FOOTBALL

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 37, 12 May 1947, Page 3

FOOTBALL

HUURUNUI RUGBY SUB-UNION’S COMPETITIONS.

• th ree out of five games played in the first round of the Hurunui Rugby Sub-Union’s competitions, Kaikoura, «vith six championship points, lead by J, ie narrow margin of one point from Cheviot in the seniors, with Culverden m third place. In the junior competition, Kaikoura A, after two very close decisions, have » a clear lead from Cheviot, with Culverden and United close up. The matches on Saturday created considerable interest in the sub-union, particularly the Cheviot-Culverden senior game, which ended in a draw “7’3-alI. On the form displayed by Culverden at Kaikoura on the previous Saturday they were tipped to provide a keen tussle. The outstanding effort among the juniors was that of Kaikoura B in defeating Waiau B—6. A very young team, they have developed into a solid combination) and can be relied upon to keep all teams in the competition on their mettle. The following were the scores of matches flayed on Saturday:—

Senior Kaikoura 32, United 3. Cheviot 3, Culverden 3. Waiau 23, Hanmer 3.Junior Kaikoura A 12, United 8. Kaikoura B 8, Waiau 6. Culverden 8, Cheviot 3. Position of Teams. The position of the teams is as follows:

Senior Pts. Ch. PWDL F A P Kaikoura .. 3300 64 66 Cheviot .. 3 2 1 0 32 6 5 Culverdcn .. 3 1 1 1 17 14 3 Waiau .. 3 1 0 2 26 33 2 United .. 3 1 0 2 23 51 2 Hanmer .. 3 0 0 3 11 63 0 Junior Kaikoura A .. 3 3 0 0 53 32 6 Cheviot .. 3 2 0 1 24 23 4 Culverdcn .. 3 1 1 1 20 27 3 United .. 3 1 1 1 25 12 3 Kaikoura B .. 3 1 0 2 18 34 2 Waiau .. 3 0 0 3 23 35 0

KAIKOURA v. UNITED.

In defeating United by 32 points to 3 at Takahanga Domain on Saturday, the Kaikoura senior team gave glimpses of some of its best form, and reassured its supporters. A record crowd attended, and the ground and .iveather conditions were ideal. The visitors contested the game with commendable zeal in the first half, which finished 9—3 in Kaikoura ? s favour, but after a series of persistent and relentless rapier-like thrusts in the second half, gaps opened up in the defence and the home team completely dominated the match in the closing , stages.

The Kaikoura forwards ruc-ked with vigour and venom, and gained posses- ■ ison from the majority of the scrums. Their line-out showed considerable improvement, while in the loose they hunted with much more pep and purpose than in the previous match. The United pack was lighter, but they kept the home team working hard, particularly in the first spell. The Kaikoura back line showed to advantage. They saw much more of the ball than against Culverden, and made good use of it. Their initiative successfully foiled the United backs, who were getting up on their opposite numbers with creditable smartness. Any errors in handling were often quickly pounced on to advantage. Some bright movements were seen. The quickness of initiation and the crisp penetration of the Kaikoura back line was, at times, a delight to watch. In his first game at half, J. Miles played an outstanding game. His enterprise and initiative on attack nonplussed the opposition, while on defence he was solid and efficient. His only weakness in an otherwise flawless display was his passing from the scrum. That improved conidcrably even as the

game went on. B. G. Miles was in happier form. Although the object of some attention, he gave the attack force, while his coverage on defence was superb. At second five-eighths G. Scott added vim to the attack and made some deep incisions in the defence. Once or twice he lost touch with the back line, but had gained much ground. B. Mackie was an effective link to the three quarters. An injury put him out in the second half, and C. MacKenzie very ably took his place. J M. Laugesen again showed himself as dangerous when given an opening. -T. G. Balfour, plaving his first game as a back, was useful. As is only to be expected his ■positional play was at fault, but, he was a trier. The full-back, E. H. Comer, gave another splendid exhibition. Once or twice his line kicks were rebounded by the opposing team, but his range finding was, generally speaking, accur ate and, at times, deadly in its pre cision. The forwards were in fine hunting mood, and followed through the rucks and melees as a razor-like spearhead. The scrum was efficient and the hooking was effective. The work of T. MacDonald, in his determined and persistent raking from the loose rucks was worth mention. All members of the pack were well on the ball in the loose rushes that paved the way for back movements. , . Of the United forwards, A. Tuanui and A Black were the most impressive while in the backs Quinlivan and J Hutton, in the five-eighths, and 8 Southby, the full-back, were noticeabk for good defensive work. The match revealed a rather grai< weakness in goal-kicking They all left their “kicking boots at home Oniv one try in nine was converted. It was a rather pitiful exhibition .

Scoring Movements. Kaikoura played against the sun iu the first half, and United went into the attack early. From a serum Comer lined and the home team rallied. From a line-out deep in United territory, A.

Smith dashed through and went over for a good try to give Kaikoura a 3 nil lead. During the next 10 minutes the rucks were kept tight and even, but the Kaikoura backs went into action at everv opportunity. J. Miles sent out to Bob Miles, to Scott, who was held up right on the line. From a scrum Bob Miles came on the blind-side, but Balfour missed a long pass. Kaikoura persisted in a series of thrusts, and a beautiful movement with Scott, Mackie, and Laugesen saw the last-named go over for a good try to put his side six points up.

United fought back, and from an infringement D. Lang kicked a penalty to reduce the lead to 6—3. The visitors kept up the pressure, Tuanui, Black, and Earl leading a rush. A scrum in mid-field saw Bob Miles kick through. The full-back was out of position, and in a fast follow-up, the ball was passed to A. Smith and on to J. Miles, who was held hard in the corner. Not long after J. Miles sent Bob Miles away He slipped through the opposition and score a slashing try to make the score: Kaikoura 9, United MacDonald and R. L. Harris led a loose rush, and then Scott and Laugesen were associated in a promising movement that was just short of success, when the half-time whistle went with no further alteration in the score.

Not long after resuming, A. .Smith put over a penalty, and then Kaikoura settled down with vim to the attack. Devastating loose rushes paved the way for some crisp and nippy backline sorties. J Miles shot the ba4l- out at every opportunity. Working the blind-side with Laugesen, they were nearly over in the corner. From another essay Scott kicked ahead. Up on the ball, MaeKenzie and Balfour were unlucky, but soon after Miles opened up for Laugesen to go over. This gave Kaikoura a 15—3 lead after quarter of an hour.

United had a torrid time on defence, Hutton, Campbell, and Southy being impressive for their work. Kaikoura ’kept up the pressure, and from a series of smart hooks from loose rucks, MacKenzie opened up for Scott, who cutin under the posts. A Smith added the goal points to give a 20 —3 lead to Kaikoura. J. Jacobs and Harris were next at the head of a rush, and from a scrum Bob Miles threw out to Scott. MaeKenzie came round and took the pass to put Balfour in position to score in the corner, and increase the lead to 23—3. The United defence began to wilt under a battery of stiletto-like thrusts. In a sparkling movement A. Smith passed to Bob Miles, who handed to Laugesen. After a good run, an in-pass to MaeKenzie saw the latter held up within inches of the line. From the scrum Quinlivan kicked through, but Bob Miles scooped it up and swung round on the blind-side and crashed in to make the score 26 —3.

In a melee near the line, P. G. Miles got over. Some bull-dog battling occupied the next five minutes, until from a scrum J. Miles came on the openside and sold a beautiful “dummy” before letting Bob Miles in for an easy try. Full-time sounded shortly after with the score: Kaikoura 32, United 3. Mr V. J. Corbett refereed the match.

Junior Match. In the curtain-raiser, Kaikoura A beat United by 12 points to 8. In the th.st half United had all the better of the play. Their forwards were fit and ai, d they packed with purpose. Their backs were keen and nipped in on any' errors made by Kaikoura in handling—and these were too frequent. And often .little attempt was made to retrieve and cover. That put the hearts of the home supporters into their mouths more than once. Only the superb cover defence of B. W. Perrin saved the day. Loose packing by the home van gave J. J. Harnett, at half, and E. Ord and J. Bendall, the fiveeighths, a busy time. They stood up nobly under the onslaught. The lack of form among the majority of the Kaikoura pack in that period was rather tantalising. The forwards were lifeless and had as much animation as sacks of fish. In the latter part of the second spell they did really wake up and put on a spurt. It was a spirited rallv, but nearly too fur overdue. For United P. Carr, N. Grimwood, and M. Wright were outstanding forwards, while Miller, Ramsay and Hunt impressed in the backs. C. D. Smith, J. D. Gray, and W. Smith did attempt to lead the Kaikoura forwards on, but until the second half the backing-up was spasmodic. Of the wings, M. Clemett scored two good tries and gave a great display. D. Hansen showed promise. He is determined, and made some good runs. He has a very forward going attitude, which is stimulating. L. C.

Young, at full-back, was a bit uncertain on his feet, but generally held his

position to advantage. C. D. Smith kicked a good penalty to give his side a 3—nil lead, and a try by W. Smith increased the lead to six points. United then came forward with an energetic and vigorous programme. Getting most of the ball they went into action, and N. Hunt scored a good try, which Wright converted, and the half-time score was: Kaikoura 6, United 5. A try by United soon after resumption gave them an B—6 lead, and for a long period it looked as if the home team had lost the initiative. They then came with a burst, and roused by the crowd, went to it with a will. Ord kicked through and Perrin got possession and passed to Clemett, who got over in the corner to gain a narrow lead of 9—B. Later W. Mackie opened up to V. R. Boyd, who passed to Clemett for his second try. Full-time came with the score: Kaikoura 12, United 8. Air J. D. Robertson was the referee.

HURUNUI SUE-UNION FIXTURES.

Arrangements are in train for a Hurunui versus Buller B representative match as a curtain-raiser to the Canterbury versus Buller game at Westport on May 31. The bus will probably leave Kaikoura on the Friday, via Cheviot, Waiau, Culverden, and return on the Monday. On May 24, the date for Northern versus Southern Sub-Union’s match, competitions will continue, but not on May 31. With a Delargey Shield match on June 14 and Country versus Town on June 2.1, the number of playing Satur-