Buller Retains Seddon Shield

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1948, Page 8

Buller Retains Seddon Shield

(Our Own Corresopndent). WESTPORT, August 8. Buller defeated Golden Bay-Motu-eka representatives here on Saturday. The game was played in bright sunshine. The condition of the ground was not the best. In the early stages of the game the ball was covered with mud, and was hard to handle. W'. Dickson was outstanding, scoring nine points for Buller. W. Taylor played a great game for Bays. Buller hooked well and got the bigger share of the ball in the line outs. The teams were: —

Buller: D. Neighbours; R. Hawes, A. Kerr, A. Cummings; O. Smallholme (capt), W. Dixon; A. Ladner; C. McHerron, J. Nicholson, W. Mumm, M. Ryan, W. Neighbours, J. Stuart, W. C’unniffe, T. Anderson. Golden Bay-Motueka.—E. Lucre, F. Soper, F. Hobson F. Papps; W. Taylor, R. Wilde; H. Riley, J. Curnow, C. Atkin, F. Bowers (capt), R. Cederman, J. Park, W. Fleming, P. Byrne, T. Hurley. The referee was Mr C. V. Daines.

Buller scored only three points in the first half. This was when, from' a ruck, the backs got going,, and the ball went to Dickson who dived over for a try. McHerron failed with the kick. Buller were penalised and Bays took a place kick from a handy position;' but the ball fell short. M’umm was at the head of a forward rush when the whistle blew for half-time. The band marched around the field dressed as old-timers. This amused the crowd, who gave them a great hand. In the second half, Bays kicked o ffand took play to Buller’s 25. For off-side play, Buller were penalised in front of the posts, but Lucre missed with what looked an easy kick. Shortly after Dickson had a drop-kick missing, and the ball went over the dead-line. Buller pack, led by M. Ryan, were now forcing the play. Ladner sent a pass to Smallholme and Kerr, who kicked the ball in-field and T. Anderson gathered it and raced over for a try which McHerron converted, making Buller 8; Bay’s nil. From a scrum Kerr tried to cut in, but was pulled down. Bay’s forwards started a movement but the Buller backs broke it down. Taylor, however, anticipated a pass and took play right to the Buller line. A movement by Ladner, Dickson and Smallholme continued to Cummings, who was pulled down. Both packs were fighting hard for possession, Ladner again sent his backs away, but the ball went astrav. The game now started to get livelier. From a forward ruck, Ladner gathered in and kicked in-field to Dickson, who had followed up and Dickson went over for his second try making the score Buller 11; Bays nil. Kerr converted, taking the total to Buller 13; Ba vs nil.

The Bays were stopped after they had started a back movement and the Buller forwards took play into Boy’s 25, when Dickson potted a field goal, taking the score on to: Bullei’ 16; Bays nil. Taylor was putting in some good work for the visitors with the help of Hobson. From a scrum Ladner sent his backs going and Cummings went over for the final trv. Buller 19; Golden Bay-Motueka nil. Dickson, Smallholme and Cum-n-ings were Buller’s best backs, with Mumm, McHerron, Ryan and Anderson always ready to give support. Taylor, Wild, and Hobson played well for the Bays, as also the forwards Riley, Cederman and Curnow. Lucre played'well in the first spell. Karamea juniors drew with Westnort, _ three all, in a game at the Trotting Track on Saturday.