RUGBY FOOTBALL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 297, 1 October 1928, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ASHBURTON V. S. CANTERBURY. WIN FOR. HOME TEAM. The last, senior representative match arranged for the 1928 season by the Ashburton County Rugby Union, was played between Ashburton County and South Canterbury at the Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon in ideal weather. The match resulted in a win for Ashburton by 17 points to 11. The game waS interesting, although it was not up to representative standard. Tho outstanding players for Ashburton were E. Russell, Todd, A. Smith, F. Hood, and C. Pawson. The teams were: — Ashburton—R. Carleton, E. Clark, B. Brown, E. Russell, J. Todd, G. Day (captain), 0. Friedlander, A. Smith, Carr, F. Hood, C. Pennall, C. Pawson, A. 0 1 . Whiting, G. Dalton. South Canterbury—L. Connolly, Neutze, G. Mclntosh, L. Mahan, R. Arnold, A. Gaffaney, P. Roper, Fountaine, T. Maiming, W. Waple, A. Wilkinson, F. Pearse, W. Manning, Orton and R. Bassett. South Canterbury (Green) kicked off against the sun and a faint breeze. From a scrum Roper sent his backs away, Arnold punted and Bassett following up fast, gained possession and scored for Fountaine to convert. South Canterbury 5 Ashburton 0

The County forwards, using their weight carried play to within the Green territory. Arnold cleared with a good kick. A long kick by Brown (Ashburton) saw the Greens force. The County were not to be denied and eontinualiy pressed the attack until a free kick relieved. Brown raced from his own twenty-five to half-way and transferred to Russell who was well tackled by Neutze. A minute later Russell gained 80 yards with a good run, but a good kick by McKenzie relieved the situation. Pennall, from a free kick, had an unsuccessful shot at goal. The Ashburton forwards, headed by Hood and Smith, continued to attack. Connolly marked and cleared. An exciting period ensued, both teams handling in turn, until Todd (Black) broke away hut a knock-on spoiled the movement. Mclntosh (Green) broke away and ran half the field. His pass to Qaffeney was forward and the movement lapsed 1 . Roper secured from a scrum and passed to Mahan who sprinted for the corner and scored. Fountaine’s kick was wide. South Canterbury 8 Ashburton 0

Pawson headed a loose rush to the Green twenty-five hut was soundly grassed by Connolly. Arnold broke away in a lightning rush but his pass went astray. Russell secured and raced back and .centred. The ball, however, went too far and the Greens forced. ' A series of kicks saw them on the attack and Mahan made a spirited rush at the corner. A free kick to Ashburton saved the situation. Dalton, Mulhern and Smith saved the position further bv a great rusL. Russell after running 20 yards lost possession and Gaffeney intercepted and ran to Carleton who saved. Play was* of an even nature, the hooking and passing being good. Pawson again broke away with the ball at toe but tried to pick it up and lost possession. TTrom a free kick Mulhern goaled. South Canterbury 8 Ashburton 3 The Greens then attacked. Gaffeney seem ed and passed to Neutze and then to Arnold. Mahan finally secured and touched down at the corner. Fountaine’s kick went wide. South Canterbury 11 Ashburton 3 The second spell opened spectacularly. Day raced down the line and transferred to Mulhern who i\as tackled. Smith was handy and ran over to score. Mulhern’s kick failed to rise. South Canterbury Ashburton ® Clark then broke away with the hall at his toe hut Connolly cleared. Russell then made a dash at the corner hut lost possession. ’ The Green hacks were set in motion, Mahan and Neutze. exploiting the reverse pass! spectacularly. Food intercepted and, supported by Pawson and 1 Dalton, returned the attack. Too many infringements at this stage made play uninteresting until Dny -and Friedlander took play into Green territory with a spectacular run.. The hacks at this stage were combining better and were giving spectacular displays. Hood and Smith led the Ashburton forwards m a rush to the goal-line, and) Carr picked up and scored Mulhern s kick failed to rise. South Canterbury It Ashburton ... ••• • _ 9 . The Green forwards exercised thenweight and forced play downfield, Ash-, burton heeled and Friedlander senthis hacks away. Todd, Brown, and Day handled in turn and passed to Kus6ell who was forced out at the corner. Ashburton were making desperate efforts to score hut the Green defence was sound. A free kick to Ashburton was accepted by Hood. Ashburton tJ South Canterbury 11 . Carr and Smith were prominent in a loose rush and a good kick by Russell saw the visitors on the defence. Connolly cleared but Clark returned with a great run to the twenty-five. Whiting broke away and ran to Connolly before passing to Mulhern, who dropped his pass end spoilt a certain try. A series of rushes saw play the Ashburton line, but Arnold with two men outside Mm, foolishly essayed a “pot.” Mulhern broke away from a line-out and rn-ed to Connolly who tackled him. Next minute Dalton passed to Russell who raced round to score behind the posts for Hood to convert. Ashburton South Canterbury 11 Time was called with the scores unaltered. Mr C. Stills was referee.