BOUND FOR ENGLAND

Grey River Argus, 30 March 1946, Page 6

BOUND FOR ENGLAND

CES. MOUNTFORD BLACKBALL LEAGUE CAPTAIN MAKES THE GRADE. Twenty-six-year-old Ces Mountfold, the Blackball League player, who won representative honours at the age ot sixteen, and carried on to a brilliant career in the League code, • leaves shortly for England, where he will play'for the Wigan Club—which has only been beaten twice this seasonin the Lancashire League competition. Often quoted as one of the. most brilliant inside backs seen in the League code, Ces Mountford staited his football career playing full-back, and in this position played in all the West Coast representatives matches in the 1937 season. In 1939 he played for the South Island team, and in the New Zealand trials in this position, but was not selected to tour England. The outbreak of war, however, prevented the team selected making the tour.

After the trials two well-known internationals strongly advised him to play as an inside back, and since then he has played second five-eighth. In every season since 1940 he has been a West Coast representative in this position. He has been West Coast captain since 1942 and was South Island captain in 1944 and again in 1945.

In 1943 he captained the Blackball team on a successful tour of the

League provinces, winning brilliantly until meeting the Auckland champions, Manukau, at Auckland, where the touring side suffered its only defeat by 23 points to 9. Last year; however, the Blackball Club established a record for New Zealand by going through the season unbeaten. The most meritorious victory was the defeat of the leaders of the Auckland competition by 39 points to 10 in a match at Blackball. Mountford’s ability to see and use every opening has made him a prolific scorer in both club and representative football. In 1943 he scored 80 points, and the following year collected 155 for his side. Last season saw him crown all previous performances with 227 points, comprising 31 tries and 67 goals. In a representative match against Canterbury at Wingham Park he scored 28 points. His best scoring record, however, was in a club match against Runanga, when he compiled 32 points. Prominent among coaches who have assisted Mountford during his career are J. Dodds, the former New Zealand League five-eighth, who is coach of the Blackball Club, R. Clarke, a former West Coast League representative, and W. A. Vincent, former Canterbury and West Coast Rugby representative and West Coast League half-back. It is unlikely that Mountford will play any matches in New Zealand this season, as arrangements have been finalised for his departure to England. When he leaves he will carry with him the best wishes of all followers of the League code for a continued run of success. Unstinting in his praise of those who have played with him, and to those who have coached him along the road to victory. Ces. is quite and unassuming and always ready to extend a helping hand to youngsters in the game. GOLE OPENING DAY. To-day marks the official opening of the Greymouth Golf Club, when Mr W. Meldrum, president of the club, will drive the first ball. A mixed foursome will be played over thirteen holes, and players will be the guest of the club for afternoon tea. An invitation has been extended to visitors and intending members. <♦> <s> <•> <♦> <» <s> Eighteen Holes: Because of depleted membership during the past few years, the club has played over nine holes, and with the full-time employment of a greenkeeper, a further four holes will be opened within the next two or three weeks, and the course will be ready early in the season. The club has an extensive competition programme for the coming season, and these matches will commence next week-end.