FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 258, 13 August 1934, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE RUGBY CODE. TWO WINS FOR ASHBURTON. In the first junior and third grade representative fixtures of the season, the Ashburton Rugby Union’s teams were successful against South Canterbury and Ellesmere respectively at the Showgrounds on Saturday. The Ashburton junior team defeated South Canterbury by 9 points to six in a match which was not very spectacular. The visiting forwards were heavy and fast, and the rear division combined well. Ashburton players, who were on the field together for the first time, gave a good showing, however, and much of the back play was neatly carried out. In a bright open match the third grade representatives team defeated the Ellesmere Sub-Union’s team by 12 points to 9. Ashburton’s forwards had an advantage in weight, andi the backs were also slightly superior. The senior competition match at the Showgrounds, where there was a good attendance of the public, including visitors from north and south, resulted in a win for Rakaia by 18 points to 6 over Technical Old Bbys. As Old Boys had a bye in the senior competition, on Saturday, it had arranged to combine with tlie Allenton Club, which defaulted to Methven, to play a combined friendly match against Methven, at Methyen. However, the match did not eventuate. Results at a Glance. Senior Grade— Rakaia 18, Technical Old Boys 6.' Allenton defaulted to Methyen. Junior representatives— Ashburton 9, South Canterbury 6. Third Grade representatives— Ashburton 12, Ellesmere 9. Fourth Grade—• Technical 6, High School 3. Timvald defaulted to Allenton. ASHBURTON 9, SOUTH CANTERBURY 6. The teams which took the field were Ashburton—L. Prouting; F. Ironside, Drummond and McTigue; B. Jordan (captain), and R. Todd; li. Keeley; R. Becldey, Alexander, McIntosh, B. Breach, W. Moore, T. Graham, L. O’Connor, and: A. Wardell. . • South Canterbury.—E. Benison; G. Moore, R. Taylor (Captain), and H.MeNeil; B. Morrison and B. Galletly; G. Bracefield; L. Munro, N. Smith, H. Depree, L. Blunden, L. Thompson, E. Porter, P. Walton and AV. King. .South Canterbury 'had Ashburton defending early in the match, the visiting forwards coming .through well and the backs handling the ball neatly. An infringement gave South Canterbury a penalty on Ashburton’s 25, but Taylor’s kick was not successful. The play then swung down into the visitors’ territory, where South Canterbury forced three times in quick succession. Ashburton were unlucky not to ground over the line several times, but their efforts were soon rewarded with a try following a lino-out within South Canterbury’s 25. In the ensuing scramble Todd, Drummond, and Jordan! were prominent, for Jordan to fall on the ball and open the scoring. Beekley’s kick was not successful. Ashburton 3 South Canterbury 0 Led by Watson, the South Canterbury forwards staged a nice dribbling rush up the line, but they were held up. A little later Prouting looked as if he would he caught in possession with South Canterbury’s forwards following up fast. However, he got his kick in, and relievoc! the pressure. When play returned to South Canterbury’s end of the field, all the Ashburton rear men handled with precision. Becldey got going, and handed to Todd, who passed out for Ironside to score the second try. Becldey’s kick narrowly missed. The half-time score was:— Ashburton ... 6 South Canterbury 0 South Canterbury forced the pace upon resumption, and had Ashburton bustled for a time. Things looked dangerous with Jordan in possession, and a clear field ahead, hut before he could make use of his opportunity South Canterbury had rallied round and smothered. The visitors went near to scoring when McNeill received from a passing- movement among his fellow backs. He kicked over the head of one of the defenders, and in the 'race for the hall Ashburton won, to force and relievo the situation. South Canterbury had a penalty awarded in a good position, hut the pick fell just below the bar. The visitors were knocking, but Ashburton held out, and soon, took a turn at- attack. From a

ruck on South Canterbury’s 25 Beckley made the opening for Ironside to race up the line and score a nice try. Becldey failed with the kick. Ashburton- ... ... ... 9 South Canterbury , ‘ 0 South Canterbury’s backs were set on the run, and McNeill, who had Taylor and Galletly supporting him, swerved through the defence, to score the visitors’ first try. The kick at goal failed. Ashburton 9 South Canterbury 3 After haying played a great game, Todd left the field at this stage with a facial injury, and was replaced by S. \V. Kerr. Drummond broke through for Ashburton when play was in enemy territory again, and with a short punt evaded the defending full-back. He lost the hail when set for a try. Probably the best passing rush of the afternoon was seen when all the visiting backs handled, Taylor whipping out to Moore, to score South Canterbury’s second try. Taylor missed with the nick. The match ended with the score: — Ashburton 8 South Canterbury ... ... 0 Mr J. McMillan refereed. ASHBURTON 12, ELLESMERE 9. Shortly after the kick-off, Burgess secured and passed to Wails, who in turn handed to Bradley, and he cut out several players to score. Bradley failed with The kick. Ashburton 3, Miesmere nil. A little later all the visiting backs handled brilliantly, and when the ball was passed back into the field from the side-line, Skilling scored, to ©yen the total. S. Cameron was unsuccessful with the kick. Ashburton 3, Ellesmere 3. Ashburton’s second try came from good work by burgess, Walls and Bradley also handling, for Wylie to ground. Bradley’s iricK did not go over. Ashburton 6, Gilesmero 3. Another good try for tlie home team was secured by Gorman who fol Lowed up fast, and caught the full-back in possession. D. Watson missed the kick. Ashburton 9, Ellesmere 3. Early in the second spell, tlie hall came from a line-out, and sent across the field for AVylie to score for Ashburton. The try was not converted. Ashburton 12, Ellesmere 3. The yisitors then rallied and Cameron obtained the next honours. AVith the local backs out of- position, he kicked over the head of the full-back, regained possession, and touched down. C. Gilley missed the kick. Ashburton 12, Eliesmore 6. The final try secured by Ellesmere came from a scramble near the corner, Skilling crossing Ashburton’s line. C. Lilley did not convert Ellesmere continued the pressure, but the whistle blew with the scoreAshburton 12, Ellesmere 9. . For Ashburton the players were J. Gorman and D. AVatson (forwards), V. O’Donoghue, G. AVylie, G Burgess and C. Bradley (backs), while for the visitors McCloy and Watson (forwards), and Mc.Lachlan, Skilling, Cameron and C. Lilley (backs) were outstanding. Mr S. Alexander was the referee.

SENIOR -COMPETITION MATCH

Better combination was responsible for Kakaia’s win over Technical Old Boys in the senior grade maten played at the Showgrounds. The Technical Old Boys’ forwards, although much lighter than tlie iiakaia van, neld. their opponents for three-quarters of the game, after’ which- tney tired. The Rakaia - backs were always dangerous on attack, and showed penetration. Bekrnes, at second five-eighths, was outstanding, and_o’Connor, inside him, was fast. O’Reilly (half-back) played well behind the scrum, and Taylor was safe at full-back. The best of the Rakaia forwards were Pluck, Meade, and the Doig brothers. The best of the Technical backs were Jim Varcoe and Mason (full-back). The best forwards were Hawke, who was outstanding, Dalton, till he had to retire with a leg injury, Childs, and tho Lister brothers. Technical Old Boys forced matters at the outset, and had Rakaia defending for tlie first 10 minutes, but the heavier Rakaia forwards took play to within striking distance. Betimes secured from a loose ruck and kicked a field goal. Rakaia 4, Technical Old Boys nil. Several minutes later Jim Varcoe kicked a good penalty from an acute angle just outside Rakaia’s twenty-five-yard line. Rakaia 4, Technical Old Boys 3. Rakaia’s next try came from Behrnes, when O’Reilly sent out to him on the blind side in Technical’s twenty-five. Rakaia 7, Technical Old Boys 3. ■ Rakaia scored again shortly after the -second spell began, when Behrnes centred high, the ball bouncing over Technical’s line, and B. Doig, who had followed up with several other forwards, toucheqt down. Rakaia 10, Technical Old Boys 3. Rakaia’s hacks were sent away by . O’Reilly from a 1 set scrum, and O’Connor, Behrnes and Henderson handled, the last-named going over well out. Taylor converted. Rakaia 15, Technical Old Boys 3. Jim Varcoe kicked a penalty for Technical about 15 minutes later. Rakaia 15, Technical Old; Boys 6. Behrnes beat the opposition with a swerving run before sending out to Meade, who scored wide out. Rakaia 18, Technical Old Boys 6. Mr G. AV. Brown was the referee. OTAGO DEFEATS CANTERBURY. DUNEDIN, August 11. Otago defeated Canterbury to-day by 16 points to 12. At the end of the first spell Otago were leading by 13 points to 3, but Canterbury were a different team in the second half, when the forwards gave the backs more of the ball, and Otago, for the most part, were kept on defenco. In the junior game Otago heat Canterbury by 11 points to 3. IN OTHER 1 CENTRES. Auckland—North Auckland 17, Auckland 6; Auckland B 29, South Auckland 21. Christchurch—Albion 11, Linwood 0; Old Boys 8, Merivale 6; Varsity 6, Sydenham 6; Christchurch 17, Sunnyside 3; Athletic a bye. Tiinaru— Star 20, Old Boys 3. Star won the Be-ri Cup. Geraldine 10, Zingari 3 : Temuka 9, AVaihi 8. New Plymouth—Although AVanganui fielded an improved ■ representative side Taranaki won by 39 to 22. Taranaki scored mine tries and: AVanganui three, but good opportunities and good kicking piled lip AVanganui’s score. AVanganui—AVanganui Maoris 14, Taranaki Maoris 8. Palmerston N.—Wellington defeated Manawatu by 39 to 18. AArellington—National Mutual Cup—

Wellington College 0.8. 16, Hutt (senior' championship winners) 8, Nelson—Nelson 16, . Golden BayMotueka 8. . Greymouth—After holding the Seddon Shield for over two years, West Coast lost to Marlborough 3-0. THE ASSOCIATION CAME. MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES. Christchurch—Nomads 4, Western 1; Thistle 3, Linwood 0; Rangers 4, Technical 0.8. 1. Auckland—Thistle 4, Comrades 2; North Shore 3, Y.M.C.A. 2; Ponsonby 3, Eastern Suburbs 1; Mount Albert Grammar School 0.8. 3, O-nehunga 2. Masterton—Hawke’s Bay defeated Wairarapa 3-1. AVellington—Auld Memorial Cup: Pe~ tone 3, Hospital 1; Maiist 3, AVaterside 1. Friendly games: Swifts 4, Hutt 3; Nada 3, Diamonds 2. Dunedin—Technical 0.8. 3, Mornington 0; Seacliff 3, Northern 1; High Scnool 0.8. 1, Mosgiel 1; Roslyn-Wa-kari 1, Maori Hill 0. Technical wins the championship.