RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8850, 29 May 1914, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ASHBURTON COMPETITIONS. The Ashburton -^County ' Rugoy Union's competitions .were advanced another stage yesterday. A senior match took place at Methven between the local team and Southern Cross and. at Ashburton, Ashburton met Southern Cross in Junior and Third Grade fixtures. The weather was in. distinct contrast to that experienced last week and the conditions were ideal for foot-: ball. There was a large crowd watching the progress of the games at Ashburton. In the senior match Methven beat Southern Cross by 23 points to 3, the junior fixture resulted in a draw,' three points being scored by each team, while in the third grade game, Southern Cross suffered defeat by five points to six.

Senior Grade. Methven (23) v. Southern Cross (3). The senior grade: match ; between Methven and Southern Cross, at Methven, resulted in a/win for the ' country team b*y 23 points to 3. .The first spell was fairly evenly contested, and the scores were 6 points to 3 in favour of Methven. In the later stages the Methven back play proved superior against the attack of their opponents. The game at all times was fast. Mr F. B. Robilliard was referee. The visiting team was entertained by the home club at the conclusion of the match. . ,

; ■ ■ Junior Grade.: Ashburton (3) v. Southern Cross (3). Ashburton (reds) kicked off, and/were the first to set up an attack: They carried the ball into Southern Cross's 25 and were awarded a penalty for infringement of the rules. Greens were compelled to force. For a full 10 minutes play was of an indifferent character, with an absence of passing play on the part of either one team or the [Other. There was no score by the i end iof the first quarter. The main portion of the second spell was chiefly confined to line play, in which the Reds held the advantage. Half-time sounded with Greens attacking. ,• On resuming, Ashburton were the first in fighting line, and the initial passing bout resulted in them knock-ing-on just on the line. From a scrum Ashburton were awarded a penalty kick, and C. Stills converted.—Ashburton 3, Southern Cross 0. Greens next took a hand in attacking and by a forward rush dribbled the ball to within a couple of yards of Reds' line, the lat'tc(r carrying over and forcing. A scrum resulted in the Reds clearing their line. Greens still continued to press their claims, and were in an advantageous position at the end of the third spell. The last quarter opened with Cross attacking and a dribbling rush by. the forwards carried the ball over the line, a force resulting. From a line: out, Ashburton started a forward attack and each team in turn chased-the- ball up and down the field twice, the leather eventually finding refuge in touch in - Ashburton's 25. From a. scrum, loose play resulted and Ashburton were penalised in, front of their goal, McConnick converting.—, Ashburton 3, Southern Cross 3. The last five minutes consisted ofj loose play in semi-darkness. Mr S. Baird was in charge of the game, .

Third Grade. | Ashburton (6) v. Southern Cross (5). Both teams made things particularly willing from t.hs'coinmenceme'nt, and play was on the ro^p;h side. Ashburton was the first to '"draw blood," and they scored two tries against their opponents' converted try. Mr P. L. Oit had charge" of-the whistle.