RUGBY LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19611, 6 May 1929, Page 15

RUGBY LEAGUE.

A WIN FOR WAIMAIRL ADDINGTON HEAD THE TABLE. fieenlts:Addington 12, Sydeahaan 7. lfaxirt 39, Woolaton 0. W.lmairi 7, Hornby 6. Conditions were again ideal on Saturday for football, when the fourth round of matches was played, Addington continued on their winning way, this time accounting for Sydenham in a game below standard. Marist ran all over Woolston with what was considered their weakest side of the season, K. Spillane apparently scoring almost when he liked. At Papanui, the unbeaten Hornby team went under to Waimairi. who previously had not won a match. This shows the surprising evenness of the contestants for first grade honours this season. The following table shows tha positions of the teams to date:— P. W. 1.. P. A. Pts. Addington 4 4 0 53 29 8 Hornby , . 4 8 1 64 82 6 Marist .. 4 22 92 57 4 Sydenha'm ..4 22 59 33 4 Waimairi ..4 1 3 21 55 2 Woolston . . 4 0 4 10 95 0 Waimairi (7) v. Hornby (6). After one of the fastest and hardest games seen at St. James' Park. Waimairi defeated the competition leaders, Hornby, by 7 points to 6. The play was clean but fiercely eontested, and wa3 witnessed by a large crowd. Neither team showed much combination. Hornby missed their crack half, C. Woods. Solo efforts and some hefty tackling were the order of the day. Both teams played an extra back, and each rearguard stood up clsoe, swooping down relentlessly on any passing movements. The game was accordingly devoid of the mora spectacular features of League football, but in individual effort and rugged tackling it provided some hectic moments. In the second spell Hornby repeatedly hooked the ball, and, holding it in the serum, crashed their way through. The pack carried out several of these movements cleverly, and only demon tackling by Waimairi pulled them up. The final stages of play were exciting. E. Spencer kicked a magnificent goal for Waimairi from half-way. In the last ten minutes Hornby stormed the Waimairi line, scorini? twice, one being a very lucky try. Right on time P. Smith potted, the ball missing by inches. Lobbed passing by the Hornby backs lost some great opportunities. Palamountain, the Hornby full-back, is undoubtedly one of the finds of the season, and was in great form. Although a young player, he possesses splendid physique, and is a powerful runner. The three-quarter line included Oliphant, a new player from Devonport, Auckland, who should be a big acquisition to Hornby. P. Smith made several brilliant solo runs, but his passing at the critical moment was weak. Howison at first fiveeighth, was the pick of the backs. He and K. Wilkie, at half, combined in several bright rushes. Wilkie got the ball away smartly from the scrums, but after passing Howison the movements broke down through bad handling. Davis played during the first spell, but had to retire owing to an injury, and was replaced by Noel Vivian. Davis is one of the finest goal kicks in Canterbury, but is uot likely to play again. Noel Vivian made several splendid runs, but took things too easily in parts. Reid, Ward, and A. Vivian were the. pick of the pack. Though inexperienced, J. Lynskey got through a heavy afternoon's work creditably at full for Waimairi. Hollis, on the left wing, was again starved for opportunity, but was particularly game in defence. Though very light, he tackled relentlessly throughout, going low for his burly opponents repeatedly. Hollis was knocked from pillar to post, but was going great guns at the finish, Carr, at centre, put in several clever solo dashes. Sanferra, a Marlborough Rugby Union player, did not get much opportunity on attack, but was reliable, and tackled aoundly. Woodham, P. Lynskey, and O'Connor (half) were the hardest-worked backs, and proved a very alert trio, making some liehtning attacks on the Hornby rearguard. O'Connor was the most versatile back on the field, and roused the enthusiasm of the crowd with several particularly brilliant solo efforts. E. Spencer was the outstanding forward on the trround, and played a grand game. His goal from half-way was a beautiful effort.

The teams were:— Hornby—Backs, W. Palamountain, V Vivian, H. A. Vivian, Oliphant, Cameron, P. Smith, Howison, K. Wilkie; forwards, W. Vivian, Ward, A. Vivian, Reid, S. Minards. Waimairi —Backs, J. Lynskey, A. Smith, C. Carr, S. Sanferra, B. Hollis, F. Lynskey, 3. Woodham, A. O'Connor; forwards, H. M. Blazey,. G. Kyle, E. Spencer, Yaxley, B. Neville In the first spell Waimairi led 5-0. F. Lynskey kicked a penalty goal and scored a try after a brilliant solo effort, brushing off several tacklers cleverly. From 45 yards out A. Davis made a great attempt at goal for Hornby from s penalty, the ball striking the upright. , E. Spencer kicked a grand penalty goal from half-way for Waimairi in the second spell. In running bsck to clear, A. O'Connor collided with J. Lynskey and dropped the ball over the line. W. Vivian scoring. From a forward rush Minards scored, neither try being converted. In the dying stages of the game Hornby made several strenuous efforts. Ward. Wilkie, and Smith combined, the lastnamed cutting through, but his pass went •stray Wilkie worked the blind side, sending Cameron awav. but he was nroziled right on the line. Wilkie whipped out from a scrum to Howison, who cut out his man and sent on to Oliphant. to Cameron, who was again held up on the line. A. Vivian made n strairht dash, and was nearly over, and shortly after Smith had a pot which went close. The last few minutes were crammed with exciting incidents.

Addlaeton (12) v. Sydenham (7). The biggest crowd of the year assembled at Monica Park to see Addington and Sydenham meet, but they must hove been disappointed. It is said that every football team has an "off da 7" in each season, and this must be mentioned as about the main feature of the game. Addington have a great set of back* —easily the best in the competition but they could do nothing right. They surely dropped more passes in this fixture than would normally be dropped in a season. One excuse—a slight one—was that the new ball was pumped far too tightly. This, however gave extra length to kicking, and the exchanges between the fullbacks were about the brightest feature. It was Sydenham's first appearance on the main ground this year, and with their previous performances as a guide their supporters picked them to win. They have a fine set of hustling forwards, who are match-winners in a low-Bcoring game, and also some classy backs individually, but of combination there was none at all. C. Goodman was back in his old place in the Addington team after a few years' spell. and seems aa good as ever. Had he been fed, instead of making play to the other wing where the ball was regularly dropped or knocked on. the score and the general tenor of play would have been very different. Surely Goodman. Stapley, Sanders, and Stuart ought to bo a match-winning combination in 0117 class of football. Stapiey is still improving. Among the forwards » dour battle ns waged. Sydenham were heavier, p.-ni gained a majority of the scrums till bad luck caused two men to leave injured. This loss was serious to the Blues, and perhaps meant losing the game, as Southam, the man first injured, stopped many a fine rush br the Magpies' backs. However, in most games of backs v. forwards, the former are generally too good. In the last ten minutes, with the Black and White backs handling surely. there was only ore team is tie picture, and this part cf the gette was good to watch.

Of the Sydenham backs. J. W. tiamoerton. at centre, looks a likely man when the combination improves. L. Turton <-a5 the ben —the only really good—tackier on the side, and stopped Sanders repeatedly. S. le Warne was the heft of their, pack. Of the Addington pack, who played without their uffual cohesion. Green and MeLeod were most prominent. A feature of good forward play in which they could improva is in eover-lrg their plucky little half-back. From the opening Addington h»d the better of " things, but were

dropping passes. At las*. ? 3n " ders received cleanly from Peddie. following a scram, and threaded his way over in a handv position. Green missed the shot at goal. Lamberton was Sydenham's try;getter after a lively sprint, going over amid a bunch of tacklers. Davidson missed tno shot at goal. Just before the interval Fraser landed a penalty goal which left his side two points up. ~ Hainberger was the first to add to the score in the second spell, kicking a good penalty goal from well out. At this stage Sydenham's chances looked good, but the Addington backs soon swept down in a devastating rush, the ball travelling ae ro * s to MeLeod, Stuart, and Stapley, for tne last-named to touch down in the corner. Mayne missed the goal. Addington kept at it, and soon * beautifully placed cross-Kick by Goodman save Sanders, Stuart, ana Stapley a run, the last-named scoring again. Goodman missed the kick. The last try was Peddie's. The forwards heeled to In in near the line, and he dashed through or. nis own. This time Green missed the kick MrC. Allen was referee, giving a good interpretation of the advantage role, and win."sing anyone infringing the play-the-bail rn.e.

Marist (39) v. Woolston (0). It was generally thucght that a "St. who were minus Bond, Gillespie, and i-'occfa, would hare their work cut out to head wooiston, but the Greens performed their tas~ easily. The player who attracted much notice was it. Poff, who, playing at centre, was responsible for a sterling exhibition ■» that department. He relieved Spillane oi a good amount of work in the backs. Due tho Marist captain put in some remarkably tricky runß, and had a new role on Saturday as well—that of goal-kicking—when no converted four successive tries. J. O Mallear, a promoted junior, played solidly on tho wing. He is a sufe tackier and can muste urj a fine burst of speed. Burns impressed frequently, but he is, strictly speaking, not a back. Of the forwards, Xi. Blackaby and G. Sharpe stood out. Woolston did not see much of the ball a. all, being on the defensive for the Kr ea t« r part of the game. The Greens tested the Woolston defence severely, and found the Blues to be weak in tackling. With one or two exceptions the Blues did not go low for their men, and the Greens had an easy time. C. Blacklock, at half, was the best hack on the side, but received no support from his team-mates. W. Cunningham and J. Wakefield in the forwards went well. Woolston kicked off, but Marist were soon on the attack, and threw the ball about freely. At the Woolston twenty-five bpillane picked up and, with an electrifying corkscrew run, left the opposition standing to open Marist's account with a try, which ha converted. W. Cunningham led the Woolston forwards, but Burns came back with a good run and passed to Poff, who sped over at the corner. Spillane goaled with a good kick. Growcott then gained much ground with a neat cut-in, ad sent on to Spillane, who scored wide out. Spillane again goaled. The Marist forwards then took charge, Flood going over for Spillane to kick his fourth successive goal. Poff then went over after a nice bout of passing. Growcott failed with the kick, the half-time whistle sounding shortly after with the score: Marist 23. Woolston 0. Tight play marked the opening of the second spell until Growcott set his backs off, the pall travelling out to Spillane, who scored at the corner. O'Loughlin failed with the kick. Then Consedine used his weight and brushed aside would-be tacklers to score under the po*ts. He also goaled Poff picked up near half-way and with n fine burst of speed seored beside the post* O'Mslley thpn put in a great run down the line before he reverse passed to Poff. who galloped away from the onnositinn for nn easy try. which he converted as the finnl whistle sounded, with the score: Msrist 39, Woolston ". Mr Ij. Hill was the referee. JTJKIOR GRADE. Woolstnn IS, Addington 3. T.inwood 87, Kx-Wect Coasters 0. Hornby 28, Wa ; mairi 3. THIRD GRADE. Addington 15. Hornby 3. Sydenham 6. Ricearton 0. Marist 30, Waimairi 0. FOURTH GRADE. Marist B 7. Ricearton 5. Woolston 21, Addington 0. Marist A 23, Hornby 2. SIXTH GRADE. Hornby beat Waimairi by default. Marist 21, Linwood 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Ricearton 26, Liniwood 0. Waimairi 17, Marist 0. The game between Marist aid Et. Joseph's was not played. SCHOOLBOYS' GRADE. Marist 6 drew with Sydenham 6. Linwood 12, Ricearton 0. Addington 13. Linwood B 0. IN OTHER CENTRES. (PaEoS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM*..) AUCKLAND, May 4. Richmond 9 v. Marist 8, Ponsonby 8 * Newton 3, City II v. Ellerslie 8, Devonport 29 v. Kingsland 7. DUNEDIN, May 4. Christian Bros. A 10 v. City 4, Pacific 24 v. Kaikorai 3, Christian Bros. B 12 v. Athletic 11. WIGAN WINS CUP FINAL. N.Z. PLAYERS PROMINENT. (UNITED PRESS AS3OCIA.TIOX—BV ELECTBIC TBLEOBAPH —COPY3IGHT.) (Received May sth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 4. Tho weatLer at Wembley was dull and cold for the Rugby League Cup final, when Wigan beat Dewgbury 13-2, before an attendance of 40,000 spectators. The game failed to reach the expectations of a close, exciting contest, for Wigan, with five players recruited at considerable expense from England, Wales, New Zealand, and South Africa, had little difficulty in beating their opponents, whose team, with one exception, were all born within a few miles of Dewsbury. Prominent in. Wigan'g thirteen were Sullivan, Ring, and Bennet, who all toured Australia and New Zealand. Two New Zealanders had a big share in winning the game, L. Brown scoring a brilliant try, and L. Mason, the giant Maori, doing splendid work both on attack and defence. Wigan scored two goals and three tries.—Australian Press Association, United Service.