RUGBY FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1943, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Cobden’s Decisive Win CELTIC DEFEAT HOKITIKA. Riigby Park’s main attraction on Saturday, Cobden seniors versus Blaketown, was won by Cobden, 26 points to 3. Cobden were superior in both departments, the forwards led by the veterans R. and J. King and Birchfield, and the star backs being Wright, Lindbom and Keating. Stewart’s speed and thrusting tactics gained much territory for Blaketown. Conditions were ideal, there being no wind, a firm ground and brilliant sunshine. The teams were: Cobden: Lindbom; Hayes, Strachan, Brown; Keating, W’right; Horrack; Marley, J. King, Swift, Watkin, R. King, Birchfield, Beardsley, Gilmore. Blaketown; Panther; S'iewart, Mallett, Thomas; Inwood, Knapp, McDonald, Coppersmith (2), McKendry, Todd, Coulson, Currie, Mason, Tomlinson.

Blaketown kicked off, defending the northern goal, and pressed. A pass dropped by Wright gave Blaketown an opportunity, but Lindbom, in his effortless style, drove them back with a long kick. However, Blaketown were awarded a penalty due to Cobden breakaways coming round too fast, and Stewart goaled from 30 yards.—Blaketown 3; Cobden 0. A penalty to Blaketown for obstruction again put them on the attack. The Cobden backs secured and swept into the Blaketown half where Lindbom attempted a pot. The kick went wide and McDonald cleared. Hard rucking on the Cobden 25 with several good saves by Panther from the Cobden forwards, followed. Cobden backs secured, Wright cut through, passed to Strachan, to Brown, who couMn’t quite gather the ball in being just on the line. From a, scrimmage 20 yards from the Blaketown line, Cobden were awarded a penalty, which Birchfield duly put over. —Cobden 3; Blaketown 3. A high kick by Birchfield was gathered in by Panther, but he was overwhelmed by the Cobden forwards. However, Stewart saved. Cobden backs went into action, but a bad pass by Keating spoilt it. At this juncture D. Brown retired with a head injury and was replaced by McKay. A series of mishandles by Blaketown let Cobden through, but Currie kicked the ball out. A long line-out was gathered in by Gilmore, to Horrack, to Keating, to Wright, who cut through to score well out. Birchfield missed the kick.—Cobden 6; Blaketown 3. Blaketown backs handled to Stewart, whose high punt was gathered by Lindbom, who made no mistake with a long line kick. From a Cobden 25-kick Stewart caught the ball off Horracks foot and nearly dashed through. In hard forward play ten yards from the Cobden line Stewart was injured and was replaced by Olsen. A short passing rush by Cobden forwards led Cobden into the Blaketown half where a clearing kick of Panther’s was. smothered by Gilmore who handed on for Swift to score. Birchfield’s kick lacked direction. —Cobden 9; Blaketown 3. A Blaketown rush looked dangerous till Lindbom cleared. The half-time whistle went with Blaketown attacking strongly. Open forward play with Cobden on the attack followed. Cobden backs then secured for Wright to cut through and hand to R. King, who crashed to within a few yards of the line before passing to Gilmore to score. Birchfield missed a difficult kick.—Cobden 12; Blaketown 3. Blaketown were fighting hard but a drop-kick by Panther from 45 yards was charged down by Keating, who dribbled down the paddock to nearly score, the hall going dead. The forwards took charge and open tactics had play swinging up and down the field.* A Cobden rush ended in Panther racing Horrack with the ball over the line, resulting in a 25-kick for Blaketown. From a scrum near the corner Horrack secured, passed to Keating, to Wright, who eluded several tackles to score beside the posts. Birchfield converted. —-Cobden 17; Blaketown 3. An excellent passing movement at this stage, brought the crowd on their toes. Keating received on his 25, ran 50 yards, passed to King, to Gilmore, who scored near the corner. Birchfield’s kick scraped under the bar.—Cobden 20; Blaketown 3. Immediately after the kick off Horrack received, passed to Keating, to Wright, to Strachan, who was overwhelmed, but managed to pass back to Wright, who scored well out. An excellent kick by J. King just failed.—Cobden 23; Blaketown 3. Another Cobden passing rush came into being and ended with Keating racing across near the flag. J. King’s kick failed. —Cobden 26: Blaketown 3.

Mr C. Cockburn controlled the game. Playing on No. 2 ground the Celtic team defeated Hokitika 12 points to 6. The Celtic team had many Star-United players in it. The game was fast and open with much back play and hard tackling. Mr R. Longstaff was referee.

Cobden thirds defeated Technical 6 points to nil at Rugby Park No. 1. For Cobden Olsen scored a try and Weir kicked a penalty. On the No. 2 ground, Blaketown thirds defeated Celtic 6 points to 3. For the winners tries were scored by Stewart and Williams, and Garforth netted Celtic’s only points.

WEST COAST v. CANTERBURY

The following players have been selected to represent West Coast against Canterbury on the King's Birthday, June 7:— Full-back: J. Lindbom; threequarters, J. Hayes, W. Amberger, N. Sweetman; live-eighths, ,D. Dewar, J'. Keating; half-back, F. Goodall; forwards. N. Jones, J. King, R. Neilson, G. Beardsley, R. King, R. Birchfield, H. Coppersmith, W. Croudis. Emergencies: Backs, Strachan, K. Horrack, Wright; forwards. McLean and Hagen. Players will train at Victoria'Park to-morrow at 4.30 p.m. CANTERBURY REPS. CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. The following Canterbury team to visit West Coast has been chosen by, the selectors (Warrant Officer P. w. Storey, and Messrs O. Hattersley and L. G. Loveridge?:— Touring Team: P. Callanah (Ath-letic-Varsitv); W. C. \Y eel dnk (Army A.), C. A. Wilson (R.N.Z.A.F.), F. L. Pearson (R.N.Z.A.F.); R. B. McCammon (Army), R. Garrett (Albion Combined); L. L. Hewitt . (Linwood Combined); D. H. Taylor (Army), C. Taylor (Christchurch), R. Rothwell (R.N.Z.A.F.), G. Bond (Albion Combined), C. Lindstrom (Army), A. J. McKenzie (Athletic-Varsity), D. Herman (Linwood Combined), G. F. Henderson (Canterbury Regiment. Emergencies: D. Jones' (Canterbury Regiment) G. Harvey (R.N.Z.A.F.), A. Cochrane (Christchurch); T. C. Knowles (Athletic-Varsity), L. Young (.Army), J. Waratimi (11.N.Z.A.F.L