RUGBY COMPETITIONS

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1936, Page 3

RUGBY COMPETITIONS

FIRST CUP GAMES Excelsiors and United Win BLAKETOWN AND KIWIS DRAW. The West Coast Rugby Union’s competition matches commenced on batuiday in fine sunny weather, but with a. strong wind blowing in the early stages of play. The standard of play generally for the start of the season was quite good, although as was to be expected the efforts of players in most eases was notably individualistic, whilst most players were at times prone to overlook the fact of the ie adoption of the kick into touch rll’pinvariably kicking out on the full, with few exceptions. Excelsiors had a somewhat easy win over Stars at Hokitika, by 21 points to 6, whilst Blaketown and Kiwi drew 6 all. at Greymouth. After establising an early lead of eleven points, United had a close call against Cobden seniors, eventually winning by 14 points to 11, with the merits of play resting with their opponents. There was a good attendance at Rugbv Park, which was in fine order. The re-amalgamation of the senior competition with the Westland Sub-Union, no doubt a splendid move, will materially improve the standard of play and at the same time meet with the approval of players, from a sporting point ot view, creating much more interest, than has been the case with club football in latter years.

BLAKETOWN (6); KIWIS (6) Before a good attendance and in tine sunnv weather, the Blaketown (Greymouth) and Kiwi (Hokitika) senior fifteens contested a drawn game in the initial game of the 1936 Rugby season, each side scoring six points. The game, played on No. 1 ground, at Rugbv Park, was mostly confined to the forwards, and although both sets of backs tried at different times to open up the game, all attempts proved futile and individual play, rather than concerted movements, provided most of the excitement and this was the indirect cause of the points that were recorded. For Kiwi, J. West proved himself a back with distinct possibilities and when he went to the half back position alter half time he tried to open up the game at every opportunitv. His try from the base' of the serum was a fine solo effort. Nicholson at full-back, played a s'lfe < T aine and fielded the ball and kicked well. Of a hard working pack Cox. Chinn and J. Walker were consistent toilers in both tight and loose plav. In the Blaketown rearguard Goodall at half back, played a solid ■mine, ami showed himself as a player of resource. Elder on the wing, made the most of his limited opportunities, and although lacking in weight. he more than compensated for this by his speed and determination. J edrotti, at centre, also showed up as an individualist. The Scandrett Bros. Pascoe and K. Scon wi‘re perhaps the pick of the forwards. The teams lined out as follows: Kiwi (Blue): Nicholson. 1-. Vest. Cooper, Roberts, J. West. M. Morgan, L. Morgan, Cox. Wright, Leslie, BuckWalker, Garden. Webb, Chinn. Blaketown (Black): Dowdall, Elder, Pedrotti, R, Olsen, Alellerron, C. Furness Goodall. Bruhn, Stackhouse, Al. Scandrett, Pascoe, IL Scott. A. Scandrett, Furness. Preston. Kiwi won the toss ami Blaketown kicked off into a stiff southerly breeze. Kiwi pressed strongly tor a considerable period but Scott led Blaketown to the Kiwi half and from an infringement, Pascoe had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Kiwi again attacked and play went to the Blaketown twenty-five, but Elder secured and with an electrifying burst of speed .rained •><’ vards when he was thrown into touch by West, a few yards short of the Kiwi line. From the line-out Goodall secured and side-stepped his wav through the opposition for a good trv in a handy position. Pascoe failed to convert'and soon after half tune sounded with the score Blaketown o; Kiwi nil. . . Soon after the resumption a Kiu i nlaver was penalised and from a good position Pascoe goaled and the score read, Blaketown 6; Kiwi nil. Blaketown again attacked and Pa--coe had another unsuccessful penalty kick. Then the Kiwi pack suddenly became infused with new lite am worked their way to the Blaketown 2m Offside play by Blaketown gave Rixx their chance to open their account and .1. Walker kicked a good goal. Blake town 6; Kiwi 3. _ . This seemed to give more heait to the Kiwi team and they again attacked strongly. From a scrum nea the Blaketown lino, West secured and ran from the base of the scrum to scorn under the posts. The kick hit the unright. Kiwi 6; Blaketown 6 Both teams began to put more devil into their pllty, but the final ed with the score still oxen. - • MeLauchlin was an impartial referee.

UNITED I (14), COBDEN (I) HUnited and Cobden Seniors met, on firn No 2 ground at Rugby 1 aik, <u some promising back movements were stored. United ran out winneis 1} 14 joints to 11. but the result could iust as easily have been in Cobden s Lour as ’n the second s l ,ell yL'LuI early load, due to two splendid in Id goal’s by 'Gilbert, was gradually reduced as the result of two splend d tries bv A. King. The Cobden _ side showed the fruits of strict training and on occasions in the second spell were all over the opposition, being very unlucky in not scoring several tr’e's The Cobden backs participated in several pretty back movements, which were, however, often spoi.ed. due ‘o B. Eggleton’s persistency m hanging on after he had made clever openings. Apart from several solo efforts early in the game, and lus good effort in sending Adams over for o * rv All Black G. Gilbert was not prominent on attack. He was, however well marked, and appeared to be nursing a weak knee as the result of an 'njury. He defended soundly, saving his ‘side repeatedly,' and his two field goals were accomplished in a polished manner. The best all round exhibition was given by P Allsopp (a former Albion and Christchurch player) half back for Cobden, who made TUng’s second try after a splendid run. H’s deliveries from the scrums, of which A. Sumner won the majority for his side, were perfect. Kirkwood, an ex-North Otago forward, gave a good exhibition and was the best forward on the field. The teams were: Cobden: A. Vaughan; A. King, W. Tennet, L. Lindbom;. E. Collins. B. Eggleton; P. A'Hsop; Kirkwood. Sumner. White; N. Keith, Spencer. Moss, Birchfield; Manning.

United; McNabb; Marshall. Gil belt, Caldwell; Costello, Adams; Cox; Hopkinson, Ironside, Grooby; Patterson, Flaherty, Glenn, Blair; Kear.

Following a United attack early m the game,, Costello picked up in « handy position and handed on to Gilbert, who dropped a neat field goal. United 4. Cobden 0. United forwards soon after broke away in n loose rush, and Caldwell, Glenn, Hopkinson and Blair handled in turn doxvn the sideline, the latter scoring wide out. Gilbert’s kick failed to rise. United 7, Cobden 0. Gilbert turned defence into attack with a high penalty kick. Vaughan cleared to McNabb, who returned to Vaughan. He cleared in the face of a strong wind and Gilbert, racing up. secured and dropped his second field goal from outside the twenty-five. United 11, Cobden 9. Eggleton then imide a dash but was held Up on the line. Cobden backs xvere getting the greater share of the bull and just failed on several occasions to open their account. I n the second spell, Marshall went into live-eighth and Adams went out on the xv'.ing. Soon alter resuming Gilbert secured near halfway and sent Adams over for a good try. Gilbert again failed to make the oval rise. United 14. Cobden 0. Cobden set up a hot attack and penned United in their 25. Lindboni secured from a ruck and he sent King over. Kino- also converted. United 14. Cobden 5. Soon after Cobden again scored, Collins sending on to Absopp, and he put in a great run to hand on to King and he ran round to score in a good position. King failed to goal. ITiited 14. Cobden 8. Cobden woi'(> playing with great dash at this stage, in both the forwards and backs, but time after time Eggleton tried to go too far on his own and a promising movement xvas spoiled. I nitcd xvere penalised for offside play and King’s aftem'pt to goal rebounded, off the upright above the bar.. United xvere again penalised and from wide out. L. Linidbom goaled xvith a good kick. ' Un'tcd 14. Cobden 11. Cobden continued to hammer away at the United Hne. but scrum infringements spoiled their chances of adding further to their score. Mr. N. Eggleton xvas referee. EXCELSIORS V. STARS.

There xviius only a lair tendance when Excelsiors played Stars at Cass Square; defeating tin?, v.-sitors I>y to 6 after a game that \va s will ng, but scarcely interesting, being devoid of .much tombiDiition, and quite lacking on the visitors’ part in .sound defence. The teams were:— ■Stars; Cushrne, Long, Noonan. Mann, Alderton, Beban, Gage; Hammond, Monk. Deere, Wilson. Qu nil. Stevens, Patterson and Dixon. Excelsiors: Sta'nes; Bradley, Mae krill, B.iird; Connelly, Muir; Davidson; Tainui, White, Conning, Key, Parker, Wr'ght, K : ng, B. Kelly. Mr J. But land was referee.

At the opening uf each spell, the home team did the attaek ng, and may have been ciontent xvith the.i lead) while the v'sitors improved towards the end. The foiwards wire fairly evenly matched, but there .was •i lietter understanding among Excelsiors. Davidson was theur outstand ng back on attack ami defence, he getting in the xviay of Stars any tune that they hind an opening left by other oppmients getting out' of position. Ron King locked the home scrum, playing hard in the tight, but tic.'t shoxving up in fhe loose except xvhen a scoring chance developed lor hi s side. Staines was a better fullback than Cushine, who xva s - often too slow, and misjudged the length of opponents’ kicks, being indeed only patchy, Mann out as the most dangerous back on x'lew, seer.ng once through his speed, and making in the latter stages several dashes lalong the margin that went close to the goa> line. Bnadley tackled him well, but Mann lacked manoeuvring roomStars have a promising attaeking c.’entre in Noonan, but his defeneu has .scope for improvement . Beban dd not greatly impress, but A’derton did. considering he is light, for he was. very often in the picture, even though a trifle too impulsive. Long wa. s safe enough, will few chanced Mackrill is a promising three-quarter, while Aluir, Bindley and Connelly also did xvell for Excelsiors. The latter have" several young foifwai-ds, among whom Parker, Key W’hite and Tainui are likely to prove reliable men. 'The veteran, Deere, on the big side, appeared actually t° gather speed as iho game weni, he be.-ing pt least as prominent as any forward in the final stages. He helped the Star serum to fully hold its own. Qii'iin, Monl< ITanlmond, Stevens, ami the junior, Wilson played good games throughout. Wilson followed up in good stylo. The first score, by Parker, came from an Excelsior loose rush. Davidson converted. Star backs defended poorly. After even midfield play, Mann, got the ball in the loose outside Excelsior, 25, and dashed away wi-h Davidson in pursuit, to score tit the corner. Some nice passing by Excelsior backs saw Aluir score before half-time. O» changing over, De-ore and Steven s shoiwcd up. xvhilst Wilson followed up well for Stars. Connelly and Mackrill took play to -Star 25, and a kick by the ht-terf saw Cushine mid judge it, an Excelsior (orwaiil scoring, for Davidson again to <u>nI vert. Star backs, to whom Quinn often sent back passes, took play to Fxcelsior quarter. Beban. Long and Noonan looking dangerous. Play moved back, and from a scrum in front of the visitors' goal, Davidson dashed in -to score under the posts and again converted. Stars then staged a recovery, hax’ing the better of uliay Jior some time. Aiderton sent Mann away, and he xvent close to scoring. Deere then nearly bullocked across Mann made a further dash past, the 25. Gage sent Aiderton. Noonan 'and Long away, and Noonan regained the ball to score will,, out. The try was not converted. SJir backs again'handled to get paid the 25, ami then Alann took « pass from Aiderton, who received from Deere, ami the winger got over, but he -had put a. foot ou-t. Later) Beban retired with a shoulder injury, Deere then missed an oasy penalty kick ■» front of (thp posts. Monk was seen in n dash to the line. Excelsiors now re'iiiliat-ed, and their attack resulted in Key scoring from a forward movement ExcelsioiA then won by 21 to 6.

Lower Grades STARS DEFAULT TO COBDEN. Star juniors failed to field a team against Cobden, who -won by default. BLAKETOWN II (6); CELTIC II (3). Blaketown Juniors fielded a strong side against Celtic at Rugby Park and won after a keenly fought game by

six points to three. Mosley and McDonald scored for Blaketown. and Davis scored lor Celtic. Mr. D. Jarvis was referee. COBDEN 111 (9) v. STAR 111 (9). Playing at Cobden, Star and Cobden third graders drew, 9 all. Kiely. Vaughan and Guy scored for Cobden, and Jackson, Arnott and Wilson scored for Stars. Air. E. Goodall was referee.

CELTIC 111 (6) v. BLAKETOWN 111 (5).

At Rugby Park, Celtic third graders defeated Blaketown by six points to five. Johnson and McLennan scored for Celtic and Smith for Blaketown, Banks converting with a great kick from the sideline. Mr. F. Ale--11 rath was referee

TECHNICAL IV. (35) v. UNITED IV (0).

At the Technical school grounds, Technical Fourth Graders defeated United by 35 points to nil, the school team playing bright, open football. Scorers for Technical were Shannon, Knight (2). Taylor, Lovell (2), R. Parry, Williams Cooper, Anderson and G. Parry whilst Williams converted one trv. Air. Al. R. Bunt was referee. WESTPORT, Al ay 2.

Gordon Pascoe, of the Old Boys Football Club, received a broken leg at the Recreation Ground, Westport, to-day, while taking part in a Rugby match. The game xvas abandoned. DUNEDIN, May 2. ATirsity A 19, Zingari 0; Union 13. Alhambra 3; Dunedin 9, Varsity B 0; Southern 7, Pirates 3: Taieri Hi, Kaikorai 3. WELLINGTON, Alay 2. Senior A—Fast bourne 6, Wellington 3; Poneke 15. Old Boys 6; Athletic 0. Petone 0; Hutt 9, Marist 5. CHRISTCHURCH Alay 3.

Football imatches were played on •Saturday' in. bleak weather. Giounds xver e muddy. A high .southerly wind blexv, and showers of rain and hail fell. Good play was out of the question. Results'at Rugby were: Christchurch 17 bein' Uni verity 3; Sunnyside 6 beat Albion 3; Old Bovs <> beat Athletic 0; Alerivale 10 beat Linwood 0. BRITISH RESULTS. LONDON. Alay 2. Saturday’s Rugby games resulted: — Aberavon 3 Llanelly 0. Bristol 13 Gloucester 0. Cardiff 3 Neath 5. Hartlepool Rovers 0 R. F. Oakes’ Fifteen 24. Northampton 3 Coventry 15. Plymouth Albion 0 Torquay Athletic 8