LEAGUE FOOTBALL WEST COAST TROUNCE CANTERBURY IN FIRST OF TRIAL GAMES

Grey River Argus, 26 April 1948, Page 6

LEAGUE FOOTBALL WEST COAST TROUNCE CANTERBURY IN FIRST OF TRIAL GAMES

Overshadowing in importance all other sporting fixtures of the day, the initial trial match, prior to the selection of the New Zealand team to tour Australia, attracted a crowd estimated to have been in the vicinity of 2,500. Despite the fact that heavy rain had fallen In the early part, of the day the playing ground at Vicotria Park was favourable for good football. After beating down a determined Canterbury defence in the first half, West Coast succeeded in forcing Canterbury to dance to its own tune, of close, hard rucking, and went on to a convincing victory by 38 points to 8 as a result of.brilliant all-round play. In the second half, West Coast rallied strongly, and with its back line functioning efficiently, cut the defence to ribbons. The two- teams provided a contrast in method, the West Coast players were wary of their opponents in the opening stages, but once they found the counter to the visitors' tactics, they thereafter predominated play. J. (Chappie) Mundy, played a sterling game, and to him goes the “Oscar” for the day. His credentials are unquestionable and he can be regarded as an odds-on favourite to win h’is way through, to face the selectors in the final trial.' 7he .rest is left to Jim, as he has always shown courage in adversity. Mundy can be herald-

ed as a bright prospect for the Australian tour.

The weather though threatening remained line tnrougnoui- me main game, ana triose present were treated with a thrilling exuibition oi the coae.

Leaving in mind wnat was at stake, each and every player was out to ao his utmost, as a rule trial matches are usually devoia oi the origin open movements, that were characteristic oi Saturday’s game. This type of game at tunes rinds a piayer with a tendency to hold to much. Such was not tne case on tins occasion.

The Coast forwards were ably led by Mounttord, and Mcßride, wnn Newton and O'Donnell always wen to the fore. Mundy was probably the Pest loose forward on the ground. The remaining torwards seen in action, Neilson, Aynsley ,and McTaggart ai; proved themselves worthy oi representative honours. In tne backs Pascoe stood out supreme, and left little to be desired. Curnow combined effectively with Pascoe, and there was always danger for the opposition wnen they swung into action. Forrest was the most marked man on the ground, and was given little room to work in. Meates was making his debut in representative football and though he was by no means faultless he is too good a player to be discarded on Saturday’s showing. It must be born in mind the good efforts that earned this player representative honours. He is young and is sure to make the grade. Soster gave a grand exhibition as full-back and looks a certainly for the trip to Auckland.

Allom was the star of the visiting backs, and will go a long way in the game. McKenzie needs plenty of room to work in. As this was not offering he was not seen at his best. Alfield was a really good winger but was unfortunately compelled to re-tire-injured. Lewis and Henry were shaded by Pascoe and.Curnow. Duke was the best of the Canterbury forwards. Smith did not play the game that might be expected of an International captain. Gardiner the breakaway gave good service but was not in the same street as his oppos•mg member, Mountford.

The teams were:'— Canterbury: P. Callanan; A. W. McKenzie, S. Aflom; K. Alfield, E. Lewis; K. Henry; R. Hancox; J. Duke, P. Smith, J. Flynn; K. Andrews, D. Warren; L. Gardiner. West Coast: J. Soster; W. Mountford, V. Meates, J. Forrest: J. Pascoe, J. Curnow; M. Ord; A. McTaggart, R. Aynsley, J. Newton, R. Neilson, C. Mcßride, K. Mountford. THE PLAY Settling down quickly, Canterbury soon baa the locai ooys narct put defending a strong onensive. canterbury called the tune and threw s the bait around in grand style. Notwithstanding tne visitors' apparent eany superiority, the Coasters siowiy out surely swung into an effective combination. However, not to belittle their good showing, Canterbury drew first Dlood when Callanan made no mistake with a penalty irom a nanay position. Ensuing piay saw West Coast backs lunctiomng but a solid and weii-pianned defence gave no quarter. Pascoe ever alert, continually made openings an»>. showed great discretion by the mannir in whien he sounded the opposition. Callanan handled well ana placed the ball to advantage tor Canterbury. A good clearing kick by AJlom took play towards the West Coast twenty-five where Callanan moved through fast to take possession. Henry aropped back to cover Callanan who crosskicked to McKenzie on the wing. McKenzie was altogetner too eiusive wr W. Mountiord, and he raced over tor the .first try of the match. Callanan’s kick failed.

Furthering their already useful advantage, Canterbury appeared to hold control, and had the Coasters hard put. The Canterbury centre, Allom. who looked the best of the visiting backs, was on his mettle and was a menace to the Coasters. He was the originator of Canterbury’s next, ,and incidentally final points. Taking possession deep in the West Coast territory, Allom beat his man, threw a neat pass to Alfield, who in turn sent. Lewis racing over tor a spectacular try. Callanan once again failed to add the extras. At inis juncture all the super-optim-ists were beginning to despair. Even the ardent West Coast supporters thought it would in all probaoility be a. repetition of last year when Canterbury carried two many guns for the Coasters. Sensing defeat ‘Chang” Newton seemingly came from nowhere, and like a bolt from the blue, the big Runanga stalwart smashed his way through and amid great roars ol: enthusiasm from the side line, Newton with complete -command of the ball but no support forthcoming made a gallant attempt to go over unaided. However, Mcßride raced up but he was stopped by Lewis, thus ending a promising movement. A further golden opportunity tor West Coast was lost when Forrest knocked on when working up to top speed with almost a clear run in. The first points to Coast came as a result of solid forward play by Neilson when near the Canterbury 25 ho paved the way for W. Mountford to score. Soster converted with a great kick from a bad angle. Now only three points behind Coast struggled hard for the ascendancy. Allom received a nasty knock on the nose that drew blood. This failed to deter him, and he showed great fortitude to carry on in the manner ne did. Both sides made every effort to increase their totals but as the halttime whistle sounded, Canterbury led by 8 points to 5.

SECOND SPELL

The Canterbury ream remained unchanged as the players took the field for this half but there were several changes in the Coast side. In the forwards, R. O’Donnell replaced McTaggart and J. Mundy took over from Neilson. In the backs J. Curragn relieved W. Mountford. Canterbury once again took up the early attack and Gardiner at the head of affairs swept well into West Coast territory. Play had not been long in progress when Mundy made his presence felt. Back in his right place in the forwards. Mundy was conspicuous from start to finish. First points in this half, came, to Coast. Aynsley secured from a melee wide out and forced his way over. Soster earned the plaudits of the crowd with a great kick that sailed between the uprights. O’Donnell was next to lead the attack, taking play deep into Coast, territory where Mundy and Mcßride joined in. A stumbling block was, Duke who halted the movement with a short clearing kick. Coast won the ball from a scrum inside Canterbury's

half. Ord sold a dummy, in-passed to ix. ivlountiord, who m turn passed to iviunay ana not to be aemea ne went racing tnrougn. to touch down in im-

maculate fasnion. soster again convertea. .Pascoe maae tne opening ana cat ormiantly imieid. .-re xenaeu on several wouia ue tacklers passea to Mountioru wno Sent roster . acmg tor tne line out ne was pusiiea out u_> callanan in me corner. At tins stage rascoe was probaoiy me west oacKrnn thp field ana with ms customary cool-

ness made the way lor curnuw to drmble tne call through the Canterbury backs. Mundy came sweeping uo»n snapped up the ball after wnicn the result was never in doubt, Mundy getting to the line to touch down in a "photo finish” with Henry. Soster rose to the occasion making the score West Coast 20, Canterbury 8. Mountiord gave an indication of tne play that niaue him such a favourite wun tohowers of footoall overseas. He was always in the thick of the fray. K. Aiiiela who was a mainstay in tne back line for Canterpury reurea wun a knee injury being replaced by C. Clark. Curnow cleverly dummied Lewis and McKenzie to slip through and score near the posts. The'kick was easy for Soster. Canterbury were now in a seemingly hopeless position, and appeared to give up the ghost, and looked well below tne team tney were in the first half. Curnow, Meates, and Forrest figured in a spectacular passing rush that saw Forrest cross for one of the most popular tries of the day. Soster made no mistake.

Pascoe was the medium of much favourable comment from the side line when he sent Mountford dashing away for a try. He encountered some opposition but ran right away from Clark and Lewis to touch down in a handy position. Soster again converted.'* The final points went to the credit of Meates who took a nice pass from Forrest and he scored a grand try wide out. Soster failed with a difficult kick. The final whistle saw West Coast run out comfortable winners to the tune of 38 points to 8. Mr R. Barbarel of Christchurch controlled the game.

CURTAIN-RAISER Prior to the main match a keen and very interesting game between a senion B representative team, and a senior reserve representative thirteen, had the crowd on good terms with themselves by the time the main match came up for decision. The more experienced Senior B players had the edge on their younger opponents and ran out winners by 19 points to 2. The referee was Mr -P. E. Sweetman. Owing to inclement weather in the fore-noon all schoolboys’ fixtures were postponed. Trial Team The selectors, Messrs J. Oakley, J. Dodds and R. Clark, have announced the following team to play Canterbury in a second trial match, at Christchurch, next Saturday:— _ Backs; J. Soster (Runanga), J .Forrest (Runanga), V. Meates (Marist), J. Curnow (Marist), J. Curragh (Runanga), J. Pascoe (Marist), M. Teen Marist), M. Ord (Hokitika), W. Mountford (Blackball). Forwards: J. Newton (Runanga), J. Mundy (Marist), R. Neilson (Hokitika), A. McTaggart (Runanga), C. Mcßride (Blackball), R. Aynsley (Blackball), K. Mountford (Blackball) and R. O’Donnell (Blackball).

CANTERBURY RESULTS Papanui 15, Dallington 5. Riccarton 16, Hornby 5. Christchurch 17, Rakaia 3. Linwood 13, St. Joseph’s 3. Addington 10, Prebbleton 5. TRIAL FOrTwELLINGTON With 'a trip to Australia as their goal, Rugby League players, mainly from the lower half of the North Island, will appear in a trial at Wellington on May 1. Originally scheduled for Huntly the venue of the game has been changed to Wellington where the provincial side will meet a combined team drawn from Taranaki, Wanganui, South Auckland and Bay of Plenty. The change is a most, acceptable one to Wellington officials, who are satisfied that the province will secure a representative in the New Zealand i touring team this time. Indeed, Mr R. Simpson, a member I of the executive, declared this week that, after reading the managers’ report on the visit to Great Britain and discussing the matter with members of the team, players like K. O’Brien and R. Westerby /forwards) and N. Evans (back) would have been extremely useful on that tour. They will get their chance this season. Incidentally ,a Wellington trial will be held next week between A and B representatives. Air Transport At the New Zealand League’s meeting Mr J. A. Redwood, th.? president said the Australian itinerary hac. been carefully mapped out and the matches selected would, it was anticipated, return the best financial re : suits. While in Queensland a special plane costing £254 will convey the team from Brisbane to Rockhampton and back, and a special plane will take the team to Newcastle after the second test. It was pointed out that the itinerary would give the touring team ample breathing space before important games. Kiwi Prospects Jugding by his initial game, Morrie Church, the Mimamar (Wellington) Rugby League Club’s new half-back, is rr oing to find the 13-a-side game well suited to his style. Church played for the Wellington Club’s senior fifteen a couple of seasons back, but when he was unable to play in the first few matches last, year, Herbie MacMorran got the billet, and Church was relegated to the senior B grade. He took about half the first spell to adapt himself to the new game, but once he got the idea he was the outstanding "back. Miramar’s strength lav mostly in their forwards last season but under the generalship of Church the backs took on a decided “new look” on last Saturday, and Waterside were a well-beaten side even before they lost two players in rapid succession through injury, half-

way through the second spell. Almost evey time Church got the ball—and that was often—he ran his backs into position with long, jinky runs which had the Watersider? (whose poor tackling didn’t help them any) completely baffled. He rounded off a thoroughly satisfactory game by scoring two brilliant solo tries, and on his performance should be prominent .in the forthcoming local trial for the New Zealand team to tour Australia.

If Church was the outstanding back, then the best forward was another ex-Rugbv player, J. Orr, late of the Johnsonville senior fifteen. Orr, who has always been prominent in the loose, was in his element and chased the ball all day. Very fit and fast,' he, too, scored two tries, and was a decided asset to Miramar.

Haig’s Ankle Injury J. S. Haig, the New Zealand Rugby League half-back and former Otago and All Black Rugby player, lias again had trouble with his ankle injury. Tie retired from a recent game in acute pain. Haig on the New'Zealand Rugby League team’s recent tour suffered a broken ankle in the first match, and was unable to play for some time.