OUT IN THE OPEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 August 1931, Page 7

OUT IN THE OPEN

RUGBY FOOTBALL NOTES BAYS’ UNSUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE FOR SEDDON SHIELD STRONG BULLER- FORWARDS The following comment by the “Westport News” on the Seddon Shield match played at Westport last Saturday when Buller retained the trophy against Golden Bay-Motucka, should prove interesting in view of Nelson's challenge next Saturday week : Buller succc3(led in holding tho Seddon Shield when they defeated Golden Bav-Molucka- by 11 points to nil in a fair game, considering the atrocious weather conditions under which it was played on Saturday. The curtain raiser chopped up Iho Square a great deal and it- was in. a very greasy condition for the Shield match, and in consequence, brilliant football could not be expected and the game practically developed into a forward struggle all through. With the inclusion of Goodall in the forwards and Graham at full back, the Shield holders have developed into a great team and after their victory on Saturday, it will take a great team to lift the trophy from Buller. The forwards worked from start to finish and their solid scrum work proved too good for the visiting pack, which, however, played a good game in the loose. Tho Buller backs handled the greasy ball well and they often looked dangerous when they got away in a passing rush. Graham, tho full back, played a great game and never made a. mistake. llis goal kicking was up to a high standard, his penalty kick from a difficult angle especially being a great effort. Of the wingers, Connelly was starved all day and in consequence did not show up, but Greer played a. brilliant game, and must be classed, as the most versatile back of the team. Holder, after making an inauspicious start, brightened up in the second half and his try at tho finish, was a fine effort. Snowy Griffiths, with Greer, must be qlasscd as the best back on the ground and he is playing better than ever. Lamont was not as dashing as usual, but lie made some Fine openings, and he was the instigator of several fine passing rushes. Scandrett, the half back, revelled in tho heavy going, and ho played his best game of the season. The Buller forwards all played their usual fine game, but they were not as forceful as against Nelson last year and Marlborough in the last match, but they will be on their mettle against Nelson on the 15th inst., when we should know how good our Buller forwards really arc. Goodall was tho most dangerous until his retirement, and ho scored a nice try. Simpson, McNcight. Dalziel shone in the loose and Gardner and Stewart were always grafting right through (lie game. Sam Grogan, like Johnny Walker, improves with age and liis line-out play was of great benefit to Buller. .Caldwell is one of the most energetic players in the team and lie followed up all day, and where the ball was, he was not far away. The Bay team put up a. good game, hut never, only on one or two occasions. looked like scoring against Buller, whose defence was as sound as a bell.

Tho visiting backs did not combine too well and it was only by individual efforts that they managed to break through the home defence. Smith (Bay full back), got through a busy day’s work in a most businesslike manner and his fine handling and kicking repeatedly got his side out of difficulties. Of ‘ the wingers, Holmwood appealed most and lie played quite a good game. John Clark, the popular skipper of the visiting team, was brilliant in patches,, but ho was often a bit slow in getting tho ball. Wright was the pick of the Bay’s inside backs and lie broke away on a few occasions with great dashes, but he was not supported. Page was patchy but Rodgers,- the half back, stood up to his work against the Buller forwards very well. Of the Bay forwards it would be hard to pick out any one plaver as being really outstanding, but they were all well up to Seddon Shield standard. Schwass, McLean, Spence, and Askew proved themselves great battlers and they had their opponents on tile run several times during the game.

Mr A. Thompson, of Christchurch, gave a fine exhibition of refereeing, and he proved most popular with the players of both teams. Tho game was witnessed by a fair crowd, but the gate, £ll6, was a great deal below that of any previous Shield match played in Westport.

Nelson v. Pirates The match between Nelson and Pirates on Saturday at Brightwatcr was of a hard scrambling nature right I'mugli, very little back play being indulged in by cither side.

Tho forwards were fairly evenly matched, Pirates’ weakness being in the wing forward position. McLean, Edwards, and W. Snow were most prominent for Nelson. Tho lastnamed again donned tho jersey for his team, and when he got his second wind played l;iis usual willing game, though he was heard to remark at the end that he would “sooner cart barley.” McLean had to be carried off near the end of the game. Garvin, another veteran, at wing forvyard, was most useful to his side, and much 100 for his opponent. Phillips, at half, played a very fair game, but seemed to be fighting for possession when lie should have had the ball away. Reed was a tower of strength to his side, his defensive play being as good as ever, llis judicious kicking frequently had Pirates thinking, but his place-kick-ing was much below par. Mcllwraith did not get too many chances, but he showed great dash. Wright at full-back was quite safe, tlie other backs being just ordinary. 'Tlie Pirate forwards were a good even lot, hut Bashford, at wing forward, was weak.

Bensomann, at half, was not convincing-

•Pa-pps did not show up as much as usual. However lie did not see very much of the ball. The same remarks apply to Buckley who was obviously out of position in the five-eighths. Newman was not so prominent in attack as usual, but doubtless tho weakness ol (lie inside backs affected his play. He. was nursing an injured ankle. Griffiths was the best of the wingers, running with great dash and (adding vigorously. Thomson at full-back gave his side some aniensy moments.