A DRAWN GAME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 280, 8 September 1941, Page 2

A DRAWN GAME

ASHBURTON AND ELLESMERE. A RAGGED DISPLAY IN RAIN VISITORS MORE ENTERPRISING. A disappointing display of Rugby football was seen at the Ashburton Domain on Saturday when the Ashburton representatives drew with the senior team representing the Ellesmere SubUnion, eight points all. The steady rain that started to fall prior to the match and continued to fall throughout had the effect of turning the ground into a veritable quagmire making sure handling very difficult. Both teams would have been well advised to have kept the ball more in the forwards rather than facing mis-hqndling in the backs. „ ; Ashburton were lucky to hold Ellesmere to a draw for on the whole the visitors played more enterprising football than the home team. The Ellesmere backs showed more speed and combination than their opposite numbers while the white (Ellesmere) forwards held their own in the tight and showed promise in the loose. On account of the death of their father neither of the two Doigs who had beeiv selected to play, took the field for Ashburton. J. Doig was replaced in the backs by G. Eyles, who played at fijst five-eighths. In the forwards B. Hill took the place of B. Doig. Not one of the Ashburton backs impressed as being outstanding. Conditions on Saturday were not conducive to the loose forward play that was seen a week ago. There were, however, hard-workers in the tight. D. Brooker W. Lowry, E. Rowell and F. Hill were noticeable.

J. Reeves a Good Back. In the Ellesmere backs J. Reeves at first five-eighths stood out as the outstanding man. He is a very fast runner and a clever player. B. Scott played a, good game at half-back and W. Hadfield sho\ved dash on the wing. At full-back J. McKenzie was very sound. C. Watkins, M. Poliio and 0. Walker were prominent in the visiting forwards. Ashburton opened the scoring within a minute or two of the start when S. Lemon went over after forwards and backs had handled. C. Campbell converted. Ashburton 5, Ellesmere 0.

C. Watkins led the visiting forwards on the attack and Ellesmere took play to the Ashburton line where Pohio was almost over in the corner. Watkins failed with a free-kick. The hoifie team retaliated, the backs handling nicely. When the Ellesmere full-back, McKenzie, waited for the ball to bounce, S. Lemon almost Vent over to score. Behrns soon after narrowly missed with a drop-kick at goal. The Ellesmere backs were seen in a nice piece of work when M. Brooks was sent away beautifully on the blind side with a clear field in front of him. He scored fairly Wide out and the kick failed.

Ashburton 5, Ellesmere 3. Ellesmere in the Lead. Ellesmere took the lead as a result of a brilliant solo effort by J. Reeves at first five-eighths. The visiting forwards hooked the bkll about the Ashburton 25 and the half-back sent the ball on to Reeves who ran right through the Ashburton team to score under the po'sts. G. McLachlan goaled. Ellesmere 8, Ashburton 5. At half-time the score was unchanged. Ashburton had the territorial advantage in the second spell when play was of a hard scrappy nature. The local team equalised when S. Lemon dashed across after Behriis had kicked across field. When the final whistle sounded the score was; Ashburton 8, Ellesmere 8. Mr C. McKenzie was the referee. The Junior Match. Ashburton had a comfortable win over Ellesmere in the junior match by 16 to o. For the winners Croft, scored a try and converted two, D. Chisnall, D. Tilley, and A. Horgan scored tries. R. Coleman scored for Ellesmere and ,S. Stephens converted. Mr H. E. Cook was the referee. Other Games on Saturday. In a friendly match on the Domain the Mid-Canterbury Transport Company beat Burnetts Motors by 9 points to 6. The fourth grade match resulted in a win for Methven over High School by 6 points to 3.

IN OTHER CENTRES. Christchurch—First section: Technical 7, Army 0; University 3, Limvooct 0; New Brighton 12, Air Force 6. Second section: Albion 15. Godley Head 0; Athletic 17, Christchurch 9; Southern beat Sunnyside by default; Wigrum beat Merivale by default. Timaru—Harris Cup contest: Old Boys 3, Celtic 3; Makikihi 4, Sbuthern 3 ; Temuka 25, Star 0; Zingarie 18, Geraldine 0.

Auckland—Auckland 19, Hawke’s Bay 9.