BLACKBALL’S TOUR

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1943, Page 3

BLACKBALL’S TOUR

MANAKAU ECHOES Auckland Appreciation (By Eric Bennetts.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 21. Auckland is still talking about the thrilling conclusion to a record Rugby League club season, the meeting of the champ.on club sides of Auckland and West Coast; and, although Blackball lost in its bid lor sporting supremacy, it is universally credited with a monumental display; against odds. It was gallant 1.0 the last in adversity. Allowing for Jack Hemi’s superior goal-kicking—by no means his best—a fairer criterion of the scores would have been 23-19. Manukau forwards probably averaged four stone more per man in the forwards, and two and a-half stone in me backs, and it had all the advantage in age and experience. MINISTERIAL PRAISE. Chatting with Hon. P. C. Webb in Queen Street yesterday, he expressed unqualified admiration oi the match and Blackball’s performance. “When you come to think of it” he added, “Blackball is a mining, township or only some five hundred odd people witn about 200- homes. It is marvellous to think that tne place can pro- _ duce a team capable of extending the season’s best club side in the city of ; Auckland. As you know, the Blackball mine was recently taken over by ( the Government arUd the players, witn a couple of exceptions, work in that | mine. I have worked with many of those boys’ fathers, and 1 am really, proud of the lads and the sterling stuff they proved on the football field. I think, too, that the coach Johnny Dodds, deserves credit for the style of play and combination revealed.” Mr. Webb was in Auckland at the week-end on Government affairs —the gas shortage problem, and, of course, that indirectly had a bearing on the mining position. . AMONG THE TRIPPERS. Supporters who made the trip and stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel were gladly welcomed by the Auckland League and its patrons, they were the Blackball club manager, Mr. George Schafer; Asa Whiting, Wm. Bay (member of the club committee); Jim Campbell (Mine Host); John Haisty (ex-South island rep.); Les Hodgson (ex-Rugb League rep. who recalls having played against [ Otago, and who is uncle of the Mountford boys); Dave Kidd (Masseur and former Blackball player who repped for Inangahua in 1928), Mick Banns and W. Kells (ex West Coast rep. half-back); and the doyen ot tne d party, Robert Mouniford, father oi the three fine players of the present team Ces. Bill and •’Peter,” and who still has three young lads coming on for honours. Lady supporters were Miss I. J. Williams (Blackball Social Secretary),, Mrs. J. Walker, Miss Hannah 'Mountford, Mrs L>. McFaclgen and Mrs. D. Faris. Also associated with the visit in honour of the presence of her son, forward, W. Kirk, was Mrs. Kirk, mother, also of that fine South island triaiist and Blackball product, D. Kirk, now Temp. Captain D. Kirk, D.C.M., still in the Middle Ea'st. Mrs Kirk, whose late husband, Mr. Walter Kirk was a 1912 pioneer of Rugby League on the West Coast after having visited Australia, had with her daughters, Mrs. E. Elsmore and Misses P, and B. Kirk. FOREMOST FIVE-EIGHTHS. Quite a number of prominent players of both the Rugby codes witnessed the match, and many, were particularly interested to see C. R. Mountionin action. He lived fully up to reputation as being among the foremost of Rugby League five-eighths of the present. He cannot be compared with Bert Cooke, simply because the latter was a star Rugby Union fiveeighths; and though A. E. Cooke played cleverly when he adopted Rugby League, he could not be considred an ideal League inside back. Anyhow, Bert and Mrs. Cooke were spectators. At half-time Owen Brooks, star South Auckland five-eighths, was introduced to Cecil in the dressing room. Johnny Anderson, ex-West Coast, South Island and international, also mingled with the visitors, and another enthusiast in the offing was the bigsmiling C. Leitch, a Blackball forward of some nine years back, who has been in Auckland six months. LOSS OF WINGER. .Winger W. O’Donnell, who had the , bad luck to injure his leg eanly ir the game when Hemi, whom he tackled, fell across him, was in good company, for he is a nephew of one of the Auckland selectors, Mr. Jack Kirwan, ex-international of 1925-6 English tour, and for many recent years popular secretary or Auckland Marist Old Boys’ Club. O’Donnell s speed and enterprise might have been very valuable to Blackball in the second half. Many people were interested to know that full-back Nuttail of the Blackball team is a' brother of the Linwood and Canterbury rep. three-quarter. MAORI M.P.’S WELCOME. Good work in managing the team was done by Mr. J. D. Walker, who has been blackball Secretary tor two years. An ex-S'occer player from Glasgow, he iias represented the Coast at tne 11-a-side game. He kept a watchful eye .on the boys at the Grosvenor Hotel, where the team was quartered. This house is managed by Mr. Walter Sturmey, a former Manukau Rugby Union captain, who is now a keen supporter oi the Manukau Rugby League Club, which is largely a very strong Maori institution. ‘ That means a good deal in a province and city whose paramount winter football is Rugby League. Among those who welcomed Blackball was Mr. T. P. Paikea, new member of Parliament for Northern Maori. He is 22, and easily the “baby” oi New Zealand politicians. He stands about 6ft 3in and up to last season has played for Manukau. A Maori, haka was given on the ground at half-time by a group of Waimina Maoris. COAST’S WORTHY COACH. Thanks to Johnny Dodds—and the players themselves so heartily agreed on this—Blackball presented the ideal type of Rugby League play, reminiscent of the best seen from Englisn and Australian teams that have visited this country along the years. The team’s effort at Carlaw Fark placet. Johnny in the forefront of football mentors. Born at Little Rock, somewhere in America, J. D. certainly has proved a little rock in the code in which he won international recognition and, toured to Australia in 1930, when, above all, he closely studied coaching methods. Coast has benefited. It was pleasing to hear Him refer to that great forward of the same tour, Jim Calder, novz bush contracting on the Coast. incidentally, sawmillers of the present . Blackball team, half-back M. Ord and forward R. Aynsley, were conspicous ■ against Manukau. Norman Griffiths (Runanga inter- ■ national of 1930,) was also thrilled with the game. What a great delight it was for Aucklanders to renew < acquaintance I with Mr. Jim Stokes, chairman of the West Coast Management. He should 1 be able to assure colleagues that tne i Northern Union Cup-holders have > won the right to a' trip to Auckland ( next year. Blackball team showed the way.