BULLER DEFEAT CANTERBURY IN BRILLIANT GAME

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1948, Page 8

BULLER DEFEAT CANTERBURY IN BRILLIANT GAME

(Special to Argus) A large crowd of spectators witnessed brilliant rugby at Victoria Square on Saturday when Buller proved victorious over Canterbury by 11 points to 8. In spite of light showers a:/the game started, conditions became better and the remainder of the match was played in fine weather. Buller beat Canterbury in every department of the game, although the home forwards Were light. Luff played a great game at halfback and was outstanding. Others who also played well were Smallholme, Dickson, and Neighbours who together made many dangerous moves. Of the Buller forwards, M. Ryan and McHerron were outstanding while the rest of the pack also deserved praise. Canterbury’s three-quarter Argus could not get going very far and was well marked by Hawes, Roach, Vincent Kelly and Bolton were always showing up. In the forwards. Herman pMyed a good solid game while the other forwards shone in heavy rucking play. The first half was even and no penalties were given, but n. the second half Buller were the better team. The teams were::— Buller: H. Kerr, R. Hawes. O. Smallholme, (captain), T. Hansby; F. Neighbours, W. Dickson, A. Luff; W. Mumm, A. Prosser, A. Moseley, . M. Ryan, D. Neighbours, J. Smart, C. McHerron, T. Anderson. Canterbury. —L. Edington; W. Argus (captain), G. Bolton, J. Kelly; D. Jones ,J. Roach; P. Vincent; A. Couling, M. D. Hodgins, A. Couling, D. Herman, D. Stewart, B. Chandler, L. Sinclair, C. Burdon. In Canterbury’s first rush, Vincent whipped the ball out to his right wing but there Kelly was strongly tackled by Hansby. Similarly, when the ball w r ent to the left wing, Argus could not evade the low tackle by Hawes. Busier, from the scrum surged through, led by Luff, Prosser, and Moseley ana Anderson and just missed a try. It was a spectacular start with Canterbury opening out at every opportunity and Buller’s defence reaching .. the highest standard. Next Edgington was applauded for smart fielding and Roach for a crisp cut through. Couling, Hodgins, Hoskin, and Herman showed up in a spirited rush that made ground, at the end of which the ball went to the Canterbury inside backs. Jones beat his man and sent Kelly across beautifully for a try behind the posts. Sinclair converted. Canterbury 5, Buller 0. Buller retaliated vigorously and the crowd yelled as Smallholme intercepted a pass from Roach, sped past the Canterbury tuli-back and scored. Dickson converted. Buller 5, Canterbury 5. Buller swept in again immediately afterwards and Hawes scored wide out with Argus clutching his ankles. Buller 8, Canterbury 5. McHerron led anotner fiery rash for Buller but Canterbury surged back and a great effort by Vincent resulted in a try in the lef-hand corner. Canterbury 8, Buller 8. F. Neighbours broke through for Buller but Edgington replied with a long, accurate touch finder. The full-back saved Canterbury again when Luff dashed through the gap. Half-time score: Buller 8, Canterbury 8. , Second Half Couling shot out in front and just failed to prevent Kerr finding touch. A long kick by Mumm followed and Edgington haa to run out in his own twenty-five. Buller hurled in determined attacks. First Ryan tried to get over and then Hansby, whl-u thrilling play continued under the Canterbury goal. More fiery rucking saw Ryan grab possession again and dive over. Buller 11, Canterbury 8. Bolton and Roach helped to set Canterbury moving and next there was a crashing tackle at half-way as Hawes brought Argus down. Anderson, Stuart, and D. Neighbours counterattacked, but a low pass from F. Neighbours, to Smallholme pulled Buller up. ' Canterbury were kept under pressure despite all their efforts. Vincent stopped a blind-side move by Hansby and next Argus had to kick over the dead-ball line after a fast burst by Luff. When Canterbury did get to the other end, Vincent handled twice but even then Argus did not get space to work in and Buller shouldered him into touch. Tne same thing happened twice again and an exciting game ended: BULLER 11 CANTERRBURY 8 Referee: Mr J. Morgan. > CURTAIN RAISER For the curtain raiser in the final of the Philip’s Cup, Tech. School defeated Stars by lb points to nil. In the first half, Kelly kicked a penalty and Halliday scored a try and in the second half Kayne scored and Kelly converted and kicked a penalty. Hutt scored the last try.