LEAGUE RUGBY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 134, 13 July 1914, Page 2

LEAGUE RUGBY.

SATURDAY'S GAMES. I * The following table shows the positions Of teams engaged in the Thacker Shield Competition: Matches. Points

St. Albans were quite badly outclassed in their match against Sydenham on Saturday. The scores at the finish—Sydenham 22, St. Albans 3—do not give an exaggerated idea of* the superiority of the winning team, which, right from the starting whistle, had its opponents well in hand. The general tactics and the combined capabilities of Sydenham were always well above those of their opponents, who lost, not because individually they lacked the resource of Sydenham, but because they were unable to work as a combination with the precision and nicety th&t characterised the work of the winners. Some of the passing work of the red and blues was of a splendid standard, and never at any period of the game" did their parsing fall below the standard of good. The quality of the Sydenham backs as a working combination could never be doubted, and the; quality of the individuals comprising it. was proved time after time in those bright personal flashes that "!were characteristic of the: Sydenham play and an adornment of the game. Eobertson, Smythe, Loader, and the two Bussells form a particularly dangerous combinaIpon when they once get properly going, Jnd their quiclc, decisive, pretty play makes the task of breaking their attack one of considerable difficulty. The red and blue forwards are a good lot, and on the day were easily the masters of the opposing front rankers. They were quite equal on Saturday to all emergencies that arose, and, towards the finish especially, had little trouble in severely harassing the other side. The ordering off of Caton to some extent marred the game. His offence, as subsequently stated by the referee, was that of talking and not that of questioning the referee's decision, as most., people supposed. Talking on the ',.' field is a complaint which Christchurch football, Eugby more' than League, is afflicted with to a very great degree. Chattering incessantly during the progress of the game i* an odious practice that goes a long way towards sapping a match of much of its enjoyment both to the spectator and the player. The SydenhamSt. Albans match, however could not be disparaged because of its likeness to some contests, where talking is , the all important , objective,. and legitimate play but a secondary consideration. It was a quiet, hard, keen game, played with excellent spirit on both sides, and as enjoyable to the man across the touchline-as couid well be desired. The o'ffeifce of talking on the 1 part of ticular player is not, perhaps, a serious? crime to be classified in the category of those offences for which suspension and expulsion are the penalties, but as it is a lot 1 of talkative individuals that make the talkative team, it is quite right aintl proper that talking should be discouraged as much as possible. Caton, it appeared from his statement, had no thought .of offending and was, without doubt, very surprised to find himselt ordered off the paddock. Eeferees, as a class, are apparently firm believers m the old axiom concerning the propriety of one thing being done at a time. MUCH TALKING. The AddingtonLinwood match played at the Show Groutids on ' Saturday could not have had a better referee than Mr Hooper. He controlled a dilncult gaane firmlv, justly, but without any severitr, though at times there was need for severity, and on one occasion he save warning that if there was any more rough play some players would be warned off..', Play certainly was rough in the second half, the Addington players making the pace hot in their effort to readjust the difference in the scores, and Linwood were as keen to prevent, them gaining any advantage. Again there was too much talk and too little real combination. It does no good when everyone elects to give orders and advice, it is better to know what to do first of all and to do it without comment/ The onlookers can always be relied upon to hand out the advice, any-

Addington 's backs were stronger than Linwpod's, hut not so fast, and it was their iieetness that counted most, though the effective work on both sides was done by the. backs. The two tries scored by,J. Morris were particularly good work. He showed sound judgment and readiness as well as pace in his first run from mid-field, beating all the opposition, and his second score was hardly less clever. The same can be said of the score made by Addington's crack player, Hardingham. He had fewer opportunities given him, but his dash was equally meritorious. The forwards did, not feed the backs particularly well, but Flatman, Lagan, and Reid were noticed to be doing sound work in Addington 's forward ranks, and iJardingham was ably assisted by Pardoe and AVatts.

M'Gee was a sturdy battler for Linwobd, and 1 it was unfortunate for the team that he had to retire in the middle of the first spell, though the retirement of Stevens, also through slight injury, a little »later evened the position. Stokes and Cross were, with Morris, largely responsbile for Lin wood's good showing, while Piper did effective service in Linwood's front rank.- The bestteam Avon, but if Addington had kept their heads better, and not played so wildly an the second half, they might have evened up the scores. It was their very eagerness that made their play loose -and gave Linwood their opportunities.

• t P. W. L. Dfor. agst. shld. Sydenham 6 6 0 0 149 28 12 Linwood 6 4 2 0 85 70 8 Addington 6 o 4 0 68 86 4 St. Albans 6 2 4 0 63 100 4 City 4 0 4 ft '■■'■■' 13 94 0