RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 20 September 1937, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

COAST BEATEN By 14 Points to 11 [Per Press Association], CHRISTCHURCH, September 18. West Coast after leading during the greater part of the game were defeated at Lancaster Park to-day by 14 points to 11. The first half was tame, but the second spell had not been in progress two minutes before the game assumed the spectacular thrills usually associated with a Canterbury-West Coast Rugby fixture. Finally Canterbury scored the deciding try just on time and walked off the field winners by 14 points to 11, their first victory over West Coast for over two years. Play in the second spell switched rapidly up and down field in rush and counter rush. The handling was 50 per cent better than it had been in the first spell and the backing up was superb. When rushes did peter out in this period it was usually through the wings being hurled over the touchline by deadly tackling. In fact the tackling of the Coast backs, Costello, -Mann and Roberts in particular, was one of the features of the game. McAuliffe, Mortlock and Nolan were the outstanding Canterburybacks, with Chinnery also giving a fine exhibition as left wing threequarter. However, Mann, the Coast second five-eighth, looked the most elusive back on the field.

The Coast forwards, with King, Kirkwood, Daly and Pascoe mostly in the van, frequently broke away from the ruck and gave the Canterbury defence a heavy test. In fact, the whole Coast eight played together as a pack and deserved victory for their great all-round work. Rankin, as usual, was a decisive factor in Canterbury’s win. He scored two tries himself and had a hand in the final effort that clinched the game. With the turf hard and dry, conditions were almost more suitable for cricket. The teams were:—

Canterbury. Full-back—Nolan. Three-quarters—Chinnery, Pawson, Bathorne. Five-eighths—Mortlock, Brooks. Half-back —McAuliffe. Forwards —Foley, Herman, Williams, Milliken, Rankin, Hattersley, Fleming, McPhail. West Coast. Full-back —Noonan. Three-quarters—Logie, Roberts, W. Agnew. Five-eighths—Mann, Costello. Half-back —Vincent. Forwards —Kirkwood, Thorpe, Daly, Tainui, King, Pascoe, Wieblitz, Garden. THE PLAY.

Canterbury won the toss and set up a strong forward attack almost immediately, but were pulled back by the whistle at half-way. A little later there was a free-kick to West Coast and after an exchange of kicks Noonan, the Coast full-back, found the line near the Canterbury twentyfive.

Here good work by Hattersley, Williams and Milliken, won the ball for Canterbury and the back line shot into action on Chinnery’s wing. He made a smart run but was checked by Roberts and the ball went out. Ron King, Kirkwood and Thorpe came through the line-out and were only stopped by good work on the part of Mortlock. There was laughter later when eight men from both teams staged a mimic battle under the Coast posts. The referee kept pace with them, but all the time the flag had been up on the other side of the field and play had to go back to where the rest of the players were waiting. At this stage Agnew had gone to the full-back position for Coast, and Noonan was centre. Logie was on the left wing marking Eathorne and Roberts was on the right wing mark-1 ing Chinnery.

In subsequent play Kirkwood, Tainui and Pascoe showed up for the Coast. At this period they were not getting sufficient support from their backs and Nolan again had time to get in a quick, touch-finder. More sound kicking by McAuliffe just as he was being tackled, averted danger for Canterbury. Coast, splendidly led by King, Daiy and Wieblitz kept vigorous attack and battered the Canterbury line for five minutes on end. Once Roberts was toppled over the corner flag and just missed a try by inches. An attempt at a pot by Nolan from forty yards missed and Coast forced for the first time after twenty-five minutes’ play. Faulty passing checked further Canterbury back attacks. The play in the last ten minutes of the first spell was ragged, but one reason for the failure of frequent Canterbury attacks was the deadly Coast tackling. When the Coast backs swung into action Costello’s pass to Mann was of the lob variety, and Chinnery came up in time to boot out across field with a wonderfully-judged kick. After Herman had just missed going over Rankin was presented with a gift try. A Coast back mis-kicked right into his arms ten yards from the line and his speed carried him over without much trouble near the corner on the embankment side. Herman missed a hard kick.—Canterbury 3; West Coast 0. There were at least ten men in the next Coast rush which was cleverly started by Mann and there was wild excitement as the bunch of them went over the line in a heap. They just missed a try through a Canterbury man diving on the ball first. At last a real Canterbury back attack bore fruit. Pawson improved the opening by breaking away from the opposing centre and ran Chinnery into position. The winger ran to the full-back and in-passed to Rankin, who secured on easy try by racing round under the posts. Herman converted and the half-time score was:

Canterbury 8; West Coast 0. Playing from the south end against the sun in the second spell, Canterbury were first on attack with Fleming, McPhail and Williams showing up. They got to within five yards of the Coast line before Agnew pulled them up with a long and accurate kick. Pawson broke away to Noonan, the Coast centre. Noonan, off the mark in a flash, streaked down to the left

corner. When he got there he turn-1 ed quickly inwards and Nolan and; Eathorne were caught on the wrong) foot. J

Logie took a pass cleanly on the inside and then tossed the ball out 'to Mann who partly evaded Rankin and touched down near the posts for a splendid try. It was the result ol speed and clever co-operation. Mann converted his own try.—-West Coast 5; Canterbury 8. With the score so close play be-1 came even more exciting, both sides throwing in every ounce. There was a real sparkle about the game now and Coast supporters cneered afresh as Pascoe put over a wonderful penalty goal from an awkward angle at least 40 yards out.—West Coast 8; Canterbury 8.

Several solo bursts in succession kept the crowd on their toes and a thrilling five minutes ended when Nolan, desperately pressed, marked in front of his own goal. A beautiful kick put the ball out at half-way. Another infringement by Canterbury saw them penalised in front of the posts, but well outside the twentyfive. Mann took the kick, and again put over a beautiful shot, which was cheered to the echo.—West Coast 11; Canterbury 8. The alert Williams took a pass going at top and went ovei' before Agnew could lay hands on him. This was the best scoring movement to date. Herman’s kick was a poster, and bounched infield.—Canterbury 11. West Coast 11.

Play continued at a rattling pace, with the crowd twice as excited as I in the first spell. With play at half-way Rankin bolted at the head of his supports to follow up a punt. This was just on time. He reached the ball with the aid of the bounce a second before the Coast full-back. Continuing at top, he swept it out to Eathorne, who had backed him up, and Eathorne went over for a fine try not far from the corner flag. Herman missed and the game ended: CANTERBURY , 14 WEST COAST 11

RON KING. RETIRING NEXT WEEK. Ron King, captain of the 1937 All Blacks, will definitely play his last game of big Rugby on the occasion of the third test in Auckland on Saturday. King said that the main reason for his decision was the need to think of the future. “I am only twenty-six years of age, but I have been playing football since I was seven or eight and I have been away on several tours. Now other things must come first:. There are times when one must give one’s thoughts to the future.” King is now attached to the Public Works Department in the electrical; division and from October 1, when he commences a training period in Christchurch, he will devote his whole) time to the work. i Early next year he will return to| the West Coast and join the regular, staff of the department in charge of the power lines conveying electricity from Lake Coleridge over the Alps. CELTIC BEATEN. CHRISTCHURCH, September 18. ' The annual third grade match between Athletic and Celtic (Grey-' mouth) was played to-day and re-j suited in a win for Athletic by 20 points to nil.

ganised defence and the forwards and backs threw the ball about freely. Speed and splendid backing up, enabled them to pile on the points. One combined movement was one of the finest ever seen on the ground. Wright changed his direction when he received the ball in a passing rush and most of the team handled for Ryan to cross. Adkins, Gilmore and Strang were impressive South Canterbury forwards. Guy and Guineven were the best of the Wellington pack. The home backs failed badly. Tries were scored for South Canterbury by Ryan (4), Adkins, Gilmore and Morrison. Strang converted four. For Wellington Cassidy, Carter and Sargisson scored tries. Baldwin converted two. WELLINGTON 25 v. AUCKLAND iJ. AUCKLAND, September 18. The annual Rugby match between Auckland and Wellington, played at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon resulted in a win for Wellington by 25 points to 19. The game was played in fine weather on a hard ground, in the presence of between ten and twelve thousand people. It was an interesting contest in which the forwards worked hard throughout, with Lambourne securing much greater possession of the ball from the scrums.

Wellington had the advantage of the wind and sun in the first spell and led by 17 points to 5 at the interval. It was thought by many Auckland supporters, that the home side would trouble the visitors, but the second spell was even, although there was such a disparity in the scores at half-time. The Wellington backs, however, always looked the more dangerous attacking combination, possessing superior speed all round, and much better understanding. They passed more accurately than the home rearguard.

Wellington scored four tries against two for Auckland, and the visitors’ efforts were the result of the forwards giving the backs excellent support. On the other hand both of Auckland’s tries were more or less the result of opportunism. Caughey scored the first try through backing up in a loose rush, while the second try went to Solomon, who fielded the ball after Vortan had missed it. With the sun directly in his eyes, Hare, the Auckland full-back, scored thirteen .points for his side with three penalties and two conversions. He never missed a place kick all day. The surprise on the Wellington side was that O’Brien, practically unknown as a place-kick in his own town, converted three tries and kicked a penalty goal. This was Wellington’s first victory in Auckland since 1933. All of the Wellington backs played well. Their speed, handling and quickness off the mark and general anticipation made them a better attacking combination and also enabled them to smother the opposing five-eighths early. Griffiths played finely at first five-eighth and later as half-back when O’Halloran went off injured. Wells, Ongley, Butler and Devine were outstanding in the Wellington forwards.

Caughey was the best Auckland back, while Pearce, McLean and Bellis were the leading forwards. For Wellington, Ongley (2), Wells and Thomson scored tries, O’Brien kicking a penalty goal and converting three tries, while O’Halloran potted a goal. For Auckland Caughey and Solomon scored a try each. Hare converted two tries and kicked three penalty goals.

OTAGO 17 v. NORTH OTAGO 3. OAMARU, September 18. In a bright exhibition of Rugby, before a large attendance at the Show Grounds, Otago defeated North Otago by 17 to 3. The score did not indicate the merits of the teams for the North Otago forwards played a dashing game to hold a territorial advantage for most of the game, whereas Otago secured a monopoly of the ball

from the set scrums, the backs making the most of their opportunities. The goal-kicking by North Otago was poor, seven penalties from handy positions going abegging. Scorers for Otago were Barnes, Quaid, Howden (2), Black converting one, and Boulton kicking a penalty. Carrodus scored a try for North Otago. Buller Results ALBION CUP COMPETITION. (From Our Own Correspondent). WESTPORT. September 19. With the Victoria Square occupied by the Buller Hockey Association, all Rugby matches were played at the Trotting Track. In the Albion Cup Competition, Old Boys defeated Tiroroa by 9 points to 3. Stewart, Smith and Strachan got tries for Old Boys and Cavanagh scored for Tiroroa. None of the tries were converted. Rovers (Granity), defeated Stars (Westport), also in the Albion Cup Competition, by 13 points to nil. M. Corrie and Alexander scored tries for Rovers, both of which were converted by Dunn. The latter also contributed a penalty goal.

Newman Shield RETAINED BY BULLER. [Our Own Correspondent). WESTPORT, September 19. Buller Primary School team defeated Hokitika by 16 points to nil, and retained the Newman Shield, a trophy open for competition to primary schools in the Seddon Shield districts. The game was played at the Trotting Track and proved a bright, exhibition of the code. CANTERBURY v. COAST. (To the Editor). Sir,—The Coast team are to be congratulated on their fine performance against Canterbury on Saturday. It appears that, providing Coast had had their full team, including injured players, they probably would have won the match. The substitutes played well, however. If the Coast players had had the advantage of a day oi- twos’ practice on Lancaster Park, the tables would probably have been turned. The result of the game shows that there are players on the Coast equally as good as those in the four centres. With careful management on the part of the Rugby Union next season, the Coast teams should go far. The Union should make an endeavour to improve the management of the junior players under their jurisdiction. The juniors have a grievance, especially in the direction of selection. I am, etc., RED AND WHITE.