RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21465, 6 May 1935, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR MATCHES

PIP BOYS BEAT MERIVALE

ILBION SCORES I?IRST WIN IN

CLOSE CAME

&eealis sit a glance:—■ Old Beys 8, Merivale 0. C'hrUtcharch IS, Athletic ;:. Sydenham 15, University 0. Albion 6, Sunnyside 5. The first grade championship of the Canterbury Rugby Union was advanced to its third series by the watches played on Saturday afternoon. All of the iour games were va.ll contacted. The weather was ideal for p^y—brilliant sunshine and no wind. The grounds were in first-class condition after the rains' of the week. At Lancaster Park ihere was an attendance oi about 5000, the main attraction being the meeting of Old Boys and Merivale on the Oval. This match wrsi very i'a.>t, but there were not enough combined movements by ether Side to make it really spectacular. Old Boys won by eight points to 0 because at their ability to finish oil attacking movements, and because of a much greater mobility and speed on tMt.nct'. On Lancaster Park Sou.h, Christen arch and Athletic had a stern atrua±?ie\ The packs were very evenly matched, but Christchureh's superiority in. the backs carried the day. Christchurch '.von by 13 points to 3. At Sunnyaide. in .a very hard game, played mainly among the forwards, Albion had a rather lucky win from Sunnyjide. This was Sunnyside's first defeat. Albion':-; score comprised two penalty goal*- At Rugby Park, Sydenham were too good a combination for University, and won comfortably by 13 points to 0. Championship Table 'live following table shows the posiiUwa of the teams in the championship »*!«■ Saturday's matches:

0U» BOYS (8) v. MERIVALE (0) In a rathsrr scrappy but very fast game on Lancaster Park oval Old Boys beat Merivale by eight points (two tries, one converted) to 0. There were periods in the game when the Merivale forwards threatened to take command and turn the tables; but the Old Boys' defence was so grim and mobile that the assaults spent themj«lves aijamst it. Actually the run of play was closer than the scores indicate; but Merivale lacked the ability to finish off attad:.:. The back line of neither side luiv noned smoothly. Old Boys being at x loss without K. b. Mortlock at second five-eighth.-;. Mortlock could not play because of an attack of intiuen/.a. Old Boys took advantage of the two opportunities for scoring offered in the first 10 minutes of the match, and that was sufficient to settle the issue. t The teams were: Old Boys—G. T. Nolan; S. G. Henry, C. H. McPhail, D. G. Cobden; W. Brooks, A. P. Cobden; W. Clark: J. G. Rankin. F. J. Foley, N. McPhail, J. Treleaven. B. J. Trist. K. Lowry, A. Ironside, N. Schluter. Merivale—R. Evans; E. Drake. C. J. Oliver. J Maxwell; E. P. Ncwburgh, H. Forbes; A- N. Bouterey; B. Roberts, A. Feeder, R. Clark, R. May, 11. Eteav»|l, G. Francis. A. Bourno, K r.rant. 014 Boys scored within three minutes. Clark worked the blind side, and A. P. Cobden butted his way past ? tackier to send D. G. Ccb en over at tfw corner for a good try. D. G Cob-en missed a difficult kick. Old Boys 3, Merivale 0. The pace was on, and the. movements swept up and down the field In

the loose, Merivalc's forwards were the more lively; but Old Boys defertded desperately to stem attack after attack, Nolan, at full-back,, distinguishing himself. The Merivale defence was utterly nonplussed by another blind-side movement. Clark brushed past Bouterey, and drew Maxwell on Merivale's twenty-live line, giving D. G. Cobden a clear run in. He ran round to near the goalposts, and converted his own try. Old Boys S, Merivale 0. Duavoll had a long shot at goal from a penalty for Merivale; but just failed. Once the Old Boys' backs combined in a brilliant chain-passing movement, but Drake brought Henry (town with a thrilling flying tackle The Merivale forwards battled right on Old Boys' line after Oliver had kicked to a gap. but C. H. McPhail intercepted a pass, and shot clean away His pass in turn was intercepted and Merivale swept back up the left flank. Drake was caught in possession. The Bugby was of a very high order, with Old Boys showing the better finish in open play. Once Bouterey crossWcked across Old Boys' goal-line, but Clark won the race for the ball, and forced down just as two attackers somersaulted over him. The Merivale forwards gained an ascendancy in th« set scrums, and the backs started many promising rushes. The ueJence was grim. Oliver had moved j» to jecond five-eighths. From a penalty 35 yards out Deavoll just failed to kick a goal, and half-time sounded "with the scopes: Old Boys 8, Merivale 0. Old Boys had a magnificent chance of scoring over the length ot the field immediately on resuming. Brooks <*o« to cut in, and was caught with the ball when C H. McPhail and Henry were outside him. and only one «wn to beat. A moment later A. 1 Cobden ran 30 yards, but with the defence thoroughly - beaten Rankin dropped a pass. Merivale s first danmrous thrust was initiated by, the in,*ifatig«ble Oliver. He cut in. and

carved a path through the milling forwards. He was pocketed near the line, but short-kicked. The ball bounced into touch-in-goal, and gave Old Boys much-needed "respite. Nolan was saving Old Boys magnificently, his line-kicking frequently earning applause—kicks gaining from 35 to 50 yards. The Merivale backs could not work smoothly together, and several chances went begging. Clark, of Merivale, broke round the scrum in Old Boys' half, and a desperate loose sortie was thrust home by a press of forwards. Oil Boys kicked behind the line to save. Merivale heeled from the ensuing scrum, but the backs were bottled by good defending, although it took four men to grass Oliver. The Merivale full-back, R. Evans, relieved the position for Old Boys by foolishly kicking into touch-in-gcal. Bouterey took Merivale back again by short kicking down the blind side. Old Boys drove down the right wing, where Brooks centre-kicked to his forwards Rankin, Foley, an - ! Schluter carried on, smashing a path past four defenders. The ball rolled over the goal-line, but Merivale forwards rallied in time, and the ball was kicked over the dead-bai! fin". Old Boys finished the game with great dash, but could not score again. The final score was: Old Boys 8, Merivale 0. Referee, Mr E. A. Empson.

ALBION (ti) v. SUNNYSIDE (5) In an evenly fought and interesting match at Sunnyside, Albion defeated Sunnyside by two penalties to one converted try.' The game resolved itself largely into a forward struggle, with little to choose between the two packs, and the Sunnyside backs more dangerous on attack than their opponents. Sunnyside, playing against the sun and with the wind in the first spell, had a territorial advantage, its half-time lead of two points being a fair representation of the merits of the two teams up to that stage. Halfway through the second spell their forwards appeared to be tiring badly, but rallied strongly to make the final 10 minutes very vigorously contested. There was little good line-out work, most attempts to secure the ball from the throw-in being merely half-hearted. Honours in the set serums went to Sunnyside, by a small margin, but on the occasions when the Albion hookers secured possession it came out with greater speed. There was an over large number of penalties for such infringements as putting the ball in unfairly and for lifting, both sides being equally at fault in this. Greater enterprise was shown by the Sunnyside backs, but their brighter movements almost invariably broke down through a failure to hold the ball at the crucial moment. The Albion line seldom got away on attack, its movements in any case being quite stereotyped. The number of times on which the ball got to the wing in a passing bout could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Both sides, however, showed splendid defence and the forward play in most departments was of a fairly high order. The teams were:— Albion—R. Thompson; W. Thomson, J. Hav, H. Wickham; R. Garrett, T. Preston; G. Papps; H. Mooney, J. Wilson. S. Smith, T. Hooker, J. Weatherhead. W. Sweeney, C. Spring, and K. Oakley. Sunnyside—L. Mahoney; R. Fulton, P. A. Hart, R. Chinnery; J. Bisphan, W. Oliver; J. R. Masters; J. Freear, A. Malcolm, G. Newton, W. Bowden, G. J. Howell. W. Jack, D. Cox, and W. McJannett. 'The opening exchanges were brisk, but poor passing among the Sunnyside inside backs lost their advantage. The Albion forwards rushed play to the Sunnyside line, with Spring and Hooker prominent in the attack. After even play in midfield Mahoney took a shot at goal, a weak kick going into the hands of Hay, who punted hard upheld, the defending backs being penalised in their own twenty-live. Sweeney's shot at goal, a good effort, passed just outside the left post. He succeeded shortly afterwards with another penalty from in front, 35 yards out. Albion 3, Sunnyside 0. The Sunnyside forwards rushed play to Albion's goal line, Malcolm being prominent, hard scrummaging following. Play swung to the other end, but. again the Sunnyside forwards re.pulsed the attack. At half-way Masters secured from the line-out, tricked the opposing forwards and broke through to the full-back. Thompson tackled him well, but he managed to get the ball away to Malcolm, who burst through two tackles to score at the corner. Bisphan converted with an excellent kick. Albion 3, Sunnyside 5. A good cut through by Garrett, the Albion second five-eighths, took play to the Sunnyside line, some hard forward play following. Sunnyside pushed back to the twenty-five, where it was penalised, Sweeney failing to make the ball rise. Clever in-and-out passing by the Sunnyside backs relieved the pressure, but Albion was saved by two penalties in quick succession. Halftime was called with the score:— Albion 3, Sunnyside 5 Wickham fielded a cross-kick, swerved past Chinnery down the left wing with a fine burst of speed, and kicKcd to the centre. The Albion forwards were up, but the ball went over the dead ball line. Play recommenced at a willing pace, a hot rally taking place on the Albion line. Hay's attempt at a clearing kick went oui at. the corner fig, a force down following. Wickham again showed up with a brilliant oursi out Mahoney saved well. Play was now confined to the forwards, Maicoim and Bowden for Sunnyside, and Sweeney and Wilson for Albion, doing good work. Sweeney had another unsuccessful attempt at a penalty. Preston kicked through the gap, but Fuiton, fielding well, gained 'M yards with a powerful line kick. The Sunnyside backs developed a passing rush, Chinnery coming in on the inside of Hart and catching the opposing backs on the wrong foot. He passed to Newton, to McJannett, who was held up on the line. Sunnyside hooked, Oliver's left-foot pot just missing. Albion then attacked, Sweeney succeeding with a penalty from well out. Albion C, Sunnyside 5. Oliver failed to take a pass from the scrum, the Sunnyside forwards being again called on to save. They began a dangerous rush, but Thompson saved well in the face of the charging forwards, and followed up to catch | Mahoney in possession. Masters set his backs in action, another dangerous rush taking play to Albion's twentyfive. There they were twice penalised, Bisphan's kicks missing by a small margin. Another Sunnyside rush was well stopped by Garrett. Their backs took every risk to open up the game, but Albion remained on the attack. Time was called with the score:— Albion S, Sunnyside 5 j Mr A. Thompson was referee. I

SYDENHAM (15) v. UNIVERSITY (0) Sydenham showed general superiority to beat University by 15 points to oat Rugby Park. The pace was keen throughout the match, but poor handling by the backs, particularly University's, robbed many of the movements of interest for the spectators and of use for the team concerned. The forwards were evenly matched, but the Sydenham pack was able to give the backs the ball almost whenever it was called lor. This, combined with the greater thrust of Sydenham's inside backs, gave the side a decisive win. The University backs were called on for a lot of defensive work—the .greater part of the play was in their territory. The Sydenham defence proved adequate for the not very great strain put on it. The teams were:— Sydenham—F. T. J. French; W. J. Brown. R, Brown, J. Hattersley; L. Walsh. W. Bedelph; L. Brown; O. Hattersley. C. Line. R. Dunlop, L. Sutherland, W. Fright, G. Jack, R. Thomas, I. Crockett. University—l. O. Stace; L. Hayman, S. A. Roberts. J. A. Whitcombe: M. F. Taylor. G. A. Parsons; J. H. McAuliffe; F Wilson. R. S. Simmers, R. B. Burke, D. A. Hudson. P. G. Roberts, D. L. Wilson, P. G. Egden, C. Allen. Using short kicks into touch Sydenham stayed in University territory for the first 15 minutes of the game. Play among the forwards was willing, with Sydenham feeding the backs frequently. Mishandling lost Sydenham two almost certain tries, and French had two unsuccessful shots at goal from penalties a long way out. Sydenham's efforts were at last rewarded when from a scrum the ball went through all the backs to J. Hattersley, who scored wide out. French goaled. 5-0. University went clown to Sydenham's twenty-five from the kick-off, where a free kick was awarded for obstruction. McAuliffe missed the penalty from three yards from the sideline. Stace just missed with a penalty two minutes later. University did not keep the offensive for long. the Sydenham backs gaining ground with short passing bouts and line kicks. University defended sternly, and the half-time score was: Sydenham 5, University 0. University had a very brief period on attack at the beginning of the second half, but the passing among the backs was weak. The Sydenham forwards took play deep into University's territory and gave the ball to the backs from a line-out. Bedelph cut out his man before passing and R. Brown scored in a handy position. French missed. 8-0. Sydenham scored again immediately. Line touching down after a forward rush. French did not goal. 11—0. McAuliffe went off injured and was replaced at half-back by Whitcombe. McGreevy came on to Whitcombe's place on the left wing. University had another turn at attack and Sydenham forced twice. A long kick from French took Sydenham out of danger, and the forwards carried on to University's line. Here a scrum was ordered and the Sydenham backs obtained. W. Brown had no chance of getting through when he received the ball but potted a fine field goal. 15—0. University had another brief turn on attack but Sydenham forced and play was back at half-way when time was called with the score:

Sydenham 15, University 0. Referee: Mr C. McLachlan. CHRISTCHURCH (13) v. ATHLETIC (3) The match between Christchurch and Athletic, played on the south ground at Lancaster Park, was much more closely contested than the score would indicate. With a lead of five points to nil at half-time, it seemed that Christchurch would have no difficulty in winning, and by a greater margin; but in the second spell the Athletic forwards dominated most of the play, their weight and speed making them a formidable unit. Their loose rushes and solid wort; in the scrums carried them time and again deep into Christchurch's territory, and the defence was throughout this spell well tested. Athletic was on the verge of scoring more than once, and on two occasions its forwards were definitely unlucky not to do so. Clever play among the Christchurch backs shortly before the finish of the spell placed the x-esult beyond doubt. The teams were as follows: — Christchurch—l. Campbell; W. Grennell, J. Poison. G. Busfield; Black, Jack Gaskin; Henderson; F. Esquilant, D. Almond, W. Fleming, J. Manchester, D. Dull, A. Buckley, P. Rhind, and M. Murray. Athletic—W. Lafiey; W. Ives, M. McKendry, O. Scully: J. Small. L. Moran: T. Roach; Denver. D. G. Simpson, Hammond, P. Noonan, W. Aitken, R. Wright, and M Quirke. Christchurch was the first to score after about 20 minutes' play. From a ruck well in Christchurch's territory, the backs set up a passing rush, and Poison beat his man and raced up to Lafiey, with Busfield in attendance; but Busfield fumbled the pass five yards from the line. However, from the resulting scrum Christchurch secured the ball, and Gaskin broke through two high tackles to score between the posts. The try was converted by Campbell. Christchurch 5, Athletic 0. Christchurch was now going better—up to this stage the Athletic forwards had been in Christchurch's territory with some promising attacks—and good combined play both in the Christchurch forwards and among the backs thoroughly tested Athletic's defence. A good run along the line by Busfie),i nearly brought another try to Christchurch. but a tackle brought him down a yard from the line. In the following ruck a Christchurch forward was penalised, and Athletic cleared. But within a minute the Athletic line was threatened again, a tricky run by Grennell getting c}osc to a score. Again Ath--1 tic found relief from an infringement. Athletic continued to defend until a few minutes before half-time. Then its forwards, in a great dash, took the ball at their feet to Christchurch's line. The rush was stemmed in front of the posts, and the ball was kicked out, Scully just failing to gather it in when he had an excellent chance to score.

Christchurch 5, Athletic 0. Christchurch missed a try soon after play was recommenced. From a scrum well in Athletic's twenty-five the Christchurch backs began a passing rush, but when a try depended only on clean handling, Black threw the ball at Poison's feet, and Athleticcleared, the play going back to Christchurch's line, where a force-down resulted. Christchurch's next try was well deserved. From well inside their own side of the ground the Christchurch backs went away on the blind side, and Gaskin and Grennell went down the line for Grennell to go over in the corner after a 20-yard dash > ampbell's kick just missed. Christchurch 8, Athletic 0. Two free-kicks to Athletic just failed to be successful. The first, taken by Simpson. Athletic's captain was from the half-way line. Its direction was right, but it fell three yards short. Moran, who took the second from 35 yards out, sent the ball outside the post. However, a few minutes later, Moran dived on the ball over the line after Gaskin had failed to find the line with a "speculator." Moran missed a difficult kick. Christchurch 8, Athletic 3. Open play by Athletic's forwards had Christchurch bustled, and Simpson just failed to score as he dived at the ball after it had rolled over the line, Christchurch forcing. After a long spell of defence, Christchurch scored after a fine movement. Poison and Gaskin going through the opposition from 50 yards out for Polson to score by the posts. Campbell converted, the game then finishing. Christchurch 13, Athletic 3. Referee: Mr K. H. Perrin. Second Grade At the Show Grounds, Sydenham 21, beat Merivale 9. Referee: Mr G. Robertson. At North Park, Training College 21 beat Old Boys 0. Referee: Mr PI. Coulter.

. At Elmwood Park, Old Collegians 24, beat University 3. Referee: .Mr C. H. McCallum. At Kaiapoi, Kaiapoi 6, beat Linwood 3. Referee: Mr S. Gaylor. At Lancaster Park, Christchurch 8, beat West Old Boys 3. Referee: Mr E. Law. At South Park, Athletic 13, beat Technical Old Boys 8. Referee: Mr R. J. Mitchell. Third Grade (A Section) Old Boys 11, New Brighton 5. Albion 27, Richmond 0. Christchurch 12, Merivale 9. Linwood 13, Sunnyside 5. R.N.V.R. 8, Sydenham 0. (B Section) West Old Boys 10, Training College 3. University 8, St. Andrew's Old Boys Boys' High School 9, Technical Old Boys 3. Fourth Grade Athletic 17, Technical Old Boys 3. Aranui 11, Prebbleton 5. Kaiapoi 9, Old Collegians 0. Albion 9, Christchurch G. Bromley 18, Old Boys 6. University 36, Linv/ood 4.^ Merivale 27, Beckenham 3. Fifth Grade Technical 22, Papanui 21. Christchurch 22. Beckenham 6. West Old Boys A 22, Athletic 13. SydenhEfm 13, Old Boys 0. Albion 28, West Old Boys B 0. Boys' High School 43, Merivale 5. Sixth Grade New Brighton 11, Old Collegians 8. Christchurch 27, Kaiapoi 0. Sydenham beat Linwood by default. Marshland beat Papanui by default. Under Eighteen Grade Beckenham 18, Albion 3. Athletic 6, West Old Boys 5. Christchurch 16, Merivale 0. Sydenham 20, Linwood 12. Under Sixteen Grade Technical 15, New Brighton 0. Linwood beat West Old Boys by default. Under Sixteen Grade (Under Nine Stone) Sydenham 25, Richmond 0. Technical Old Boys A beat Linwood by default. Under Bst 71b Grade Linwood 23, Merivale 0. Sydenham beat Albion by default. NOTES AND COMMENTS The draw for the fourth round of j matches is as follows: j University v. Athletic Merivale v. Albion Sydenham v. Sunnyside ! old Boys v. Linwood Christchurch a bye • • * If the early matches of this season may be taken as any indication ol the present strength and quality of club Rugbv t then the arguments in favour of the contention that Rugby is deteriorating must be overwhelming. In recent seasons club Rugby has lost a great deal of its attractiveness. There does not appear to be any way of rehabilitating it, either, until legislation providing for the return of the kicK-into-touch rule and for the two-fronted scrum has been reintroduced. * * •

Even though club Rugby has deteriorated, there are certain features ot it to-day that arc inexcusable and more than a little alarming. The truth often hurts; but the plain truth of Rugby to-day is that it has become spoiled by practically all forms of malpractice—obstructionist tactics in lineouts rucks and scrums (even m the open play), late tackling, punching, tripping, and unnecessarily hard play revealed in many forms. Any first grade match to-day will readily prove the need for a campaign against illegal tactics of all types. The match between Merivale and Old Boys on Lancaster Park Oval on Saturday was an e-arnple. In it injury was caused on two occasions by flagrantly late tackling of a player after he had kicked or passed. There were a dozen other examples when fortunately no injury resulted. There was punching in the rucks, pushing and illegal charging in the line-outs, deliberate tripping in open field, shepherding and obstruction by players in open play, and a number of other types of play which could be bracketed under a heading as "instances of unnecessarily hard play against players not playing the ball."

Headlocks and forward chanceries, once better known at wrestling stadiums, are frequently .in evidence to dav, being used deliberately to make scrummage play unnecessarily rough Another modem Rugby devclopmenl which also probably owes its origin to modern stadium wrestling is the elbow, or forearm, punch.

It can be agreed that referees should j be on their guard. They are on thenguard. But no referee can see both sides of a scrum, nor can he control the game—that is, follow the actual play with the ball—and see all the various sharp practices that occur away from the ball. The fact is that many players to-day are not aware of the spirit of Rugby as a team sport. Until the desire to win is placed second to the desire to play the game according to its spirit, players and spectators will share poor Rugby. They share it to-day, and the whole blame can be laid at the door of illegal play.

The trial match to-day to assist the selectors in picking the Canterbury representative team should provide a very bright feature at Lancaster Park. Th.: teams appear to be very well matched. The match will commence at 2.45 p.m.

The outstanding form among players in the Merivale-Old Boys' match was that of G. T. Nolan, the Old Boys' fullback. His play was magnificent from start to finish, and to his soundness Old Boys owed much. His fielding was faultless and his kicking very long and accurate. Time after time he drove Merivale back from 30 to 50 yards with kickr to the line, repulsing attacks. He showed extraordinary strength pn his feet, too, standing up to closerange assaults just as well as when he had time to set himself. On his form in this match he would be very difficult to pass over for high representative honours.

The only other impressive backs in the match were A. P. Cobden, first fiveeighths for Old Boys, and C. J. Oliver, centre for Merivale. None of the other players appeared up to representative standard. Both Cobden and Oliver made a lot of play, although neither was well served with opportunities.

In the forwards the best for Merivale were Grant, Clark, Pedder, and Deavoll, while for Old Boys the best were Schluter, Lowry, Trist, Foley, and Rankin. Rankin played the game of his life, and it is very hard to see how he was not selected for either of the two teams to play to-day.

The lack of the elementary virtues was apparent in the gamo between Sunnyside and Albion. The backs of the former team showed knowledge of positional play, they worked some quite bright movements, and were always a danger on attack. But the outstanding feature of their- play was their inability to give a good pass or to take a pass, and often one Was seen trying to beat his opponent before he had secured the ball. The forwards equally in the line-outs, seemed not to realise the vital need of possession. When familiarity in handl ! ng the ball cenrs to the Sunnyside backs, and they have developed sure hands, they will be a formidable attacking combination.

In two fine sets of forwards there were one or two outstanding players. The best forward on the ground was without doubt A. Malcolm, of Sunnyside, a powerfully built tireless

worker, who was always up with the play and did his share in the tight. Prominent also among his team mates was W. Bowden. In the Albion pack, good work as leader was done by W. Sweeney, and in J. Wilson the side has another fine forward,.

W. Thompson, formerly a wing three-quarters, but at present playing full back for Albion, showed a marked improvement on his game against Athletic. His anticipation on Saturday was good, and his line-kicking for the most part of the same quality. The weakness in his play is in his handling on the ground, a fault which more experience in the position will probably eradicate The fast Sunnyside forwards gave him many anxious moments, but his defensive work and particularly his tackling were sound. The try scored against the Albion side came after he had lowered Masters in his dash for the line.

Little advantage was taken of the sun, which throughout the game was troublesome to the side facing it. Only on two occasions did the other team try a high kick to the opposing centre or wing, and then, it seemed, not with any particular intent. On both occasions much ground was gained.

The wings on both sides were starved throughout the day. J. Fulton's work was mainly defensive, and he managed to gain much ground at times by his well directed and powerful line kicking. R. Chinnery, a back of some promise, received the ball occasionally in a bout of chain passing. For Albion, H. Wickham was equally starved, but on two occasions showed a rare burst of speed and a deceptive swerve. W. Thomson on the other wing, played his usual solid game, but again got few chances.

The Athletic pack playCd another fine game against Christchurch and showed that its form a week ago, when the team defeated Albion, last year's winner of the competition, was not misleading. On Saturday, however, the forwards had a stronger pack and a strongr- set of backs in front of them than they had when they played Albion. But in spite of that, and although their backs did not play at their best, the Athletic forwards might, with a little more fortune, have won the match for their side. As is often the case, they did not give of their best until the second .spell, and then they dominated a great deal of the game, launching attack after attack on a sorely-tried defence.

Both Jack Gaskin and J. Poison, Ghristchurch's first live-eighths .and centre three-quarters respectively, were prominent for clever work, in which they showed initiative and resource which placed them well above their opponents. Both were sound in defence, and were given plenty to do. Gaskin used the blind side with discretion, and it was from movements on this flank that two tries were scored. With Christchurch hard pressed, it was Gaskin and Poison who brought relief just before the finish and placed their side out of danger of losing. They combined well in a dash that cut easily through the Athletic defence and finished when Poison scored by the posts.

Sydenham has two promising fiveeighths in Bedclph and Walsh; indeed, all the backs have shown a remarkable improvement since the season opened, and should develop before long into a fine combination. What is needed at present is a slightly better understanding between Walsh and R. Brown, and an all-round improvement in handling. Both Walsh and Bedelph realise that a five-eighths must do more than stand still and get rid of the ball as quickly as possible!—a point apparently not appreciated by some club five-eighths in Christchurch —but take their passes at speed and by straight running give early thrust to the back movements. Both cut in cleverly on several occasions, and Bedelph placed his kicks very judiciously.

McAulilTc, the University half-back, is almost always, and was on Saturday, the mainstay of his side both op attack and defence. When he left the field injured early in the second half it was generally felt that his absence would at once be reflected in University's play. Strangely enough, this did not happen. Whitcombe, who replaced McAuliffe, showed far more initiative as a half than as a wing three-quarters, and as well as making some brilliant solo runs sent the ball away smartly. He was unable, of course, to change the University backs' practice of running crabwise across the field. On three occasions within five minutes the University backs obtained from line-outs. Each time the ball went right along the line to the winger, but he was so crowded that he was forced out after a few strides. And on each occasion the rush ended exactly opposite the p< mt where it began.

Fright was prominent among the Sydenham forwards, particularly in the line-outs. Crockett was playing a line loose game, reminiscent cf the days when he was Sydenham's wing forward, and also put in useful work in the tight. Sutherland was another who stood out from a hard-working pack. F. Wilson was the greatest toiler of the University forwards, while Hudson headed many dribbling rushes.

French, Sydenham full-back, was almost at the top of his form on Saturday. His place-kicking was not as accurate as it sometimes is, but apart from that he made very few errors. French has an excellent sense of anticipation, a powerful and accurate kick, and is a sure handler, but sometimes in a tight corner does not show the calm so essential to the make-up of a full-back. McGreevy, who has played full-back for University in previous competition matches this season, was on the side-line on Saturday until McAuliffe was injured. The experiment of replacing McGreevy with Stace was not a happy one. Stace used an accurate though not particularly long kick, but he had the greatest difficulty in gathering the ball into his hands and more than once it bounced oft hi? chest. » » *

Mcßride, who played for Waihi against Old Boys, at Fraser Park, Timaru, on Saturday, is a veteran, having played in the match at Timaru against the Springboks when the South Africans made their tour of the Dominion Although carrying a lot of weight, he was in surprisingly good form, considering that he has been out of the game for some considerable time, and until he began to limp he was at the head of most of the forward rushes in which Waihi were seen.

Mr S. Hollander, the well-known referee, is now a resident of Timaru. and will no doubt before long be seen in charge of local games. He is an official with a great deal of experience of Rugby, being known from one end of the Dominion to the other, and during the visit of the last British international team to New Zealand refereed in three of the four test matches played, being only prevented from taking part in the fourth match by a weak ankle.

IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND, May 5. Manukau 11, Technical Old Boys 11; University 10, Ponsonby 3; Grafton 17, Marist 6. MASTERTON, May 5. Gjadstone 14, Greytown 3; Carterton 14. Red Stars 3; Old Boys 13, Dalefleld 0. PALMERSTON NORTH, Mav 4. Feildiqg Old Boys 31, Woodville 5; Old Boys 9, Kia Toa 3; Oroua Downs 13, Feilding 12; Rongotea C, United 5 WELLINGTON, May 5. Athletic 12, Poneke 12; Petone 21, Eastbourne 6. DUNEDIN, May 5. Southern 18, Taieri 0; Kaikorai 26, University B 3; Zingari 3, Union 0; University A 18, Dunedin 6; Pirates 22 Alhambra 3. INVERCARGILL, May 4. 23, Marist 0; Invercargil^

Ft: S. lH:i. . Cli P. W . L . F. Asst . Pts Old Boy* -. 2 2 0 35 5 2 Men vale .. 3 2 1 I!) 14 2 Sydenham 2 2 0 30 11 2 Suwiyside 3 2 1 34 20 - Athletic .. 3 1 2 30 43 1 University 3 1 2 25 37 1 Albion 3 1 2 20 51 I Christcimrch 3 1 2 27 29 1 Lin wood .. 2 0 2 20 30 0