20-YEAR-OLD RUGBY MATCH

Chronicle (Levin), 14 June 1947, Page 3

20-YEAR-OLD RUGBY MATCH

"PARS ON THE PLAYERS" Ccmsiderable local interest was taken in the Rugby match.. between Ballance Street and Plimmer Terrace, played in July, 1927. The game, which was full of incident, resulted in a win for Plimmer Terrace by a narrow margin of 5 points to 3, a converted try to a try. A well-known sports writer of the day, "The Rake," has compiled a few notes on the players who took part in that eventful match. They are as follows: — Jim Curran (Albion Hotel), 'no relation to Otara Kid, led the Plimmer Terrace team into action. Jim showed a lot of form and his try was the result of fast following up that depleted his wind to some extent. Nevertheless the old ohampion played a stre'nuous game and gave a great exhibition of what a wing forward should be, even to jazz garters. Jack Bovis was seen to advantage in various positions, but rarely was this dashing player foirnd where he was expected to be. His tackling was a feature of the game, but his kicking and footwork lacked eifectiveness owing to the fact that he was not quite suitably shod. Stewart looked flne, in fact overtrained. He was dull of eye, and did not live up to his reputation as an international. Chris Stern looked lusty, and his lo'ng arms were used to advantage in the scrum, anywhere he would fit. Tom King and Archie Reid looked a picture. They both carried a lot before them. Butcher Murdoch was a bundle of nerves. He was bustled considerably by the Reds, and after one stre'nuous spell at fullback he had to retire through lack of condition. Jerry Coakley looked very hefty. He used his weight well, so much so that at times it looked as if ' the burly winger would make the game rough. Lockett, with a reputation, was dangerous, but he was a marked man and did not get many cha'nces. "Dutchy" Pirovano, evidently charged with soda water, went fagt and furious until he fizzed out and ran short of wind. It was a pity a free. air service had not been installed on the' ground. for men like, "Dutchy." , Frahk'" Wilson b turned out ih a kicking strap,. bqt lacked his' old pace.He kicked the winning goal for. his , side. : In this he was materially assisted by Jack Bovis, who was imdoubtedly an authority on kicking, ; this being due to the fact: : that ■ he has had considerableekperience with mule teams.^ Spider King was the brains of his side. His tactics were conspicuous through their failure to produce the desired effect. •• Bill Moynihan skippered the Ballance Street side. He played a hard game and was a trier from gong to gong. His long throw-ins from the lineout were all that could be desired, except that the referee objected to the direction taken by the ball in its flight to the speedy backs, who were showing a lot of combination. Bill Easton looked fine. His favourite position on attack was sitting down. Bob Terry has slipped. For years he has had the habit of closi'ng one eye when he passes the ball. Now he closes both. Bert Wilkinson showed a lot of pace at centre-breakaway or somewhere. He should pay a dividend if tried over a shorter course. Tommy Moynihan, the hope of his side, made some determined dashes, but he was manhandled by the greens six or seven at a time. Jack Hennessey was a tower of strength at fullback. His line kicking was very accurate, but his pace was affected through an attack of ringbone or splints. Vem. Pope played a safe game, but did not show his usual amount of "sting." (Note: He kept bees at that time, too) . Freddie Ragge let his side down badly and a substitute as lock had to be found. Owing to this, the Reds' scrum work was not all it might have been. Len. Satherley, as referee, controlled the game well. His interpretation of the rules was so varied as to dispel the usual monotony of rugby. So concludes a brief report of that early game between Plimmer Terrace and Ballance Street. Already there is considerable interest in Plimmer Terrace," and without very much encouragement from Ballance Street a game will result. It is hoped that some of the old timers will come to light and revive the friendly competition between the two main streets of Shannon .