RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20957, 11 September 1933, Page 16

RUGBY LEAGUE

VIVIAN CUP SERIES SYDENHAM, THE LEADING TEAM, BEATEN Results: — Linwood 15, Addington 12. Riccarton 13, Sydenham 10. Very hard grounds and a strong easterly wind tended to spoil good football on Saturday, when the Canterbury Rugby League's Vivian Cup scries was continued. Linwooci and Addington met at Haglcy Park before a very poor attendance and, in a game not up to expectations, Linwood won. after being behind nearly all through. Sydenham, the only unbeaten side, had to strike it:; colours before Riccarton in an even contest at Papanui. The draw announced on Tuesday morning also included Pirates v. New Brighton. Later in the week, when it v/as evident that Pirates could not raise a full side, the draw was altered, Hornby being set down to play New Brighton at the seaside However, the country team did not travel, so a win by default is credited to New Brighton, though there will probably be an explanation forthcoming, as Hornby is anxious, to retain the Vivian Cup. LINWOOD (15) v. ADDINGTON (12). When the teams lined out it looked as if Addington would be far too strong in the backs for Linwooci, which was below full :;trenglh. The style of play, however, was soon against Addington, which elected to let the forwards make the play and did not open up passing rushes. Later when the backs did begin to run they made so many mistakes that the eastern team's spoilers were able to frustrate nearly all the attacking efforts. Four 20-minute spells were played, and only in the last one was the standard of play high. Then some really good passing was seen as, with the scores nearly level, each side strove to win. James Amos and Ash by were the best of the Addington backs, «nd Wehner and Barnard of the forwards, who won a surprisingly small percentage of the set scrums. For Linwood Merson, although closely watched, was the pick of the backs, with Stuart, Rogers, and Downing prominent of the pack. The teams were:— Linwood—J. Kelly; C. Becks, B. Ayers, F. Jackson; L. Merson, A. Ancell; J. Stammers: A. Stuart, R. Ringdahl, T. McCausland, W. Rogers, A. Downey, A. Kale. • Addington—W. Boniface; C. Brimble, H. Knight, B. O'Connell; E. Barbarel, James Amos; E. Ashby; R. Ward, L. Evans, L. Wehner, ' J. Barnard, L. Amos, Jack Amos. The first spell was even, James Amos scoring just on the change-over after a 60-yard passing bout. He failed at goal. Linwood equalised when Becks crossed in a fast dash, Merson missing at goal. After five abortive scrums, Addington was penalised, and Kelly raised the flags with a good kick. O'Connell and Jack Amos made a break, Ashby carrying on for a try which was almost a gift, as Linwood stopped, thinking that he was out. Knight missed. Addington made most of the play early in the second spell, Jack Amos scoring and Ashby sending Barnard over soon afterwards. Both kicks at goal failed. With the scores 12 to 5, Addington appeared safe for a win, but the position looked different when Merson and Becks interpassed for 70 yards until the former scored. Kelly converted. In the last quarter, play speeded up. Brimble lost a try by stopping when a tackier approached instead of going on, and James Amos battled across, but the referee ruled against him. A sweeping rush across; the Linwood backs gained" ground, Becks ending over the line. The kick was 100 far for Ayers. A field goal to Jackson, a very neat one, was the last scoring effort, and left the totals: RICCARTON (13) v. SYDENHAM (10). Although it came as something of a surprise, Riccarton's defeat of Sydenham, the leading side in the competition, was the right conclusion to a hard-fought match. The winners adapted themselves to the conditions much better than did their opponents, and showed a superiority throughout the game. In D. Wickham, a newcomer to senior League, Riccarton Eeems to have found a, good left wing. J

Wickham is young, but he is speedy, and with a little more experience should develop into a fine player. Of the Sydenham men, P. Remi battled hard, and T. Thin and PI Grimes were also conspicuous. The game was played in four spells of 20 minutes each. Playing with the wind, Riccarton had the better of the opening exchanges, and scored in the first few minutes. From a scrum inside the Sydenham twenty-five, the forwards heeled to R. Overend, who passed to R. Chaston. who crossed easily. B. Vine goaled. Riccarton continued to make the play, but threw away many opportunities. Then weak defence allowed A Wilson, the Sydenham left wing, to break through with a good run, and a neat piece of following up by E Farmer resulted in a try. The kick missed. After the first change oyer, the Sydenham backs showed better combination, and with more sting in their attack made things lively for Riccarton. They showed the best movement of the day just before the end of the spell, the whole back line handling to send W. Rastrick across under the posts. He also converted Riccarton set up an attack from the kick-off in the second spell, Chaston crossing in the corner. Then Overend picked ud smartly near the Sydenham twenty-five line, and threw a long naVs to R Falgar, the latter sending on to D. Wickham, on the wing who ran over unopposed for a good try. Rice "rton continued to press, and from a melee near the sideline 25 yards out the ball went to Chaston, who potted a goal Sydenham was awarded a penally, from which W. Meadows S«fa goal, but in spite «?f desperate attempts, was not able to score further. The final score was: Riccarton 13. Sydenham 10. Referee, Mr C. J. Taylor. Linwowl 15, Addition U. Referee, Mr P. Kir ton. SECOND GRADE. Sydenham 8, Addington 5. Waimairi 25, Lin wood 3. THIRD GRADE. Sydenham 24, Pirates 0. Linwood v. Riccarton, not played. SIXTH GRADE. Sydenham 17, Riccarton 8. SEVENTH GRADE. Sydenham v. Linwood, not played. Waimairi beat New Brighton by delaUt SCHOOLBOYS. Sydenham v. Woolston, not played. IN OTHER CENTRES. (rRESS ASSOCIATION TBH.EGRAU3.) AUCKLAND, September 10. In a Rugby League representative match, in which hard forward play predominated. Auckland beat South Auckland yesterday by 17 points to 5. PREMIERSHIP IN SYDNEY NEWTOWN BEATS ST. GEOKGE (UNITED ITIES3 ASSOCIATION—T»T ELECTRIC TELEGBAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 10, 7.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 9. For the Rugbv League premiership Newtown beat St George by 18 points to 5. AUSTRALIAN TEAM IN ENGLAND OLDHAM ISEATEN (Received September'lo, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. The Australian touring team beat Oldham by 118 points to 6. At halftime Australia led by 15 points to 4.