FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 237, 20 July 1936, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

ASHBURTON RUGBY MATCHES. METHiVEN DEFEATS OLD BOYS The Ashburton Rugby Union competitions were continued on Saturday in fine weather. An improved attendance was at the Showgrounds to witness the match between Methven and Old Boys. The visitors had the better of most of the game and won comfortably after a fairly good exhibition. Rakaia met .! ethnical Ok! Boys at Rakaia. Resuils at a Glance. Senior. Methven 17, Old Boys 3. Rakaia 16, Technical Old Boys 3. Junior. Methven A 12, Rakaia 6. Hinds 11, Old Boys 8. Mayfield 14, Technical Old Boys nil. Third Grade. Allenton 30 Hinds 3. Methven 6, Technical Old Boys 3. Foui t-h Grade. Methven 40, Allenton nil. High School A 9, Rakaia 5. * High School B 18, Technical 11.

Methven (17) v. Old Boys (3). Old Boys nearly had an opportunity near the beginning of the game Stephen (Methven) failing to take the ball on the bounce at full-back, but Cutler knocked on. R. Lilley was prominent in transferring play to the other end of the field for Methven. The visitors •maintained pressure for a while, but the Old Boys forwards took the ball upheld at their toes. Bellaea attempted a pot at goal which fell a little short. Giving the backs plenty of the ball Old Boys jnitiated several attacking movements in Methven territory. The Methven forwards put some solid work into the scrums and carried the ball back to half-way from where McAlister found the line for Methven near the Old Boys corner. R. Lilley went well away in a good Methven back movement, but passed forward. Old Boys were: given a free kick for obstruction and took the ball well upheld, but J. Lilley carried it back again down the line. From mid-field play a nice cut-in by Methven saw the Old Boys’ line again threatened. The ball went out to it. Lilley on the wing, who went over for a try. The kick failed. Methven 3, Old Boys nil. Although Old Boys gained ground with a penalty after the kick-off Methven swept downfield in a loosei rush. After dribbling through with the ball at his toe R. Lilley picked up and fell over the line. The kick again failed. Methven 6, Old Boys nil. Methven attacked again and after Dellaca was caught in possession Old Boys were compelled to force. T. Lilley sent J. Lilley away on the wing but he was not supported. Duncan booted the ball up to Stephen, who made a good run downfield, transferring to J. Lilley, who went into touch. The ball went across to the opposite wing, and after a series of scrums and line-outs, half-time was called with the score, Methven 6, Old Boys nil. Just after the start of the second half, from a Methven attack, R. Lilley cut through the Old Boys pack, passing in to Lochhead, who went over for a try. The kick failed. Methven 9, Old Boys nil. Old Boys carried the ball down in front of the Methven posts. Cutting in nicely Todd was well brought down. The ball went out to Cutler, who failed to take it and the Methven backs came up to half-way. From a serum White sent the Old Bovs backs away again and the ball was flashed out to Duncan who had a clear run over the line. Lunn's kick failed. Methven 9, Old Boys 3.

Zouch broke away with the ball at his toe and Methven saved narrowly. After mid-field play they carried play into Old Boys territory, but the home forwards headed by Smitheram went right upheld in a dribbling rush. After mid-field play the Methven back line went away in a good run which ended in T. Lilley going over near in to the posts. The try was converted by McKenzie. Methven 14, Old Boys 3. After forward play Lunn took a penalty for Old Boys which fell short. Methven passing movements followed, Old Boy forcing after a free kick by R. Lilley. Further mid-field play followed, J. Lilley making a good run downfield. Mathieson and Smitheram headed a dribbling rush which took play up to the Methven line. It. Lilley and T. Lilley combined to take the ball into the Old Boys twenty-five and the defence was tested for a time. Continued pressure resulted in J. Lilley going over for an unconverted try, after which time was called with the score Methven 17, Old Boys 3. Mr S. Alexander was referee.

Rakaia (16) v. Technical Old! Boys (3). Technical kicked off into the sun, and Rakaia immediately attacked. A missfield by the Technical full-back found them in trouble, but a free-kick for offside play gave relief. Rakaia continued to press and Technical was compelled to force. From the drop out Rakaia took play over the Technical line but was beaten for the touch-down. A miss-kick by the Technical full-back saw J. O’Connor send a long pass out to B. Doig, who, after fending off several of the opposition, scored in the corner. Rrimmicombe’s kick failed.

Rakaia 3, Technical 0. Soon after Pluck received a pass in a loose rush and crossed near the corner. Brimmicombe converted. Rakaia 8 Technical 0. Technical began to force the play, and an infringement by a Rakaia player resulted in Bradley kicking a fine goal from 35' yards out. Rakaia 8, Technical 3. The same player missed a penalty almost immediately after. Rakaia scored again soon after, when Vessey gained possession from a loose rush and dumfnied his way through to score under the posts. Brimmicombe added the major points. Rakaia 13, Technical 3. From the kick-off Technical attacked, but Shannon relieved with a good kick. Play was carried downfield, where Rakaia was awarded a free kick, Brimmicombe’s kick going wide. Rakaia continued to press and two penalties gave Technical a muchneeded relief. An attempt at a potted goal saw Technical force. The second half was_ more even, with Technical playing much better and getting more of the ball from the scrums. Several individual efforts by the Rakaia players were stopped by good tackling. The only try came' when Greygoose received the ball from the scrum and kicked well up-field to gain possession again and cross. Brimmicombe’s kick failed. Rakaia 16, Technical 3.

JUNIOR, GRADE Hinds defeated Old Boys by 11 to 8 in a match at the Showgrounds. For the winners Proctor, M. Wilson and F. Jewell scored tries, J. QUmour converting one. For Old Boys tries were scored by Fear and Coldicott, Jordan converting one. Mr L. Hadley was referee. Technical Old Boys were defeated by 14 points to nil by Mayfield at Mayfield. Two of the winning team’s tries were scored; by Young and Anderson, and Wilson converted one. Mr G. Cates was referee. Methven A beat Rakaia by 12 points to.six in a match at Methven. Mr B. Zeigler was referee.

THIRD GRADE Allenton had an easy victory over Hinds at Hinds, winning by 30' points to three. Mr C. Miller was referee. Methven defeated Technical Old Boys by six points to three in a, match at Methven. Mr C. Wellman was referee.

FOURTH GRADE. High School A defeated Rakaia by nine to five in a match at the Showgrounds. Martin, Chapman and Shaw were the reams for High School, and for Rakaia Cromie scored and converted a try. Mr P. Morrison was referee. High School B won its match against Technical at the Showgrounds by 18 to 11. Tries for the winning team were scored by Purcell, Price, Plunket and Eyles, and Price converted three. Manson (two)'and Tully, were the scorers for Technical, Tully converting one. Mr C. Stevenson was referee. A run-away victory was obtained by Methven over Allenton. The final score in the match, which was played at Methven, was 19 to nil. Mr D. Woods was referee.

IN OTHER CENTRES. Christchurch—Sunnyside 4, Old Boys 3; Albion 14, University 8; Sydenham 17, Christchurch 11; Athletic 13, Linwood 8. Timaru—Harris Cup: Temuka 12, Old Boys 3; Zingari 19, Celtic 6; Geraldine 3, Waihi 3. Auckland—The first round of the senior championship concluded in wet, wintry conditions. The series of games decided left Ponsonby the winner of the first round, and this team deservedly takes the Gallagher Shield. Details are: Ponsonby 12, Otahuhu 6; Technical 9, Marist 6; Training College 15, Grafton 6; University.o, Manukau 0; College Rifles 15, North Shore 8. Taumarunui—King Country 18, Taranaki B 6. New Plymouth—Taranaki 11, Waikato 3. Masterton—Hawke’s Bay 33, Wairarapa 13. Wellington—Petone 6, College Old Boys 3; Athletic 7, St. Patrick’s 0; Poneke 18, Johnsonville 6; Hutt- 21, Wellington 3; Marist 17, Eastbourne 8. Dunedin—University A 11, Union 3; Pirates 11, Dunedin S'; Southern 19, Kaikorai 8; Alhambra 15, Taieri 9; Zingari 17, University B 11. Southern wins the championship for the second year in succession.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. AUSTRALIA WINS FINAL TEST. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 18. Australia! secured another victory in tire final Association football test, played at Blandford Park to-day, by four goals to one. The ground was heavy and muddy after heavy rain, and showers fell throughout the play. The weather greatly affected the attendance which was about 2000. The New Zealand side gave a greatly improved display, and although the visitors were definitely the better team, might have held their opponents to a closer decision but for missed chances. The players triumphed over atrocious conditions, and gave a splendid exhibition of football, the Australians especially proving that a soft ground did not affect their footwork to a serious extent. It was only in the finishing of their movements that the visitors failed to cope with the conditions, many good opportunities being lost through forwards slipping at a* vital moment. Playing with more vigour than in the previous games, New Zealand could claim a fair share of the exchanges in tiie first half, as indicated by the score of one-all. The superior stamina of the Australians was the deciding factor in the second half, and gave them the opportunity to' dominate the exchanges.

But for the sterling defence by New Zealand over the closing stages, the visitors would have secured several more goals. A remarkable goal was scored by New Zealand in the first half. The fullback, Haggett, connected with the ball at half-way and beat the goalkeeper with a shot that- curled under the bar. The Australians again revealed brilliant positional play, and their aggressive efforts were mainly due to the splendid constructive work of the inside men, Price and 'Cameron. Goals were scored for Australia by Cameron (2) and Price (2).

SINGLE BEAT MARRIED MEN,

Teams representing the married and single members of the Ashburton Association Football Club played a match on the Domain on Saturday in excellent weather. Single men won by three goals to one. The married men won the toss and elected to play with the sun and wind. Peterson- kicked off for the single men and play went .immediately to the Married goal, only to meet with the strong defence of Gowans and Stokes. Play for the next 20 minutes swayied from goal to goal, but the defence of both sides saved any scoring being done. D. Gowans showed his usual good form and kept his forwards well supplied with the ball. From a rush on the right wing by Jim Gowans the ball was centred to the goal-mouth, where McElhinney, coming in from the left, opened the score for the Single side.— Single 1, Married 0. From the kick-off the married men set the pace and hammered away at the Single goal until D. Horsburgh dashed in to place a good shot past the goal-keeper to make the score—■ Single 1, Married 1. Up-and-down play followed, and at half-time the score remained the same.

The second half opened with some bright play by the Married team and several members of this team still showed some of their old form. Beauvais, Taylor and Hunt were prominent several times and combined well with the players of to-day, and the single men had to play their best to stop them from scoring. Jim Gowans, -on the right, dashed - down-field and with , a good shot swung the ball hard across to score a second goal for the single men.—Single 2, Married 1. The married men rallied again and looked dangerous unjtil D. Gowans cleared well up-held, where the forwards were left to complete the move. MeElhinney added to the score.—Single 3, Married 1. » C. Gowans kept the married men on the attack, and several times the Single defence was tested. Play continued for some time and when the final whistle blew the single men came out victorious by 3 to 1. Mr A. P. Warriner was the referee.

The Junior Game

There was a good turnout of junior football players on Saturday, and, under the guidance of the club referee (Mr A. P. Warriner) a game was played to show the boys some of the points of the game. There is quite a large number of boys showing good form and every endeavour was made to get them into shape to play games as curtainraisers to the senior team on Saturdays. The public was quite pleased at the result of Saturday’s fixture, and although neither side scored, the game was played quite well, and some bright football was witnessed.

IN OTHER CENTRES. Christchurch—Western A 9, Linwood 1; Western 84, Rangers 2 ; Nomads 1, Thistle 1; St. Albans 5, Technical Old 1 Boys 2. Wellington—Chatham Cup, semifinal : Hospital 4, Marist 1; Waterside 4, Scottish Wanderers 0. First A championship: Seatoun 2, Petone 1; Institute 2, Swifts 1. Dunedin Chatham Cup district final: Mosgiel defeated Corinthians (Invercargill) by 8 goals to 1. Other results :—Old Boys 5, Seacliff 3; Maori Hill 5, Roslyn-Wakari 2; Northern 4, Technical Old Boys 2.

THE LEAGUE CODE.

BRITAIN WINS THIRD TEST.

SYDNEY, July 19. England demonstrated her Rugby League supremacy in no uncertain manner in defeating Australia by 12 points to 7, jn the third Test. The winners received the Goodwill Cup, presented by Mr R. 0. Courtney, of Christchurch. Both the teams lining up round a beflagged dais for the presentation. England was definitely superior in all phases of the game, completely answering all the challenges about her inferiority in the first test.