FOOTBALL

Western Star, 26 July 1935, Page 2

FOOTBALL

SPORTS TRUST CUP. WESTERN BEATEN 9—o. Western’s bid for the Sports Trust Cup proved unsuccessful, Northern beating them at Balfour on Wednesday by 9 points (three unconverted tries) to nil. The holders -were the better side, but had the challengers accepted the chances that came their way they might well have won. Lack of finish among their backs caused .many promising movements to break down. It was not a spectacular game. Rain and frost had made the ground greasy and the foothold of players insecure. This, plus the lack of pace and penetration in the rearguard movements, did not conduce to exhilarating Rugby. The forwards on both sides worked hard and, although the scrummaging was poor, there were many good loose rashes. In the first spell the ball trickled out about as much to one-half back as to the other, hut a rearrangement of the Northern scrum gave them more possession, in the second spell. Northern missed their two fast, forwards, Muir and Parker, but were well served by Sheriff, Walker, Graham, Feehly and Soper. In the Western pack George Purdue worked hard and effectively, though he has lost much of his line-out ability. Irwin, Muir and McKenzie also played well. With Hamilton outside him O’Shea played better than in previous Trust Cup games and justified some of the' Southland selectors’ confidence in him. Hamilton was well watched and had few chances to he brilliant. He was very sound, scored a heady try and helped hi s side with his generalship. The Western inside backs have played much better games-. McKay again fielded cleanly and kicked judiciously, but did not do himself justice on attack. Neither three-quarter line was particularly impressive, but th© advantage undoubtedly lay with 'Northern. Crosbie’s opportunism • often helped his side, and A. Sutherland showed once what a great wing he could ho were he to make full use of his pace and weight. The best Western back was th© diminutive Gillan who as custodian did invaluable work. R. Sutherland again gave an excellent, display at full-back for the Greens. Although the ground was heavy, the overhead conditions were all that could be desired. The teams ■were :

Western (blue). —’Gillan; J. McKay, J Mouat, U. Smith; Mclntyre, A. McKay; Rl. Knowler; Collis, Agnew, Muir; Southern, G. Purdue, Greer, McKenzie; Irwin.

Northern (green).—lt. Sutherland; B. Richards, U. Crosbie, A. Sutherland; M. Hamilton, M. O’Shea; Hi. Soper; C. Soper, J. McNamee, J. Feehly; G. Graham, F. Walker, W. Shemff, S. Keown, G. Small.

WESTERN DISTRICT COMPETITION

The following are th e points for the year in the senior competition and the position to date in the junior games: SENIORS.

Riverton defaulted to Nightcaps and Otautau to Orepuki. JUNIORS.

Th© first round match, Ohai v Riverton, is still to be played, whil© Waiau defaulted to Otautau.

WESTERN DISTRICT REFEREES The following ■ referees have been appointed to officiate in the junior Rugby games in the Western District to. morrow: Waiau v Western Star, Mr Chamberlain; Nightcaps v Riverton, Mr M. P Lyng; Otautau v Ohai, Mr R. Mua-ray; Orepuki a bye. 'RIVERTON v. NIGHTCAPS. The following team will represent the Riverton Junior in ther match with Nightcaps on the local ground to-, morrow, commencing' at 3 o’clock. Cleaver, Hamlin, Saunders (2), Carson, Molloy, O’Neill, Mackinnon, Watson, Cleaver, Bulman, Mac Kay, MacKenzie, Weir, Hayes.

P. IV. D. L. Points F. A. B. Pts Orepuki 10 7 2 1 71 20 16 Nightcaps 10 7 1 2 51 21 15 Waiau 10 5 2 3 61 60 12 Otautau 10 4 1 5 42 38 9 Riverton 10 2 1 7 48 72 5 Ohai 10 1 9 37 99 2

Points B. P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts Western Star 8 7 1 0 92 17 15 Orepuki 9 5 2 2 78 50 12 Nightcaps Riverton 9 8 5 5 1 3 3 61 48 82 57 11 10 Wlaiau 9 3 2 4 . 50 57 8 Oihai 8 1 1 6 34 90 3 Otautau 9 1 1 7 9 92 3