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WEST COAST RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION – 1972

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Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:

1972 Season

WEST COAST COLOURS: RED AND WHITE HOOPS
(Founded, 1890; Affiliated, 1893)
Selector: Mr.T.A.Bird

SEDDON SHIELD

All four participating Unions held the Seddon Shield during the 1972 season, West Coast relieving Nelson-Bays of the trophy in the first match of the season. They lost it in turn to Buller a week later, who lost the Shield three weeks later to Marlborough.

The Seddon Shield was subscribed for by the Marlborough, West Coast, Buller and Nelson Unions in 1906, Golden Bay-Motueka being admitted to the competition in 1921. In 1969, with the amalgamation of Golden Bay-Motueka and Nelson Unions, the competition again reverted to the four contestants.

Province
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Shield Successes
Buller (1906-1972)
109
62
9
38
68
Marlborough(1906-1972)
96
51
10
35
56
West Coast (1906-1972)
85
36
8
41
38
Nelson (1906-1968)
77
30
4
43
33
Golden Bay-Motueka (1921-1968)
54
12
4
38
13
Nelson-Bays (1969-1972)
7
5
1
1
6
428
196
36
196
214

A disappointing season, brightened only by the success in defeating by a. decisive margin the Seddon Shield holders of the past few seasons. This victory, coming after the brief North Island tour, was West Coast’s first success in a Seddon Shield challenge since 1964, but was destined to be short-lived as Buller, meeting the Coast for the third time this season, again defeated its rivals to capture the Shield after only a week’s tenure. The visit of Otago was greatly appreciated.

For the 11 matches, 33 players were required, 17 of whom had represented the previous season, and four – Beardsley, Knox, Wickes and K. W. Thomson in 1970. Of the 12 newcomers, those to impress were wing-three quarter P. A. T. “Tim” Teen, young five-eighth Cook, halfback Bromley, side-ranker Berry, lock D.S.Thomson and the big prop, Blair. Beams again captained the side but injuries curtailed his usefulness, though he demonstrated once more his outstanding ability at first five-eighth and emphasized his unfortunate neglect by National and Island selectors. The features of the team’s play were the liveliness of a mobile pack, and the speed of the backs when given an opportunity. jack had another splendid season, and both Nelson and Knox were sound defenders.

In the pack, Henham, from No. 8, was a most effective loose forward; MacRae, experienced and solid lock; Bryce and Blair, an excellent pair of props; Wickes, Forsyth and Berry, speedy side-row forwards. The hooker, Mitchell, was also a most useful all-round forward. B. N. Stewart (Greymouth Marists) was chosen a member of the New Zealand Under-23 team to tour to Australia, but he actually had left the district for Christchurch before the tour took place, and then injuries put him out of action for the rest of the season.

No players from this Union received a New Zealand trial. Jack, Beams, MacRae, Hibbs (another good all round forward) and K. W. Thomson were members of the combined Buller-West Coast side that defeated the touring Australians.

One tragic loss from the 1971 side was the death in May through an accident at work of M.R.Mitchell, who had represented at centre and full-back from 1969 to 1971. He was 25 years old and was a brother of Russell Mitchell, the representative hooker.

1972 Squad
R.F.Nelson (Blaketown)
B.J.Knox (Greymouth Star-United)

 T.P.Teen (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
P.J.Nolan (Greymouth Marists)
Michael Connors (Greymouth Marists)
C.R.Skates (Greymouth Star-United)
P.A.T.Teen (Hokitika St.Mary’s)
K.W.Thomson (Hokitika Excelsior)
N.F.Jack (Greymouth Star-United)
D.C.Beardsley (Greymouth Star-United)
K.J.J.Beams (Greymouth Marists)
G.J.Cook (Greymouth Star-United)
L.B.Halsall (Greymouth Star-United)
T.W.Bromley (Blaketown)
B.N.Duncan (Harihari)
M.J.McQuillan (Greymouth Marists)
D.H.Henham (Blaketown)
George Wynyard (Greymouth Marists)
M.S.MacRae (Harlhari/Hokitika Kiwi)
W.J.Scott (Hokitika St. Mary’s)
Robert Forsyth (Blaketown)
D.G.Bryce (Blaketown)
R.J.Mitchell (Harihari)
W.W.Blair (Greymouth Star-United)
K.D.Nolan (Greymouth Marists)
K.L.Goodall (Blaketown)
A.E.Wickes (Hokitika Excelsior)
N.D.Berry (Harihari)
R.J.Hibbs (Greymouth Star-United)
D.S.Thomson (Hokitika Excelsior)
E.C.Sadler (Greymouth Marists)
R.E.Thomson (Hokitika. Excelsior)
C.E.L.Blanchett (Greymouth Marists)

MATCH RECORD

Played 11 ; Won 2 ; Lost 9 ; Points: For 127 ; Against 248

May 7 v CANTERBURY at Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 11 to 39
P.J.Nolan and K.J.J.Beams, tries
R.F.Nelson, penalty goal
Referee: Mr.J.J.Walton (West Coast)

May 27 v. BULLER at Westport Lost 4 to 7
George Wynyard, try

June 3 v NELSON-BAYS at Hokitika Lost 10 to 13
P.J.Nolan, try and 2 penalties
Referee: Mr.R.D.Wilson (Nelson-Bays )

June 17 v BULLER at Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 6 to 13
N.F.Jack, try
P.J.Nolan, conversion
Referee: Mr.J.O’Callaghan (Buller)

July 9 v HOROWHENUA at Levin Won 24 to 12
B.N.Duncan, D.G.Bryce and G.J.Cook, tries
G.J.Cook, dropped goal
R.F.Nelson, penalty goal and 3 conversions

July 12 v HAWKE’S BAY at Hastings Lost 6 to 24
R.J.Hibbs, 2 penalty goals

July 15 v WAIRARAPA-BUSH at Pahiatua Lost 4 to 25
R.F.Nelson, try

July 29 v NELSON-BAYS (Seddon Shield) at Nelson Won 32 to 12
P.A.T.Teen (2), K.W.Thomson, D.S.Thomson, P.J.Nolan and N.F.Jack, tries
R.J.Hibbs (3) and P.J.Nolan, conversions

August 5 v BULLER (Seddon Shield) at Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 10 to 13
W.W.Blair, try
R.J.Hibbs, 2 penalty goals
Referee: Mr.R.D.Macey (Nelson-Bays)

September 12 v OTAGO at Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 17 to 43
C.R.Skates, K.W.Thomson and R.E.Thomson, tries
R.J.Hibbs, penalty goal and conversion
Referee: Mr.B.Williams (West Coast)

September 16 v CANTERBURY (Ranfurly Shield) at Christchurch Lost 3 to 47
R.F.Nelson, penalty goal