FOOTBALL

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 21 September 1923, Page 8

FOOTBALL

SOUTH CANTERBURY TOUR

The South Canterbury touring (earn returned to Timaru yesterday by the through express from Invercargill.

In its report of the Southland match the “Southland Times” says:

“South Canterbury could not class the occasion as one of their lucky days. To commence with they lost the tc-ss, and had to battle against a fairly strong, breeze that seriously affected the flight of very dry halls, and before the spell closed they had their combination dislocated when their half-back had to retire injured, while one or two other players were the victims of severe knocks. In the second spell they went within an ace of scoring on quits a number of occasions, but could not drive these attacks home, or a little slip would occur when success appeared to be about -to crown their efforts; and then there was the influence of being ruled out of court when apparently not always the chief offenders. “When South Canterbury attacked in the second spell they exhibited speed and dash, but they were overanxious on occasions and thus came under the eye of the official in charge, who penalised them severely. No less than twelve free kicks assisted the Maroons in the second spell and slowed up the attack, as compared with four or five awarded the visitors. This was a serious handicap to South Canterbury, and on several occasions it looked as if they were unlucky In being classed as the offenders. The large number of penalty kicks given against the visitors had the effect of slowing them down, and, unfortunately for them, the Maroon vanguard elected to cut loose at the very time when the Greens were in serious doubts as to why they were being pulled up so frequently.

“ fl'he Green vanguard played well on the line-out, dribbled rather effectively at times, but hardly close enough, and made some powerful drives to Southland’s goal line, but their backs were not accurate enough in handling or keeping their positions in passing runs. the northern rearguard displayed several dashing backs, but they did not combine promptly enough, and they were also handicapped by their hooking department having the worst of the argument. There were instances cf the Green backs and forwards in conjunction taking part in very nice passing movements, but they have yet to acquire the art of carrying these tactics to a conclusion.

“ When the visiting half-back was injured a readjustment of the Green backs necessitated a forward (Scott) taking Logan’s place at centre, while the latter became second five-eighths to enable Spillane to mount guard behind the scrum. This rearrangement probably weakened the visitors’ plan of attack, although It. did not prevent Logan playing a gooji game. He was resourceful, and gt(ve his southern rivals some anxiety in keeping tracks of his ventures. It was very hard to judge of the.capabilities ot the wing three-quarters, O’Connor and Angland, as from one cause and another they were handicapped, but neither shirked the issue, and the former made several strong runs that nearly produced the desired result. Fairbrotlier was a reliable full-back, and Spillane, out in the five-eighth line and again as halfback, exhibited knowledge of the game that marked him as an experienced player. D. and R. Stewart proved to be two very valuable forv/ards, but Parker was more of a spoiler than an- effective ball-hand-ling winger.”

PRIMARY- SCHOOLS PREMIER- ■ SHIP. TEMUKA BEAT WAIMATAITAI. The final of the South Canterbury primary schools championship was played at Temuka yesterday afternoon between Temuka (last year’s premiers) and .Waimatailai. The weather was flue and the ground in perfect order. The teams gave a bright exhibition of football. The Waimataitai backs were better than the home rearguard, but the Temuka forwards proved the hardest pack they had been up against this season. A closely contested match ended in a win for Temuka by 6 to 3.

After a spell of play in midfield the Timaru backs started to throw the ball about, but their efforts did not gain much ground. Led by Ferguson and Colville the home forwards invaded Waimataitai territory, but Provan picked up and cleared finely. Temuka came at it again, and Berry was well set for the line when he dropped the ball. A free to the town team took play to the home end, but smart work by the Temuka forwards sent the ball to the visitors’ 25. From the line-out the Temuka backs got going, and Brown scored a fine try. Neville's kick at goal failed. Temuka 3, Waimataitai 0. I'he visitors paid a brief visit to the home end, but Hope cleared and there was another period/of up and down play. Benjamin, Home, and Provan got going, but Neville grassed Benjamin near the home goal line.' At half time the score was Temuka 3, Waimataitai 0.

Early In the second spell the Temuka forwards got to work and the visitors kicked over the dead ball line. Waimataitai were penned up at this stage of the game, and Provan and Home were prominent In defensive work. F»om a scrum 'the Timaru backs got going, but good work by Smart let the country teftrn out of an awkward position. Two marks in succession by Smart stemmed determined attacks by the team, who were livelier °at this stage than since the start, and a scrum in front of the goal looked dangerous, but Temuka obtained a force. Waimataitai were persistent, however, and In a nice passing rush Plome transferred at the right moment to Laing, who scored a fine try. Home failed with the kick. Temuka 3, Waiiuataitai 3. A period of hot play in the Temuka 26 ended in the Temuka forwards breaking away, and a long grounder was smartly followed up by Colville. Tenmyit ran him off the ball, and from a resultant free kick Hope landed a good goal. Temuka 6, Waimataitai 3. Waimataitai attacked and Hope mulled, but Smart, who was playing a fine game, cleared nicely. The remaining portion of the game was hotly contested, but there was no further score, the game ending

Temuka. Waimataitai .... 3 Mr D. Mulvey was referee

The following team Avil represent the Pleasant Point Club at the Oamaru tournament on Saturday!;—R. Roberts, R. Struthera, G. Aitken, J. Munro, E. Cartwright, R. McGregor. A. Rapley. Reserve- —L. Stewart. (Cars leave P.O. at 8 a.m.)