RUGBY FOOTBALL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 192, 28 May 1945, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ASHBURTON COMPETITIONS. POOR STANDARD OF PLAY. The standard of play in the only senior Rugby football match at Ashburton on Saturday left much to be desired. It is, of course, early in the season, and many players have yet to strike form. Fittingly, so far as play was concerned, the match was drawn —Methven 6, Technical Old Boys 6. Probably the two best men on the field were the opposing half-backs. W. Mellish, for Methven, showed himself a dangerous man in any department of the game. He was always quick to get his backs moving, and his' speed enabled him often to move round and give his side the overlap. His defence was sound, as several Technical players found to their cost. W. Rogers, the Technical half-back, although perhaps not as spectacular as Mellish suffered little by comparison with the visitors and gave easily the best display of his team, his ability to find openings in the defence getting Methven into trouble frequently. W. Slaven, at centre for Technical, seemed slightly off form, and did not play his usual good game. His handling failed on one occasion when Technical were in full cry for the line. C. Bradley, the Technical first fiveeighth, was closely watched by his diminutive opponent, W. Maw. Of the forwards, T. Tonks and Frederick Hill were the most outstanding for the home team, the former particularly showing up well on several occasions. R. Hill and K. Shearer were the pick of the Methven pack. Notes On The Play. Technical gained an early territorial advantage but the Methven forwards following up fast, caught Bradley before he could clear. Play went back to the Methven line, where the defenders infringed, Bradley missing the kick. W. Rogers, the Technical halfback, took play back to the Methven line with a clever run which beat many defenders. Methven gained a momentary advantage with a loose forward rush, but N. Withell, the Technical right wing, following up fast, caught a Methven man in possession and put Technical on attack. A. Sutton tried a cut-in to break the defence but he was well grounded. Following a penalty from an easy position, Bradley opened the score for Technical with a penalty goal. Methven then attacked strongly and had evened the score in less than two minutes, W. Maw, the right wing, coming up on the edge of a forward rush to go over in the corner. Mellish missed a difficult kick. Methven at this stage were playing well, but they failed to take full advantage of a lowering sun. Half-time came with no further score. Technical were the first to gain an advantage in the second half, and it was only a splendid tackle by Mellish, who was caught off balance, that stopped T. Tonks from putting Technical in front. After scrambling play, in which several good chances were lost by poor handling on both sides, Mellish picked up in a melee, beat two men and sent Hyland over in the corner. The kick failed. Methven 6, Technical 3. Bradley kicked a good penalty and brought the score even again, and play ended a few minutes later. Mr A. Cox was the referee. ARMY BEATS HINDS 20—11. After holding Army to even terms up to half-time, Hinds, playing on their own ground, weakened in the second half, the visitors gaining a fairly deei-’ sive victory, the score being 20-11. Scorers for Army were N. Johnston (three tries), W. Edwards (two tries), T. Granville (conversion) and B. Doyle (penalty goal). For Hinds, C. Ireland and A. Johnston each scored a try and L. Tilson converted a try and kicked a penalty goal. The referee was Mr R. Bryce. CLOSE GAME AT RAKAIA The match between Rakaia and Old Boys at Rakaia was fast and even, the home fifteen winning 9-6. Old Boys performed creditably against an older and more experienced team, which had the advantage of a heavier pack.. J. Doig, D. Hurst and Mead were the scorers for Rakaia. I. Gosnell scored a try for Old Boys and Sullivan kicked a penalty goal. Mr C. W. Wellman was referee. COMPETITION LADDER. Following is the position of the teams in the competition ladder:

THIRD GRADE. In a third grade match, Technical School ran up the respectable tally of 33 points to Metliven’s five. High School (17) beat Technical Old Boys B (3). Technical’s points came from a penalty goal by E. Sutherland, while the scorers for High School were jW. S. Corbett, R. E. Carter, R. O. | McDowell, C. T. Oram (tries), G. V. Dallison (conversion), aiid D. Whiting I (penalty goal). Playing'on their own ground, Hinds went under 17-3 to Springburn. Technical Old Boys A beat Rakaia 11-3, playing at Rakaia. ‘ FOURTH GRADE. In the only fourth grade game Technical High School beat High School 16-11. Tries were scored for High

School by E. Welsh, R, Mountfort, and N. Lochliead, the latter converting a try as well. Technical’s points were scored by P. Roulston (two tries), I. McDougall and B. Bryce (one try each) and T. Rainey (two conversions).

Technical O.B. .. P. 3 W. 2 L. D. 1 Pts. 2i Rakaia O 2 1 — 2 Old Boys 3 2 1 — 2 Methven .. / 3 1 1 1 1" Army 9 1 2 1 Hinds 3 — 3 — 0