SEDDON SHIELD

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1928, Page 4

SEDDON SHIELD

NELSON V. WEST COAST.

DETAILS OF THE PLAY

West Coast kicked off. Houston made a dash from half way and kicked through for the Coast forwards to press in Nelson’s 25. Bowers saved and kicked through to Coast’s 25, and following up Sutton, put play in touch there. Caulton dribbled the ball and helped by Freitas, who revelled in the open play, they- went to Nelson’s line, where a try looked imminent when Boyce dashed in and sent the ball to touch at halfway. Bowers saved twice in quick succession, making a lot of ground with his kicks. Freitas sent the ball out to Tainui who ran up and in-passed to his forwards. A similar movement by- Const made points for them. The hall went out to Tainui from the forwards, he drew three of Nelson’s outside hacks, leaving a gap for Houston to dash through to the lino on receiving a reverse pass froni the winger. COAST S|: NELSON 0. Nelson was penalised for getting on to McCleary too soon and King sent the ball between the uprights from the 25. COAST 6: NELSON 0. Thp Coast forwards were setting up a great pace and Nelson were hard put to keep them out. McCleary sent Houston, King and Fong away in a likely movement but the defence held. Freitas was penalised for getting round the scrum too soon and Snodgrass sent over a beautiful goal from far out. NELSON 3: COAST 6. Given more heart by this success the Nelson forwards played with more dash and several times made dangerous sweeps past their now tiring opponents. Heed kicked through, the bounce favouring Everett, who dashed up and sent the ball into W. Snow and Sutton. They carried on to Coast’s lino where King sent a timely kick to touch.

From the loose, Caulton sent the ball to McCleary, Houston, King, Fong ami Tainui, who went to within five yaids of the Nelson line. This effective movement showed that the Coast hacks had to he watched. Nelson were penalised in a scrum and King sent over his second penalty kick. COAST 9 : NELSON 3.

From a return kick, Bowers fielded the ball and following his kick through fie stopped Fong’s clearance and nearly scored a try, the ball being kicked out of his reach.

The Coast backs made several fruitless rushes, and Barrett and Garvin were prominent in the Nelson forwards. Boyce nearly scored bv fast following up and the Nelson barks all handled in a rush which was soundly stopped. From a scrum on the 25, F. howler darted up oil the blind side, transferred to Snodgrass, who was held up near the line. Fowler received a pass from the winger and just got over for a well deserved try from his own initiative. No goal. NELSON G: COAST 9.

Dougherty hurt his shoulder and was replaced by Kelly. Garvin, nho was the most prominent player on the field, sent the ball to Reed, whose “pot” fell slfort by inches. In tbo half minute which brought the first spell to an end. Nelson gave a splendid exhibition of faultless lootball which ended in a try. howler ran from the ruck, then Schwass, Everett, and Boyce handled. Fowler carried on from an in-pass from the winger, Everett handled again, and Young burled the ball 30 yards across the field (a “ Snow ” pass) in front pf the posts, where Snodgrass, gathering up speed took the ball on the full quid romped over past his opposing winger and the full back. It was qn accurate, unstoppable movement. Itppd converted amidst wild pxeiterqpnt as the half time bell rang, leaving N c l s °n two points ahead. . NELSON 11 : COAST 9. F. Fowler behind Nelson's scrum was playing a great game. He sent the ball to Reed, who mafic "a splendid opening by cutting in. flp sent tbo ball out to Eeverett, B. Fowler, and Snodgrass, who ran round and over the line for a try. This was a bright movement from Reed’s put-in. NELSON; 14: pOAST 9.

Both sets of bapfes were workipg effectively, lint the Const pfijijd not finish off. Strong attack was met wifji determined fiefepce by both side?. McPpary sent the Jjpj) to Houston, Jyjpg. Fong, anfi Taipui, who was lipid up near the lino by Bpype.

Fropi half way, F. Fowler sent the ball along the Nelson line of backs to Bovcp, w!'° made a dasli. The centre found Max in the right position to field the ball and run over for a try. The kick was charged down. NELSON 17: COAST 9.

Rfablert for Const and Boyce for Nelson were proponent. Bowers was ip bis 25, and jn clgqpng, mis-kicked to the pentre of the field whence King, Coast’s star kicker, sent a left foot “ pot ” between the posts, making the scores COAST 13: NELSON 17.

With this pick up in points the Const, supporters roared encouragement to their team and they were rewarded so far as renewed efforts were concerned. Their forwards took a new lease and pressed in Nelson’s 25, but on the backs receiving the ball they could not contend with Nelson's rqyer, Garvin, who put a stop to their five-eighths time and again. Max led Nelson to the posts where King saved anfi then the Coast forwards led by Hagnr swept over three parts the length of, the field. Tamm helped the movement on and a moral try was saved by R. Fowler, who marked.

Macintosh anil Fong commenced to put Coast on the attack, but Everett and Snodgrass regained the ground won by them. ]t was still either side’s game, with Coast making great efforts, i|ien jn tlir last minute Nelson made doubly sure of it. Four Coast players waited to stop F. Fowler’s pass to Reed; but it did not go to them for Fowler went on his own and clashed 25 yards before the ball went to Garvin for him to get a try under the posts. "Reed converted with a free charge kick. Thus Nelson retained the Shield for the sixth time in succession, with the points NELSON 22, WEST COAST 13.