RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 15 May 1944, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Star-United Win HOKITIKA BEAT BLAKETOWN. Weather conditions were ideal on Saturday for the continuation at Greymou-th, of the West Coast Rugby Union’s competitions. The main senior fixture at Rugby Park, between Star-United and Celtic proved to be a game of much interest, with fast, exciting movements keeping the good attendance on its feet. StarUnited won by 11 points to 3. On the No. 2 ground, Hokitika defeated Blaketown by 10 points, to nil. STAR-UNITED 11-.-CELTIC 3. Smart passing movements by both sets of backs was a feature of the game, and one in which they freely indulged much to the approval of the onlookers. The teams were evenly matched, both in the forwards and the backs, and as a' consequence, , the scoring was low. For the combined team, B. Topp, the full-back, . got through a lot of work with credit ano proved hard to pass, his handling was superb and his elusiveness foiled would-be tacklers on many occasions. A. Thompson, J. Gillan and H. De Freatus were also seen to advantage. In the combined pack, Pegley and N. Jones were outstanding. In the Celtic pack, W. Croudis. J. Rae and G. Nelson stood out. In the back line, R. Thompson and W. Millett played well, while. S. McDonnell also gave good support. Celtic was first to attack with several snappv back movements. A try looked Jik'ply at .one stage, but a knock-on by R. Thompson when he was nearly over, gave Star-United breathing space. Star-United then took a hand, playing with plenty of vigour, and soon Celtic was penned back on its own line. Flay remained there for some time, with Combined making vain efforts t.o score. Two attempts were made at a field goal, but both failed. A chance of a try was thrown away on the second oc-. casion. Star-United kept up the pressure and were all but over on two occasions, but were rewarded when A. Thompson cut through nicelj' to score in a handy position. De Freatus con-' verted. Star-United s—Celtic 0. Star-United continued' to keep up the pressure, and were definitely having the best of the play. Gillespie made a good run and sent on to A. Jackson who went over, but a knock-on recalled them. Then Topp collected and made an opening to send Pegley over but an infringement again saved Celtic. Combined was then awarded a penalty kick and De Freatus goaled. S'tar-United B—Celtic 0. Half-time came shortly afterwards with the score unchanged. On the resumption of play, StarUnited began to attack again and were soon on Celtic’s line, where a number of scrummages took . place. Star-United were then awarded a penalty kick in a handy position and* De Freatus goaled. Star-United 11— Celtic 0. Celtic then took a turn at attack and the backs combined in several good movements. Millett secured and cut in to send on to Thompson who outpaced the opposition to score a spectacular try. A Pratt failed to convert. Star-United 11 —Celtic 3. Determined efforts were made by Celtic to lessen the gap and they dominated the concluding stages of play. However, they could make very little impression on the Star-United defence and the game ended with the score: Star-United 11 —Celtic 3. Mr. C. F. Cockburn refereed. HOKITIKA 10 v. BLAKETOWN 0 Despite the disparity in scores, the game between Hokitika and Blaketown was an even one with several exciting movements taking place. The visiting back line was a strong combination and found' many holes in Blaketown’s defence. The forwards were evenly matched, but R. Birchfield and B. Watkin, two exCobden players who turned out for Hokitika, proved too experienced and the work in the scrum of these players was a predominating factor. In the Hokitika backs Nolan and Olsen played good games. E. Inwood played a,n excellent loose game in the Blaketown pack, with R. Mitchell, K. Tomlinson an c ] J. Smith in support. N. Lawson and M. Thomas were the pick of Blake"town’s rearguard. The teams were: Blaketown: M.. Thomas, N. Law- ’ son, M. McDonald, N. McGuire, R. Nelson, G. McLean, R. Leach, N. .Webster, D. McKendry, E. Inwood, Bi Mitchell, J. Smith, K. Tomlinson, - A: Inwood.

' jHokitika: Finerty, Olsen, W. Am•berger, Tulloch, ,J’. West, Nolan, Davidson, Chappell, Atkinson, Bradlev, Shuker, Michel, Birchfield, Watkih. A.’Little. -Blaketown forced the play in the early stages and kept Hokitika hemmed against its line. Repeated efforts to score were foiled and finally Hokitika forced and momentarily relieved the pressure. Blaketown again were nearly, over when Mitchell was beaten in a dive for the

ball, anc for an infringement in a subsequent scrum under the posts, a penalty kick was awarded to Hokitika and they cleared. Then the visitors began to exert their authority and with a change of tactics the backs went away fog a good run. The ball came to Olsen who drew the defence and centred. Watkin, following up, secured to score under the posts, Davidson goaling.—Hokitika 5; Blaketown 0. Hokitika kept up th.e pressure but were unable to add to their points. McGuire was nearly over for Blaketown when he made a strong run down the sideline, but was forced out in the corner At the commencement of the second spell Blaketown made a forward move which brought them to within five yards of the Hokitika line, where they were awarded a penalty. Leach missed the kick and Birchfield cleared. Hokitika then advanced and when Leach w;as caught offside, Birchfield missed a penalty kick. The visitors continued to force and their snappy passing movements soon had Blaketown worried. Finally. McLean endeavoured to clear, but his kick across field fell short and Amberger collected to score .an easy try in a handy position. Nolan goaled.— Hokitika 10; Blaketown 0. Birchfield stood out in the subsequent stages of play. Thomas was compelled to force in the face . of a Hokitika attack. A. and E, Inwood figured in a passing movement which brought play deep into Hokitika territory. With only fifteen minutes to play the game became very brisk and some of the best play of the day took place as Blaketown endeavoured to score. The game ended when a rush by Blaketown forwards into the visitors’ area was stopped by a kick for touch. The final score was: Hokitika. 10; Blaketown 0.

Referee: J. Minchin. LOWER GRADES. In a curtain-raiser at Rugbv Park Cobden thirds after leading by 11 noints to 3 at half-time, were defeated by Celtic by 14 noints to 11. The eame was an excellent one. Blaketown third graders defeated Technical by 11 points to nil. In a fourth grade match, Celtic ?4. defeated Blaketown 6.