modern wrestling, from which there is no escape. However, when not properly adjusted, the only known counter i s the double kick which would have the effect of sending the attacker flying forward. This opportunity did not present itself to Narbares, as the hold secured by 'Elliot was complete and properly executed’. Tf I had not taken promp 4 action the bout would have ended in that session. The Frenchman had no reason to get upset and ho knew i>t. Bright Hockey:

Owing to the decidedly wintry conditions prevai rug* on Saturday, there was a meagre attendance at the Victoria Square when the Beaver team (Blenheim) were opposed by a selected Westport ladies’ eleven. The surface of the ground was greasy as a result of rain, and the majority of players not being properly shod for the occasion had difficulty in , keeping on their feet, and ball control was difficult. Despite this drawback, lhe standard of hockey ; .\as pleasing more especially the disp ay given by the v : sitors. The Beaver forwards show ed better combination and were no tieeably more dangerous in the circle. That the game was open is indicated by the fact that altogether 10 goals were scored in the match. At the interval, the score was two al. The visitors’ side was subjected to a reshuffling in the second spell. There was a noticeable improvement in their concerted play, and four goals were added in quick time, while the locals found the net on two occasions. The visitors won on their merits by s ; x goals Io 4. For the winners, goals were scored by Misses Workman (2), Hoffer. Wareham, Mills and Drake. For Westport Miss Murphy found the net on three occasions, and M'ss McGrath got the fourth goal from a penalty bully.