Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:
Back to Year by Year Index click here
1975 Season
WEST COAST COLOURS: RED
AND WHITE HOOPS
(Founded, 1890; Affiliated, 1893)
Selector: Mr. B.J.Vieceli
A very interesting season, opening with the smashing victory over a Marlborough side that had no answer on the day rampaging Coasters. Hopes aroused were dashed when the next matches were lost, including the Tongan game which could been won, and the Seddon Shield challenge match when Marlborough took full revenge.
Then however, victories ensued over North Otago Wairarapa-Bush (coming from behind) and Nelson-Bays. The real problem is still the lack of big forwards, so that ball is lost in line-out and from scrums, with all the Coast forwards committed to the tight. There is little doubt that given good ball, the backline was equal to most in the country.
With 82 first-class matches behind him, Beams was once again an inspiring captain a strong runner and fine tactician who should have received higher honours many seasons ago. He was well supported by the still young and highly promising junior All Black Cook and newcomer N.G.Davidson, at five-eighth. Teen was a speedy and determined winger who gained nine tries, with Thomson on the other wing also in good form. Skates, when available, was a classy player and Connors filled the centre berth satisfactorily. Nelson again proved a sound last line of defence, and Beams also directed play well from the custodian’s position.
The change in fortunes coincided with the emergence of Forsyth as a vital force - two tries, two conversions and a penalty goal to ensure victory over Wairarapa-Bush. Forsyth had last represented in 1973, and his fellow-lock was Sinclair. Mitchell until he was injured was the hooker, with Monk filling in later. The props were the 1972 representative Blair and newcomer Steffan in the earlier games, succeeded by the experienced Bryce and Dixon, the latter also having some success as a goal-kicker. Henham was again at the back of the scrum. The side-rankers were the 1971 representative Wynyard and a newcomer Croft.
Altogether 36 players were called on, due partly to injuries and partly owing to the scattered nature of the Union’s territory. There were 12 newcomers to top Rugby and others not previously mentioned were the 1973 representatives, Wilkes and Steele, back for one game each. Eight clubs contested the senior championship, Blaketown finishing top. Cook was given a New Zealand trial and was a member of the New Zealand Juniors side.
1975 Squad
R.F.Nelson (Blaketown)
P.A .Teen (Hokitika St.Mary’s White)
C.R.Skates (Greymouth Star-United)
G.J.Cook (Greymouth Star-United)
K.J.J. Beams (Hokitika St. Marys White)
M.G.Davidson (Hokitika St. Mary’s Red)
K.W.Thomson (Blaketown)
K.G.Murtha (Greymouth Marist)
Michael Connors (Greymouth Marist)
T.P.Teen (Hokitika St. Mary’s White)
A.R.Williams (Harihari)
T.W.Bromley (Blaketown)
J.S.Hannah (Cobden)
B.W.Johnson (Hokitika)
K.B.Manera (Hokitika St. Mary’s White)
D.H.Henham (Blaketown)
R.G.Johns (Greymouth Star-United)
A.F.Croft (Greymouth Marist)
Robert Forsyth (Blaketown)
M.M.Sinclair (Blaketown)
W.W.Blair (Greymouth Star-United)
R.J.Mitchell (Harihari)
J.A.Steffan (Hokitika St.Mary’s White)
Peter Annat (Hokitika St.Mary’s White)
I.M.Clarey (Greymouth Star-United)
A.J.Steele (Greymouth Star-United)
D.G.Bryce (Blaketown)
B.H.Monk (Greymouth Marist)
Monty Wynyard (Hokitika St.Mary’s White)
P.A.Lucas (Hokitika St.Mary’s White)
A.E.Wickes (Harihari)
R.F.Dixon (Greymouth Star-United)
R.D.Davidson (Hokitika St. Mary’s Red)
J.D.Sullivan (Harihari)
J.A.Fitzgerald (Harihari)
John Davies (Hokitika St.Mary’s White)
MATCH RECORD
Played 9 ; Won 4 ; Lost 5 ; Points: For 149 ; Against 172
April 25 v MARLBOROUGH at Rugby Park,
Greymouth Won 28 to 7
C.R.Skates (2) and P.A.Teen, tries
R.F.Nelson, 4 penalty goals and 2 conversions
Referee: Mr.B.Williams (West Coast)
May 4 v CANTERBURY at Rugby Park, Greymouth
Lost 13 to 36
C.R.Skates, try
R.F.Nelson, 3 penalty goals
Referee: Mr.J.J.Walton (West Coast)
June 21 v BULLER at Westport Lost 0 to 16
June 28 v TONGA at Rugby Park, Greymouth
Lost 17 to 21
K.W.Thomson and P.A.Teen, tries
R.F.Nelson, dropped goal and 2 penalty goals
Referee: Mr.N.Thomas (Manawatu)
July 26 v MARLBOROUGH (Seddon Shield)
at Blenheim Lost 10 to 45
P.A.Teen and R.J.Mitchell, tries
R.F.Nelson, conversion
July 29 v NORTH OTAGO at Cass Square,
Hokitika Won 20 to 0
P.A.Teen, K.W.Thomson (2), K.J.J.Beams and B.H.Monk, tries
Referee: Mr.B.Williams (West Coast)
August 3 v WAIRARAPA-BUSH at Rugby
Park, Greymouth Won 23 to 16
Robert Forsyth (2), P.A.Teen and G.J.Cook, tries
Robert Forsyth, penalty goal and 2 conversions
Referee: Mr.J.J.Walton (West Coast)
August 23 v NELSON-BAYS at Motueka
Won 30 to 13
P.A.Teen (4) and C.R.Skates (2), tries
R.F.Dixon, 3 conversions
September 3 v A CANTERXURY XV (Sub-Unions
Selection) at Rangiora Lost 8 to 18
R.G.Johns and K.W.Thomson, tries