FOOTBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1931, Page 2

FOOTBALL

BULLER DEFEAT COAST. ] fit f < AFTER HARD STRUGGLE. , 1 ~ There was a crowd of nearly . a thousand at Victoria Park on Saturday | to • witness the inter-provincial Rugby match, ' Buller (holders of the Seddon- ; ■Shield), - versus West . Coast, and though the game was- inclined to be scraggy at times, there were sufficient thrills to keep the spectators thoroughly interested. Buller won the match' on their fitness, for- though in tha first ' spell,. Coast .had all the better of the game, the -great pace at which the game was played,, had its effects on the homesters arid towards the end of the second spell the Buller packmen took almost complete control, The Coast forwards played wonderfully in the first spell and the hookers, J. 'Bell and Wilson, working admirably w'ell together, secured the ball from thirteen out of the eighteen decisive scrums. Both these men played sound games in the loose, with Wilson, perhaps, the mpre prominent. ■Freitas locked the Coast serum well, but was not, very ■•otjceable in the Jooae. Jones played a very fine game and was at the head of almost every Coast .rush. Difere ; was not outstanding, but put ill. some telling work in thp tight. iL, Hughes and Rathhun, in the' back rank, both played well, the former particularly so, he Being ih; the limelight practically throughput V, : Bell fully 'justified his inclusion as wing-forward, and he proved t great i sppiler of ; incipient Buller back movements. With Freitas and L; Hughes! F, Rell' did some fine work |n the lineVouts. The Buller forwards worked likd trpjans, throughout / the full ninety minutes, and their concerted dribbling rushes were always ■ a source of danger. In the -second spell i , th,ey screwed -the scrums cleverly and 'on the majority of occasions with distinct McNeight was outstanding and Was probably the best forward \on the ground. He was always at tire head, of affairs and fully lived up 'to the imputation he gained |n the inter-Island\ match last week. •(Stewart and Gardner were prominent in the loose, more especially Gardner hut they did not show to advantage jn the set scrums in, which they were Repeatedly beaten for the ball. Clark held -his scrum together well and he was a very valuable man. in the Unediits. . Goodall, along with, McNeight, yas'one of the best forwards on the fjeld. k Lowther and Dalzell were not outstanding -but toiled hard ’ all day, and were always in the thick of it. Graham, the Buller custodian played a' really fine game and was never found wanting. -His anticipation • was uncanny, while his tackling and kicking was of the highest’ order. >His viv-a-vis, Martyn, was not in his best ' form, though he did 'not at*'any tune" let his side down.-- He -certainly d.d ,nbt have h'is kicking boots on, for if hfl had, Coast should in all . probability,- have been about; nineteen points to •• the good at half-time. Of the Buffer wingers, - neither received rpany chances,- but Gonnefly made the best usp - of what chances -he received. Greer, however, was, not in the limelight. Fong did not play up to his best form and was never impressive on attack, though his defence was of the best. Holder was very dangerous on attack, and proved himself a very elusive' and speedy customer, but he did not get many opportunities to sh-jne. Lamont was not impressive, and . his tackling was, rather weak.

“Snowy’’ . Griffiths played a really good game, and was especially sound on .defence. However, the edge seems to have, been tak.en off his speed and he was a 'little slow on attack. W. Hughes was the best back, on the field and'his play, was at times, really brilliant. However, he seems to be very hard to follow, a-s on many occasions, when he cult in, he was left without support. Picked originally as second emergency, he proved the surprise of the match. King played a good game without being in any way brilliant. He was always dangerous on attack, while his defence was of the soundest. Davidson played a fine game against the burly Buller forwards and set his backs going at every opportunity. For a time his passes were a little wild, and mis-directed, but he settled down later to give a good exhibition.

For Coast Deere scored a try which Martyn converted and Lemin scored a try which Maityn • failed to convert. For Buller Clark, Connelly and Gardner scored tries, Graham converting one. Mr W. Williams was referee. WEDNESDAY’S MATCH. WEST COAST TEAM. The following team has been chosen by the sole selector, Mr A. A. Adams, to represent the West Coast in the match against the Maori “All Blacks” on Wednesday next: ! Full back: A. Lindbom (C); threequarters : A. Baldwin {U), A. Fong i(S), A. Lemin (B) - five-eighths : J. King (C), W. Hughes (E); half back: M. Davidson (E) ; front row: J. Bell (U), H. Wilson (C); middle row : E. Jones (U), F. Freitas (E), W. Deere i(S); back row: R. Neale (B), L. Hughes (E). Emergencies Backs :C. iSouthorn (C), and J. Rimmer (C) ; forwards: W. Rathbun (U), R. Birchfield (C). J. King has been appointed captain and J. B-11 vice-capta:n. The only changes from last Saturday s team are Lindbom replacing Martyn at full back and R. Neale replacing W. Rathbun in the back row of the forwards. Rathbun will be first emergency forward.

EXCELSIOR II v. WESTPORT OLD BOYS. Th© game between Westport Old Boys visiting team end a mixed Excelsior team took -place on Cass Square 011 Saturday afternoon under pleasant conditions, the weather being fine, and the ground in good’, order. The play proved of an interesting nature, the visitors proving successful and winning by 8 points (two tries, one being converted) to nil. J. Henley, and A. Strachan scored, Mason converting one. Mr A. -Sumner was referee. The visitors left on their return journey yesterday afternoon.

THE WALLABIES. FIRST MATCH. DRAW WITH OTAGO. [By Telegraph —Per Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 22. In the first match of their tour, the Australian team were lucky to draw with Otago at Carisbrook to-day, the final score being thiee point all. The Otago forwards overwhelmed tile opposition, while a- greasy ball and a sodden ground prevented the Australian backs, who showed great speed, f.om opening out in passing. Immediately following the kick-off, Australia rushed play to the Otago line, the blues being compelled to force in a hurry. From the drop-out the Australian backs opened out in ft passing bout, but Giles cut off it pass, and broke through. A try seemed certain when he threw the ball away, and the chance was lost.

Otago worked the play back, and the blue forwards set up a series of attacks on the Australian line, but Ross, who was playing brilliantly, saved time and again with judicious kicks to touch. At length Towers broke -away in a fine run, which carried play into the Otago territory, this being the second time after 15 minutes’ play that Australia had been outside their own half. The Otago forwards were -soon back in the Australian 25, where Bush missed* twice with penalty kicks at goal.

Hartnell headed the blue forwards in a rush which went past Ross, but Towers came back and kicked the ball over the line and out of play. From the resulting scrum, Bathgate dashed round on the blind side, and was nearly across, being pulled down at the corner. A minute later Simon was almost over, the play swung across the field, where McKenzie received the ball from Finlayson at the side of a scrum, and he was pulled down just before he reached the line.

Australia was forced again, but one more Bush played Otago on to the attack with a kick which went into touch at the corner. Australia W Rf6 , *tKS r 'pressure. Then' . Cavanagh ? picked up in the loose, at the side of a, scrum and threw out a long pass to Fookefl., who kicked through. Giles and McKenzie were on it like a flash, and dribbled over the line, McKenzie beating several Australians to score. Bush’s kick was ?n----terfered with.—Otago 3, Australia nil. For the remainder of the spell, Otago .were almost continually on the attack, several rushes by both backs and forwards just failing to cross the Australian line. Ross was doing a tremendous amount of saving. The opening of the second spell saw Otago once more on the attack. Hore and Allan leading a forward rush to the Australian 25.. Malcolm came round the blind side of the scrum, and passed to Blair, who ran to Bush, but threw his pass forward and spoiled a promising movement. Once again Otago returned to the attack, and Lucy was almost across, following a passing movement among the forwards.

Tlie Australian forwards now livened up somewhat, and forced the blues back. From a scrum, Malcolm sent out to Cowper, whp kicked through. Following up fast, Cowper got to Bush as he was fielding the ball from the ground, and kicked it out of the latter’s hands, picked up and sent on to Towers, who raced across. The kick at goal failed.—Australia 3, Otago 3. Following a desperate attack by the Otago forwards, Towers cut clean through tile Otago back line, and ran to Bush before kicking, the ball going into touch at the corner. From the line out, the ball came to Towers, who struck hard for the line, but Busk brought him down with a heavy tackle. In the closing stages of the game Otago were attacking desperately. hut the Australian defence was very sound, and the game ended without further score. Mr J. Oughton was referee.

SOUTHLAND V. AUSTRALIANS. INVERCARGILL, August 23. The following will represent Southland against the Australians on Wednesday : —Pjortar, Geddes, Croshie, Townsend, Grant, Niven, Usslier, Don. nely, C. George, Southern, Furdue, Mattingly, Metcalfe, Murphy and Agile w. COLLEGE MATCHES. WAIPUKURAU. August 23. At Rugby, Te Aute College defeated Victoria University College by twenty points to ten. ST. BEDE BEATEN. WELLINGTON, August 22. In a curtain-raiser to the match Wellington v. Canterbury, St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, defeated 6t. Bede’s, Christchurch, by 14 to 9.

RANFURLY SHIELD

CANTERBURY BEAT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, August 22. By eight points to six Canterbury (challengers) won the Ranfurly Shield match against Wellington, at Athletic Park this afternono. At half time Canterbury led by three points to nil, but in the second spell Wellington put on two tries, neither being converted and until fifteen minute's from the end was leading by six to three. Then Day scored a fine try for Canterbury 1 •!' r tlie posts, which Roberts conve ted, and Wellington were unnb e to score again. The match wn s not an inspiring exhibition of football, and both sides lost numerous opportunities through mishandling and tactical blunders. On the day Canterbury fully deserved their win.

In the first spell the Southerners usually he'd the advantrge, although Wellington, in the latter stages of tl e spell, was frequently s;en attacking, and in the second spell they came ti light with a great spurt. The challengers winning try was preceded bv persistent attack, which finished righton tho Wellington line, where the ball eventqftlly was sent out to the backs and Day fended off Nicholls to sc re under the posts.

The game was remarkable for the number of injuries. In both spells the play was frequently held up so th it the ambulance men could give attention to the players who had been hurt. Two Canterbury men, Andrews and Kearrny, had to retire, and Fuller lift'd to comr off at half time for Wellington. Another remarkable feature wfts that comparatively few penalties were awarded, Canterbury received mpre than did Wellington, but on only one occasion was a penalty kick at goa taken.

THE PLAY.

Canterbury kicked off, and gained ground with a ioi'ward rush, but was let in for an awkward position when Roberts at full-back fumbled a high kick, and had three men on him before he could clear. The ball went into touch in goal- Soon afterwards Canterbury had to force down, but from the drop-off, they got away m a good rush that penetrated to the Wei lington 25. There Coulston wa B penalised for offside play, but > Roberts missed the kick at goal. lor a time the game vvas dull. The backs on each Side handled, on occasions, with the Canterbury men by far the more successful. Twice they were held up at the last moment by Lilburne. The first score caihe after half an hour’s .play. Day, the Cnnterbuiy fiveeighth, got away round the blind side of the scrum and cross-kicked, just before being tackled by Page, McDonald and Lilburne fumbled the ball in possession. A scrum was formed between them, and they were enught near the Wellington line, and Canter ‘bury hooked the'hall-allowing Mullan to set Oliver and Innes going, and the latter crossed well out to score, Roberts missed with the kick, Canterbury 3, Wellington nil, was the score at half time- . •

In the second spell, Wellington fit’ tacked persistently, and about t©» minutes from the start, Lilburne, now’ playing at five-eighth,,picked up from a Canterbury forward rush, and got through the opposing vanguard, He was tackled, but in the ruck the ball w’as kicked over the line, and Huxtable won a race for it. Nicholls missed the goal.—-Wellington 3 Canterbury 3.

Inne-s had a pot at gcal for Canterbury near half way, but the ball fell a few yards shot, Soon afterwards, the Wellington forwards got away in a great loose rush, starting from the Canterbury 25, and Price finished off the attack by scoring well out. Nicholls again missed the goal.—Wellington 6, Canterbury. 3. Canterbury replied with a series of movements that gradually gained ground, and, after a long attack in the Wellington . 25, the bail was secured by the Canterbury forwards. Mullan sent out a great pass to Day and the latter fended off a weak tackle by Nicholls to score under the posts, which Roberts had no difficulty in converting.—Canterbury 8, Wellington 6In the closing stages of the game Wellington took great risks in efforts to open up the game, and the Canterbury defence had a lot to do. It was equal to the task, however, nnd its sure tackling prevented Wellington from penetrating far. There was no further score. The referee wa s Mr JKing, of Taranaki,

MAORI MATCH SOUTH ISLAND WIN. CHRISTCHURCH, August 22. The Prince of Wales Cup and Te Maori Bose Bowl were at stake in the match, North Island Maoris v. South Island Maoris, played to-day. The South Islanders, the holders succeeded in retaining the trophies, winning by the narrow margin of ten point s to nine. In the first half, the North Jsland had the faster and brighter players, and individualists with more penetrative power. They were six points ahead at half time. Soon afterwards the scores were nine to nil, but the North Islanders faded badly in the second spell, and ultimately, a potted goal, when tho score s were nine to six in favour of the North, brought victory to the South.

A dash by Krtua r.rd a p n ?s to Wofford gave North the first try which Morrison failed to convert-. Morrison scored again a few minutes later. He had a penalty shot at goal, hut missed and lie charged after the kick, got the hall, and touched down. Nepia failed to goal.

In "the ■second spell, Watford scored again after lie was given a pass irom a forward rush. Morrison failed to goal. The South Island now took command of the game. McDonald scored a flukey try. Picking up the ball which was kicked to the wing, lie raced round. Phillips scored a. good try at the corner, after one of the few bouts of passing in the game. .The last score ' was Barber’s potted goaT. He was given the ball in the North 25, and as the Northerners were closing in, he took a quick snap shot. WIN FOR AUCKLAND. OYER HAWKES BAY. AUCKLAND, August 22. A Veturn Rugby match between Auckland and Hawkes Bay was played at Eden Park to-day under ideal conditions, and resulted in a win for the home team by 19 to 14. The match was chiefly confined to the forwards, in which Hawkes Bay showed a superiority, except for about twenty minutes in the second spell, when Auckland rattled on eleven points in quick succession. Auckland scored two converted tries and 'two unconverted tries, and a penalty goal, and the visitors scored three penalty goals and a converted try. COLLEGE TOURNEY. WANGANUI, August 22. The Intcr-college Rugby tournament opened here today. Christ’s College drew with Wanganui Collegiate School, six point# (a try and a penalty) to each team, Wellington defeated Nelson by pine to three. Christ’s College play Nelson and Wellington play Wanganui on .Monday in the finals.

SOUTH CANTERBURY DEFEAT ASHBURTON. TIMARU, August 22. In the annual Rugby contest, South Canterbury to-day defeated Ashburton by nine points to eight, on a heavy ground. The play was confined chiefly to the forwards, who were evenly matched. In a primary schools representative game, Canterbury defeated South Can terbury by 21 points to 3. OTHER RESULTS. TE AROHA, August 22. At Rugby football, WqikatO' (17) bent Thames Valley (12). INVERCARGILL, Aug.' 22. Rugby! Southland Technical 9, beat Christchurch Technical 0; Pirates 12, beat Star 3; Invercargill 31, beat Waikiwi 3. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 23. At Rugby football, Merivale 21, beat Varsity 0; Albion 18, beat Sydenham 11; Linwood 3, bent Old Boys 0; Christchurch 11, beat Athletic 0.