RUGBY FOOTBALL STAR TAKES LEAD IN SENIOR COMPETITION

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1948, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL STAR TAKES LEAD IN SENIOR COMPETITION

United Upset Excelsiors As the Star Club is holding its Golden Jubilee, the victory of the senior team on Saturday in the main attraction at Rugby Park was most appropriate. This win places Star two points ahead of their close rivals, Excelsiors, (who are one garpe behind), to lead the senior competition. Packing plenty of. vim into' their movements and keeping up a releptless struggle from the outset, Stm defeated the visiting Hokitika team, Kiwis bv 15 points to six, after a keenly contested match during which some brilliant football was seen. The ground was soft from overnight rain which made the ball very greasy. There was a large attendance. The half-time score was six-all. Stars chances of winning were not exceptionally promising, but •by cracking on the pace in the second spell they ran the visitors off then feet to win convincingly. D. Steel, p. Steel and L. McDougall were the pick of a good fast line of backs, who made the most of very opportunity, th the Star forwards, A. Stokes, p. Wilson and J. Pegley were always to the fore- in a hard working pack. p. Henderson and G. Nelson excelled in the loose and in supporting the backs. For Kiwis, the Stoop brothers were an elusive and enterprising combination, while T. Marena at. five-eighths gave a very creditable display. One of the outstanding backs on the ground was P. Hurren, the visitor s half-back. His handling was clever, positional play excellent and his anticipation most accurate. He caused the Star forwards a lot of worry. R. Eastgate and A. McLean were the best of the visiting forwards, . both were hard workers, in the line-outs and in the set scrums, while each played an enterprising ganie. The hooking honours were fairly evenly shared. Hard-rucking forwards with fast backs and good combination enabled Star to win.

The teams were:— Star.—R. J. Steel, B. Steel, R. Nelson, D. Steel, W. Hayton, C. Hunter, L. McDougal, E. Henderson, G. Nelson, B. Dixon, M. Lambert, G. Solomon, D. Wilson, A. Stokes, J. Pegley ’Kiwis.—J. Tullock, M. Stoop, R. Stoop, C. Woolhouse, T. Manera, A. Thomas, P. Hurren, P. Eastgate, C. Lewis, R. Eastgate, J. Leslie, A. McLean, F. Sweeney, G. Howat, S. Patterson. THE PLAY Striving hard from the outset Star soon attacked. Within three minutes the backs had entered the visitors 25. R. Nelson gained 10 yards before sending a snappy pass infield to B. Dixon, who crossed for a good try. G. Nelson failed to convert. Star 3, Kiwi The home team again attacked, and Hunter passed to McDougal, who doged several opponents before sending on to' Stokes, who dashed over the line. Stars 6, Kiwis nil. Kiwis now combined better, and the forwards led by McLean and Howat carried play to Star 25. From a scrum, P. Hurren secured and raced round the side to send a pass to R. Eastgate, who crashed his way through to score a good try. R. Stoop failed to convert. Kiwis 3, Star 6. Hurren, playing an . outstanding game worked his backs into position and sent to Manera to Thomas to R. Stoop, who broke away, and in a great run downfield fended off three opponents, before being forced into touch by the Star full-back, R. Steel, well inside the 25. Kiwis attempted another movement, and Woolhouse, who was following up fast got within five yards of the line before being pushed into touch. At this stage, A. Thomas (Kiwi) was injured and had to leave the field. The full-back, J. Tullock, went into centre-three-quar-ter and R. Stoop to five-eighths.

Kiwis had their second chance when Star were penalised on their 25. R. Stoop made no mistake and placed the ball between the upwrights. The half-time score was Star 6, Kiwis 6. THE SECOND SPELL

Star commenced at a fast pace, which soon had their opponents rattled. Sweeping downfield, the forwards led by J. Pegley and B. Dixon, carried play deep into Kiwi’s territory where G. Nelson secured to cross for a clever try. He failed to convert, the ball hitting the crossbar. Star’ 9, Kiwis 6. At this stage, Star practically had the game all their own way, and the forwards again led the attack pourin" through gaps in the Kiwi’s defence, kicking the ball before them. G. Nelson again scored when he pounced on the ball as it rolled over the line. Star 12, Kiwis 6. Just before the final whistle D. Wilson and B. Dixon dived on th; ball after dribbling it through the defence. Star 15, Kiwi 6. Mr J. B. Hoggarth was referee. Saturday’s Results Senior; Stars 15, Kiwis 6. United 14, Excelsiors 5. Cobden 16, Blaketown 12. Celtic 9, St. Mary’s 8. Junior: Technical 0.8. 3, Cobden 3. Celtic won by default from Blaketown. Third Grade: Technical 8, Cobden 3. Celtic 12, Inangahua 5. Fourth Grade: Technical 14, Blaketown 11. Fifth Grade; Stars 11, Technical 8. Cobden 9, Hokitika 3. Sixth Grade: United 9, Cobden 6. Technical 3, Blaketown 3. Seventh Grade: . Celtic nil, Blaketown nil. Star 3, Cobden nil. Eighth 'Grade: Celtic nil, Cobden nil. Blaketown 12, United nil. United Defeat Excelsiors Playing on a field churned up by a senior match earlier in the day, United forwards dominated play to defeat Excelsiors by 15 points to 5. The players were well coated in mud, which, in places, was almost ankle deep.

At the beginning, the visiting backs, led by E. G. Walker, swept down-field. United, in their 25 defended grimly. After quarter of an hour’s play the home forwards, led by Glen and Mathieson, gradually pushed the visitors down on top of their goal line. United held a territorial advantage during most of the game. The score at half time was — United 6. Excelsiors 5. For the visitors, Campbell had scored, while- Walker had converted United's points came from a field goal and a penalty kicked by Dewar Laing and Dewar were the best of the United backs, being enterprising players and solid on defence. J. Gillan took the field about quarter of an hour before the final whistD and, for the few minutes he was :n action, lent dash to the United backs. Walker and Amberger were the

pick of the visiting players, but were handicapped by the heavy ground conditions. Walker was always dangerous, but received too little of tne ball to do any good. Amberger nlaved a great defensive game By the untiring efforts of United forwards, all of whom played wed, the Excelsior pack was well beaten in both the scrums and line-outs. During the second spell, Adamson was replaced by Stevenson in the visiting team. Further good tries for the home team were secured by Mathieson and Anderson, Dewar converting one try. However the Southern visitor were without the services of foui of their best forwards and the bacxs had to bear the brunt of an aggressive United forward attack The final score was.—United 10, excelsiors 6. Mr M. Davidson was the referee. Celtic Defeat St Mary’s Playing at Cass Square, Hokitika, on Saturday the visiting Greymouth team, Celtic defeated St Mary s after a hard, fast game by 9 points to 8. Tries were scored for Celtic by KRae R. Newton, and S. Garforth. For St Mary’s, R. Breeze scored two tries and A. Gibson converted one. The referee was Mr J. W. Bennett. Cobden Defeat Blaketown Showing greatly improved form, Cobden scored a surprise win over Blaketown on a heavy ground at Rugby Park on Saturday. Cobden forwards seemed to have the ■ edge on their opponents beating them m the set scrums and in the line-outs. Led by Mettrick and W .Hormby, the Cobden forwards hammered continually at the Blaketown defence and though held -during !the .first spell, helped their backs to run up a further nine points in - the second spell. , , , Blaketown appeared to be beaten by the unfavourable ground; conditions, whereon the Cobden pack regained, their former vigour to win the day. , , T ~ Best backs for Cobden were J. McKenzie and R. Olsen. J. Goodall, at full-back, also gave a most creditable display, his handling was sure and reliable. For Blaketown the best forwards were McKendry and Lines. In the backs, Richardson, McKay and J. McDonald were outstanding on defence, but appeared to be hampered by the greasy ball, whenever attempting passing movements. The final score was' Cobden 15, Blaketown 12. Scorers were: For Blaketown J. Benyon, J. McKay, L. Stewart and M. McDonald a try each. Tries for Cobden were scored bv Olsen (2), McKenzie and J. Goodall (one each) and L. Lindbom, a penalty goal. The players included two referees, L. Lindbom (who later played at full-back for Cobden), and L. Stewart (who played for Blaketown). J. Lindbom, who was unable to play because of a cold, was an interested spectator. Mr. C. Cockburn was referee.

Inangahua Results The results of matches played in the Inangahua district during the week-end at Reefton, Waiuta and Inangahua are: — United 33, Waratah nil. Ikamatua 11, Waiuta 3. Cronadun 3, Junction nil. Seventh Grade Possibles v. Probables The selectors, Messrs F. McEnaney, and J. Rea, have chosen the following players from whom to select the seventh grade representatives after a Possibles v. Probables match on Saturday next: — Possibles — Lindbom (Cobden); Morris (Celtic), Negri (Blaketown), Fraser (B); Earthorn (Celtic) capt; Davenport (C); Price (B), McLaughlin (C), Quinn (C), Mettrick (Cob), Ellis (Star), Boot (S), Stanton (B), Wootton (S), Joyce (C). Emergencies: Shannahan (C), Inkster (B). Possibles train to-morrow at 4.45 p.m. at Rec. Probables.—McKenzie (C); Burley (C), Pentecost (Cob), McKenzie (Cob); Harnett (C), Mason (S), capt; Sumner (Cob); Becker (B), Kennedy (C), Haines (C), Williams (Cob), Thompson (B), Tinnion (B), Hughes (S), Carpenter (Cob). Emergencies: Nixon (Cob), Wallace (S). The probables will train to-day at 4.45 at Rugby Park. Poverty Bay-East Coast Trial Teams P.A. GISBORNE, August 8 Including four reserves, thirteen Poverty Bay and six East Coast players are included in a combined rugby team to meet Hawke’s Bay in the Area All Black trial in Gisborne on August 18. The team is as follows:— Full-back: J. Takarangi (E.C.); three-quarters: W. Edwards (P. 8. R. McKinley (P. 8. J. Barbour (P. 8. five-eighths: L. Blane (E.C.), R. Clay (P. 8. half-back: S. Lee (P. 8. forwards. —back row: I. Munro (P. 8. middle row: B. Birrell (P. 8. F. King (P. 8. I. Shaw (P. 8. W. Isaacs (E.C.); front row: W. Brown (P. 8. T. Donovan (P. 8. N. Summersby (P. 8. Reserves, backs:W. Rickard (E.C.), R. McGregor (P. 8. forwards: I. Hooper (E.C.), D. McNeil (E.C.). OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND P.A. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 8 Otago defeated Southland by 17 points to 3 in the return match on Saturday before a crowd of 15,000. Overhead conditions were ideal, but the ground was heavy. The superior skill and speed of the Otago backs again proved the decisive factor; but the forward play of both sides was first-class. Added keenness was given by the fact that the match was an All Black trial. Tries for Otago were scored by Botting, Hamilton, Meates (2), and Haig. The last named converted his own try. L. F. Ward kicked a penalty goal for Southland. CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON P.A. WELLINGTON, August 8 Canterbury rugby team was unlucky at Athletic Park on Saturday not to repeat last season’s achievement, when, after losing its home match, it vanquished Wellington on a heavy ground. Accurate goal-kicking by T. R. O’Callaghan yesterday enabled Wellington to draw 14-14. He converted a try and kicked three penalty goals. Canterbury scored three tries, one converted, and a potted goal. Canterbury revelled in the conditions, the ground being churned up, and the ball greasy. Their greatly improved backs rucked in grand style, while slogging foot rushes often spread-eagled the defence. Canterbury, with the advantage of the wind, led'll-0 at half-time. Savage. Herman and Mitchell scored, Richards converting one try. In the second spell. King scored for Wellington, and O’Callaghan converted. He also kicked three penalty goals. Roach potted a goal for Canterbury. TARANAKI V. KING COUNTRY P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 8. Taranaki defeated King Country by 23 points to nine in a representative Rugby match played at Taumarunui on Saturday. Taranaki scored five tries, four of which were converted and King Country’s score consisted of a try and two penalty goals.