RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 24 August 1946, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Competition Final To-day. COBDEN AND CELTIC BOTH STRONG The main interest in this weekend’s Rugby on the West Coast will be centred on the final championship competition, to be played between Celtic and Cobden at Rugby Park to-day. Both sides are strong, and Rugby fans' can be assured of a firstclass display of the code. With the ground in a heavy condition, 'the game will most likely be confined to the forwards, but with opposing players of the calibre of Constable, Butler, Birchfield, Thompson, May, Cloak and Marley, this should detract little from fast and spectacular play. Last week-end the Cobden backs made the most of their opportunities, notwithstanding the fact that the ball was hard to handle, and with Celtic right on the top of their form, the game should be by no means devoid of incident. United Improve United, after consistently maintaining a position at the bottom of the first competition, gained a surprise victory® when they defeated Blaketown in the first of the new series. As usual, Dewar at first fiveeighth, was always ready for an opening, and was rewarded with one good try. He was inclined to kick too much, as was his opposing number, G. McLean, who, incidentally, made no mistake in grasping the opportunity to score Blaketown’s only points with a drop kick from a handy position. The United forwards made the most of the play, and against a weakened Blaketown pack .took full advantage of the heavy conditions, but on most occasions, K. Fisher, the Coast representative hooker, gained the ball from the set scrums. With a victory to their, cedit at the begining of the competition United appear to have brighter prospects for the rest of the season. The inclusion of J. Smith, the former Runanga League player at second five-eighth, will add to the strength of the back line, the weakest department in the United side. Best Display

N. McGuire, playing on the wing for Star in the match against Cobden last Saturday, .turned on his best display for the season, and handled faultlessly throughout the day. On several occasions his anticipation and fast following up had Cobden in trouble, and on defence he was at all times sound. He was unlucky on several occasions not to score.

N. Lawson, who has given consistently good displays on the wing all season, was tried out at centre, but at &io time seemed at home in this position. Lawson is essentially a winger and when in possession was inclined to forget that there Was a man outside him. It is doubtful if Lawson will be available for the final scheduled for to-day, and if this is the case, Cobden will be considerably weakened. Loss to Star

R. Henderson, one of the hardest working forwards in the Star pack, will be unavailable for the remainder of the season because of a leg injury. Henderson, who played on the side of the scrum, was noted for his good work in the loose, and was one of the fastest breaking forwards in the West Coast competition .this year, jlenderson was considered unlucky by many followers of the code not to have gained West Coast representative honours this season. New Centre for Coast E. G. Walker, Southland Rugby centre-threequarter, has been transferred to Hokitika in the service, of the Forestry Department, but. it’ is expected that he will be available for Southland in the remaining Ranfurly Shield matches this season. Walker is probably the deadliest tackler to represent Southland for many years. In .the recent shield match against Otago he was at his best; his determined tackling and close marking of the mercurial L. W. Deas had a good deal to do with the breaking up of many of Otago’s most dangerous passing movements. Two years ago While captaining the Southland Boys’ High School team, he had the distinction of representing Southland in the interprovincial game against Otago. This season he was nominated for a place in the South Island team. Solid Forwards The Star forwards gave a good display of team work, with Nelson, Pegley, Jackson and Lambert most prominent. Lambert was the most prominent line out forward for his side, and was always a solid worker in the tight. Nelson, on several occasions, turned defence into attack with good loose play and was.' always fast away from the scrum, while Pegley was always where needed, especially in hard rucking. Opposing Full-backs The opposing full-backs, Martyn and Vaughan, gave solid, displays and considering the greasy state of the ball, handled flawlessly. Each converted a try, and each was a valuable asset to his side on defence. Martyn, perhaps, shaded Vaughan on the day and never looked like be--coming bustled, even in the face of strong attacking movements.

TABLE TENNIS WEST COAST ASSOCIATION

Games played in the Greymouth Table Tennis Union’s competition last week resulted as follows:—Social Security, 11 sets, defeated Dispatch B, l.set; Runanga B, 10, defeated P. and T. A, 2; Runanga A, 11, defeated St. Columba, 1; Woolworths A, ' 8, defeated P. and T. B, 4; National Service, 8, defeated Woolworths B, 4; Loco 9, defeated Dispatch C, 3; Grey Aero Club 7, defeated St. John’s Badminton Club, 5; Dispatch A 8, defeated Grey Motors, 4. NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES A. Grade: Two life competition: — Social Security v. P. and T. A. St. Columba v-. Dispatch B. St. John’s Badminton v Runanga B. Runanga A v. Grey Motors. Dispatch A v. Grey Aero' Club. B Grade: Woolworths A v. Woolworths B.