RUGBY LEAGUE Schoolboys’ Tournament

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1949, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE Schoolboys’ Tournament

The West Coast senior' schoolboy representatives, under Mr H. Turnbull, and accompanied by Mr J. Williams (official referee, arrived in New Plymouth last evening, and will take part in the national tourney next week, which concludes with North Island v. South Island match on Pukekura Park, New/ Plymouth. The Coast boys will sample one of the finest football grounds in New Zealand. The team is a good one and has received excellent schooling at the hands of Kiwi Peter' Mountford, who, however, was unable to make the trip. It would be fitting that the team should perform well and reward Mr Mountford, who . has set other Kiwis an example in imparting knoweldge to the boys. TO-MORROW’S MATCHES

To-morrow the second series in the One Round senior competition will be played. Marist and Blackball meet at Wingham Park. This is an important fixture, as both teams will need a win to keep within striking distance of Runanga. Blackball "won last week and will be all out to make it two in a row. At Ngahere the home side will offer stern opposition to Runanga and it would not be wise to predict the result as the country team has surprised in the past. Brunner has a bye as they are playing matches in Christchurch this week-end. Another match to-morrow is that of Marist v. Blackball fith graders at Blackball ,at 1.15. The West Coast Norman Cox team, under 7st 71bs., leave by this morning’s express for Christchurch for their annual match with Canterbury. The Canterbury under 6st 71bs rep. tea marrive in Greymouth this afternoon and will play for the Innes Memorial Cup at Victoria Park on Monday. SOUTH ISLAND TRIAL

To-morrow the West Coast selectors, Messrs N. Griffiths, _J. McNaughton and R. Clark, will pick seventeen playerrs to represent West Coast aaginst Canterbury at Christchurch on September 3. This will be the only official trial for selection of the South Island team to meet North Island at Carlaw Park on Saturday, September 10. Remembering the South victory last year, the South selectors. Messrs Griffiths and Amos, will make a bid to come off Carlaw Park again victors over the North and a win is a necessity if the South is to gain its share of players in the New Zealand team to meet Australia at Wellington on September 17.

The rep. match here last Saturday was not very helpful for the selectors, play being so tight as to give no line on the backs. Coast seemed afraid of the speedy Canterbury backs but the red and whites did open the plav up they showed that they were as good, if not better, than their opponents. Pascoe, the Coast centre, must have given satisfaction. It had ,been anticipated that he did not-have the pace to match his opposities or to keep up with his own backs. He did both and came through the day with flying colours, scoring a really good try by anticipation. Soster gave a good display. The South selectors have a problem now, as Henry played up to his best as the Canterbury last line. Meates gave indications of his best form and this player would go a long way if he could repeat his performance. Suffering from an injury on the nothern tour, Meates did not play well, but, if he gains selection in the South team, he will have the opportunity to regain his reputation. Bernard, a late comer to the team, when first Teen and then J. Curragh was hurt, gave a good account of himself, excepting that, on occasions he mishandled. The fiveeighths were good with Menzies probably the better. Thomas did not seeni to be quite himself. Ord went well at half-back, especially when he had his hands full to watch the elusive Haig. The forwards worked well with Aynsley, Mcßride, Neilson and Newton in top form. This display of Newton was pleasing to Coast supporters and showed that he has lost none of his dash or cunning. McBride and Neilson were splendid second row men and Aynsley was in top form. He surely is the best front row forward in New Zealand Rugby League to-day. Neither McTaggart or Mulcare showed up. The. latter dropped passes. This is a rarity with this young player, who is essentially either a second or front row forward. On the northern tour ,he was one of the best and found his place as a prop forward and it would be pleasing to see him in that, position again. Canterbury were unlucky in . not gaining a second victory. They fielded a good team. Henry was a firstclass full-back, with an eye to an opening. McKenzie, Atkinson and Stapley formed a dangerous, fast three-quarter line, with Atkinson the best. Brown was-top notch as second five, and overshadowed Callanan who did not seem able to speed up attack. He was safe and reliable but lacked the punch for the first fiveeighth position. Haig made his debut in Greymouth and fully lived up .to his fine repuation. This Ex-Union All Black has done well in the modern code. Of the Canterbury forwards Pomare, Withell, Pimley and Blanchard impressed. Dukes also went wel lat times. Smith has. solwed ed up and handicapped his side by being penalised in attempts to take the ball from Aynsley in the scrums. Bainbridge is a young player with a future but v/as unfortunately injured and had to leave the field. THE CHAMPIONS

By defeating Marist last week-end Runanga again won the championship and earned the right to play the Canterbury champions for the Thacker Shield. Although the main competition has not been concluded in Chris-tchurch, it would appear as if the top team will be Prebbleton, who should fully extend Runanga. The success of Runanga is a tribute to all concerned; to their coach for his excellent use of an extensive knowledge; to the players for strict attention to training and detail, and to supporters who have given every assistance during the year. The congratulations of all will go to Runanga. On present form they will be hard to head off in the One Round and Knock-out competitions. The One Round competition commenced last week ,in conjunction with the last match in the championship. Already Runanga and Blackball have earned two points. Interest in the next two competitions will be aroused bv the entry of the Brunner senior reserve team into senior ranks. 'Their meeting with Runanga should ensure the biggest gate of the vear. Comprising young fit nlayers, Brunner has a great record in the reserve grade, having won the championshio. and should be in a position to put on bright open football.

Marist disappointed last week. . At various parts of the first, spell against Runanga they appeared to be holding the winning hand. Had they made the most, of opportunities nresented they would have been at least ten noints up at half-time, and this would have caused a lot of difficulty to Runanga. However, they missed their chance and at the spell had p slender lead of two points, a goal kicked by V. Meates. In the second half Runanga gradually wore the greens down and amassed a large score. At Blackball the home side defeat-

ed Ngahere aftei’ a game that was more even than the scores indicate. Again the half-time score was very close and gave indications of a battle royal. Without several of the regulars, Ngahere faded, and, although' they put up a game fight, were no match for Blackball at the finish.