Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1932, Page 4

Tito form of a football side is a very difficult .question to decide when comparing results of ( games played between vai'ious. trains,; and so it comes about that the result of' the Ranfurly Shield match between Canterbury and Buller 011 Saturday again confounds those • who put their faith in nverageS) - asi between football totim offorti.) Whon viewed as between- the results of the West Coast team this season, it was thought the Buller team should have had an easy victory on Saturday, and this Was assuredly looked forward to by many Westport supported. On tho results of their games .this sei&son this was not -surprising' ©specially a-s after defeating West Coast at Grey mouth, in, the return matoh at Westport; West Coast were defeated by' 27 to nil, while West Coast a fortnight later at Christchurch were able to run Canterbury in a game in which they had the hieist of the play to a two points difference. ;. It would appear from the report of the game that though the Buller 'forwards held up their reputation of <a hard working pack, they were ivot abb to sufficiently beat the opposing pack to give them the opportunity of predominating the play, while their backs were not able to take full advantage of the' opportunities offered when, the game was opened out. From an outside viewpoint it would appear that too much care was-taken of the opposing backs, and if th'e Buller team had played their own game, ■ and had! put their ability to collar to full advantage, the result would have been closer. As it is it would appear that there was too much high tackling, a feature that will let any team down badly, when opposed to fast, versatile backs. The Canterbury team are to be commended for their fin© efforts this season, and appear to have become more solid, match after match played. They have now only one more challenge to defend this season for the Ranfurly Shield, and that is by Waikiaito on> September 24th. The challenges by the- two Cbast twins for the ShieCd, have given the players an opportunity of measuring themselves against the strength of a major fiftoeir and the experience should prove of decided 1 advantage to Coast players in future contests.