RUGBY HIM MUD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 6 August 1945, Page 2

RUGBY HIM MUD

SEDDON SHIELD DISTRICT TRIAL MATCH

f BULLER-WEST COAST WIN 8-0 THREE SOUTH ISLAND SELECTORS WATCH GAME After heavy rain during the morning and the previous night Trafalgar Park was in a sodden state on Saturday afternoon when a South Island Rugby trial match between teams from ; the Seddon Shield districts was played. ! Although no rain fell during the game, the ground was quickly churned up r into a sea of mud in which two solid [ packs of forwards fought out the game. There was no score in the first half, but after the change over, with the strong wind behind them, Bul-ler-West Coast gained one converted and one unconverted try to defeat Nel-son-Marlborough-Golden Bay-Motueka by eight points to nil. The three South Island selectors, Messrs H. S. Strang (Southland), V. Goodall (Bul- • ler) and J. O. Hatlersley (Canterbury) were present. Orman hooked the ball for the Southern team from every set scrum in the first half and from all but four in the second, although on several occasions , the Southern forwards were pushed off the ball after it had reached the ! back of the scrum. Both sets of for- ’ wards packed well and a lot of hard ( work was done in the tight. The Southern forwards had the edge on ( their opponents in the loose also, fanning out and taking the ball with them in fine concerted rushes. The Northi ern team contained several fine loose ; forwards, notably Bennett and Shannon, but when they broke away they often lacked support. When Southern were pressing strongly ih the second spell the Northern forwards fought back well and relieved the position several times when play was right on their line. In the ,tight rucks they quite held their own. Bennett, the Marlborough lock, was the best forward on the ground. A solidly built player, he worked bard in the tight and was always dangerous in the loose. He and Northern’s captain, J. Shannon, were a sound pair who got through a lot of work during the afternoon. Max and Haines were also prominent in the Northern pack. For Southern. Mumm gave a fine display of hard rucking and fast following up and he was well supported by Birchfield, Anderson, Neighbours and Orman. Birchfield, a tall, solid player, was also prominent in the loose. When the ball went out to the backs in the first half it was usually kicked to touch by the five-eighths, but after the change over Southern opened up the play and the ball several times reached the wings in passing movements. The team’s second try came from one of these rushes and it would have been a fine try even on a fine day with a dry ball. The Southern Inside backs, with Alexander the pivot of all movements, made the most of their opportunities and Lindbom, at full back, was very safe, fielding the slippery ball well and kicking accurately. The Northern backs had few chances to show up on attack, but their defence was sound, Edwards, Brown and Avery being sible for breaking up a number of crangerous movements. Edwards impressed as a useful three-quarter. He has a lot of pace and his judgment and positional play were very sound. Kelly played a solid game at first five-eighth. The teams were: BULLER-WEST COAST Full back: J. Lindbom. Threequarters: T. Hansby, O. Smallholme. L. Silcock. Five-eighths; M. Thomas, J. Alexander. Half bfcck; W. Mullan. Forwards: G. Neilson, J. Fox, B Birchfield (capt.), D. Neighbours, La Anderson, W. Mumm, J. Orman, J. Pegley. NELSON-MARLBOROUGH-BAYS Full back: M. Soane. Threequarters: Edwards, N. Avery, F. Brown. Five-eighths: Sowman, Kelly. Half back: G. Cullan. Forwards: Cederman, J. Shannon (capt), H. Hurley, Bennett, G. Max, D. Ward, Haines. J. Springer. Shannon won the toss for the North- . ern districts and elected to play with the strong north-easterly wind which was blowing down the ground. Southern were the first to attack. From a scrum the ball went to Smallholme, who cut through, but lost possession and a Buffer forward was penalised for off-side play. Kelly found the line near half way. Southern continued to hook the ball from the scrums, but the Northern forwards were getting round quickly on to Mullan and he had little chance to send his backs away. Shannon and Brown dribbled through to Southern’s line, but they were held up and Birchfield led a dribbling rush to Northern’s 25. From a line-out the ball went to Kelly who kicked through, but it was well taken by Lindbom, who found touch near half way. For handling the ball in a scrum Southern were penalised and Kelly had a kick at goal from the 25 yard line. It fell short arid Shannon kicked across the goal-line, but the ball was forced down. The Southern forwards, led by Orman and Mumm, broke away in a fine rush and carried play well into Northern territory, but the movement broke down when a player was off-side and Avery returned play to half way with a good kick. Northern had a long spell on the attack, but they were unable to score and Southern again broke away. They were awarded a penalty kick on Nelson's 25 and Lindbom kicked a high ball to the line where Anderson went close to scoring. In the mud the referee was unable to see whether he had crossed the line or not. and a five yard scrum was ordered. The Northern forwards were fighting back strongly and gained 20 yards, but were again penalised and Lindbom had a kick at goal. It was a good attempt, but was carried back into the field of play by the wind. Another scrum near the line resulted from which Northern broke away with the ball and Avery found touch near the 25 yard line. Southern continued to press until Shannon, went away on his own and dribbled through into Sou'hern territory. Southern were oenalised and Ward had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Shortly before half time Anderson was injured and left the field, bein replaced by Weiblitz. Southern attacked from the opening of the second half and Avery went down on tee ball to hold the movement up short of the goal-line. Alexander attempted to go round on the blind side of a scrum, but he was held up. However, the Southern forwards carried on and Mumm dived across the line, but lost the ball before he could ground it and Northern forced down. Avery sent Edwards away on the wing! He parsed in-field to Bennett, but the forward knocked on. Edwards attempted to clear from a loose ruck, but his kick was charged down and the ball ran into touch near Northern’s corner flag. A series of line-outs in this corner ended when Southern were j penalised. The Southern backs went away in 3 "ood movement, the ball going to Hansby. on the wing, who was tackled by Brown. Smallholme found touch near the Northern line. The Southern backs were handling the muddy ball well and again it went out to Hansby. but he was brought down by Brown! The Northern forwards took play into Southern’s territory. Hansby was injured and was replaced by Amberger.

The Southern forwards, led by Mumm and Pegley, again took up the attack and Northern forced down twice in quick succession. Avery sent out a bad pass to Brown and Southern kicked through. Brown raced back and forced down, but he had carried the ball over the line. From the scrum Southern opened their score when Fox was awarded a try, which Lindbom converted —Southern 5, Northern 0. Neighbours was injured and was replaced by Fisher. Once again the ball went through the line of Buffer backs, but Amberger was forced in to touch. Northern were kept pinned in their own half until Springer broke awav with the ball at his toe. He was supported by* Bennett. Max and Haines and play was carried into Southern’s 25. Northern hooked the ball from a scrum, but Kelly failed to hold Cullan’s pass and the Southern forwards secured the ball and again took up the attack. The second and final try of the game came from a fine back movement by Southern, the ball going out to Smallholme who drew his man and passed to Silcock for the winger to score in the corner. Lindbom’s kick was unsuccessful—Southern 8, Northern 0. Bennett was injured and left the field, being replaced by Mason. Both sides had brief spells on the attack, but the game ended with no addition to the score. The referee was Mr R. Hooper, of Nelson. NOT AVAILABLE FOR S.I. NOMINATION Some surprise was expressed by local Rugby followers that J. Shannon, the Nelson representative captain, was not included in the nominations for the South Island team to play North al Auckland. He would have been nominated had he been available. Shannon, who plays for the Nelson Air Force Station team is having a busy season. He has played for Nelson against Bui ler, Marlborough and Golden Bay-Mo-tueka. Last Thursday, after playing for South Island Services against North Island Services, he travelled to Nelson on Friday and took part in the Seddon Shield Districts’ trial match on Saturday. He has been selected for the New Zealand Services’ team to play New Zealand after the North v. South game. In addition he will have the Nelson-Marlborough home and home and Seddon Shield matches.

LOSS OF £SO

SATURDAY’S TRIAL GAME It was expected that, given a fine day, the gate takings for the South Island trial match would have been in the vicinity of £500: the actual takings on Saturday were £9O. This means that a loss of approximately £SO was incurred and this will be borne equally by the five unions concerned. Delegates from the five unions met on Saturday evening and it was decided to recommend that the trial match be made an annual fixture to be played in each district in turn. The possibility of cutting the profits six ways so that each union received a share and the other sixth went to a reserve fund to meet any future loss which might be suffered, was also discussed. NELSON REPRESENTATIVES The Nelson senior Rugby representative team will commence training for its Seddon Shield challenge to-morrow evening. So that no interruption to the programme will be caused by wet weather the Nelson Union has obtained the use of a building off Hardy street, formerly occupied by Tasker and Company, as a gymnasium and this will be used for the first time tomorrow evening. WIN FOR OTAGO Dunedin, Aug. 5. In a match played at Carisbrook on Saturday in ideal conditions Otago beat Southland 12-6 in the hundredth match between the two unions The crowd, numbering about 16.000. was the largest since the outbreak of war. The Southland forwards shaded the Otago pack, but the rearguard never looked as dangerous when in possession as Otago, and the home team owed its win to the superior pace and combination of its backs. Tries were scored for Otago by Saul (2) and Elvidge, and Kawe picked a penalty goal. Grace scored for Southland and Campbell kicked a penalty goal. Otago scored nine of its points in the first spell. The following Otago players have been nominated for the South Island team: A. D. Saul, R. Elvidge, J. Haig, C. Willocks, B. Barnes.—P.A. WELLINGTON BEAT CANTERBURY Wellington, This Day. With the ground a quagmire, pools of water dotting the field, and frequent driving showers from the north almost blotting out the players at times, Wellington beat Canterbury ai Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon 11-6. NORTH ISLAND TEAM Wellington, This 'Jay. After viewing the Canterbury-Wel-lington representative match ai Ath letic Park. Wellington on Saturday afternoon. the selectors, Messrs A. McDonald (Wellington), N. A. McKenzie (Hawkes Bay) and F. W Lucas (Auck. land), yesterday chose the following team to represent the North Island against the South Island at Auckland or. 25th August:— Full-back: B A Wishnowsky (Wellington). Three-quarters: J. Dunn (Auckland), L. B. Pearson (Waikato), T. C. Morrison (Wellington). Five-eighths: B. Couch (Wairarapa), G. Delamore (Taranaki). Half-back: M. N. Paewai (Auckland). Forwards: Front row, V. Ensor (Waikato), E. Catley (Waikato), B. Waldegrave (Auckland): locks, M. McHugh (Auckland), J. Coull (Taranaki); side of scrum, A. W. Bowman (Wellington), J. Gunning (Auckland); back of scrum: D. Christian (Auckland). Emergencies: Back, D. Barchard (Auckland): forward, R. M. White (Wellington). AUCKLAND LEAGUE SNATCHES WIN FROM WEST COAST Auckland, Aug. 5. Auckland snatched victory from West Coast before a crowd of about 12,000 i n the last two minutes of the League football match yesterday. A penalty goal kicked by the full-back. Clarke, made the score 8-7 in Auckland’s favour. after the visiting team had been in the lead throughout. It was a hard fought match, and Auckland, though having an uphill fight, deserved to win. for prior to the goal being kicked. it had maintained an attack which several times threatened to bring success. The West Coast went down with flying colours. They dominated the game in the first spell with better

taetteal play and scored seven points to nil. two penalties and a good try.

SEDDON SHIELD MATCH

GOLDEN BAY-MOTUEKA TEAM The following 19 players have been selected to represent the Golden BayMotueka Rugby Union in the Seddon Shield match at Blenheim on Saturday: D. Mason. M. Eyles, J. Ward. P. Wratt, B. Cederman. H. Hurley. O. Clark. A. Kelly, Pomeroy, K. Farrell. F. Hobson. J. Nicholson, D. Dennett. A. Taylor, Riley, Skilton, M. Soane, J. Thorp and Hunter.