SEDDON SHIELD LOST

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1937, Page 6

SEDDON SHIELD LOST

TO FIRST CHALLENGER Buller’s Meritorious Win BY MARGIN OF ONE POINT. History repeated itself on Saturday when West Coast lost the Seddon Shield only a fortnight after wresting it from Marlborough, tne capture of the trophy by Buller recalling the fact that when first the West Coast won it from Nelson in 1923, it remained here but a few weeks before Golden Bay took it away. Buller’s challenge was successful after a sterling game, by the narrow margin of one point, the challengers scoring the winning try right on time, to win 12 11. The day was beautifully fine and sunny, and a crowd of over 3,000 spectators were present at Rugby Park to witness the game. After heavy rain the previous day, the ground was heavy, but nevertheless in remarkably. good order. The game provided a sparkling display of football, with the result in the balance right throughout, and although West. Coast looked like proving the victors well into the closing stages, Buller came to light with a great try right on time lo clinch what was a merited win on the run of the play. The challengers, particularly their light, but fast and versatile forwards, displayed superior fitness and adopted the policy of playing the Clashing open game which often turned defence into attack, and provided some exciting play and anxious moments for the Shield holders. The loose spoiling play of the visiting forwards also had its’effect on the, opposing backs, who had little room to work m when opportunities came their way, the Buller forwards breaking fast and playing right up on to them. In addition, G. Orman, the Buller hooker, gave his side a feast of the ball from set scrums, winning fifteen to six in the first spell and sharing the honour, nine each, in the second. Lineouts were even in the first spell, Buller winning 15 to 14, but in the second Buller won 16 to Coast’s nine. Due, mainly to lifting in the scrum, Buller were penalised seven times in the first spell, and Coast five times. In the second spell, Buller were penalised three times and Coast once. No marks were allowed during the game. West Coast forced down three times in the first spell, whilst Buller did not force down at all. Bach side forced down once in the second spell. With the greater opportunities the Buller backs should have been capable of better results, but this is explained to a great extent to the exceptionally good tackling of the Coast -rearguard. Even with such limited opportunities the Coast backs showed occasional glimpses of excellent combination. The West Coast forwards, although they fought gamely in all departments, failed to put the same dash into their play as their opposites, who hunted brilliantly as a pack. Tactics had a good deal to do with Buller’s success, and there were occasions when, by means or shrewd kicking, mainly on the part of Stewart, the weighty West Coast forwards were nearly run off their feet. Buller’s score was made up of four unconverted tries, to West Coast’s three tries, one of which was unconverted. Buller were first to score, Hill fast following up a stab-punt by Stewart towards the corner, and although well tackled by Roberts he broke free to regain possession and scramble across. A fine exhibition of reverse passing between Davidson and Roberts enabled West Coast to equalise, when Roberts dived over for a fine try at the corner, and Gilbert put his side ahead with a magnificent kick. Coast scored a further try, through fine work on the part of Gilbert (who scored), to lead B—3 at the interval. Strachan was responsible for a clever opening early in tael second spell and he sent Lake over for a try at the corner. Buller took the lead 9—B, with only a quarter of an hour to go, when Stewart, cleverly working the blind'side, sent Hill crashing over at the corner, for his second try. West Coast returned to attack with great determination and Mann made a pretty opening to send Roberts over wide out for another fine try, also his second,, which gave West Coast the lead, 11—9. Coast continued to swarm to their opponents’ goal line, but the defence was superb. Buller forwards worked their way back to half way, and all was up with the Shield when Mason made a clean break, with Butterfield in support. Roberts, the opposing winger, slipped and fell over, and Gilbert, at full-back, was left with two men to tackle fifteen yards from the line. He elected to collar Mason, who passed cut to Butterfield, and the winger had almost a clear run to the line. A. Dunn, the Buller full-back, rendered great service to his side, playing an all-round brilliant game, his handling, positional play and kicking being of a high order. Both wingmen had restricted opportunities, but three of the tries were shared between them, both displaying great dash and sound defensive ability. S. Stewart was the ling-pin of the backs, playing his best game for many seasons. He defended soundly and made some clever attacking moves, whilst his handling and touch finding efforts were faultless. Like the wing men, - A. Strachan at centre, had few chances, but he showed up in one or two attacking movements, in which he was always dangerous and it was he who made a brilliant dash down the field to engineer Lake’s try. F. .Neighbours was the weak attacking link in the Buller inside backs, but his defence and brilliant tackling was a feature. B Finlayson, the half-back, although never himself enterprising, gave great service behind the scrum, his despatches being crisp and well delivered. He also showed up on defence. G. Mason proved a great leader in the Buller pack, and although it would be hard to individualise, he was best supported by Orman, Wilson, Lake and Pratt. Phipps, who on occasions served as an extra back, was always in the thick of the loose play, and carried out his duties in this capacity in an excellent manner. Collins soon, indicated that he should not have been called upon to fill the full-back position. He too often waited for the bounce and his kicking, although of good range and direction, did not always find the line. R. Roberts gave a dafehing display on the wing, scoring two brilliant tries and defending well. Although he made several mistakes early in the games, Gilbert gave a good display at centre, and besides a good defence, attempted to make numerous openings, one of which was

fruitful. W. Mann was tlie most enterprising of the live-eighths, although S. Hendry played n steady game. Mann was brilliant, on defence, and figured, prominently in a passing rush to make Roberts second try. Hendry’s defence was sound. M Davidson played his usual solid game at half-back, and when he retired with an injured arm, was much missed for his yeomanlike efforts on defence. Vincent, however, showed up on attack. R. King was the outstanding forward, and was best supported by M. Scandrett and P. Garden. The teams were:— Buller (cardinal and blue): A. Dunn; J. Hill, A. Strachan, R. Butterfields; S. Stewart, F. Neighbours; B. Finlavson; R. Pratt, G. Qrman (Captain)/ J. Lake; G. Mason, G. Wilson; K. Corrie, J. Brown, T. Phipps. West Coast (red and white): N. Collins; B. Agnew, G. Gilbert, R. Roberts; W. Mann, S. Hendry; M. Davidson; P. Pascoe, S. Thorpe, A. King, M. Scandrett, R. King, B. Stuart, R. Weiblitz, P. Garden. West Coast won the toss and Slewart kicked off towards the northern goal. Buller stormed into (he Coast territory, and a try looked likely, when Davidson mis-kicked, but It. King cleared with a line kick. Dunn kicked through to Collins, and he was compelled to force. Stewart at tempted to cut through near half-way, but was well bottled up. Collins returned Dunn's kick and found touch nicely witli a long kick to past halfway. There was then some solid rucking play in midfield. Coast kept up the pressure, but it was very ragged play, with an overdose ol kicking being indulged in between the backs. Stewart secured at his own twenty-five, and passed to Orman, who centred and the forwards took the play into Coast territory. Here Stewart again secured and stab-punt-ed towards the goal-line on the western side of the field. Hill gained possession, but was tackled by Agnew. Hill regained possession and made a dash for the line, being supported by Mason and Phibbs. A general melee resulted on the line and Hill stretched out to place the ball over and score a good try near the corner. Stewart failed to convert. —Buller 3; West Coast 0. The game had been in progress fifteen minutes. Buller forwards continued to play dashing football. Davidson secured from a scrum at half-way and despatched Roberts, who made a great dash down the side-line. He passed out to Davidson, when he came to Dunn, and Davidson when tackled by Butterfield, again passed out to Roberts, who dived over at the corner. Gilbert converted, with a beautiful kick. —West Coast 5; Buller 3. Buller renewed their attack and when Mann was caught off-side, A. Dunn’s kick from wide out, just went outside the upright by inches. Stewart soon after attempted to pot a goal, but failed to make the ball rise. Coast gained valuable ground when Mason obstructed Mann, and Buller were hemmed in their twenty-five for a time. Davidson despatched his backs from a scrum on the Buller twentyfive, and Gilbert beat several men to hand on to Agnew. He was tackled in possession and racing round Gilbert picked up to dive over at the corner. Gilbert failed to goal.—West Coast 8; Buller 3. Buller forwards stormed the Coast goal-line, but Builer were penalised for handling, and Gilbert found touch at the twentyfive, and half-time was called. Soon after resuming, Coast wire on attack, when Mann, with a neat cross-kick, found touch near the twenty-five. Coast forwards weie caught napping from a line-out . at half-way, when Phipps broke clean 1: w8i. He looked like scoring when Mann failed to gather in, but Collins nipped in and kicked over the deadb<:;.: line. Davidson had to retire '■■■•th an injury to his arm. and was replaced by W. Vincent. When Hill kicked through to Collins, he returned the kick to Strachan, who made a smart run down the side-line. He in-passed to Lake, near the line, who scored wide. Stewart 1 ailed to goal. —West Coast. 8; Buller 6. Buller backs swung into action, and when Gilbert missed his man a score looked likely, but Roberts came right across field" to tackle Hill, and save. Coast forwards came away in a splendid loose rush, but Dunn saved brilliantly, finding touch at Coast’s twentyfive. Hendry returned a fine kick to find touch near Buller’s twenty-five. Gilbert had a great opportunity to goal, but slipped. Finlayson kicked out near the line. Orman was penalised lifting in the scrum, and Gilbert’s kick from forty yards out, was wide. Buller forwards in one of their typical loose rushes, took play into Coast territory. Coast forwards led by R. King, were, however, playing right up on their opponents. Agnew broke away in a good dash taking play to Buller’s twenty-five, with Thorpe in support. Butterfield kicked through to Collins, who was caught in possession and penalised for hanging on, practically on his own twenty-five. Dunn’s kick was short from forty yards out. Mann found touch near half-way, with a beautiful kick near half-way. Buller looked like scoring when Strachan kicked through, Mann and Collins both failing to gather in, but Agnew kicked out to save with a fine kick. From a scrum at Coast’s twenty-five, Finlayson sent out to Stewart, on the blind side, and he put in a great dash to beat several players, to despatch Hill, who scored a brilliant try at the corner. Stewart failed to goal.—Buller 9; West Coast 8. With but a quarter of an hour to play, Coast put the crowd in a great pitch of excitement with their determined efforts to reduce the leeway. Agnew intercepted prettily, to gain good ground. From a scrum just outside Buller’s twentyfive, Vincent sent out to Hendry and he handed on smartly to Mann. Mann cut through, brushing off his man, and passing over the head of Gilbert to Roberts, who had a clear run over at the corner, for a great try. Gilbert’s kick was short. —West Coast 11; Buller 9. Gilbert, at this stage, went back to full-back, Mann to centre, and Collins to second five-eighth. Mann made a dash and excitement continued io regain when Coast both fore and aft, made several dangerous thrusts, being on attack all the time. Finlayson then put Buller on attack, with two smart high punts in quick succession. Gilbert returned a deep kick to Stewart, who mulled it and the ball rolled out at half-way. Roberts made a great dash up the side-line, punting over Dunn’s head, but Fmlayson kicked out near the line. Mann secured, beat his man and sent to Agnew, who cut infield, but was tackled on the line. Buller forwards drove them back to near half-way. 'Stewart had a chance, but passed forward with an almost open field ahead of him. Phipps put his side in a good position with a fine break-away, but good clearing kicks by Gilbert brought relief. Mason picked up nera I

half-way and when tackled by Gilbert, he sent on to Butterfield, who had a clear run over near the corner. Stewart failed to goal, and the final whistle sounded with Buller victorious by 12 points to 11. Mr R. W. Blazey was referee. PRESENTATION OF SHIELD. i The Seddon Shield was handed over to G. Orman, Captain of the Buller team, at a dinner at the Albion Hotel on Saturday by Mr. T. P. Ryan, a Vice-President of the Rugby Union, who congratulated Buller on its victory. The Buller team, and a host of supporters who made the trip down for the match, left yesterday morning on return to Westport at 11.30 a.m. They were met at Barrytown by a large contingent from Westport, including the Mayor, Mr. John Kilkenny. SEDDON SHIELD HISTORY. The Seddon Shield was first instituted in 1906, but West Coast first won it 17 years later, when in 1923, they wrested it from Nelson by 12 points to 8. In the first challenge with Buller a draw was effected, the score being 3 all. The very next game Golden Bay-Motueka lifted the trophy by three points to nil. Results of Shield matches between Buller and West Coast to date have been as follows: — 1914: Buller 25, West Coast 3. 1923: West Coast 3, Buller 3. 1931: Buller 11, West Coast 6. 1932: West Coast 9, Buller 3. 1933: West Coast 7, Buller 3. 1937: Buller 12, West Coast 11. West Coast lifted the Shield for the only occasion since the inception of the series of games, and that was in 1932, when West Coast won 9—3. Saturday’s match was the first occa-

sion in which Buller has taken the Shield off West Coast, so that the rubber is even. West Coast have only held the Shield twice and with the exception of the second occasion, when in 1932, it was won from Buller and West i Coast stalled off the four challenges of the other provinces in 1933, to lose the shield in the first match in 1934, with Marlborough (3 —0), West ' Coast has not seen much of the shield or, at least, not for a very long period at any one time. Last Saturday’s ■ match was the 77th. challenge game ' played for the Shield. The next challenge for the Shield that Buller'will be called upon to withstand, will be from Motueka- ' Golden Bay on August 28th., and Nelson on September 11th. Marlborough still have the right of chal- ■ leffige, but if this right were to be exercised, would follow later. TEAM WELCOMED HOME. WESTPORT, August 8. Buller Rugby team on their return this afternoon from Greymouth after lifting the Seddon Shield from West Coast was met by the Municipal Band and a large concourse of citizens, who gave the victors an enthusiastic reception. Speeches of welcome and congratulations were made by Messrs J’. M. Robertson (Deputy-Mayor), and F. B. Keating (president of the Buller Rugby Union). Replies were made by Messrs G. Orman (captain), McDonald (coach), H. Casey (one of the selectors and manager of the team), and R. Butterfield, who scored the winning try in the last minute of the game. All of the players paid fine tributes to Orman’s leadership and his outstanding hooking ability.