Rugby Final

Grey River Argus, 26 August 1946, Page 8

Rugby Final

RANGERS win CHAMPIONSHIP There was a large crowd at Victoria Square on Saturday to see the final of the Buller senior championships between Rangers and United. The star player was S. Anderson, Ranger’s first five-eighth, who scored seven points out of the side’s total of 12. The Rangers’ back-line which included.' Ladner, Smallholme and Cummings, were too fast and tricky for United, who more than held their own in the pack, where Moseley, Beveridge and D. Neighbours were tireless workers. From the kick-off United forwards carried the play into Rangers’ territory, where A. Moseley gathered in from a line-out to barge his way over. Ladner later set his backs in motion and a long pass to S. Anderson saw him beat several men and dummy his way over to score the best try of the match. T. Anderson converted. The forwards played excellent football, but were unable to make headway. Half-time came with the score, Rangers 5, United 3. Resuming, United forwards took play to Rangers’ line, and were unlucky not to have scored on several occasions. Smallholme cleared witii a good touch-finder. Rangers with T. Anderson at the head of affaiis, again pounded the United defence. Cummings had the crowd on its toes when he dribbled nearly the length of the field, and -just failed to score. S. Anderson then came to light with liant solo effort, and cutting through the defence, punted over Neighbour’s head, for Smallholme to follow up and score. United appeared to have a good chance of scoring when Moseley and Neighbours dribbled to Rangers’ line, but Cummings brought off a good save, and took play into United territory, where Ladner handed on to Anderson who potted a goal. The final , whistle sounded with the scores: Rangers 12 —United 3. Mr F. Foote was referee.

OLD BOYS BEAT STAR Old Boys gave a good display to defeat Star by 12 points to 5 after a bright game. Each side took the field without several of their usual players, but despite this fact, some good football resulted. At the outset, Star attacked, and a scoring chance from a penalty was missed early in the game, Oid Boys returning the play with a forward rush led by Kearns and Phipps. From a penalty, Phipps opened the scoring with a good goal. Old Boys gained the better of the set scrums, and Borlase consistently sent his backs away. The next points came when Stewart worked the blind side, handing on to Hickford, who dived over in the corner. Star rallied and with their forwards led by Taylor, A. Hansby and Merrin, hammered hard, but were unable to break though. There was no change in the score at half-time. At the opening of the second spell, Star again took up the attack, and the most brilliant try of the game came when Alexander, who playing soundly at first live-eighths, made the opening to let T. Hansby, on the wing cut through in fine stvle. Taylor converted. Old Boys’ points camo shortly - afterwards, when Two penalties by Stewart and Phibbs brought the final score to Old Boys 12 —Star 5. Referee; Mr J. Morg'an. STARS BEAT KIWIS In a friendly game played between Stars (Westport) and Kiwis (Hokitika) at Westport on Saturday, Stars won 12—6.