RUGBY FOOTBALL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 196, 2 June 1930, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

THE ASHBURTON UNION. MATCHES ON SATURDAY. Ideal conditions prevailed on Saturday, when the Ashburton Rugby Union’s competitions were advanced s further stage. There was a larger attendance than usual at the Showgrounds, where two senior grade and several lower grade matches were played:— Results at a Glance. Senior Grade— Methven 14, Hampstead 6. Allenton 12, Old Boys 7. Mayfield 16, Hinds 11. Junior Grade— Methven 14, Lowcliffe nil. Allenton 7, Hampstead 3. Rakaia 12, Springburn 3. Mount Somers 13, Mayfield 3. Third Grade— Hampstead 13 v. Allenton 3. Rakaia 20 v. Technical Old Boys 0. High School 8 v. Tinwald 6. Fourth Grade — High School 18 v. Technical B 3. In the third grade match between Hampstead and Allenton, J. Cox, of the latter team, was ordered oif by the reieree '(Mr C. Day) for using harassing remarks. Methven 14, Hampstead 6.

MeLhveil kicked off against the sun and a minute’s play saw them force to defend their line. Evening-up play hovered in mid-field but the Hampstead backs soon gained an advantage. A penalty was awarded them just outside Methven’s twenty-five line and Fountain placed a nice kick between the uprights. Hampstead 3, Methven 0. Methven gradually worked play to within striking distance and had Hampstead defending strenuously but a force down relieved the position for them. Methven kept play in opposition territory where a series of set scrums were ordered. Dalton (halfback) sent his backs away on several occasions but the movement _ broke down either at Lanib (first-five-eighths) or Kilworth, on his outside. Good forward play by Methven saw play in Hampstead’s territory but the Hampstead rearguard were soon responsible for a reversal in positions. Hampstead forwards then took a turn in an attacking movement but Watson, the Methven full-back, was .safe and relieved an awkward position. The Methven van went up the field with the ball at toe and when within the opposition’s twenty-five, opened up the play. The movement culminated in Petrie scoring well out. The kick was not converted. Hampstead 3, Methven 3- Hampstead set up a hard pace and for a few minutes had the better of the play. They were given a penalty in a good position and fountain added another three points to their score with the kick. Hampstead 6, Methven 3. Methven pressed hard and had Hampstead defending, but Methven could not penetrate the defence. Ihe Hampstead forwards were instrumental in taking play back to haltway, but the Methven rearguard came again but met .a rocklike defence. Ihe game had been fairly fast up to that stage, the play being mostly eonfined to the forwards, with occasional back movements. . When the second spell opened, play remained in the centre, of the field xoi a time, a series of lines-out seeing Hampstead take something of an advantage. The forwards of both sides were engaged in a struggle along the edges of the field. Then a faulty pass by Hampstead saw Methven cross tyeii twenty-five line. Back in their own area, Methven again found the line and a tussle took place on the Hampstead twenty-five line. From there, they carried play close to the goalline but Hampstead got clear A free kick to Methven was forced down by Hampstead. Hampstead’s tackling w'as bad and time and again they let the Methven men through. A scramble ensued and Marsh dived over the line near the corner. McDonald s kick went wide. Hampstead 6, Methven 6 Methven continued to attack, most or the plav taking place in Hampstead s area. There Methven gamed a free kick but McDonald failed .to put the ball over. • Methven were handling well iust here, and aided by many mistakes by Hampstead, got close, up to the goal. There, a forward pass pulled them up. From the scrum, play spirited up again, both sides throwing the ball round rp great style. The tackling was deadly. Then Dickie got over in the corner. Marsh faded to convert. Methven 9, Hampstead 6. Hampstead sent .away a good rush, followed it up quickly with another and crossed the Methven twenty-rive line. The visitors, however, found the line past half-wav and then a good deal of up and down play followed, with the advantage with Methven, who looked like scoring, but they, passed forward. After a struggle Hampstead forced. Another free kick gave Methven a stern chance at goal but the ball fell short. Soon after Marsh got' over again. McDonald s Mck was. successful. Methven 14, Hampstead 6. Mr R. Featherston was referee. Allenton 12, Old Boys 7.

After Allenton had stood on the side line for 23 minutes with half a teain, the match between Old Boys and Allenton got under way the latter’s team gaming lull strength in fits and starts. Allenton faced the sur The opening exchange of kicks saw' Old Boys with the advantage. From a line-out near the cornel, Allenton broke through the Old Boys line and with the aid of good dribbling kicks and some mistakes by Old Boys, reached the latter’s twenty-five line where Cartwright missed a free lack nt coal. Back in Allenton territory. Old Boys found they had a good deal to do to hold the opposition, but they had most of the ground behind them. A bad pass spoiled a likely chance in front of the goal, and a forward pass ruined another soon afterward. Allenton were stronger m the scrums. There was a scramble near the goal and Allenton followed the ball over the line and forced. Old Boys were aggressive and kept the opposing sid.e in their own area. The ball crossed and re-crossed the field neither side gaining anything and then Old Boys were awarded a free kick. \\elshs kick at goal was short. Allenton had a free kick hut in returning it. Old Bovs found the line and made up some leeway. Allenton sent down a couple of determined passing rushes which conmletely heat Old Boys and thev were all hut over near the corner before their wing was pushed out. Ao-ain thev attacked and Cameron got n f Pr Cartwright’s kick went wide. Allenton 3, Old Boys nil. Soon after the resumntion. E. Rooney found the / line at the Allenton corner and from the line-out Old Boys were awarded a

free kick in front and Welsh evened the scores. Allenton 3, Old Boys 3. Then followed some sharp play, with scrums and lines-out in the centre of the field, both sides playing strenuously, and Allenton having the best of it to a slight degree. Then two or three long kicks found Old Boys in Alienton’s left-hand corner : they broke away hut Old Boys’ kicking was good and they maintained their territorial advantage. Allenton broke through again and Penn all put a free kick ovei the bar.* Allenton 6, Old Boys 3. Old Boys retaliated and were all but over. Then K. Nicoll potted a goal. Old Boys 7, Allenton 6. . The second half opened with Alienton throwing*the ball around, resulting in their penning Old Bovs well down the field. Old Boys, however, led by Robilliard, broke away to the opposing twenty-five line and there play remained for some minutes before Allenton again swung down field. Old Bovs were awarded a free kick but it did them no good and the ball was kicked behind, Old Boys forcing. Advantage now lav with Allenton, who kept Old Boys on the defensive. From a line-out and a scrum on the go&l----line a serum developed in the mouth of the goal, but Old Boys got clear of it by a narrow* margin. A struggle took' place on the goal-line and Old Boys forced down. Cartwright took a mark in a handy place and put the ball over the bar. Allenton 9, Old Bovs 7. Allenton kept up the attack. A free kick gave Old Boys a brief relief but got off side. Again they came up and now Allenton were on the defensive. A good line kick gave them respite from the pressure and they again r eached the Old Boys’ goal-line. They were given a penalty in front of the goal, Cartwright putting the ball over the bar after it had hit the upright. Allenton 12, Old Boys 7. Some livelv plav followed, Old Boys being hard put ‘to hold Allenton out. Plav was at half-way when time was sounded. Allenton 12, Old Boys 7. Mr C. Stills w'as referee. Mayfield 16, Hinds 11.

In the senior match, Mayfield met Hinds at Hinds, winning by 16 points to 11. The match was keenly contested throughout, and it was not until the closing stages of the game that the superior condition of tho Mayfield team enabled them to run out the winners. Mayfield kicked, off, and play centred in Hinds’ territory from where McCormick headed a dribbling rush into Mayfield’s twenty-five, play then working back to half-way. Hood was prominent in a> sweeping forward movement, and from a resulting; forward scramble J. FarreJJ ran over to score near the corner. Hood s kick from a difficult angle just missed. Hinds 3, Mayfield 0 V The visiting backs then initiated a passing movement, w'hicli broke down at half-way. Continuing to press, their forwards carried play into the home team s territory, where an infringement spoilt a likely ’ chance of scoring. Continued efforts by the Mayfield forwards ’were nullified by their opponents’ good linekicking and solid tackling. Burnett was prominent in a promising rush, but w r as called back for a knock-on. Continuing the attack, C. Elms secured from a loose rush and dived over to score, J. McCormick converting. Hinds 8, Mayfield 0. Play then continued for a while in mid-field, the defence on botli sides being sound. From an infringement near the home teams goal-line Mayfield made an unsuccessful effort to ’goal. The Mayfield backs made several efforts to get going, but little territory was gained, most of the passing going straight across the field. From loose play in Hinds territory, Fagan secured and passed to Tainui, to McLaughlin, the latter racing over for a good try. Matheson added the extra points, the half-time scores being: Hinds 8, Mayfield 5. At the beginning of the second half play on both sides was .very ragged, the scrums being very badly packed. Hinds’ forwards began to attack strongly, and from a rush J. McCormick scored, Hood failing to convert. Hinds 11, Mayfield 5. 'Hie Mayfield backs were now using line kicks to good advantage, and were seen in a good passing rush, which ended in Tainui scoring. Matheson failed with the kick. Hinds 11, Mayfield 8. Shortly afterwards Burnett (Hinds) had to go off owing to a head injury. The visitors were now clapping on the place, and w T ere almost successful on several occasions in crossing the home team’s line, Hinds being compelled to force. A free-kick was awarded Mayfield in Hinds’ twenty-five, Burgess goaling with a good kick. Mayfield 11, Hinds 1,1. The combined rushes of the visiting forwards were beginning to tell on the home team’s lighter pack, and they were at times hard pressed. Concerted play by the Mayfield backs found the Hinds backs out of position, Ml White scoring after the ball had been handled by five players. With a good kick Burgess converted. Mayfield 16, Hinds 11. The game ended in mid-field, with Mayfield then perhaps the better of play. Mr C. Wellman controlled the game. For Mayfield, Whiting, Fagan, Tainui, Sowden and Cairns were prominent, and outstanding Hinds players were F. Hood, M. Rickard, Lowe, J. Farrell and J. McCormick.

Rakaia 20, Merivale 9. A match between the Alerivale and Rakaia senior teams was played on the Rakaia Domain on Saturday afternoon in fine weather and before a large number of spectators. The game, although fast and willing,. was not a spectacular one, as the fast following up of the Rakaia forwards prevented the Alerivale backs from combining and showing their speed. - C. Oliver and his speedy backs did not have much chance during the afternoon, as they were not allowed to gain possession of the ball very often. The Rakaia forwards excelled themselves, and played a splendid game. For a friendly game there was a good deal of unnecessary rough play, some of the visiting players being the offenders. The game resulted in a win for Rakaia. by 20 points to 9. For Rakaia, tries were scored by C. Davison (2), and M. Waterhouse and J. Dunstan. Three tries were converted by C. Davison and one by M. Waterhouse. For Alerivale, tries were scored by C. Oliver, Doreen and Suckling. Air A. Shannon was the referee.

JUNIOR GRADE. Playing at the Showgrounds, Methven heat Lowcliffe by 14 points to nil. J. MqKendry, Dolan, Li 1 ley and E. Grieve each scored while the latter converted one try. Mi 1 E. Burgess was referee. Allenton defeated Hampstead by 7 points to 3 at the Showgrounds. A. Burgess scored for Hampstead, while Bates drop-kicked a goal from play and Kirk sscored for Allenton. Mr J. McMillan was referee. The match between Pakaia and Springburn resulted in a win for the former by 12 points to 3. Playing at Mayfield, Mount Somers beat the home team by 13 points to 3. For Mount Somers W. McClimont

scored a try and R. Beckley kicked two penalties and one field goal. Thoroughgood scored for Mayfield. Mr A. Gourley was referee.

IN OTHER CENTRES. Christchurch.—Christchdrch 5, Albion 3. Old Boys 27, ’Varsity S. Technical 8, West 8. Linwood 8, Sydenham 3. ... Tiinaru—Old Boys 35, Zmgan 0; Celtic 22, Star 22; Tenmka 9, Wailn 0. Auckland —Ponsonby and Grammar drew, 6 all; Technical Old Boys 14. Marist 8; Manukau 13, University 3; Grafton 6, College Rifles 5 ; Training College 11, City 6. . Wellington— Petone 25, Oriental 3; Hutt 27, Berhampore 0; Athletic 15, ’Varsity 8; Old Boys 16, Poneke 16; Eastbourne 8, Marist 6. Dunedin—Alhambra 16, Pirates 0 , ’Varsitv A. 11, Taieri 3: Southern 12.. ’Varsity B 11; Union 6, Zingan '); Kaikorai 11, Dunedin 3. TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW. The following will represent Old Boys in the third-grade competition match to be played as a curtainraiser to the representative match tomorrow : Smitheram. Childs, White, Laing (2), Campbell, Mathieson, Baigent, Crum, Todd, Fowke. Corbett. Lewis, Keen, Milsom, Henderson, McMillan.