RUGBY FOOTBA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1930, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBA

The long looked for match between the British team and the combined West Coast and Duller team took place at Victoria Park yesterday in the presence of a large crowd. The weather was line with a southerly wind blowing. The Coast team held their own until the closing quarter when the

visitors ■ piled on points to win decisively^ 1 , The play; of thq Coast forwards vf&s .of ; a- specially, fine mfffurb,. . and fairly’held the visitors for most of the game. "\Vh T en the- Coast forwards were riirf out' the " defence' 'collapsed badly.

Bi'itain won the toss, electing- to play with the south-easterly - wind slightly'favouring' tlidni J. Bell;kicked off the Combined team, and the British (forwards, “Jed by Prentice, commenced a dribbling rush that terminated in a scrum, lrom which the home team hooked the ball, hut play was confined to neutral territory for a period. Novis broke away from a lineout but was forced out. The British forwards, securing began a dribbling rush, and then a pretty passing movement by the visiting backs, from a : pass, brick,- saw Murray effectively grounded by Martyn. Another passing bout ensued from a line out, however, Mot ley securing and giving to Knowles wh6 transferred to- Novis. He only bad two in on to 'beat, Fong and. Graham, but 'the former, with a fine tackle, cast Novis - over: the i side line, .gt the Combj'.ned team’s 25, Graham was then responsible for relieving from an awkward posjtian to’find touch at halfway. Then Spong secured from the line out and with a great kick found. touch tut the 25 yards line. McKnight broke through from a scrum following the line out,. and was responsible for ,soine good ■ to’l, finally kicking info touch. From the line out Spong gained possession and he attempted to cut through, instead of passing out, but was finally hemmed in by .the Cpast-Buller , forwards. In the mfilee following, the home team were penalis-j ed, and : ,from. . half-way. .Prentice... ax-;. "tempted to goal, his kick falling short • Fong secured only to. miss-kick, and the ball went out at the home team’s 25. From a following scrum, the local forwards gained possession. Davidson finding touch in time. Houston gained possession from the line out and centred :the ball to follow up, with Martyn and Fong in attendance, and then Coast-Buller for the first- time., had Britain on"the defensive in their own territory. They continued to pen the'visitors in;, their 25 by means of excellent play of their superior loose forwards, until ' refief came, to the visitors, through a free kick for offside play by the home forwards. Knowles finding touch at half-way. From the ensuing line out, Coast returned for Hodgson to mark, the ball going back to Fong, who punted and Jones-Dav-i”s secured to find touch, at half-way. bpong then sent his backs away on a scoring mission, which was indeed a pretty movement, from half-way to the home team’s line where, with but Graham to pass, after beating three men, Wilkinson dropped the ball on the line, Jamieson kicking into touch Coast forwards with a spirited attack returned play to half-way, where from a line out, Spong again sent his backs away, Murray handling and • then Novis, but when Graham was reached Novis was grounded, his pass going amiss, and Fong picked up to find touch at half-way. Novis was then prominent for a fine burst of speed, when he gained possession from. Spong - from a, line out, Graham finally bowling him over on the line, and the ball' going over the dead hall line.The Combined team’s forwards were climbing all over the visitors in forward play and doing well in scrums, but the visitors had it their own way in line outs, and, as a result, were continally regaining ground that was made by the home pack. Their backs, however, although consistent in thenattempts to penetrate, the defence, were being held by the home backs, who tackled hard. A line out at the home team’s 25 resulted in JonesDavies securing to pass hack, tout Freitas and Goodall bustling through spoiled Britain’s anticipated opening, the ball being kicked into touch. From the line out the visitors’ forwards secured to send back to Spong who .sent his backs away for Morley finally to receive from Murray and cut out the full back with a nice dodge, racing oveV at-the corner and scoring the opening try. Prentice’s attempt to goal from the side line failed.

Britain 3; Buller-West Coast 0

From the kick-off Morley secured, but he was tackled in possession by Fong, a scramble ensuing in which Freitas was penalised for offside play. The British team then incurred their first penalty in a scramble, owing to offside tactics, Fong lining at halfway. From the line out, the visitors’

BRITAIN V. BULLER & WEST COAST A WIN FOR BRITAIN -® GREAT FORWARD PLAY

forwards gained possession, but the effort of Wilkinson to hand out to Spong was smothered by the Coast forwards, the ball finally going out to the visitors’ backs. Houston tackled Spong effectively and Graham took a mgrk, the ball going to a British forward, who was caught in pos-

session, and a scrum resulted. From this Spong gave to Novis who fended Jamieson, but the latter grabbed possession and after a run, passed infield to Wilson who was tackled, the ball then going out. The British forwards secured from the throw-in, and relief •from -jthe. home forwards’ onslaught was'gained by a line-kick. The Coast forwards were next prominent in a rush,- the ball being kicked to 'Jones-' Davies, who missed, but lie later regained possession and ran back, where lie kicked the ball in front of the goal posts. It struck a local man, and Fong picking up -..e. rebound, sent a low but timely pass out to Mc-Cabe, who gave the ball to McNeight for the latter to run over near the side line, and even up the scores. Martyn failed to goal.

Buller-West Coast 3; Britain 3

From a line out directly after this, Wilkinson. passed back to Spong, who whipped the ball out ,to the hacks and after a pretty movement, by the visitors’ inside.hacks',‘-Morley received the ball to beat -the opposition and score his second try at the corner. P-i’-Kor iinn'owly missing with the. attempt to convert. .

Britain 6; Buller-West Coast 3

advanced by the aid of their backs to Graham, who lined- at halfway, and from the throw in, the visitors’ backs again indulged in a passing movement, Wilkinson and Novis finally,. eluding the opposition to crossthe Jiome team’s line, 1 ut they were ’recalled, the former haviiig been 6iTt.< ‘McNeight- bedded a : forward rush from the 1 line out, the ball being returned by the British hacks’ in a passing movement, but Murray spoiled the ope'niug by knocking on. The Coast forwards broke through from the scrum,- : A 'Wilson passing to McCabe, who, however, was offside, and Britain lined to the home team’s 25. Two following scrums saw the visitors well bealten in this department of the came, Davidson receiving from the •Jqjbtefyscrum to- - kick to Novis, whofound touch. From the line out the visiting forwards again secured, but the significance of .this fact the home pack now began,to realise, and from then on the visitors’ backs did not got the ball to any great extent from the -line outs, upon' which they had been obliged to rely fo-r possession of the ball, to open up back play, as the bustling tactics of the borne forwards in the loose and in scrums, were not giving the visitors a chance to give their backs many openings. .... The Coast forwards were now to the fore, led by Gfogan and McNeight, and outshone the British vanguard. One of the. latter picked up the ball side, which, however, was unnoticed by tli 0 referee, but a serum followed shortly after, from which Britain secured. McCabe, however, broke through on the serum half, Poole, who ' hooted for Jamieson to secure and to find touch. Another Britisher noticeably offside, in the forwards .failed to catch the referee’s eye, and play hovered around the visitors’ 25 for a term, ufitil the home pack were penalised for a scrum infringement, thus giving relief to the visitors. The tactics of the British scrum half in inserting the ball in the scrums by grounding the ball were being severely criticised by the spectators and it was not until the fourth occasion of these happenings that the referee was able to notice the infringement and award tli e home team a penalty kick, which Novis returned to half way. The home pack, headed by Freitas and McCabe, broke through from a scrum when Britain received, Novis finally securing, but lie was tackled by Davidson. A kick by Fong from near half way found touch at Britain’s 25, where later, from a serum, Poole sent to Spong, who, sent on to the line of backs who were all effectively tackled in turn by the home backs, who were all playing a solid defensive and spoiling game, Novis finally being forced out by Martyn. The visitors’ pack were then seen to hook from a scrum, Poole, however, kicking the ball in again for the British forwards to break away, while Houston saved at the home team’s 25. A scrum followed from which the home team secured, McCabe finding touch at half-way. From the throw in, the visitors’ backs gained possession, but Knowles mulled, and Gilbert and Freitas crowded JonesDavies, who had to kick into touch. From the throw in a British forward punted to Graham, who with a great

ki.-k found touch. "Wilkinson broke away from the throw in, knocking on. Spong then sceurod from, a scramble 101 lowing the scrum, which was followed by another strain; as the result of a knock on by Novis, from which Davidson secured to pass to McCabe, who broke away, but bis piss went astray, a scrum being -ordered. McCabe again secured, breaking through the scrum with the ball at his toe, to head a forward rush, but lie was ruled offside, the' decision’ : not being well received by the crowd. The ball was returned from the free kick and the British forwards started a rush. McNeisrht 'saving with it great kick into touch, and' half time was then called witli the scoresw

Britain G; Buller-West Coast 3

SECOND SPED!

Neither team left the field during half time, and upon resuming, the Britishers kicked off taking iplay to the home team’s 25. A change was noticeable in the visitors’ rearguard, Poole going back iioni scrum half to full-back and Morley corning in from wing three-quarter to the position, whilst Jones-Davies shifted to the three-quarter position, Goodall, McNeight and Wilson were then prominent at the head of‘ a' rush/ the visitors being-forced to retreat past half-way, where from a«scrum, Murley gave to Spong. who lost possession, but Novis secured to-' break away, be being tackled by i-Fong. Jamieson was their responsible for a ■sensational run from a' scramble in midfield, land file was successful in heading all 1 the opposition' exoepl Pole, who tackled • iiini effectr.v.y, Jamieson sending a poor pass'to Marlyn, which was intercepted by Morley, who was penalised for hanging on, and. from, a handy -position in front of the posts, .Martyn kicked a goal to even up the score. . ,

Buller-West Coast 6; Britain 6

Enthusiasm was now- running high ■ with Die evening of the score. From the ki.-k off • Coastforwards-.set mp a hut attack, Prentice secured, passing to Murray, who - 'missed the ball, which . iOuStmi act pted and- put in a run,lut he i was recalled for a- knock on. MffTtvn secured from the scrum when Mm-Ly failed to gather in the ball and pot in a run-to - Poole, who-'at-ten’A ted. a 1 ckle near the line, spinning Mariya -around for the latter 1.0 fi! • and-••'•ton be limmedv i-toly Surrounded'-'ffchwfs spoiling what appeared likely to be'-ti certain try. Tbe : homo pack now penned the visitors on tTetri tinej'-wlfere the referee. a a-s mixed up in '»a A-melee which brought forth much*'' laughter.- The bon'e avtire Very dose-- to-scoring until finally relief cAifie ■to 'Britain with a - free- kick for) ah infringement in the sertilh by thb : hWhie pack. From an ensuing line but, thb British backs indulged iyi a passing 'bout, but Novis finally drooped his "pass, the ball going out. Spong secured from the line out, but was . grasped!. J Again sec-u-r----ng however, he ' wa-s smothered by Fong and then Britain were awarded another free kick, a Coast forward handling in the scViimmage, and play was shifted to neutral territory. The hem-e forwards ' again set up a hot

"Dae I '. K-'t, play came back, and thAi Ivor Jones secured beating two of the opposing players he passed 1° Wilkinson. who went over to'score under the posts, being lucky in. passing the Coast full-hack, Graham. Guy Parker converted.

Britain 11; West Coast-Buller G

Jamieson gained possess.on from tin-. 1 maim kick to put ni a run across the field, but lie was tackled, ti.e Coast ior wards then drib.aled, beaded In ,_c\ abe to the visitors' 25, whore a scrum resulted from a knock "on. Coast forwards breaking away from, a scritm, in a dribbling rush headed by Goodall Freitas and Wilson, with McNeight in close-attendance, took the ball.Up and scored, Knowles failing to go down to he rush. Thus McNeight gained hi: second try, which so far stands as a record, no other man in the, teams played by the visitors having registered a second try against them. Martyn from a handy position converted the try.

Buller-West Coast 11; Britain 11

The visitors’ backs now got going briskly from a line out, the Combined team returning, to near half way, where a penalty was incurred for offside play. Parker’s attempt to goal going wide for Davidson to force. The British backs were next seen in a pretty passing bout, which was frustrated by Graham. Coast ’ forwards came again to the fore putting in some great work, until Spong sent his back's off for the winger, Jones-Davies to drop a pass, Fong returning with a mint infield where Wilkinson obtained possession to put in a run, and then nnssing out to Ivor Jones and JonesDavies, the trio handling in a nice movement which was fast find spectacular, a certain try being missed M,,-o”orb Ivor .Tones los’ug oossc.ssion the line. Jamieson forcing. TVvisitors’ back, however, came again, nutting in some nippy play to cross with a short mint, but Houston forced flown. The British backs yet again attacked, the ball being returned to Hodgson, whose attempt to pot a goal from the side line fell a bit short. Houston returning witli a well judged hue kick. The British backs procured from the ensuring line out putting in n run to Jamieson’s wing. Jamieson on'ln red -Tones-Da vis, the ball going out. The visitors’ rearguard again

BRITAIN 34; COMBINED 11

secured from the throw in, but- bad passing spoiled what looked a certain try, the movement terminating in a scrum. From a later line out, Spong whipped the ball out to his bucks, and a spectacular movement ended in Jones-Davies going over at the c irner. Barker, with a good kick, just failed to convert.

Britain 14 ; Buller-West Coast 11

Buller-Coast forwards now set up an attack, taking play 10 Britain's territory tile home loam’s forward .Jay being still superior to tiiat 01 .lie visitors. 'Jlie British backs, bowel er, swung away iiV'Tom livin' a

.criun. Joties-D. ivies finally being > topped by Jamieson, who secured and nit in a run. A scrum followed as the result of a knock on by McNeight. lne British backs were obtaining from the .scruills at this stage, and got 1 ivay on a swift passing movement to dmost cross the home team’s line, a ry looking certain until Fong brought ones-Davias down hard on the line, he ball going over for Davidson to force. Jones-Davis, securing from be kick off, sped down the side line, but was well taken by Gilbert at the '• me team’s 25. The British backs more again responsible for a ■mtart move towards their objective, Dii'tyn intercepting a bad pass to real; away and punt npfield, Moi'Jey 'ccepting and finding touch lwirriedlv ’t the Visitor’s corner Hag! From the "usuing line out a force down-.resulted. "'">ong touching down. The British ’•ticks came again and again, and then (: "oni a melee in neutral territory,,the "isitors’ forwards got going. to reacL

“••charn, the home team’s rearguard, •’’ho missed, n short punt bv a British Anv'nnl, but he later effected a won'Wfiil save. A movement hv Dm British hacks from a nick saw tV hall come out to Jones-Davies w’ o "need, over at the corner and cut around unde'- the posts to touch down. p ariser goal'ng.

Britain 10; Buller-West Coast IT

Play remained at midfield for a short space, until Spong secured from a melee, to dummy a number of home backs at hr'f way, who missed very ' adly, and then Ivor Jones'got away ‘’ irtlier, hut he was tackled, the ball going out at the Combined teams’ 25, where a temporary holdup was 'ex-’ .’lej-ienccd t’- rough McNeight receiving ■ minor injury. The British backs were soon again going in a passing bout, Wilkinson finally handling to be grassed .by Fong. The borne forwards . 'eturned play to the visitors’ 25, i-l’fire the Combined team’s hack Jn’ulcred in a passing bout, Fong being aught in no" Session by Spong. The -"•me forwards' swarmed around arid offered a stubborn resistance, until the Nito's’ backs got the leather out and

'•*•' v sailing' goalwards, a 'piYss fihail.F being missel from/Murray to ’ Jpnes-j Raties,- air/Gilbert . saving.' ' Wilkinson was then instrumental in getting clear from a scrum for the backs, to handle'in-a pretty bout. Spong hav-- : ng possession, drew two men, tlmi? massing to Jones-Davies. who had butDie full-back to beat. Being tackled, v Graham, he handed on the ball to 'WlVAson for the latter to race over *Re line, ychased by Jamieson, to. score gride rthe. posts. Parker aggi.p cop-. verting with ease. -

Britain 24 ; Buller-West. Coast IT

O’Neill headed a British tforwai 1 rush from a ruch, having only Graham 10 pass, the latter grounding him, and the Combined team’s pack returned to, oenr the side lsie in British territory, relieved by the British forwards remming possession and sending out to, lie three-quarters, for Jones-Davies "v finally bustle across under the nests. Barker again added the goal mints.

Britain 29 ; Buller West Goa&t' IF. '■

Condition was now visibly telling its tale, and shortly afterwards’,.-, from ■1 serum at. half way, Spong. took up Die leather to put in a spectacular solo run. breaking bis way 'through the opposing backs, and neatly passing to Novis, who raced around; the; posts to score, for Parker to on vert with, -is fifth successive goal. :■ r •:

Britain 34; Buller-West -Coast IT

The home, team although crushed in ■he latter stages, set up a last spirited forward attack which took play to half way, and the final • whistle then winded with the score

M. T. A. Fletcher, Wellington was referee.