FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21146, 23 April 1934, Page 16

FOOTBALL

RUGBY COMPETITION OPENS ALBION'S DEFEAT OF CHRIST- ( lU'RCII ONLY SURPRISE Results:— Sydenham 18, Merivale 11. University 10, Linwood 0. Old Boys 23, Athletic 6. Albion 17, Christchurch 0. With teams in the first grade competition more evenly balanced and matched than for some seasons, with Canterbury again defending the Ranfurly Shield, and with the AH Blacks for the tour o£ Great Britain in 1935 being selected this year public interest in Rugby in Christchurch this season promises to be keen. Saturday's opening games in the first round of the first grade competition of the Canterbury Rugby Union's competition attracted good attendances at both Lancaster Park and Rugby Park and taking into account that the matches represented the first serious Rugby of the year the standard of lorm was high-

I ycur's champion side, Sydenham, met Merivale un the ova] at I Lancaster Park, and won by 18 points > 1o 11 after a fast and often spectacu- | lar encounter. The margin flattered the. winners a little. Merivale made a bold showing in the. concluding L Plages, and was unlucky not to make f the score closer. Sydenham deserved I victory because of belter rearguard 1 combination and better use of opportunities. University beat Linwood by 10 points to nil in a rather scrappy game. University was the better balanced. Linwood backs were disappointing. Old Boys beat Athletic easily by 22 points to -six. Old Boys were faster and revealed better combination and penetrative ability, especially among the inside backs. Athletic showed improvement on the club's early form of last, season. Albion provided the surprise of the round by inflicting a solid defeat on Christchureh by 17 points to nil. The game was played at Rugby Park. Chrislchurch's form was disappointing. Championship Table The following table gives the position of the teams in the championship table .'.is the result of 'he matches on Saturday:— P. W. L. Pts. Pts. Ch. For.Agst. Pis. Sydenham .. 1 I 0 18 11 1 Albion .. 1 1 0 17 - . ] Old Bovs .. 1 1 0 23 () 1 University .. 1 I 0 10 •- 1 Athletic ..101 6 28 0 Merivale .. 1 0 1 11 IB 0 Linwood ..101- 10 0 Christchureh 1 0 1

SYDENHAM (18) v. MERIVALE (11) Svdenham took such heavy toll from opportunities offering early m the game that the side was able to withstand the splendid sustained finish ot Merivale in the concluding 20 minutes of the match played on Lancaster Park Oval, and to win by 18 points to 11. Svdenham won the championship last -voar and Merivale the knock-out competition, so that there was great interest taken in this encounter to open the season. Svdenham earned victory tov speed and combination in rearguard thrusts, which often swept half the length of the field or even more, rhis was not unexpected, as the Sydenham tack line was identical with that wmch took the field in many of last season s inter-club matches. R. Wallburton was playing in place of G. D. Innes. Merivale on the other hand, had a reorganised side in both backs and forwards, and many played in this match who did not play last year m first grade. The very solid finish of the Merivale pack suggested that the side will develop a good deal yet. C. J. Oliver played a brilliant game leading the Merivale side.

The teams were:— Merivale—G. Arps;. W. Crofts, A. Bullivant, W. Mann; C. J. Oliver (captain), J. A. Hooper; R. Overend; K. Hartlahd, H. Emerson, A. Pedder, H. Deavoll, C. Rich, T. Rountree, R. May, G. Francis. Sydenham—F. T. J. French; W. J. Brown, R. Brown, J. Hattersley; R. Wallburlon, R. Hazelhurst (captain); 1,. Brown; K. Brown, C. Bine, O. Hattersley, R. Kins, W. Fright, J. Gibbs, E. Diinlop, I. Crockett. -Merivale had all the best of the early exchanges, playing towards the .south goal, and Hooper cut-in neatly on the twenty-five line, and in-passed •to his forwards. Emerson made a {■lashing thrust but, in the nick of time, the Sydenham forwards rallied and burst through to halfway, with the ball at toe. R. Brown joined in and could have given W. J. Brown a great chance to race clcav down the right flank, but he threw the ball forward. Jt was from a similar burst by the Sydenham pack that the first score came. O. Hattersley, K. Brown, and Gibbs led the attack, the first-named "kicking past Arps and Hooper in turn. King came up very fast, picked up a pass well and tried to go over alone near the posts. He was hand-tripped two yards short, and Oliver. Overend, Arps, and Bullivant dashed back. It v.-as vain striving. Sydenham men ■were equally quick, and L. Brown whipped a short pass to Wallburton, whose task was very easy. French failed to goal. Sydenham 3, Merivale 0.

Sydenham's back rushes were spectacular. For the opening of the season they were more than ordinarily sure and swift. Mcrivale's defence was .sorely tried, and once torn to ribbons as W. J. Brown was given a clear run to Arps. He punted to behind 'Mcrivale's goal and a thrilling race for possession ensued between W. J. Brovvn and K. Brown (Sydenham) and C. J. Oliver for Merivale. Oliver revealed brilliant speed to dive on the ball for a force down, yards ahead of the attackers. Sydenham was close to scoring when J, Brown, R. Brown, and W. Brown out-flanked the defence and ran to Arps. R. Brown delayed his pass too .late, and was forced in to touch by the full-back. Hooper cut-in to cleave his way to the full-back, where Oliver took a pass, but was well tacked from behind before he could clash clear. Support came from the forwards and Merivale was attacking strongly when Rich goaled from a penalty awarded in an easy position. Merivale 3, Syd11!ham 3. \Y. Brown gave Sydenham the lead fignin when he scored a good try after a determined run within a yard of •the touch-lino for 10 yards. Hazelhurst made the opening. Switching to the blind side and disconcerting the defence, ho ran W. Brown into P'sition. and the winger crashed past Crofts and Arps. diving over at the corner tlag with inches to sj are on I v. French kicked a good goal. Sydenham 8, Merivale 3. 'Two Merivale attacks broke on French's resolute'defence. The second check had not been developed to » counter-attack when Sydenham was and Rich kicked a goal from well out. Sydenham 8, Merivale 6. rat was the score at half-time. Brown repelled a hot Merivale

attack by intercepting and gaming 50 yards with a long, bouncing kick. Sydenham secured from a scrum, and Hazelhurst and W. J. Brown worked the blind side. The latter was blocked, but sent the ball in, and King raced through a melee to score in the corner. French goaled from the sideline. Sydenham 13, Merivale 6. Crockett scored in the same position a minute later, after the forwards had bustled the defence badly. French again goaled from the side-line with a kick which sailed over the bar at a height almost equal to that of thevery tall uprights. Sydenham 18, Merivale 6. The pace displayed earlier had slackened. Sydenham continued to throw the ball about, providing a wealth of incident. Merivale's attacking efforts Jacked cohesion. Hooper short punted to a flap, and Oliver, Bullivant, and Rich" kicked past the Sydenham backs. French was caught in possession, and in a desperate sortie on the goal-line Emerson secured, and dived over to score. Deavoll goaled. Sydenham 18, Merivale 11. Merivale forwards took a new lease of life, and gained the upper hand. Keeping the ball on the ground, they drove many breaches. The backs supported well, and Merivale was unlucky not to have scored when Oliver kicked to the right wing, and Mann tested the defence with a fine swerving run. Just as he dived over wide out L. Brown tackled him, and both men held the ball as Mann fell. Hazelhurst. gave Sydenham the first respite for ~'o minutes when he ran clear, and found touch in Merivale's half. Sydenham pressed the advantage, and L. Brown was across the goal-line, but was trapped by Hooper before he grounded the ball. Merivale, owing in great part, to Oliver's individual brilliance both on attack and defence, kept its line intact, and in the last five minutes had commenced further attacks. French cleared to midfield for Sydenham just as the final whistle sounded. Sydenham 18, Merivale 11. The referee was Mr C. G. Crawford. ALBION I IT) v. C.'I!KISTt'HI.'UCH (0) In defeating Christchurch hy 17 points to nil at Rugby Park Albion elTected a surprising rout of a fifteen which was expected to give a very good account of itself. The winning team had command of the situation practically throughout the play, benefiting considerably from the almo: ' complete lack of combination in the

Christ church side's defence. Kvcn the redoubtable Christchureh puck could not hold back the energetic and] speedier Albion men; Albion certainly; made all the errors common in early i «eason games, and spoilt many chances | in the first half by weak handling.: but the team's showing was far j superior to that of the Christchureh, side. In a practice game on the pre- j vious Saturday Christchureh defeated Albion by 2G to 11. The teams were:— Christchureh—J. M. Ollivier. G. 1 . Hart. Black. W. Fleming. J. Gaskm. M Gordon. Joe Gaskin. A. I. Cottrell. J. Wade, C. W. Price, W. Adorian. J. M. Frengley. B. Anderson, J. E. Man- > Chester, and W. Maxwell. i Albion—A. W. Roberts, W. A. . Thompson, Davis, R. Thomson. J. Hoh-j son T. Preston, C. Clark, Lake. Wilson G. McNatty, R. Dnslcr, W. Sweenev, Howell, T. Hooker, and fc>. 1 Smith. , I Christchureh attacked from thei whistle, but fine line-kicking by I Roberts kept the team from Albion s j twenty-live. Weaknesses in the; Christchureh defence were used to advantage, and Albion was soon attack-; ing stronglv. Very poor handling spoiled potential scoring movements, as it did practically throughout the game, with the result that the Albion backs were unable to finish off penetrating movements. However, the attack was rewarded when Roberts was able to goal from an easy penalty kick close in. , The ground was hard and I no plavers suffered accordingly, the Albion forwards more so than thenopponents, perhaps because of the determined tackling of the Christchureh pack. In fact this tackling was one of the few redeeming features in the play of the Christchureh team. Roberts was playing right up to his old form, and a few minutes later was loudly applauded for a fine kick from a penalty. The ball was not far inside the half-way line, and it appeared very unlikely that, even Roberts could succeed But with the wind behind him he lifted the ball well over the cross-bar. Roberts helped materially in keeping his side on Die offensive. Later he missed a third shot at goal from a difficult angle, well out. The onlv promising scoring movement, until the whistle for half-time, was started by an Albion back, Davis, who went deep into the Christchureh lines; but Thompson, the Albion wing, was too far up to take the pass. The Christchureh forward; made a strong attempt to cross the Albion line before the end of the half. Wade and Cottrell leading a rush reminiscent of Chrischurch at its best: but poor support from the inside backs held the movement in check. The score at half-time was: Albion 6, Christchureh 0 Play had been going again only for a few minutes when the ball went to the Albion backs from a line-out, and travelling all along the line, reached the wing. W. Thompson had speed up and easily slipped past G. F. Hart's tackle; Ollivier, the Christchureh fullback, made an attempt, to stop him, but was pushed aside, and Thompson leaped over another opponent to score far out. Roberts converted the try. The Albion scrum continued iis successful work in the tight. But the winning side owed its next try to the initiative of a few forwards. Christchurch secured the ball from a throwin in the Christchureh twenty-five; Black, the centre three-quarter, was caught in possession. The Albion forwards wrested the ball from the ruck, and with Sweeney leading, went downfield. There was only the slightest opposition to the movement.

Sweeney kicked the ball well down towards the. line, and followed it up to score an easy try under the posts. Roberts took the kick, but the ball was charged down. Sweeney was away again a few minutes later, with the ball, and his determined dash would probably have ended in another try had his pass been more suse. Christchurch attacked only occasionally, and then without much vigour. The defence was still weak, and before the end of the game Albion went through again. R. Thomson, the right wing three-quarter, dashed well down to make a good opening for A. Hobson, the second five-eighth, who broke through the defence and scored in the corner near the stand. Roberts failed with the kick. The final score was: Albion 17, Christchurch 0 Referee: Mr E. A. Empson. UNIVERSITY (10) v. LINWOOD (0). After a scrambling game on the south ground at Lancaster Park University beat Linwood by 10 points to 0. For the gr.jier part of the game there was little between the teams, but towa-ds the end of the second half University backs began to combine well, penning the Linwood team in its twenty-five. The Linwood forwards saved their side time and again at, this stage of the game and f hroughouf were slightly better than their opponents. The passing on both sides was erratic, mid only on three occasions during the match did the ball go cleanly through the backs to Ihe wmgIhroequarler. University achieved this twice, and Linwood once. The teams were: University—E. B. Fooks: L. 1 layman, S. A. Roberts. H. R. Watts; D. MeCormiek, G. A. Parsons; J. H. McAulifi'e; M. H. MeKce. G. T. Wilson, J. Stewart, A. A. Copland, P. G. Roberts, D. A. Hudson, Hamilton, A. H. Andrews. Linwood—N. Priest; L. Mason, E. Gregg, N. Dunshea; S. Whiteford, R. Johnson; G. T. Stevens; J. Monk, J. White, D. Ennis, R. Thompson, J. Hammond, R. Price. G. Matterson. B. Bradley. For the fust quarter of an hour play was all :n neutral territory. The Linwood team \v;b the fIM to settle down and, using short kicks into touch, went right down to University's line. The Linwood backs were away and for a moment looked dangerous, but. V/hiteford mulled his pass. The University forwards came round and heeled to McAuiilTe. who found the line. Andrews led the University forwards to Linwood's twenty-live. From

a scrum IVlc.Milille selii mi' oao-.s away. but Parsons kicked straight into , the arms of Priest. Linwood lull-back, who put the bait out at the half-way flag. University scrambled back to the twenty-five iine and a moment later McAulifl'c potted a goal. Just before half-time Andrews snapped up a pass from Whiteforri to Johnson, and sent the ball to Wilson, to Hamilton, to j Watts. The winger raced down the line but was pushed out a few yards from the corner. At half-lime the score was: University ■!, Linwood 0. j Linwood 10.-t two men in the first ; half. Maiterson was injured early in the game and was replaced by S. Loader. Just on half-time, Dunshea was injured. Loader took his place on the right wing and A. Brownlee went into the forwards. Mason had a shot at goal from a penalty near half-way. but it went, wide. Passing amongst the Linwood backs kept the team on the aftack. but the tackling was good. The University forwards look charge and headed by Roberts and Hamilton, rushed down to Linwood's line. McCormick threw a ; wild pass to Parsons and the Linwood forwards put their side out of danger The Univorsitv backs combined well to take play back to Linwood's line. University obtained from a scrum but. McCormick ran into a mass of Linwood , forwards instead of passing. Eventu- ; ally the ball rolled over the line Mason snapped it up and ran round half the University team before send- ! ins a long kick into touch. Just m- ■ -;ide Linwood's twenty-five Andrews] /took the ball from Gregg and sent to Hamilton, to Roberts, who (lashed i through a gap and scored wide out. i Fooks did not. goal. I Soon afterwards McAuliftc worked j i the blind side from a scrum and Mc-) i Cormick wormed his way across wide : out. The kick failed. The final score | WJ ' University 10, Linwood 0. i Kcfcre, Mr F. Sinclair. OLD BOYS (22) v. ATHLETIC (G) '. High School Old Boys had an easy ! win over Athletic, the game ending in ; favour of Old Boys by 22 to G. The ! match was one in which the Old Boys ! backs, particularly the inside backs, I were too good for the opposition. Ath- ! ictic forwards in the second half ■ played an excellent game, and had the best of the set scrums. However there was no co-ordination among then backs,'and the forwards were left to do all the work. Old Boys inside backs were very good, Cobden and Mortlock being outstanding. The teams were:I Old Boys—T. Nolan, B. Eathorne, C. 11. McPhail, S. G. Henry; K. S. ! Mortlock, A. P. Cobden; V. North, I. i Berrv, K. Lowry. W. Schluler, M. O. | Stanley, N. McPhail, F. J. Foley, J. G. Rankin. Athletic —W. Laft'ey. J. Hennessey, J. Noonan, J. Blackaby; J. Gillespie, J. Burton; L. Moran; T. Moran, R. Pen- ! der, M. McKetidry, M. Quirk, 15. Solo- : mon, W. Aitken, J. Vincent, R. PofY. i Old. Boys opened the game with ! bustling tactics which forced the game | to the Athletic line and held it there. } Old Boys were constantly in a handy I position at this stage, but when they ! did get across, seemed to make mis- ' lakes thai, kept them from scoring. j Athletic forwards were the mainstay : of the defence, although at this time they were not working well as a team. The Old Boys inside backs were going I very well, Cobden showing up time

after time in clever handling move- ; ments. j Following a long tussle right on the Athletic line. Stanley put over a penalty kick and opened Old Boys ac-1 count. Athletic made a most deter-| mined attack, and drove Old Boys j back on to their line, but lack of eo- i operation among their backs robbed j them of a good opportunity for scoring. Following a period of scrappy play in midfield, during which both sides indulged in exchanges of longrange kicking, McPhail got possession and, dummying his way neatly through most of the opposing backs, handed on to Rankin. Uankin put in a shar:< ; jmi and h-ind-. ;l en to Sclilut; :■ .in ' : on |he line. Stanley converted. ; Shortly after Ihe Old Hoys backs] turned* on a clever exhibition ol run-i ning, McPhail again showing up well.! McPhail ran well down and handed j on to Eathorne, who scored. The kick j went wide. Old Boys followed up \ their attack, and were well down when | half-time was, called, with the score: | Old Boys 11. Athletic 0 j In Ihe second spell the Athletic for- j wards were in much better form, ami, the game was carried down to the] Old Boys' line. Play was field there for some time, mainly through the efforts of flic Athletic forwards, but they failed to score. A penalty gave them a chance of scoring, and L. Moran put over a comfortable kick. After a lurther period of defensive play, Old Boys backs broke away, but the attack failed just on the line. An- } other penalty gave them a further j chance, and Nolan scored with a long : and difficult shot. Old Boys then as- j sumed control of the game. Mortice]-. | scoring at the conclusion of a rush in ! which the forwards showed a good deal of pace. The kick fell short. OiT Boys backs then threw a succession of. attacks at the Athletic line, Henry at length scoring at the conclusion of a smart passing movement among the backs. Nolan scored again with a j difficult kick. Athletic during this; time was keeping up a determined re-I sistance, the forwards very well I indeed, but the Jack of precise work j among the backs robbed the play of' much of its effectiveness. At. the end j of a long struggle up the line. Athletic) was awarded a penalty which allowed! L. Moran another chance {& score. ] Time was called shortly after with the j score: i Old Boys 22, Athletic (i \ SECOND GRADE At. Sunnyside, Sunnyside 27 beat ' North Canterbury C. Referee, Mr F. O. ; Schmidt. At the Snow Grounds, Athletic 11 ; beat. University 10. Referee, Mr N. ! Steel. i At the Show Grounds, Christchurch ! .0 beat Technical Old Boys 0. Referee. Mr Jackson. At Malvern Park. Merivalc 25 beat Albion 3. Referee, Mr R. C. Spooner. At Sydenham Park, Linwood 1!1 beat Sydenham :i. Referee, Mr R. W. Blazey. At Kaiapoi, Old Boys 3 beat Kaiapoi 0. Referee, Mr S. C. Murray.

THIRD GRADE (A Section) Linwood 18, R.N.V.R. 3. Christchurch 21, Mcrivale 12. Old Collegians 14. Old Boys (!. Sydenham beat Athletic by default. (B Section) West Old Boys 10, Riccarton fi. Christ's College 13, Albion 9. Boys' High School 21, Richmond 3. St. Bede's 38. Technical Old Boys G. New Brighton 17, University 10. FOURTH GRADE lA Section Technical Old Boys 15, Sunnier ;>. Young Men's Christian Association 15. Templet on 6. Beckenham 12, Old Boys i). West Old Boys 15, Mcrivale 1!. (B Section) University 11, Athletic 3. Albion C, Kaiapoi 3. Bromley 12, Christchurrli !i. Lin wood 16. Marshland 12. Old Collegians 21, Arantii 3. Firm GRADE (A Section) Christchurch 12, North Canterbury 0. Mcrivale 33, Albion 0. Papanui 9. Old Boys 3. Lin wood 11, Beckenham 5. Sydenham beat Richmond by default. (B Section) St. Andrew's 14, St. Andrew's Old Boys 0. Athletic 23, Christ's College 17. Technical Old Boys beat Beckenham B bv default. West Old Boys beat Riccarton by default. SIXTH GRADE Old Collegians 49, Kaiapoi 0. Christchurch 12, New Brighton 0. Sumner 31, Beckenham 4. Papanui 11, Linwood 11. Sydenham 22, Belfast 19. UNDER IS GRADE Christchurch 25, Old Boys 3. Sydenham 11, i.lcrivale 3. North Canterbury beat West Old Boys by default. UNDER 16 GRADE Sydenham 19, North Canterbury 0. West Old Boys beat Mcrivale by default. UNDER 16 GRADE (Under nine stone) Technical Old Boys A 13, Sydenham B 0. New Brighton 11. Technical Old Boys B 8. NOTES AND COMMENTS The draw for next Saturday's round of matches is as follows: ■ - Sydenham v. Christchurch: Albion v. Old Boys; University v. Mcrivale: Athletic v. Linwood.

In the match between Sydenham and Merivale on the oval at Lancaster Park there were many movements by the Sydenham backs in which three Browns participated alone, and one in which out of five players jn a line in a dribbling and passing movement four were Browns—R. Brown, W. J. Brown, L. Brown, and K. Brown. Tt certainly was considerate of the selector for Sydenham to avoid a certain amount of confusion to barrackers and the press by leaving the fifth Brown —G. Brown —as emergency only for the opening match.

M'Tivale has promoted a number of | second grade players of last season to j first grade this year, and judging by Saturday's form against Sydenham the , experiment promises success. C. J. j Oliver will lead the side, and on his form on Saturday must be ranked as brilliant a back as ever. He is not in condition yet. but was outstanding in this first, match. G. Arps appeared at full-back for Merivale. He is a former Golden Bay player, and shaped well. His kicking "could be improved in length bv practice. His defence' was resolute and his fielding sound. The most promising back for Syden- i ham was L. Brown. At half. he! played one of the best games of hi;-j career. Last year he promised well,; and only has to maintain Saturday's! form to" be certain to receive serious i consideration in selection for more important representative fixtures later in j the season. ! \\. .1. Brown has played some spec- : laeular games for Canterbury as a; wing-three-quarter. but last season! seemed to lose form. On Saturday j lie was very dashing. One try he scored was a deserving reward for determination and straight running. Another three-quarter seen in the I Merivale-Sydenham match worth j watching is W. Mann, on the right! wing for Merivale. He played good I football in the second grade side last [ vear, and with a few matches for ex- . pcrience in first grade may develop into a winger of the top flight. A. | Bullivant could have given him more chances on Saturday. Bullivant, at centre, is a line player, especially on defence, but does not seem able to forsake a habit of kicking when a pass would be more advantageous and enterprising. Among Menvale's new forwards are some good types. H. Emerson was a newcomer with any amount of dash, and alwavs on the ball. A. Peddcr, H. Dcavoil, and C. Rich were the others to distinguish themselves. K. Brown, of Sydenham, was the be-t forward on the ground. The .Sydenham pack tired in the second half. I. Crockett, playing as wingforward was an eager attacking unit, and vcrv efficient. O. Hatterslcy, R. King, and W. Fright toiled honestly when Merivale appeared to have gamed an ascendancy in the second half. Fright is a newcomer to Sydenham, and a splendid forward. Merivalc's first five-eighths, is J. A. Hooper. He made several clear breaks | through the defence on Saturday, but i lacks experience. ' With Oliver outside him to give support, Hooper may ■ prove to be the safe inside link Meri- ; vale needs. Hooper's play will be j watched keenly for a few matches. I The University team improved ' greatly during its match with Linwood ! on Saturday, and if the improvement ! continues the team should be a useful \ combination before the season is far i advanced. Even at the end of the I game, however, the passing was wild. i the ball often being several feet out lof reach. The fast breaking Lin- \ wood forwards were quick to take adI vantage of this.

The Linwood forwards saved the side from a much heavier defeat by their magnificent defence when pressed right to their line. They not only held the University forwards at bay. but were right among the backs after every scrum, and managed to spoil many of the movements. The tackling, however, was too high to be properly effective. L. Mason, on the left wing for Linwood. showed up from a rather unimpressive set of backs. He showed determination on attack, and cool judgment on defence. G. T. Stevens, the half-back. was erratic. Sometimes he sent the ball away well, but he made frequent mistakes. The University forwards were superior in the line-out, but, lacked the energy and bustle of their opponents in the other departments. Although they obtained more than a fair share of the ball from the line-outs they did not make full use of the advantage. Frequently they passed or knocked the ball to the gap between the half and the first live-eighths, which suited the Linwood forwards admirablv. *• • « Old Boys have a very promising inside back combination in K. S Mortlock and A. P. Cobdcn. who showed up very well against Athletic on Saturday. Cobdcn was particularly good, his handling and dummying being very impressive for a game so early m the season. He had a verv successful season last year, and looks very much like collecting fresh honours this year. Ahtlelic has some very promising material among the forwards who played a sound game in the second half of their match against Old Bovs on Saturday. In the first half they were just a rabble, but when they got together for the second spell, Old Bovs wore constantly on the defensive. The Athletic backs need a lot of training together before they become an elective force. •I. Blackaby, who was a South Canerbury representative in 1931 and 932 turned out on the wing for Athletic on Saturday. The lack of coordination of his inside backs gave him few opportunities of showing what he was made of, but on the odd occasions when he did get the ball he looked a likely man. He has a verv forceful style, and also has pace

Although the main ground at Rugby Park is in good order, players in Hie game between Christchurch and Albion on Saturday found it a trifle too hard. There were several minor injuries, particularly in the early stages of the game, although not all of th'cm could be tne result of the hard surface on Ihe turf. n. Dasler. an Albion forward, received a bad cut over an eye, and was out of (he game for sometime. There are some good clover patches on the field, but in other parts it seems to be a little too bare. Perhaos a good soaking two or three times' a week for a few weeks would ensure that the hard wear of football boots does not injure the sward irreparably. Spectators at the park have now the use of a fine stand along one side of the field, which will undoubtedly be a great boon in damp weather.

A. W. Roberts, who was absent from the game while he was in England last season, has lost none of his large following. The spell does not seem to have affected his play. On Saturday, playing for Albion against Christchurch, he was certainly responsible

in a great degree for his side's rather ; surprising victory. Well-judged kicking to touch, two very fine penalty kicks, and plenty of nicely placed relieving punts were features of his game, for all of which the crowd seemed eager to applaud him. He was not too certain of his ground when hard pushed, but the Christchurch side was not inclined to push very often, and he came through the game with colours flying. Roberts outshone J. M. Ollivier, who played full-back for Christchurch, but Ollivier is at home only as a centre Ihrce-quarter. Black, a new player, filled the three-quarter position, but needs more experience. The Christchurch team again has weak inside players; the link between Hie backs and the scrum is still unreliable, and the defensive play of all Ihe inside backs is poor, on Saturday's game at least. From the point of view of the enthusiastic follower of the game, it must seem almost tragic to see a scoring wing three-quarter of G. F. Hart's ability starved for chances. On Saturday Hart was well watched by his opponents, but there were opportunities, which, with good combination in the Christchurch backs, he could not have failed to turn to good account. * * * It is stated that L. G. Shirtclifl'e, a regular Christchurch back, who has not yet turned out for the club this season, is temporarily "on the side-line" with an injury to a leg. He will j probably be back on the field later in the season. A. I. Cotlrell, leader of the Christchurch pack, has found an apt pupil in J. Wade, one of the most promising of his associates. Wade improved steadily throughout the last season, and 1 now ranks with the best in a pack that jean boast a Cottrell and a Manchester. He played soundly in the practice (game on. April 14, scoring a nice try. ; and again on Saturday at Rugby Park this untiring work in the tight was ! worth watching. ; MATCHES ON WEST COAST ; i.srr.oAi. to Tin: niess.. I GREYMOUTH, April 21. j The following were the results of j matches played at Grcymouth to-day: ! Senior Grade—Runanga 11. Pirates i 6; Marist 19, Blackball 11. | Junior—Pirates 5, Runanga 5; Brunner 16. Marist !3. ! Fourth Grade—Pirates 1(1. Runanga I 6. I Matches at Hokitika resulted: — j Senior —Excelsior 8, Pirates 3; Ross ! 12. Kiwi 0. | Junior-—School 8, Kiwi 6.

IN OTHER CENTRES. i.IEEoS ASiI.K IA'IIU.N TELEGRAMS.) WELLINGTON, April 22. First Division—Wellington College Old Boys 24, Athletic 11; Hutt 23. Marist j Old Boys 3; Petone 11, Wellington 10; Poneke 31. Eastbourne 22. Second Division—Johnsonville 13, Berhampore 3; St. Patrick's Old Boys 15, Miramar 0: University 19, Onslow 0; Oriental 11, Melrosc-Selwyn 8. DUNEDIN. April 21. The Rugby competition opened on Saturday. There were two surprise results, the defeat of University A, last year's winners of the competition, and of Southern, the runners-up. Results: —Alhambra 12, University A 8; Pirates 9. Southern 3: Kaikoura 16. Zingari 9; Taieri 13, Union 3; Dunedin 21, University B 19. KUGBV LEAGUE FIVE SENIOR TEAMS OPENING MATCHES I'l AYED Results:— Hornby 8, I.inwood 7. Sydenham 31, New Brighton 5. Last year the young Riccarton side was looked on as likely to mould into a very high-class combination, so that it came as a surprise to learn that the club cculd net raise a senior 13 this year. The reasons given are illness of some leading players and transference to other cities. The defection is stated to be for one year only. Thus there are only live teams, an unsatisfactory number, necessitating a bye every fifth week. Play in the opening matches on Saturday was of the usual first of the season class, and towards the end the hard ground found out those who were not. properly lit. At Sydenham Park, where Linwood and Hornby met, the bouncing vagaries of a new ball also lowered the standard of play. Hornby had the better of things and did not look like losing. Though New Brighton scored first against Sydenham, the score was the only one made by the side, the town team running up a big margin in the second spell. Addington had a bye.

lIORNBV (8) v. LINWOOD (7) Though Hornby is not much charged from the side of last season, LimvooJ has a number of new laces, only five of last year's loam turning out on Saturday. Included in the live is C. Becks, who first played the code for the old K,aiapoi Club 17 years ago. W. Woodgate, the Hornby forward, starte 1 his career in 1921. Neither is in the veteran class yet. The Hornbv men had been doing a lot of training and consequently were in much better form than their opponents, who were lacking in combination and did not show strength in attack. The forwards on both sides were better than the backs, showing virility that promises well for later in the season. The country pack won most of the scrums The teams were as followsHornby—W. Muir; T. Wellsmore, W Palamountain C. Watson; J. Howison, C Poulsen; J. McCarthy; W. Vivian W. Woodgate, S. Minards, W. Dunn, J Airey, M. Standeven. Linwood—E. Logic; C. Becks F Ayers, R. Whitley; F. Jackson, R. FalSar: M. Messcrvy; F. Dykes, W. Rogers, H Walker, J. Walls, W. Walls, A. Stuart. Of the new men Poulsen looks likelv to prove useful though he has as yet

plenty of faults. Walker, in the Lin- I wood pack, is a former Taranaki re- j preventative. The pace was fast right from the; whistle, with Hornby showing more in-1 itiative. Wellsmore scored the first try when he intercepted a bad pass and broke clear for a 30 yard run. | Standeven converted. When Poulsen j cut the defence to pieces with a dodging run, going on to score, it looked] like a big win for Hornby, but from then on the greens fought harder, and for the rest of the game held their line. From a scrum the ball went past to Jackson, who placed a field goal—a neat one—instead of going for a try, which looked within reach. Linwooa's best run of the day was started by Becks, who ran very strongly, gave to Jackson, to Ayers, whose burst carried him over in the arms of a tackier. The kick, taken by the scorer, was very wide. A penalty by Ayers lifted the greens to within one point of the country team, at which position half-time came. The second spell was not very inspiring. mostly indeterminate scrambles, with occasional flashes of individual brilliance. No points were added, thus the total was:

Hornby 8, Linwood 7 ! Referee, Mr H. King. SYDENHAM (21) v. NEW BRIGHTON (5.1. Sydenham showed glimpses of bril- ■ lianl. form in the match with New Brighton at Rawhiti Domain. The winner's backs were vastly superior to the home team's. Sydenham's combination improved all along, and it was only the rock-like defence of the home side that prevented a bigger margin in points. The weak link m the home team was in the inside backs, who received a good share of the ball, but did not run straight. Sydenham's display was an open one at every opportunity—quite different iroiu the side's usual tight game. The following were the teams:— Sydenham <red and blue): V. Blackler, .(. Rastrick, E. Forbes. R. Chaston; J. Forbes, W. Rastrick; T Thin; N. Waghorn, £. Ilamberger, T. Calder, T. Carey, E. Grimes, and H. Frascr. New Brighton (yellow and black*: H. Davis; M. Bellamy, M. Davis, J. Armstrong; R. C. Bailey, J. Tini; H. Rhodes; J. Crawford, W. Sparkes, H. Codyrc. R. Waghorn, R. Wilkins, 'and J. Nutlall. After a Sydenham rush looked dangerous. Brighton came back, and R. Waghorn made a good run before passing to Bailey, who scored; Tini goaled. Sydenham's opening points were obtained when M. Davis failed to force down, and J. Rastrick, following up fast, touched down for an unconverted try, which was soon followed by a penalty by Carey, equalising the adores. Just before the interval, J. Thin showed a fine burst down the line, scoring at the corner On resuming, Sydenham attacked and Thin ran J. Forbes into position the movement finishing with R. Chaston going over. W. Rastrick then lielded a cross kick well, and had a clear run in. Carey goaled. In the closing stages Carey picked up in the loose and scored a try which he converted. The game ended:— Sydenham 21, New Brighton 5. Referee, Mr C. Taylor. Junior Grade Waimairi 19. New Brighton \T,. Sydenham 20, Addington 11. Third Grade Pirates 11, Addington 0. Sixth Grade Woolston 16, Addington 0. Seventh Grade Woolston beat Sydenham bv default. Sydenham 21, Waimairi 3. IN OTHER CENTRES DUNEDIN, April 21. Atactic 21. Pacific 5; Christian Brothers 16, City 8.

KANGAROOS BEAT REST OF AUSTRALIA PEARCE'S LEG BROKEN (LMIED I'KKSS ASSOCIAT lON -PV ELEUEIC TELEGRAPH—LOI'TEKi tIT.) (Received April 22, 5.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 22. In a Rugby League match, the Kangaroos overwhelmed the Rest of Australia in a heavy wind. They led by 12 points to 8 at half-time, and won by 35 points to 12. Cliff Pearce, the Kangaroos' noted three-quarter, broke his right leg above the ankle. SPEEDING UP FOOTBALL. Though special features assure a great increase in foot-protection, the "O.B." Football Boot is lighter than the general run of Football Boots and definitely assists the player to greater speed, inspect at Sports Dealers and Shoe Shops. If not stocked in your district, write M. o"Brien and Company, Ltd.. Christchutch, for name and address of nearest stockist. —3