West Coast Rugby Football Union

WEST COAST RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION - 1952

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Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:

1952 Season

WEST COAST COLOURS: RED AND WHITE HOOPS
(Founded, 1890; Affiliated, 1893)
Selector: Mr. R. R. King

Successful in retaining possession of the Seddon Shield, on most occasions by convincing margins, West Coast was justified in confidently facing the close of the season Ranfurly Shield challenge with Waikato. As it turned out, the XV was not strong enough and had some of its limitations truly exposed by the champion side of New Zealand. Nevertheless the Coast XV, on it's home grounds was always a force to be reckoned with.

The lack of size in the forwards was one handicap, and Nelson had a difficulr job in leading his pack against bigger opponents. Nelson himself, Martin, who previously had played as a threequarter, and McCone were first-class loose forwards, with Eastgate (front-ranker) nad Garforth (lock) as solid workers. Walker again appeared a well equipped centre-threequarter, with Breeze a lively second five eighth, but there was some diificulty in finding a satisfactory first five-eighth, and Lynch, though a trier, was not over impressive behind the scrum. Alan Lindbom played some excellent games and continues to improve, but will need to tighten up his defence whilst Gillan remains a winger of real ability - a strong and determined runner. J.H.Lindbom was the regular fullback,his neat fielding, good positional sense and accurate kicking invaluable.

Only seven of the 29 players were new representatives, Houston five-eighth being the only one to appear regularly. Of the remaining players, Mathieson and McKendry had last appear 1950 and Richardson in 1949. J.H.Lindbom, Nelson and Walker represented South Island smaller Unions, whilst, A.J.Lindbom and Breeze gained South Island honours.

1952 Squad
J.H.Lindbom (Cobden)
A.J.Lindbom (Cobden)
Rex M.Stoop (Hokitika Kiwis)
Merle Stoop (Hokitika Kiwis)
J.E.Gillan (Greymouth united)
E.G.Walker (Hokitika Excelsior)
R.K.Breeze (Hoki. St.M's.O.B.)
M.W.G. Thomas (Blaketown)
M.J.Houston (Hoki. St.M's.O.B.)
A.G.Dawson (Blaketown)
K.J.Brown (Hoki. St. Mary's 0.B.)
A.A.McNabb (Cobden)
Gordon Richardson (Blaketown)
N.J.Lynch (Hokitika Kiwis)
T.P.Roberts (Waratah)
G.W.Nelson (Greymouth Star)
K.P.Henderson (Hoki. St.M's.O.B.)
W.L.Hallett (Hokitika Kiwis)
A.C.McLean (Hokitika Kiwis)
A.G.Hales (Cobden)
K.R.C.Fisher (Blaketown)
R.R.Eastgate (Hokitika Kiwis)
A.A.McCone (Cobden)
J.K.Martin (Blaketown)
A.J.Garforth (Greymouth M.B.O.B.)
T.W.Bryant (Hoki. St.Mary's O.B.)
G.T.Mathieson (Blaketown)
D.W.McKendry (Blaketown)
B.H.Henderson (Greymouth Star)

MATCH RECORD
Played 10 ; Won 5 ; Lost 5 ; Points: For 153 ; Against 127

June 2 v CANTERBURY at Rugby Park, Greymouth Lost 3 to 16
A.J.Lindbom, penalty goal
Referee: Mr.S.Whiteford (Canterbury)

June 7 v BULLER at Cass Square, Hokitika Lost 8 to 14
A.G.Hales, try
A.J.Lindbom, penalty goal and conversion.
Referee: Mr.R.F.Marshall (Buller).

June 21 v BULLER at Westport Won 26 to12
E.G.Walker (2), G.W.Nelson (2), A.J.Lindbom and J.K.Martin,tries
A.J.Lindbom, 4 conversions

July 5 v BULLER (Seddon Shield) at Rugby Park,Greymouth Won 11 to 0
A.J.Lindbom and A.A.McCone,tries
A.J.Lindbom, penalty goal and conversion.
Referee: Mr.V.J.Daines (Marlborough).

July 16 v NEW ZEALAND MAORI TEAM at RugbyPark, Greymouth Lost 23 to 30
E.G.Walker (2) and J.E.Gillan (2), tries
A.J.Lindbom, 3 penalty goals and conversion.
Referee: Mr. F.Williamson (North Otago)

July 26 v MARLBOROUGH (Seddon Shield) at Rugby Park, Greymouth Won 13 to 3
J.E.Gillan, R.K.Breeze and A.J.Lindbom, tries
J.H.Lindbom, 2 conversions.
Referee: Mr.E.Taylor (Nelson)

August 9 v GOLDEN BAY-MOTUEKA (Seddon Shield) at Rugby Park, Greymouth Won 31 to 6
J.E.Gillan, M.J.Houston, E.G.Walker, Rex M.Stoop and A.J.Garforth, tries
A.J.Lindbom, 2 penalty goals and 5 conversions.
Referee: Mr.E.M.Canton (Nelson)

August 23 v NELSON (Seddon Shield) at Rugby Park, Greymouth Won 13 to 5
D.W.McKendry and G.W.Nelson,tries
A.J.Lindbom, penalty goal and 2 conversions.
Referee:Mr.R.F.Marshall (Buller)

September 20 v WAIKATO (Ranfurly Shield) at Hamilton Lost 6 to 20
A.J.Lindbom, 2 penalty goals.

September 27 v CANTERBURY at Christchurch Lost 19 to 21
G.Walker, G.T.Mathieson and A.J.Lindbom,tries
A.J.Lindbom, 2 penalty goals and 2 conversions