RUGBY FOOTBALL STARS’ TRIPLE SUCCESSBRIGHT WIN OVER EXCELSIORS

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1948, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL STARS’ TRIPLE SUCCESS—BRIGHT WIN OVER EXCELSIORS

By winning the West Coast Rugby Union’s senior championship on Saturday, when they defeated Excelsiors by 17 points to 6, the Star Rugby Club gained the unique record of having the championship, the Senior Knock-out Cup and the McLean Shield, all in their golden jubilee year. The large crowd which watched Saturday’s match, was treated to some really thrilling football, in which Stars held the upper hand, although Excelsiors were expected to extend, if not defeat them. Stars put themselves in a very strong position by knocking up no less than 17 points before their line was crossed. The Excelsior back line, which included six W'est Coast representatives found the solid tackling of the Star backs much too tough for them, and they were not able to function up to standard. E. G. Walker, the All Black trialist, whose display was not up to the usual standard’ was injured and retired hurt late in the game. L. McDougall and B. Steel ■were Jthe' most impressive of the Star backs, McDougall, at half-back, having a hand in most of the scoring movements of the game. Both teams had some difficulty in handling new balls, although the field was in good condition and the day ideal for outdoor sport. The gamest Excelsior player was 1 the half-back, Andrews, who came through a hard day’s work with flying colours. With him, E. Heenan, the first five-eighth, gave a polished display. Stars however, got the greater share of the ball from the set scrums and line-outs, and their backs were frequently seen in action in sparkling movements. The teams were:— Excelsiors: W. Amberger, R. Brethan, E. Stoop, R. Telfer, E. G. Walker, E. Heenan, E. Andrews, R. Duncan, M. Wells, R. Weiblitz, R. Campbell, R. Godfrey, E. Renner, A. Adamson and B. Weiblitz Star: R. Steel, B. Steel, R. Nelson, D. Steel, B. Hayton, C. Hunter, L. McDougall, D. Wilson, A. Stokes, J. Pegley, B. Dickson, M. Lambert, A. Smith, G. Nelson and B. Henderson. Andrews at half-back for Excelsoirs, and Heenan at first five-eighths, were the best backs. Star secured the greater., share of the ball and only in the second half did Excelsiors look dangerous. Winning the toss, Star, playing with the sun, in a slight breeze, attacked the Excelsior line, but Walker saved by going down on the ball and Star were penalised for handling a tackled ball. The first points came after play had been in progress for 15 minutes. From a scrum out, McDougall tore round the blind side,, drew the opposing wing, transferred to B. Steel, who. inpassed again to McDougall, and then to R. Nelson for a grand try between the posts. G- Nelson failed to convert. Star 3; Excelsior nil.

At this stage, the Star inside backs were not tackling and Excelsior were able to make much more ground than they should, but they lacked punch and they did not go far. Excelsiors combined well and with a good back movement took the ball almost to the Star goal line. Star cleared to the 25, but Walker’s kick from the 25 passed outside the posts. Play continued in Star territory until Godfrey was penalised and this relieved the position. Walker a few' minutes later missed another kick from the 25. Play passed up and down field until Excelsiors were penalised inside their own half, and from 45 yards out, G. Nelson kicked a beautiful goal which hit the upright and passed over the cross-bar. This made Star six points in the lead after 35 minutes’ play Stars next points came' from a scrum six yards out, when McDougall, again worked the blind side, and raced down-field before passing to B. Steel, who kicked over Amberger’s head, and L. Stokes, following up fast, scored five yards from the corner. Nelson’s kick failed — Star 9; Excelsiors nil, and the score was unchanged at half-time. Star’s 'pace was beginning to slow up, but their defence had also improved. Excelsiors’ form slumped and their tackling was very weak. On the resumption of play. Star attacked, and from a line-out B. Henderson galloped down the side-line for twenty yards and threw a pass in-field, which was taken by _B. Steel, who out-paced the opposition and scored in the corner. Nelson again missed the extras. Star 12; Excelsior nil. Brethan saved Excelsior from a very dangerous position when he was allowed a fair catch only a yard or two from the posts. His clearing kick gave relief to Excelsiors. Play moved then to the Star 25. Andrews was playing an excellent game for Excelsiors with good cover. defence and well-placed kicks, which held Star in itheir own half for some considerable time. Campbell retired hurt and was replaced by K. Lomas. Stars’ final points came eighteen minutes after the resumption from a ruck thirty yards out, when McDougall cut through the Excelsior back line to out-pace the opposition and score a lovely try in the corner. This time Nelson converted from the sideline*, and the score stood at: Star 17; Excelsiors nil. Excelsiors brightened up a little and play settled down in Star territory. where Walker missed with a penalty kick thirty yards out. A few minutes later, Walker retired hurt, and Wallace went on at full-back and Amberger to centre. Excelsiors’ points came shortly after, when Andrews received from the scrum and ran through the Star back line to score. Wallace’s kick failed. Star 17; Excelsior 3.

Several good exchanges took place, involving two new pair of pants, but no further points came until ten minutes before the end, when Heenan received from Amberger, who made a little ground before passing back. Andrews, who had come round to second five-eighths where he sidestepped the Star backs, and scored alongside the posts. The kick failed and the game ended: Star 17; Excelsiors 6. , r . „ The referee was Mr. A. Lmdbom.. FRIENDLY GAME. A combined Celtic-Cobden team played Blaketown on the No. 2 field, the game being won by the combined team by 13 points to 6. For Combined, McDonald and Hahn scored. Lindbom and Fauth each converting a try. For Blaketown, Ellery and Walsh scored a try each. Coasl Third Graders Win at Christchurch CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 5. West Coast third grade reps, defeated ' Canterbury under-18-years reps. The home team had the better of the first spell, when the visitors. though winning most scrums, could not get past the opposing backline. x Canterbury scored 15 minutes alter the start when D. Sherrat, first five-eighth, passed to K. Marsh, who scored between the nosts. Being down 5-0 at half-time West Const attacked on resuming. J. 'Barrow scored a trv and Colville missed an c-asv kick. N. Curtis later scored for tho visiters and Huffam converted we’l ‘ and then kicked a penalty goal. -After a. run by Sherratt, Anderson scored for Canterbury. Coast replied when McManus sent Hay

over for a try wide cut. Huffam converted. Finally Huffam scored ne?.i the posts and converted. The game ended West Coast 21, Canterbury 8.

Canterbury’s Close Win Over Hawke’s Bay

• CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 5. Fast, rugged play was a feature of the match at Lancaster Park on Saturday, when Canterbury defeated Hie touring Hawke’s Bay team by u points to 6. Exhibiting amazing speed and clever in-passing tactics, the Bay forwards had the better of the- first spell. The first score came when Jack Brownlie, on the left wing, marked a clearing kick-by Roach in front of the goal-posts. Brownlie slcwly walked back after the whistle had gone for a mark. Then he turned and lef fly with a perfect drop-kick, before Canterbury could charge. The ball sailed over the- cross-bar. Hawke’s Bay forced the pace and some clever movements saw P. Ingram, Reid and Frazer take play to Canterbury’s 25. From a scrum H. Ingram secured and whipped ouT to Jack Brownlie, who slipped across co score. Hawke’s Bay 6, Canterbury 0. Weak passsing spoilt an attacking move by Canterbury, and McNally and Richards failed to combine in a movement that would have given Canterbury a great chance. The first spell ended with Hawke’s Bay attacking strongly. Six minutes after the second spell had started. Richards kicked a penalty goal, to open Canterbury’s score. Hawke’s Bay 6. Canterbury 3. When Neill, .McCormack and Gunnel headed a Bav rush, Canterbury was on the defensive. Wishnowsky saved a critical situation by a meai kick into touch at half-way. From the scrum Savage worked tse blind

side ,and then tossed back to his norwards, headed by Chandler. Kelly then gathered up the ball, and scored eight yards from the corner flag. Hawke’s Bay -6, Canterbury 6. Argus, with two minutes to go, started Canterbury on the move. Herman got the ball, but went down, and Bond picked up to cross on the corner. The game ended Canterbury 9, Hawke’s Bay 6. Mr W. -J< Brown was referee. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 5. In the final of the second grade A competition at Lancaster Park, Marist beat Belfast 8-5.

WELLINGTON BEAT TARANAKI

P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept. o. After having much the better of the game territorially Taranaki was unlucky to be beaten by Wellington 9 to s—-two penalty goals and a try to a converted try —at Athlet’c Park on Saturday. It was .largely a gamo of missed opportunties. On four occasions Taranaki just failed to press home great openings. In addition, four reasonably easy shots at goal from oenalties went astray. Wellington, on the -other hand, made no mistakes with penalty shots at goal, but an elusive ball robbed them of two possible tries. Beatty, a Taranaki live-eighth, was one of the best backs on the field, with Cameron (half-back) also excelling. Ancell, Hohaia and Carlson were splendid forwards. " Phillips (full-back), and Delamore nlayed ccnsistentlv well for Wellington, with wills, O’Donnell and -Lloyd hypressing in the pack. .' '