RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1943, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

. WIN FOR COBDEN.

BLAKETOWN DEFEAT HOKITIKA.

' The main game at Rugby Park, Cobden v. Star-United, combined, was very fast and open, considering the adverse conditions prevailing earner in the week. Cobden deserved their win of 21-6. The teams were:—

Cobden; Lindbom, Hayes, Wright, Stracnan,-. Keating, McLean, Horrack, Marley, King (2), Ryan, Wa’tkin, Beardsley, Birchfield, Gilmour, Martini, Swift. Star-United: Blair, Thomson, Laing, Nelson, Sweetman, Jones, Dewar, Goodall, Quinn, Jacksen (2), Wilson, Cringle, Hagan, Bertram. Cobden kicked off, defending the south goal, and gradually worked towards the Combined line. Dewar recovered for Combined, but Lindbom made an excellent essay, at a pot from 40 yards, which just missed. Fortunes varied for the next ten minutes, Martini making excellent dashes for Cobden, which ended in McLean being held up on the line. Wright secured and his attempted drop-kick went wide. "However, Strachan followed up very fast and went over well out. Lindbom’s kick failed.—Cobden 3, Star-United 0. Sweetman shook Cobden with a 50 yard dash which culminated in a pot, which narrowly missed, by Dewar. From a free kick on Combined’s 25. a penalty, for the Combined breakaways coming round too fast, Lindbom again failed. A good back movement led Combined to the Cobden line where Martini relieved with a tricky run. From a penalty for an illegal tackle, Dewar rang the bell from 30 yards.—Cobden 3, Star-Unit-ed 3.

Cobden’s backs then went into action, passing right out to the wing, Strachan, again crossed ’near the corner. Lipdbom’s kick missed. Cobden were attacking strongly at halftime, with the scores—Cobden 6. StarUnited 3.

On the resumption of play', Cobden again attacked and from a scrummage near the line. Magee secured and went over. Birchfield converted.—Cobden 11. Star-United 3.

Cobden again pressed. King picking up and passing out to Martini, to McLean. who crossed near the corner. Birchfield converted from a difficult angle.—Cobden 16, Star-United 3. In the act of scoring McLean sprained his ankle and was replaced by Keating. Following a quarterhour of varying play, -the Combined forwards broke through and kicked over Cobden’s line. Jones racing ahead to score. Dewar’s kick failed. —Cobden 16, Sta'r-United 6.

An opening by Strachan was utilised by King, who forced his way over for Cobden’s fifth try. Birchfield again converted. —Cobden 21. Star-United 6. Lindbom secured from the kick-off and just missed a pot from 40 yards. Combined attacked again and Dewar missed a penalty on Cobden’s 25. The whistle blew with the score—Cobden 21, Star-United 6. On No. 2 ground the Senior fixture. Blaketown v. Hokitika, was won by Blaketown by 9 points (1 penalty and 2 tries) to 6 points (1 penalty- and 1 trv). Mr. J. Minchin refereed.

The curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground, was played by Celtic and Cobden thirds, resulting in a win for Celtic, 15 points to 3. Mr. Hogarth was referee. Playing on the Technical ground, Tech thirus drew with Blaketown, 6 all, Mr. A. King being the referee.