RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1935, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Won by United The fate of the West Coast senior Rugby championship was sealed on Saturday at Rugby Park, where before a large attendance and under ideal weather conditions United (last year’s champions) decisively defeated Blake town by .17 points to 3. It was one of the brightest exhibitions in club football this season, the United backs combining execelleutly on attack, whilst their pack also put in some solid graft and in the second spell outplayed the opposition. Mishandling and poor delivery of passes by the United backs in the first spell cost them several likely tries aud at the interval the victors led of six points to three. In the second spell, however, United hammered away at the defence and in the concluding stages were definitely on top, although Blaketown made some threatening ralsary penetration and finish. Both sides lies, which however, lacked the neeesfielded junior players, and without exception they equalled the ability of the general senior player. Glenn, a junior, played an outstanding game in the United pack, aud was the means of opening up play on several occasions. .1. Bell, a former United senior and M. Jamieson, made their and both played sound games. Bell secured more than his share of the ball from set scrums. All of the Unit cd backs played good football, but J. Hooper was brilliant on attack and often cut clean through the defence, which was, discounting one or two exceptions, decidedly sound. Costel o and Collins were able supports, both showing out to advantage on attack. McNabb at full-back gave a sound display. Preston aud M. Scandrett were the most enterprising of the Blaketown backs, but there was so many alterations that it was hardly to be expected that the set could function as a combination likely to bring results. Of the forwards A. Scandrett, M. Olsen and 11. Scott were outstanding. Star seniors fielded a particularly well balanched team against Cobden on the No. 2 ground at Rugby Park and after a fast open display, ran out comfortable winners by 18 points to 6. Both teams played bright, open football, throwing the ball about to advantage, Star backs in particular showing fine form. Mann, the Star winger, was in line form and with brilliant dashes, scored three smart tries. UNITED v. BLAKETOWN. Blaketown seniors attacked from the outset in their match with United. There were some close calls, while D. Rathbun broke clean away, a knock-on relieving a dangerous situation. Blaketown backs made several attempts in passing bouts and one looked likely until Elder knocked on. Glenn made a break to past halfway, where from a scrum Vincent despatched Costello. He handed ou to Hooper, wlTo sent Weir over at the corner for a good try. Costel o’s kick failed.—United 3; Blaketown U. Blaketown then attacked hotly and D. Olsen put his side in a good attacking position when he found touch with a great kick at the corner. United were soon after penalised near their 25 and M. Scandrett goaled with a great kick.—Blaketown

3; United 3. Rose at this stage retired with a dislocated finger. United missed two golden opportunities to score. From a scrum Vincent handed out to Costello, to Hooper, to Caldwell, and the latter with a determined dash evaded two weak tackles to go over in a handy position. Vincent failed to goal. Half-time was then sounded with the score, United 6; Blaketown 3.

M. Scandrett went into the pack, but was soon again back in the five-eighth position. Roberts cut in prettily and was almost over but a late tackle by Costello upset calculations. After a period of even play United added five points as the result of fine play by their rearguard. Vincent despatched Costello and he sent on to Hooper who cut in cleverly and sent on to Vincent who scored near the posts. Bell converted.—United 11, Blaketown 3. Hooper soon afterwards made another brilliant dash and handed on to Jamieson and his pass out near the line was intercepted by M. Olsen and who made a great run and took play well downfield. Blaketown were awarded a penalty at halfway and McNabb secured and ran up and through the opposing forwards. He sent on to Hooper, who despatched Caldwell down the sideline after a great run. Caldwell outpaced the opposition and scored a fine try wide out, after fending off Minchin. Costello’s kick just failed. Brest on retired with a leg injury. Just before time Jamieson secured and sent on to Costello, but he lost possession on the line and Collins kicked to score. J. Bell failed to goal. The final whistle then sounded. Mr. N. Eggleton was referee.

STAR v. COBDEN Stars scored within the first few minutes of play, J. Minchin going over wide out for a good try after nearly all the backs had handled. Mann added two further tries for Stars, and M. Gordon crossed for Cobden from a scrum near the line, in the first spell. Cobden made the score 9 to 6 early in the second spell when Masters scored a good try. Then Wilson, Mann and Minchin added further tries for Stars, none of which were converted. Mr. F. J. Tempero was referee. COBDEN II (13) v. BLAKETOWN II (6). Cobden juniors defeated Blaketown nt Rugby Park by 13 points to 6, after a hard-fought and keenly contested match. Scorers for Cobden were Wi - son, Guy and G. Long. McNeill, who played an outstanding game, converted two tries. A. Rodgers and W. Toies scored for Blaketown. STAR DEFAULT TO CELTIC. Star juniors defaulted to Celtic and a scratch match was played. The Technical A and B fourth grade match was not played. GREY 111 v. INANGAHUA 111. After an even and hard-fought game j Greymouth third grade representatives defeated Inangahua at Reefton on Saturday by 25 points to 20. Both sets of backs played bright open football. WESTLAND MATCHES. For the senior fixture at Hokitika on

Saturday, Excelsiors fielded a team largely comprised of juniors and Kiwis defeated them by 25 points to 9. In the earlier stages the play was even, but Kiwi backs then began very free passing, and scored repeatedly from passing movements in which half a dozen players participated. For Excel siors tries were scored by Baird and Bruhn, while W. Hughes kicked a penalty goal. Tries for Kiwis were scored by D. Diedrichs (2), Morgan (2), Roberts (2). S. Diedrich and Roberts each converted a try. S. Diedrichs p'ayed an outstanding game and his" club might do well by giving him a game among the backs, as he showed much initiative and elusiveness. A match between Pirat’es and Humphrey’s team for the Taylor Cup proved very even and interesting, the indications being in the second spell that the Humphrey’s team might win when tn ry gained a load of 9—B. Their forwards were the UeiTcr, and Pirates tired. Pfahlert and Thorp however, kept pegging away until they had th^ l opposition defending and Pfahlert finally dived from a. ruck to seor-e near •tUf posts, the try being converted. The trophy thus changed mauds. The Humphrey ’y Team played a creditable game.

COAST JUNIOR REPS. I.OSE. Buller junior representatives on Saturday defeated West Coast at Westport by 21 points to 12. The winners *howed better form than when lately beaten here. There was a good, attendance. The winners were on top from at the outset, the visitors’ showing being better in the second half. Buller leJ at half-time by 13 perint.-, to 3. The lead was increased to 18—3 s’oon after resuming. Later Buller led 21—6. In the final Const added a coup’e of unconverted tries. Scorers for Buller wore Mcßride (two) Weenink Brown fwid ’Read (a try each). Powick converted two tries and Mallet one. For Coast' Douglas, Tindale and Key scored trios, and Adatrm kicked a penalty goal. INANGAHUA NOTES. Arrangements will soon be completed for the rep team to travel to Murchison to play that Sub-Union on August 25th. Murchison are to return the vjsit and bring a third grain team. A Westport team is after a game wi f h an p.ar.gahua B team Ln the near future Wuratah juniors arc to be congratulated on their win and game in Westport' where they gave a good exhibition to win by 12 to 9 from Stars. Many listened in to the Marlborough Coas»t game and it was exciting to the end. Marlborough have great forwards and Coast seem t'o have, played without their usual devil. Cars going to and from the match during the week-end kept things busy. Local people who made the trip estimated file record crowd at about 2.500 to 3000, and close to a thousand cars in Blenhiem. Sympathy to “Mick” Morris wi'l he extended by all sporty, who would liked have seen Mick in the South Island League team, and local Rugbyites will wish him a speedy recovery from his leg injury. Congratulations to “Snowy’’ McKane of Waratah seniors on his showing in his middle-weight fight in Blenhiem, when he drew wit'h his opponent “Snowy” is a welter-weight. It is likely that a team from Lake Brunner will play Inangahua in Reef ton in the near future, word having been received -t'o that effect. Lake Brunner this year has been without grounds but now have one under con-

struction and will he in action again next season. The local footballers can sympathise with the Sub-Union on the ground question. The Tkamatua junior team appears* to be in good form and should go close to winning the Banner. Influenza has been rampant in the district and the school games have been affected accordingly. Ranfurlv Shield REGAINED BY CANTERBURY. (Per P tp9« Association). AUCKLAND, August Tn its second match this season fn defence of the Ranfurlv Shield. Auckland lost the trophy at Eden Park today, when they were defeated by Canterbury by 16 to 13. The challenging team -was <a superior combination, and although it won. by only three points,, it. scored lour tries (two converted) to Auckland s one try. 'two penalty goals and a potted goal. The home team almost i snatched victory from defeat in a whirlwind finish, but Canterbury would have been unlucky to lose. The gamp wa s played under ideal conditions, before a crowd of over 19,000. The Canterbury forwards he’d the heavier Auckland pack m the scrums and line-outs, and showed more cohesion and mobility in the loose. The Canterbury backs ran straight and with determiniation, and found the defence of the Auckland five-eighths lamentably weak. Canterbury’s tries were scored by Deavoll, G. W. Thompson. Rankin and Polson. Deavoll converted two tries. For Auckland, Anderson scored a try and Bush kicked two penalty goals and a field goal. CANTERBURY’S FIXTURES. CHRISTCHURCH. August 10. Canterbury have a fairly heavy list of engagements at Lancaster Park this season: August 21. v. Wanganui; August 24j. v. Wairarapa; August 31, v. Southland; September 7, v. West Coast; September 14, v. South Canterbury; September 21, v. Otago. The touring side returns after playing Hawke’s Bay at Hastings on August 15, and Wellington at Wellington on August 17. ASHBURTON BEAT BULLER. ASHBURTON, August’ 10. Pn a representative rugby football match Ashburton 15, beat Bul’er touring team 12. The majority of the points eam ( . from penalties. Ashburton opened well with two trios in the first few minutes and at ha'f time led by 15 points t'o 6. Buller maintained their form, but Ashburton went off in the later stages. For the winners, Pnblecheque Day and Rose scored, and Varcoe kicked two penalties. For BuPer, J. Hill scored a tiy- and Graham kicked two penalties and Holder one. OTAGO V SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL. August 10. Otago defeated Southland by 20 to 3 in thn 80th rugby game between the provinces, at Rugbz Pari: io day in fine weather. Otago wptp much the beWer term, the forwards showing greater dash than Southland, .

and their backs playing all over the opposition. MANAWATU BEAT TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 10. Bustling tactics throughout the game won the representative rugby match for Manawatu against Taranaki by 16 points t'o 13. P'ay was of a poor standard except for a few bright patches. Taranaki’s experimental halt and first five-eighths, the Sangster Brothers failed rather dismally, witn the result' that the outstanding threeouartcr line was starved for opportunities. Still, Manawatu was an improved team, and played with great vim. Each /earn scored three tries and converted two. Manawatu won by a penalty goal. Por Manawatu TTio-ht “cored ‘wo tries and Blyth one, wb’l ‘ ”•-•’-1 converted two and kicked - o ”nlty goal. iFor Taranaki Edward ‘'■■’’•'van and Galbraith scores tries. r'"i-s eon verted two. Taranaki played a long way below their real strength. WELLINGTON, Aimnsif Id. Rugby Senior A. first division: Pc tone 5. Eastbourne 4: Wel’ington Col lego 0.8. 10. Pnnrke 19- TTibt 1 " Athlet’c 6; Oriental 10. Mnrist Prog 08. T ' r 11 ' ° w 'rl°.

CHRISTCHURCH August 11. Sunnyside 13 beat Merivale 0, in the final of the seven-a-side tourney.