FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19286, 16 April 1928, Page 11

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. CANTERBURY UNION RESULTS. FRIENDLY GAMES. Results:— Old Boys 13; 'Varsity 6. Albion 11; Cbriatcburch 10. Linwood 20; Technical 3. In perfect weather so far as the spectators were concerned, but perhaps a trifle too warm from the players' point of view, three friendly games were played at Lancaster Park on Saturday. The ground was in excellent condition, and the play generally was interesting, in view of the fact that the competitions have not yet commenced. On the Oval Old Boys defeated 'Varsity by 13 points to 6, W. E. Merritt scoring the whole of the points for his side.' Albion beat Christchurch by 11 points, to 10, and Linwood vanquished Technical College Old Boys by 20 points to 3. The new grandstand, which is, almost ready for occupation, makes a notable improvement to the appearance of the ground, and Was greatly admired by tho, spectators. .

Old Boys (13) v. 'Varsity (6). Old Boys' victory over 'Varsity was well deserved, and augurs well for a successful season tor the.Whites, "who are without the services of W. .Dalloy and S. R. Carleton, 'Varsity being similarly short, owing to G. Alley and-J, Burrovv-B being, with the other two players "mentioned, on tour with tho All Blacks. Tho Whites were much the better side in the back division, where Merritt and Ogicr wero tho most conspicuous, and their forwards also went well, but, while .'Varsity's vanguard did much good service, tho rearguard wero most erratic, and failed to reproduce the crisp work of the Whites' backs. The Whites got the. ball from the majority of tho scrums, and consequently gave their backs plenty of chances, and ns Old Boys passed much better than their opponents, and allowed the play to go towards their speedy wing-throe-quarter, Merritt, who generally rose to tho occasion, they wero able to xiomc out on top. The Maroon backs, mado the mistake of passing too high and slowly, while their tackling left a good deal to be desired. Bad tackling also marred the play of tho winning backs. The teams wore:—

Old Boys (White). —C. G. Armstrong, W. K. Merritt, H. Ogier, J. Hobday, G. Mehrteus, D. M. Hay; G. Cox. G. Mortlock, I. Smith, F. Bowes, C. T. Speight, S. F. Baird, N. Corsbie, E. Turgis, F. L.- Clark. 'Varsity (Maroon).—ll. M. Blazoy, L. G. Loveridge, M. F. Calder, M. Wilkes, J. R. Hawkes, D. Grant, J. H. -F. Sugden, S. Fbokes, G. Burrell, 0. H. Perkins, J. B. Jackson, J. P. Henderson, A. Y. Montgomery, Drummond, AVood. Old Boys attacked at tho outset, but thoir attempts at passing failed to got far, 'Varsity' bvcnttialty getting relief by a forcedown. Old Boys were getting the Ball from the scrums, and sending it out towards Morritt's wing, the ball, however, rarely getting to the winger. A free-kick to 'Varsity for. an infringement was missed by Calder. Mehrtens broke away, and passed to Baird, who made a idashing run before he was accounted for.' Wilkes was the next man 'tp:show up', making a dodgy run up the line. Old' Boys; then got: the first score of" tho match. ~ Calder, in an endeavour to .clear, failed to kick far cnpugh.'and Merritt, getting possession, and taking his time, placed a pretty field goal. Old Boys 4, 'Varsity nil. ■'•;., ••'■': '•' ■' ' '.'". • •'-. . i\. , 'Varsity sot up a passing rush, in which Hawkes'. showed to', advantago,. Lov6ri # dge being pushed into touch when looking dangerons. ' : "Just afforwards-fumbling" among the 01' d' Boys' backs gave Montgomery - a-chance to score, which was accepted, the,-touchdown being made near tho corner,, Calder. missing the kick at goal. Old Boys 4; "Varsity "3. : J Just prior to'tho last -score Mehrtens went off; injured, A. S. Billcliff .coming on.- tqplay at centre,- Ogier.going' to second five-eighths. .' The score was unaltered at half-time. -i Old Boys ' secured the ball from :the first scrum in" the. second spell, and' it! was .sent out to Merritt, who passed out again. to,,Ogier, whq.'had v comc : round on his outside,.'• but the. centre* wets- pushed' into' ,touch 7' r Ogier, however, made "a beautiful cutMn'. just afterwards, and' transferred, to Merritt. who raced away, and scored a pretty try, his own kick at goal missing. Old Boys 7; 'Varsity^:.'Varsity got. a nice try when LoveriCjge, after accepting from Calder, made a strong rv, pushing off Blllcliff and Armstrong, to score at the corner, with Ogier hanging-on to him. loveridge took the kick at goal, but'missed. Old Boys, 7; 'Varsity 6. :. > 'Varsity wereAnow aHacking ! >i"wejU atad. Simmers from :4 5 nice piece ,of passing crossed the line, unfortunately, however, putting his foot out of bounds, and being called back for the infringement A . penalty was awarded Old Boys in a handy position, -<"«. Merritt kicked a beautiful .goal. . Old Boys l': 'Varsity .6. '•■,,', „ !tl . Low got possession, and broke away with Merritt in attendance, the>tter again show-; ing. a clean • pair of heels, .to , scoro at the corner. His kick at eoal failed. Old Boys 13; 'Varsity 6. The game ended,a minute T>r.'fee later. - : . Mr S. Hollander refereed.

Linwood v. Technical. \ The match>between Linwood-apd Technipal was not conspicuous for much bright football, but it showed Linwood to .be easily, the better side. In: the-..first spell 0., Morris marked in front of the Linwood posts and placed a goal. Technical 3, Lmwood >il. . Shortly afterwards the Linwood backs gJt going and Harleyicrossed the line, the kick at goal missing. < LinwTood 3,", Technical 3. Linwood continued "to press, and Payno Seized, an opportunity to penetrate the _ defence/ Edmonds- kicking a goal. Linwood 8,. Technical 3;. This was' tho half-time- score. The Linwood'.team, kept .tf>V c ?i rl "\.<™ themselves- in 'th£ second vspeU HeaHey being the first to touch down. Linwood 11, Tech"'Then from a forward rush Anderson got across. Linwood 14, Technical 3. , , .- Before time was called J. Harley and Manihera scored * or ,£'?: wood, the game ending:. Linwood 20, Technical 3.

Albion (11) ▼• Christchurch (10). Albion did well to: triumph over Christchurch by one point. They had most.of their old Players back on Saturday, though both t°eams we*" .altered materially in the second spell.- Steel Bhowed good form and it is evident tliat he has at least another successful season in front of him. Mortlock also Played well in the Albion rearguard. Christchurch have vet to find some players to replace tbeS" Alf Blacks who wHr-.tjffentt. defence They have a good team of- burly & -some being new to senior footb ? 6 ■** "stcf' wen(™y S witr a in c ß h°S f„„ Tho Christchurch forwards boro down B- ■i'?kii.,ni4'ind Manchester picked l°°A m ?s tWs nerfod was. notable the hard and B *n« P|"°s W The Beds got tho ball n e C< fin T aT te S coro was: Albion 11, ChristCh Mr h Campbell was referee. '.' "V

Senior B Matches, for Kaiapoi by IS points to 9.

FEILDING'S NEW GROpD. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEORAM.) FEILDING, April 14. Costing £2OOO, _new footbaU grounds on J<>»° . *&% Yj£ E. Fair). FeTdint 3 il H "nd Old Boys deFealed Feilding Old Boys 19,13.

AN ENGLISH TEAM. W ILL TOUR NEW ZEALAND. (UNITED PRESS ELECTRIC V""*'' TBLE< , BAP H-copraiGHT:). , LONDON, April 13. mw. Vtiplish Rugby Union has unanimously Th ! f ? !n invitation from New Zealand to nd P a d tea 8 m 'to New Zealand and New South W Other n Home unions . have promised permi„!nn t? any of their players invited to foin- the Press Association.

TEAM INVITED TO FIJI. (UJttTKD MESS ASSOCIATIOX-BV. ELECIftIC ,- TELEGRAPH— COSTBIGHT.) ' The Fiji Rugby Union is inviting the Auckland .Un.vers.ty to send a team to FKMn August.—Australian Press Association. ' RUGBY LEAGUE. OPENING MATCHES. PROSPECTS FOR GOOD SEASON. Results:— , ~'js- . • Waimairi 29, Addington 21. ■»^gjSS Hornby 47, Woolston 6. "¥rT Sydenham 13, Uarist 8. Monica Park has never looked in better condition than it did on Saturday, when the Canterbury Rugby Football League opened the season. The ground was a little too hard, but it suited the fast men, and the hot sun and wind soon found out the unfit players, of whom there were very few; For opening day the class of football displayed was *ry good, and augurs well for later on in the year, when the teams will have' acquired better combination.

Waimairi (29) v. Addington (21). When Addington and Waimairi field out on the field on Saturday it was evident there had been a number of changes in the teams, the most noticeable being the defection of J. Sanders, Addington captain for a number of years. They did not take long to settle down, but the play was often, more solid than spectacular, one big mistake made by both teams being the tendency on the part of tho backs to got out of position and take too long in returning. Addington made more mistakes in this respect, and they cost them a couple of tries. Of the new men in the Addington side, which will be a good deal stronger later in the season, the. best was a recruit from Sydney—L. Amos, a brother to J. Amos. He was out of place as a' fiveeighth, but showed his ability in tackling and in hard forward work. C. Stuart, a brothe* to W. Stuart, of Hornby, played in the pack, but proved to be a very clever threoquarters with a fine swerve. On the Waimairi sido, J.. Kelly, first five-eighth, and A. O'Connor, at half, look like making a fine combination. Each has a very safe pair of hands, and on Saturday showed football brains, the latter especially. He'is a brother to tho brilliant P. O'Connor, formerly of Sydenham, and it looks as if he will be every bit as good. The teams were:—-

Waimairi-—G. Blazey;: A. Smith, F. Lynskoy, H. Wright; L. Hartley, J. Kelly; A. O'Connor; J. McDonald, E. Spencer, L. Sneddon, E. Granger, N..Hossiter, and F. Prinsep. Addington—B. O'Connell; E. O'Mallcy, J. , Stanley, W. Mayne; L: Amos, J. Amos; A. Pfiddic; L. Adams, F. Rouse, B. Keeno, C. Stuart, P. Pullar, and. J. A. Amos. Addington were tho first to attack in a spell of forward play. O'Connell had two ambitious shots, at goal from half-way, both going wide. J. Amos again led tho Magpies, and a minute later O'Malley knocked on when he had a clear run. Keeping the leather going nicejy, Addington had their opponents penned up, till O'Connell opened the scoring with' a long x penalty. Blazey 'failed in a hard shot .for Waimairi in ■ a momentary attack, but soon the Magpies were in again for O'Malley to race away from a skirmish and score behind the posts. Q'Com nell missed the kick. Addington 5, Waimairi 0. The latter now livened up and used their fast backs to'gain possession from kicks. Blazey opened their account with a penalty from an infringement against O Connell, Spencer adding ■ another two . points with a penalty from the side-lino a. minute later. There was now Only one point;difference, and both sides wore doing their:best. Fast following up by Pullar ended in a try in a handv 'position, which O'Connell failed to, convert. The store at the interval was unaltered.

. Addington 8, Waimairi d.Waimairi were ahead a. minute "after the resumption. ' A forward rush ended 'with* Hartley losing the'' bail; on !the line,' but Kelly was there to'touch down. , Blazoy converted.-, A foiir-minute . interval .followed while a player had a" log bandaged on the field. ' Five' Waimairi men were away by themselves in a lightning spurt, but were too eager- and infringed 'a. couple of' feet from the line, allowing. Addington time to. get back to save. O'Connor was fast ■ off'.the mark in a. Waimairi attack, and ran well in to send on to Rossiter'for a good try .-Blazey goaied. Waimairi 14, Addington 8. .Right away the'men from the north/were off again, Hartley scoring a try by a determined straight run. He cannoned off an upright. Blazey converted.' Addington then liv'ened up, Adams leading, a loose rush through to end. ,in Mayne scoring. J; Amos failed at. goal. O'Malley was the next in the, limelight witn a sprint-that gained 40 yards, but he held on and was grounded. A penalty then saw' O'Connell add two more to_W« side's total. Waimairi 19,'-Addington 13; Tries were now coming fast,. Stuart, being /the next to score after a pass from Stopley had found the opposition out of position. O Oon.nell converted, leaving his side one .point behind. -An exchange of kicks ended with Blazey in possession. He shot 'across,-gave to Hartley,- to O'Connor, .who out m.nicely for a very pretty try. -Blazey. again converted.-,- Waimairi 24, Addington, 18. Stuart lost the ball in trying, to force m ftetow of a rush by Waimairi forwards, O Oonnell reaching there just in time to kick over the dead ball line. With time nearly up, the Magpies livened up again, Keene scoring in a forward rush wide out; O'Connell missed narrowly. The last try came at the end of a fast forward rush, good following up letting McDonald across' postsi and again Blazey goaied, .leaving.-the final score. Waimairi 29;. Addington. 21. ' Mr H. King was referee. .. Sydenham (13) v. .Marist (8),.

There was a good attendance; at Sydenham Park when Sydenham, and Marist in their first-of-the-season match, which ended in a victory for the home team-by a-margin of five points. The teams were:—■ _ . Sydenham-E. 'Hamburgher, T. Davidson, F. Lagan, J. Bray, G. Frazer, G. Falgar.P. Turpin, W. le Warne, J: Southam, G. Blazey, J. Maddren. B.; Drury, and J,, Rolands. McKendry,., J. Blackaby, 0. Brittenden, H. Pearce,. C. Bateman,. 0. Bond, P. Clarksbn, H.. O'Nsil,' G. Drayton P.^ Consedine, T. Carroll, IC,. Maloney, and. S. le W ln° the first spell the Greens - , Vith : the suft at their backs, kept:Sydenham-hcmmed in for the greater .part through excellent passing rushes among the backs, who proved superior to their opponents, but. the *? rwar , ds ,, w evenly, matched, and when_ the "»"-'»=" whistle sounded the Greens had a lead of si\ points. The-second- half, saw a situation, for with .the -sun against them they were' on' the defensive for the greater part of this spell. The-Blue backs bandied better than Marist, and were responsible for many spectacular passing rushes which were prevented often from ending in scores bv solid tackling. The Sydenham forwards, who were of the bustling type, continually worried the opposition.; The home team were undoubtedly superior, in this spell onu thoroughly deserved .their win. On Saturday's display the Marist inside backs are below standard. For the winners, in the backs T. Davsdion, Fj Lagan,, and G. Falgar wore aUrio who put in good work, while in the forwards W. le Warne was outstanding, his. solo runs being frequent. G. Blazey also porformed well. For the backs H.-Pearce, oh attack, and.T. McKendry, and J. Blackaby, on defence, were prominent throughout. T. Carroll was easily tho best-* of., the Green, forwards. S. le Warne also played well. .- ~ ... ~ .' Sydenham kicked • off. and midfield play ensued until the Marist forwards, led by Carroll, bore down on the Sydenham line. The home team was penalised under the posts. Brittenden drew first blood for Marist with a penalty goal. Marist. assumed the offensive, and Brittenden picked up 1 smartly and sent on to Pearce at the right time for -the latter to. score-at the corner. Bond failed witn the kick. Greens., kept up the pressure, but it was short-lived, for Davidson and Falgar counter-attacked with a rush that ended in Marist territory. The Greens wero then penalised, but Lagan failed with the kick. Sydenham kept at it, and Hamburgher opened their account with a.penalty. As the result of a parsing Tush by the Marist backs, Pearce was well tackled in the Sydenham twenty-five,' but Consedine,' who was following up, picked up and scored in a handy position. Bond missed the eaßy kick. Half-time sounded shortly after with play at midfield and the score: ■ ~ Marist 8, Sydenham 2. On resuming, Sydenham "had the advantage of the sun, and were quickly into their stride, but the Green's defence was solid. Lagan put the homo team on the move with a spectacular run, but was hauled down near tho line. Pearce then picked up and transferred play to the Sydenham line, whero Lagan, by a clever interception, retrieved the position for Sydenham. In a- Blue rush Falgar got over the line, but lost the ball. However, Drurv, who was luckily .handy, fell on it. Frazer failed with the kickV Sydenham kept up. the pace, and W. le Warne picked up from a scrum and forced; his, way through the Marist pack to score wide out. Davidson's kick failed. Then.followed a series of up-and-down rushes until from a scrum in the Marist twenty-five Falgar received the ball and with a neat swerve scored under the posts. Frazer goaied. The Greens then set off in quest'of the Sydenham line, but the Blues replied with a sweeping forward rush which took play to .midfield. The final whi6tle then sounded, with.the'score: Sydenham 13, Marist 8. Referee, Mr C. "Allen.

Curtain-Baiser. Eiccarton beat Addington -by 21 points to 16 in a sixth grade game played as a cur-tain-raiser to the Waimairi v. Addington fixture. Hornby (47) v. Woolston (6). The match between Hornby'and Woolston took place on the Monica Park No. -2 ground. When the players took the field thero was considered to be every likelihood that a very

even game would eventuate. Through th» Jobs of some of last rear's players Hornby have had to fill places with leas experienced [ men, whose first Bhowing did them credit, I They have a brilliant voung five-eighths >n IC. Woods, whose tricky play in company with his brother, Cliff Woods, and the remaining backs was a delight to watch. «• Davis was the most conspicuous of the forwards, and his two tries were well earned. .Woolston also had changes, J. Parkes and the Mundy brothers being notable recruits. The opening exchanges produced good football, but both teams were taking time to settle down, and the play was even. The forwards of both sides worked hard, and the greater fitness of the Hornby men told in the later stages. Especially was tins seen in their backs, whose speed beat the Woolston men, and enabled them to smother any movements their opponents attempted. The teams were:— Hornby.— K. Wilkie, R. Mackie, W. Davis W. Stuart. 0. Woods, Cliff Woods. A. "Vivian, A. Ward. W. Vivian, H. Wilson, A. Cameron, S. Minard, M. Willan. Woolston—A. Harrison, B. Murray, ». Main, F. Poolev, A. Mundv, 3. Mundy, T. Armstrong, J. Clarke, B. Cooper, R. Xewton, W. Randall, J. Parkes, J. Warren. Woolston kicked off, and for the first few minuteß play remainde about midfield. Hornby were throwing the ball about, and nnce Mackie, with Stuart in attendance, looked dangerous. Woolston gained ground from a free-kick, but a penalty sent them hack. Hornby were gradually forcing Woolston on to the line, the lack of combination among Woolston spoiling individual efforts. Prom a melee near the halfway line; Main sent a wild pass to Pooley. who missed, and Mackie dribbled up quickly for C. Woods to run round and score behind the posts. Davis easilv converted. Hornby 5; Woolston 0. From the kick 0. Woods cut in, and passed to Stuart, who went out. Davis had -a difficult shot from a penalty, and the ball travelled across and upfield. Mackie made a chance, nnd from some standing passing, Wilson crossed at the corner. Davis missed the kick. Hornby 8; Woolston 0. Shortly after Stuart secured tho ball, making an opening for L. Woods to pass to Mackie, who scored near the nosts. Davis easily converted. Hornby 13; Woolston 0. Woolston dominated tho piny for n while,, and Hornby were comnelled to force down. Armstrong, Main, and Murray initiated a Hkelv movement, but Hornby smothered it. Cameron relieved with a nico dribble downfiold. Woolston kent up tho pressuro fill 0. Woods, with tricky . piny, sent them back. After a scrum. Cliff Woods from the Hornby quarW-line, ran through the whole Woolston team. rmrsued by Pooley. . His score was a brilliant effort, and Davis again converted; Half-time came with the score:

Hornby 18; Woolston 0. On the resumption, of play Hornby gradually gained an ascendancy, and, securing in front of the posts. Davis crossed th" line He.ensilv converted his own triv. Hornby 23; Woolston'o. A little later Marine just missed another score through fumbling on the line. TYnm a scrum on the thrcc-6,uar-tcr line Cliff Woods sent out to Stuart, who cut in, sending nut to n. Woods, who was 'veil t-clcled by Main. Mackie-frink the ball from the ground to score. ' Davis's kick hit the post. Hornby 26; 'Woolston 0. Hornby now had the game well in hand, their hacks frequently cutting in. hut spoiling their opportunities through bad nassing.' After a good deal of desultorv play, Woolston forced back, and Pooley made a run, which vesufted in several plavers fnllinr; in a bean in an attempt to tackle. An injury to -J. Mundv necessitated his leaving the field. The Hornby backs carried the play down, and from the ruck C. Woods cut-in, and was collared under the posts by Pooley. but too late. Davis made sure of the kick. Hornby 31. Woolston 0. 0. Woods took the ball from some loose play, and, followed by Stuart and Mackie, set off for the line. Pooley made Wood* transfor. but Mackie missed. From a scramble. C. Woods secured, 'and went over. Davis missed the kick. Hornbv 34; Woqlston 0. Shortly nfter Minard went over. The kick failed. Hornbv 37: Woolston 0. Woolston raced after the hall from the kick,, and Murray went over for their first score. Hornby 37; Woolston 3. ~-,,' Hornbv forced the nace. and bad play on Woolston's nart let Mackie gain a !qt > of ground. Willan, finding no opposition*' crossed and converted. Hornby 42; .woolston 3 A few minutes later Davis did the same. Hornby 47; Woolston 3. Parkos initiated a nice movement for Woolston. The ball came from the, scrum, and, breaking cway. he ran' round with it. cutting past the Hornbv men. and sent the ball to Mundy. to Main and Murrav, ,the last-named scoring at the corner:. His kick did not Tise. and the game ended; Hornby. 47; Woolston 6. Mr E. Jones was the refere6.

ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND RESULTS. (Pa«3B ASSOCUTIOH TKLSSBIU.) AUCKLAND, April 14. , The Association football competitions werb started in fine weather. Results: Thistle 3 beat Ebnsonby 0; Onehunga 2 beat Belmont 1; Y.M.O.A. 2 beat North. Shore 1; Tramways 3 beat Northcote 2."