RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 188, 23 May 1938, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE ASHBURTON COMPETITIONS. OLD BOYS DEFEAT METHVEN. After a fortnight’s fine weather, the playing lields in "Ashburton wore in excellent order on Saturday lor the matches in the Asnburton Rugby Union’s competitions. The match between Old Boys and Me th veil, at the Domain was interesting and exciting from start to finish, and there was a good attendance'of spectators to watch the two, up to then, unbeaten teams in the competition. Determined forward play by both packs, and some very neat and swiftly moving hack line thrusts kept the game going at a merry pace throughout. Although the Old Boys team was the lighter, its defence was resolute and on more than one occasion their solid forward play saved the situation.

The Rakaia v. Springburn match was keen and hard, especially in the forward play. The Rakaia backs, being more experienced, were superior to their opponents, who often fumbled. Results at a Glance. Senior Grade— Old Boys 14, Metliven 14. Rakaia 13, Springburn 5. Junior Grade— Allenton 14, Eiffelton 8. Old Boys 10, Hinds 0. Timvald 3, Methvon 3. Third Grade— * Allenton 19, Hinds 0. Technical Old Boys 2d, Celtic 3. Old Boys 29, Springburn 5. Fourth Grade— Allenton 24, Eiffeltnn 3. OLD BOYS 14, METHVEN 10.

Soon after .the kick-off J. McAlister, the Methven half-back made a- beautiful break from a scrummage near the centre of the field. He passed to R. Lilley who in turn let out to J. Lilley on the left wing. The latter after a swerving run down the line scored near the corner. The kick missed. .Methven 3, Old Boys 0. Old Boys forced play to the other end of the field after the kick-off, ami were awarded a penalty for a Methven infringement. A good kick by R. McCandlish just failed to find tiie uprights, but a few minutes later, offside play by the country team gave him another chance and he made no mistake. Methven 3, Old Boys 3. Old Boys again attacked strongly and a further infringement by Methvon gave the home side another free kick, which, however, was unsuccessful. After a. forceful attack by the black and whites W .Burgess saved for Old Boys with a good kick into touch. Old Boys were penalised for lifting in thq scrum and H. Cook gained much ground with his kick. Methven made several vigorous thrusts and D. Lemon the right wing was, on one occasion unlucky not to score. Old Boys immediately reversed the position and carried play to the other end, helped on the way by a Hong kick by W. Burgess. V. O’Donoghne, rushing down the line, gathered up th© ball and went over near the corner. Old Boys 6, Methven 3. Methven invaded the Old Boys territory immediately after the kick-off and after a loose scrum L. Cook secured and put over an excellent field kick. Methven 7, Old Boys 6. For a long period play varied from end to end, and although both lines were menaced, solid defence by each tojun kept their opponents at bay. Half-time was called with no alteration to the score. Methven 7, Old noys 0. Second Spell. The Old Boys line was endangered soon after the start of the second spell but solid forward play by the home side sgved the situation and took the ball into their opponents’ twenty-five. A long kick into touch by the Old Boys’ full-back, McCandlish, drew the applause of the spectators. Play was very even now, and every foot of territory was strongly contested. A penalty was a warded/Old Boys and a good kick at goal by D. AA bite from well out hit the upright and rebounded infield. A good run by J. Lilley, the Methven winger was pulled up near the Old Boys’ lino. Kelly and Burgess were putting in good work in the home side’s back line, the latter after gaining ground with long kicks. "Old Bovs made a strong attack and from a. scrum near the Metliven line, White secured and handed to Kelly *wno sent it out to McLaughlin. The centre heat his man and scored a fine try under the posts. D. White converted. Old Boys 11, Methven 7. A penalty to Metliven soon after the kick-off saw D. Watson put over a beautiful kick from well outside the .twenty-five. Old‘Boys 11, Metliven 10. The narrow margin in the score now caused much excitement on the side-line. Concerted forward play by Old Boys saw the Metliven twenty-five territory invaded and an infringement 1 1 v the country side allowed D. AA bite to put over an easy one. Old Bovs 14, Metliven 10. Fierce attacks by Methven were frustrated by Old Boys sound defence, and the match ended with no change of score. Mr S. Alexander was referee.

RAKAIA (13), SPRINGBURN (5). The game at Springburn between the home team and Rakaia resulted in a win for Rakaia by 13 points to 5, each team having scored 5 points at halftime. Play was keen and hard, both packs of forwards giving a good display. The more experienced Rakaia backs were responsible for what handling there was, and as they were ham-

pered by the fast-breaking Springburp forwards, the game was somewhat dull. Good play in the forwards by P. Doig, B. Doig, C. AA’armington (Rakaia), S. Pawsey, A. Lorgelly, and G. McCallum (Springburn), was noticeable, though there was not a passenger in either pack. J. Doig was a tower of strength in the kaia backs.

Springburn’s points were made up of a try obtained in the first few minutes, when A. Lorgclly charged down the Rakaia l'ull-hacks’ clearing kick and R. Becldey picked up to score and convert his own try. C. Warmington Th. Fleet, and W. Moore each scored for Rakaia, two tries being converted by J. Doig. Mr C. Stevenson was referee. JUNIOR GRADE. In the junior grade Old Boys beat Hinds by 10 points to nil in a match at Ashburton. The game, however, was not as uneven as the scoro indicates. Old: Boys points came from tries by M. Hickey and J. Smallbono, and a field goal by R. Walls. The match at- Eiffelton was uninteresting-. There was a great number of infringements in the game owing to the players not understanding the new rules. Allenton beat the home team by 14 points to eight. For Allenton C. Samuels scored a try, and A. Dewart converted the try and kicked three penalty goals. Eiffelton’s points came from scores by A. Young and G. Finlay, and a converted try by J. Roche. Mr I>. Wood was referee.

The match played at Rakaia between Rakaia and Methven was iron by Metliven by 34 points to 0. The score at halftime was 3-0. In the second half Rakaia was well outplayed.

FULL-BACK RETIRES. OLD BOYS LOSE S. AY. KERR. The Old Boys senior Rugby football team'lias lost the services of S. AV. Kerr through his forced retirement after an injury to his leg. Kerr played full-back for the team in two matches this season, and in both games he put Old Boys in a favourable position on many occasions with his brilliant linekicking. Showing keen judgment and a fine style, he was probably one of the most promising kickers seen in Ashburton football for many years. IN OTHER CENTRES. Christchurch—Sunnyside 6, Old Boys 5; Linwood 14, Merivale 12; University 3, Albion 3; Air Force 18, Technical 6; Athletic 11, Sydenham 0. Timaru—Star 25, Celtic 3; Temuka 6, Geraldine 0; Old Boys 11, Zingari 3. Wellington—AVellington 20, Poneke 15; Petone O, College Old Boys 8; Athletic 22, Hutt 3; Marist Brothers’ Old Boys 9, Johnsonville 8. Dunedin-—Southern 6, Kaikorai G; Dunedin 9, Zingari 6; Pirates 33, Ilnion 3; Alhambra 7, Taieri G.