Seddon Shield

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1937, Page 6

Seddon Shield

WHERE WERE THEY ? [To the Editor]. Sir,—In contrast to the send-off the Coast team had at Blenheim a fortnight ago, when many members of the Marlborough Rugby Union farewelled them at Blenheim, I observed yesterday that only one member of the West Coast Rugby Union thought fit to attend when the Buller boys left for home. Did the West Coast Union members feel sore at the loss of the Shield, or are they all (with one exception) gentlemen with extremely short or convenient memories? I am, etc., "ONE OF THE CROWD.” RUGBY TRAINING. [To the Editor]. Sir,—I noticed in your football notes in Saturday’s issue that the local Rugby Union were doing all in their power to get the Seddon Shield team in good form for the challenge match with Buller. It was decided to telegraph the selected players to assemble in Greymouth the night before the match and proceed to Cobden Gymnasium for training. Evidently, the Union have not any idea of what is required in producing a team fit enough to undertake the defence of the Shield. I admit that the position is made very difficult for the Union in that some of the players work and reside in Hokitika and country districts, and, under present conditions, it is impossible to assemble the players for field practices. Buller Union, on the other hand, are fortunate in having the assistance of the leading Westport sports whereby arrangements can be made with the players’ employers lo obtain leave

from their work to undergo a week’s training under an expert coach. The result of this action was seen in the much improved play of the Buller team on Saturday. They were full of confidence from their feeling of fitness, and with the knowledge that they were not only meeting a depleted team but an untrained one. Under the circumstances, the Coast did exceptionally well, and if they had been properly trained and with the originally selected team, would probably have won the match easily, judging by Buller’s display in their two previous matches. It is to be hoped that the Coast, Union will be fortunate enough to be in a position to adopt Buller’s tactics in important matches during the coming years. So far as the combined team’s coming match with the Springboks is concerned, the team selected is a first class one, and should fully extend the visitors. The players chosen are really class ones, and the team should be capable of rising to great heights. A surprise packet may eventuate. I am, etc., “STRICT COMBINATION.” SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO. INVERCARGILL, August 7. A desperate defence by Southland enabled it to defeat Otago by 14 to 11 on a rain-sodden ground at Rugby Party to-day. The weather was cold and stormy, but no rain fell during the game. The attendance was over 6000. ■ Otago gave a brilliant display in the adverse conditions, their backs throwing the ball about in grand style. Stubborn tackling by Southland was responsible for keeping Otago’s score down.' At half-time Southland, which had been playing against a strong westerly wind, led by eight to three. ,