RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 211, 14 June 1940, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR COMPETITION. IMPORTANT MATCHES TOMORROW. To-morrow is probably the most important occasion in the senior competition of the Ashburton Rugby Union this season, for the results of matches will indicate whether a fourth round would have any real hearing on the final result of the competition. Old Boys are in. the lead from Methven and Technical Old Boys by 2-J points, and from Rakaia by three points. A win for Old Boys to-morrow would place them in a commanding position, whereas a defeat would leave the competition open.

On both games—Methven v. Old Boys and Rakaia v. Technical Old Boys—a good deal depends. The first should be an exciting one, with Methven out to forestall Old Boys. As yet Methven have not been able to produce their best form against this team, and to-morrow, again, they will be at a disadvantage through the floss of their key back, H. E. Cook, who broke his leg last week. This is a severe loss, for Cook is a clever player, who has played more consistently than any other hack in the County this season. Old Boys have been suffering for some time from disorganisation in the hack division through the loss of some of their key men. Nevertheless

there are younger players to take their places, but the recent defeat by Technical was duo largely to a. general slackness which overtook the team. At Rakaia, Technical Old Boys, not a brilliant team, but one which plays vigorously and hard and deserves every point it gets, will meet solid opposition from Rakaia, which is an improving side. Although weak in the earlier part of the season, the Rakaia rearguard is now showing signs of promise. Position of Teams. The position of the teams in the competition is: —

PRIMARY SCHOOLS. RESULTS OF GAMES YESTERDAY. Primary school Rugby football matches played yesterday afternoon resulted as follows: — Senior —Allenton beat Ashburton East; Tinwald-Ccmvent beat Borough. Junior—Tinwald beat Borough A; Ashburton East A beat Allemton; Borough B heat Ashburton East B. Midget—Convent beat Ashburton East B; Borough heat Tinwald ; Allenton heat Ashburton East A. , TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW. The following players will represent their respective clubs in Rugby football matches to-morrow: — Technical Old Boys. Seniors v. Rakaia —L. Muir, N. Murphy, M. Hall, M. Chilton, M. Baynes, C. Bradley, T. Sampson, J. Pearce, L. Solway, R. Hill, F. Hill, R. Lloyd, H. Prichard, C. Prichard, T. Lister, C. Scott, F. Rainey, K. Muir, N. Hawke, N. Deuart. Juniors v. Celtic —R. Bigger, J. Nutbrown, H. Henderson, G. Bennett, E. Blackburn, A. Deuart, S. McKenzie, A. Allwood, F. Tutty, T. Burrowes, T. Dahinett, P. Brown, C. Horsburgh, N. Jones, K. Tilley, Atkinson, Fittoek, K. Lithgow and M. Johnston. 3rd Grade v. Old Boys—J. Spicer, R. Collard, G. Moorhead, J. Glassey, W. Slaven, G. Baytoes, L. Cornwall, H. Meade, N. McCrea, I. Lion, M. Dwyer, S. Reid, L. Chilton, K. Sheai’er, A. Bennett. Emergencies: I. Kenny, C. Robinson.

Old Boys. Seniors v. Methven —A. Rowell, E. Rowell, A. Ross, D. Ross, B. Newton, A. Matheison, E. Jordoji, J. Mclntosh, G. Bowden, L. Tait, D. White, G, Leith, A. Saunders, A. Fagan, S. Lemon, R. Walls and V. O’Donaghue. Juniors v. Methven —A. Aitken, W. Page, G. Wilson, A. McCormack, F. Harris, V. Meaelem, J. Miles, 11. Greaves, A. Lye, R. Chapman, R. Sim, L. Smitheram, A. Smitheram, E. Hyde, N. Kelly, R. Lovatt, C, Ham-* ilton, L. Anderson, E. Lloyd, D. Heasley and R. Plunkett. 3rd Grade v. Technical Old Boys—J. Walls, D. Sim, R. Ayton, R. Crum, R. Tait, W. Brick, R. Plunkett, R. Maynard, G. Miles, A. Wvlie, C. Sparrow, W. Ashworth, N. Reddicliffe, W. Thomas, B. Smallbone, T. James, A. Upton, J. Capon, R. Clucas, W. Kenny. Celtic. / Against Technical Old Boys—Reid, Roche, Sampson, Bradley, Moore, O’Grady, Sullivan, Horgan, Dwyer, Dolheguy, Crequer, Hyland, Campbell, Newall, McDonnell, Smith, Sheehan, Hooper and Hurley.

Points. W. L. D. For. Agst. Pts Old Bovs .. . 5 1 1 108 37 5| Tech O.B. . 3 4 _ 62 93 3 Methven ... . 8 4 - 57 SI 3 Rakaia . 2 4 1 40 50 2J