ANOTHER RUGBY SURPRISE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22414, 30 May 1938, Page 6

ANOTHER RUGBY SURPRISE

Simnyside Beaten by Athletic LINWOOD LEADS AFTER NARROW VICTORY The most open senior Rugby competition in Christchurch for years produced another big surprise on Saturday afternoon, when Sunnyside, previously unbeaten, went down to Athletic in a grand match at the Show Grounds. The result leaves Linwood, which maintained its unbeaten record with a single-point win over Sydenham, at the head of the competition table. Linwood is followed by Air Force and Sunnyside, each half a point back. Results on Saturday were as follows: ' Athletic 13, Sunnyside 5. Linwood 17, Sydenham 16. Air Force 11, Albion 6. University 12, Merivale 6. Christchurch 31, Technical 8. The Athletic forwards paved the way for their team’s surprising victory. They played magnificently to subdue the heavy Sunnyside pack and in the loose they combined with their backs in movements that burst through the usually solid Sunnyside defence. Spectators at the Lancaster Park oval, fewer than in recent weeks—probably on account of the cold and threatening weather—saw two good games. In the first match Linwood defeated Sydenham after a close and exciting struggle, and in the second game University, at last playing up to something like last year’s form, beat Merivale.

The Air Force team fell a little from grace, and victory over Albion was by no means certain until well on toward the close of the game. Albion showed greatly improved form. Christchurch, even when playing short-handed in the second spell, proved too good for Technical Old Boys, the backs finding gaps in the Technical defence almost at will. Competition points are now as follows:

ATHLETIC IN BRILLIANT FORM DECISIVE WIN OVER SUNNYSIDE The biggest upset in the senior competition of the season was provided by Athletic on Saturday, when the team decisively beat Sunnyslde, the competition leaders, in a sparkling game at the Show Grounds. Whatever uncertainty there been about Athletic's defeat . Sydenham the previous Saturday was et rest after the first 10 minutes of J The Sunnyslde team was outclassed and outpaced in every division and found themselves baffled by type of Same which they could neither counter nor play. .. ™ t . he close of last season Athletic games in succession, and now after early defeats followed by victories °ver two of the leading teams they seem to have regained that form. It was evlorV , Sat “r d ®y that the players were thoroughly fit and had overcome tendencles to Individual opportunism which s s° earller matches. The secret of . Athlehc s success was the manner in which their fast light forwards, chiefly O Gorman and Glubb, co-operated with MaUey and White at five-eighths in attack and in defence. On the firm ground it was a combination Sunnyslde could not master. Good Tackling Sunnyslde’s handling was faulty in the backs at the start, but when this iault was remedied Athletic’s long experience as a defending team was brought into -affective play. The tackling by both backs and forwards was clean and deadly. When the Sunnyslde backs did get away Athletic backs took, their man every time and there was always a forward on the spot to turn the defence to attack. Dunne, the Athletic full-back, was not brilliant, but he was always In position and his clean fielding and smart line-kicking made the stab kicks resorted to by Sunnyside’s inside backs dangerous to the attackers. White, Athletic’s first five-eighths, was the outstanding back on the field. He had rid. himself for the day of his tendency to excessive kicking and gave nis reliable outer backs plenty of work. O'Fagan was the better of the two wings in attacking. Clark, Athletic’s half, followed his fast forwards closely, and was mainly responsible for the sparkling open Play which is best suited to Athletic. Young, Fast Forwards The young Athletic forwards, O’Gorman, Glubb, and Morel, were a pleasure to watch In the open. Active and willing, they were as fast as any of their own inside backs and worked in excellent combination. On one occasion they took the ball at their fejst from half way nearly to Sunnyslde’s line through forwards and backs before Moran, replacing Greer at full-back, fell on it and got it out. Morel and Glubb were fast in breaking from the scrum and their play generally was reminiscent of a style not seen since the wing-forward went out of fashion. Coll, Dickson, and Ward, slower and heavier men, backed ■ the younger players Up with the necessary weight to press the attacks. It could not be said that Sunnyslde showed any departure from their usual standard. There were no disappointments in the team. Athletic was simply the better team on the day. Sunnyslde was at a disadvantage in losing Greer from full-back, but against that Athletic lost two men within 10 minutes of scoring the winning try H. Milliken led his forwards off at a great pace in the early part of the game, but they were too heavy to hold it and in the second half, particularly toward the end, the weightier Sunnyslde men were tired out and disorganised. For all the greater weight in the scrum Burke did not get the ball for his backs more often than O’Gorman. Backs at a Loss When Moran went to full-back, replacing Greer, in the first half the Sunny-

Athletic 13, Sunnyside 5 Referee: Mr R. T. Coultef.

side back line lost much o£ its dash. Hodper did not seem happy at first fiveeighths. and the harrying by the Athletic forwards took away much of his dash. Late .in the game Sunnyslde attempted to strengthen the line by taking Young from the forwards and placing him alongside centre, but it made little difference. It was a win that left no doubt of Athletic’s superiority and of the brilliance of its younger players. The teams were:—

Athletic—R. E. Dunne; B. O’Fagan, J. Crisp. V. O’Connell: D. P. White, F. Malley; W. A. Clark; R. Dickson, T. O’Gorman, E. Ward, W. Coll, L. Mahar, E. Walsh, G. Glubb, J, Morel.

Sunnyslde—W. K. Greer; W. Oliver, P. A. Hart, R. F Chlnnery: L. Moran, J. A. Hooper: E. A. Vincent; R. Duncan, R. Burke, G. Newton, H. Milllken, A. Young. N. Milllken, C. Pablecheque, W. Aitken. Sunnyslde set off at a great pace, and from a scrum near the Athletic line H. Milllken picked up and forced his way over In the corner. Greer put over an excellent kick. Sunnyslde 5, Athletic O.

After 10 minutes Athletic went on the attack and kept it up for the remainder of the match. Malley put In some splendid runs and then Glubb picked up in the loose- and. ran through Sunnyside’s back line to score in a good position. White converted. Sunnyside 5, Athletic 5. Greer, who had been Injured before Athletic’s try. went off and was replaced by' Perkins. Sunnyside was on the defensive for the rest of the half and at half-time Athletic was pressing a hot attack with the score still: Sunnyside 5, Athletic 5. Sunnyside attacked again on the resumption, but could not pierce the defence. The ball came from a melee in Athletic’s twenty-five out to O’Fagan, who took it through the ruck and passed to Clark, who carried on for 10 yards and passed, to Dickson, who ran supported by White to Moran on Sunnyslde’s twenty-five. Dickson transferred to White, who ran over under the posts, with two Athletic men in support, without opposition. White converted his own try. Athletic 10, Sunnyside 5.Within 10 minutes Walsh, who for a very light man had played a great game, went off to be replaced by R. Carter and then Coll went off and was replaced by M. Doody. Neither suffered a serious injury, Play was even faster at this stage with Athletic all over Sunnyside. Not long before time White put pver a penalty goal from just outside Sunnyside’s twenty-five. For the last five minutes Athletic had practically all their own way with the. play, but did not score again. Final scores:

LINWOOD’S ONE-POINT WIN SYDENHAM FORWARDS BATTLE GAMELY Linwood maintained its unbeaten record, and. incidentally, overcome its Lancaster Park oval “hoodoo,” when it beat Sydenham in a desperately close match on Saturday afternoon. Linwood has long been recognised as a team likely to beat a competition leader 'on an outside ground, but usually it has disappointed its supporters In more important games. Linwood supporters, indeed, must have feared the worst again on Saturday when the green and blacks lost a half-time lead and were down 12-18 with less than 15 minutes to go. A runaway try gave Linwood the lead, which it held in the face of further fierce attacks by the Sydenham forwards, whose play in the loose was one of the features of the game. Lapses in the defensive work of the Sydenham backs gave away valuable points, and Linwood, although turning these to account with commendable efficiency, was more than a little lucky. . The match was a ding-dong forward battle, with full combined back movements by either side few and far between. Few of the backs were impressive Individually, although there was an interesting duel between the half-backs. L. Brown (Sydenham) and L. Hewitt (Linwood), both candidates for the representative team. Honours were fairly even, although Brown often tried to do too much on his own. Hewitt’s quick and efficient work confirmed him as a half of great promise. He drop-kicked a brilliant goal from a scrummage. F. Allen (Linwood) and R. Forscutt were also well matched at first five-eighths, and both these young, players did good work. G. Dougall (Linwood fullback) gave a sound display. Good Forwards In the forwards, Sydenham, showing greater cohesion and no less fire than their opponents, held an advantage which should have won the match but for the defensive weaknesses already referred to. Serums and line-outs were consistently in favour of Sydenham. W. McCammon, besides hooking well, showed himself a sterling rucking player, and N. Mason was always looking for hard work. T. Hooker, playing very loose, W. Fright, and H. Frisk, hunted assiduously. Spasmodically the Linwood forwards played really well, but there were times when the players seemed willing to let someone else do the work. N. Mahalm, although making some really, brilliant runs, rarely put his head dov/n In the tight. B Bradley was more consistent, and C. Laredo and A. Arps (until his retiremont with an injury) were two who pulled their weight all the time.

The teams were:— Lin wood—G. Dougall; E. Boyce, M. Collett, R. Empson; W. McHugh, F. Allen; L. Hewitt: G. Bremner. J. Monk, J. Gorman, B. Bradley. C. Laredo, A. Arps, N. Mahaim, G. S. Cooper. Sydenham—T. Williams; W. Brown, S. Coote, R. Barabithe; W. Bedelph, R. Forscutt; L. Brown; K. Brown, W. McCammon, S. O’Neill, W. Fright, N. Mason, H. Watson, T. Hooker, H. Frisk. An Early Score Linwood kicked off from the south end and had scored within three minutes. Allen placed a kick neatly just out of reach of Williams. The Linwood forwards were quickly through, and Mahaim booted the ball on and scored an easy try. Allen converted. Linwood 5, Sydenham 0. Sydenham’s forwards hustled to the twenty-five, and when a Linwood back got offside Fright goaled. Linwood 5, Sydenham 3.

Linwood was soon attacking again, Allen nearly breaking through in a solo burst and Empson being unlucky not to be awarded a try when he dashed over at the corner. Linwood was exploiting kick and follow tactics, and when Williams failed to field a rolling ball McHugh picked up well and scored wide out, Allen’s kick missing. Linwood 8, Sydenham

Arps was injured and K. Armour took his place. After a period of Sydenham attack, Bedelph potted at goal from short range. The ball fell under the bar, but K. Brown pounced on it before the Linwood defenders could force. Fright converted. Sydenham 8. Linwood 8. Just on half-time Hewitt, the Linwood half-back, snapped a pretty goal after receiving from a scrum almost under the Sydenham po§{s. The spell ended: Linwood 13, Sydenham 8.

The second spell had been In progress 10 minutes when Sydenham took the lead. W. Brown gathered in on the blind side of a ruck and galloped over unopposed. Fright goaled well. Sydenham 13, Linwood 12. Forscutt made a good opening for Sydenham’s next try. He went through, well supported by his forwards, and O’Neill carried on to send Barabithe over VI corner. Fright missed. Sydenham 16, Linwood 12. After a long period of even play the game underwent another startling change. When play was close to the Linwood line L. Brown’s pass to Forscutt went astray. Mahaim dribbled on and on. kicked the ball out of the clutching hands of Williams and Barabithe. and Bradley came up to kick the ball over the line and score near the posts. Allen converted, Linwood 17. Sydenham 16. Sydenham’s backs and forwards made one more desperate effort to retrieve the position, but Hewitt and Collett saved well in face of a fierce rush, and the game ended:— Linwood 17, Sydenham 18. Referee: Mr R. W. Blazey. AIR FORCE WINS AGAIN A DISAPPOINTING VICTORY OVER ALBION Although it had a five-point lead over Albion at the end of the match on Rugby Park. Air Force did not really deserve Us win. For most of the game the Air Force team, particularly the backs, played well below their best standard. Tackling was high and often unsuccessful* the backs were often out of position and took the ball standing still, generally made numbers of mistakes that should have cost them the game. But eight minutes from the end, when the scores were even, a magnificent try scored by Clifford-Jones, after a brilliant run by Pearson, showed just what the side could do, and should have done throughout the game. Albion played a thoroughly sound game for most of the match, and the forwards worked unfailingly hard. The team lacked the individual qualities of Air Force, but it played as a team. Eathorne was the best of the backs, and the two Garretts almost his equal. Sweeney, until he went off hurt, impressed as the most useful member of a good pack, and all the others worked well.

11, A. Svenson, one of the Air Force wingers, gave the rest of the backs an object lesson In tackling. Blee, the halfback, was very good at times and at other times slow and apt to mishandle, and the rest of the backs for most of the day were below the form they have shown in other matches. There are some hardworkers in the forwards, but Albion won most of the scrums, and too many of the Air Force packmen had ambitions to shine as breakaways— mostly when their weight was needed. The teams were:-

Albion—L. Martyn; J. Pollock, J. Garrett, G, B. Eathorne; R. Garrett, H. Dyne; G. Papps; G. Hadfield, P. Wright, J. Weatherhead, P. Dasler, W. Sweeney, E. Wlllman, A. Hadfield, N. Hay. Air Force—A. Evans; N. A. Svenson, B. CUfford-Jones, W. Rea; F. L. Pearson, J. C. Ritchie; C. Blee; W. Gair, D. Scrlven, C. Coldicott. L. Homer, D. J. Cunningham, D. Rankin, F. George, A. Lee. An early Air Force attack was nullified by Albion’s winger, G. B. Eathorne, who showed a great turn of speed and beat several Air Force forwards to get his kick in. Air Force attacked again, and attempted to bustle Martyn. Albion’s fullback, but the ball went out. Albion had a spell of attack when the backs opened up in smooth, well-timed chain passing, and almost succeeded when Evans, deservedly for his slowness, was caught In possession. Albion carried on again, the backs working with excellent understanding, and their work was rewarded with a fine try by J, Garrett. Martyn failed to convert. Albion 3, Air Force 0. Garrett, a minute later, broke away again, but he was so quick away that no one else came with him except Sweeney, Albion's good forward, who finally knocked-on. Headed by Scrlven, the Air Force forwards kept the ball at their toe, and, playing as a team, put Albion well on the defensive. Finally Blee did the spadework for a good try. He appealed to hesitate receiving the ball, and then worked the blind side beautifully to give Svenson an easy try. The kick missed. Albion 3, Air Force 3. Air Force’s full-back, A. Evans, scored the next try, coming in as an extra man after a rush by the backs had broken down at Svenson, who was well tackled. The kick again missed. Half-time came Immediately afterwards with the score: Air Force 6, Albion 3. Albion drew level a few seconds afterwards, when Martyn kicked a splendid penalty goal from a long way out. Air Force 6, Albion 6. At this stage the match was becoming a duel Between the forwards, with the frequent number of stoppages for Injuries an index of the hardness of the play, although there were no “Incidents." Albion gradually worked back Into Air Force’s territory. Martyn failed with two attempts with kicks, one from a penalty and one from a mark, and a minute later missed with another penalty. All the kicks were a long way out. Air Force gradually worked its way back, and near time was hammering the Albion defences. But wild passes and a general lack of understanding among the backs were insufficient weapons to pierce a strong defence. However, in their one glimpse of brilliance in the match, the Air Force backs finally brought the crowd to its feet and gained the lead In points which gave them the victory. The full-back, Evans, began a passing movement near his own line. Several of the backs handled, and then the ball went to Pearson, who redeemed an indifferent showing early in the game with a brilliant run that made the Albion defence seem nonexistent. At just the right moment after a 30-yard run he passed to CllffordrJones, who went over for a superb try under the posts. Cunningham converted, making the score: Air Force 11, Albion 6. Over the closing stages of the game Albion attacked hotly, pressing on the Air Force line time and again. But the Air Force defences held, and the final score was: Air Force 11, Albion 6. Referee: Mr L. A. Keys. MERIVALE BEATEN BY SIX POINTS UNIVERSITY SLOW TO. FIND FORM

University must considerably Improve the form It showed in beating • Merivale by 12 points to 6 In the main match on Lancaster Park oval If it is even to approximate Its record of last season. Admittedly, Merivale set out to spoil University’s efforts to play the fast, open game In which it excelled last season; but though the Merivale forwards and inside backs were notably successful in keeping a close grip on University’s attacks at their outset, much of that success was clearly a result of incompetence by University backs. Mistakes in handling and passing were common until well on in the second spell, and they robbed most of the match of excitement.

Eagerpegs to bottle up University often cost Merivale penalties, and from these University scored 9 points, and also extricated itself from some difficult situations; for University its attack failing so often, had to do most of the defending. It promised well, this game, with a swift Merivale thrust in the first minute that caught the defence out of position; and it ended well, with University in the

last quarter of an hour showing cohesion and certainty on attack. Yet in the rest of the match there was little to arouse enthusiasm, and though in the last stages University was showing that much-needed improvement on attack it was by no means brilliant football. Only two tries were scored, Merivalo’s at the beginning of the match and University’s near the finish. Both were well deserved, the result of quick appreciation of an opening and of speed, enterprise, and sureness in carrying out the attack. There were other instances, too, of well-planned attack, mainly by University, but University's best openings were lost by inaccuracies at critical moments. Merivale, however, lacking on attack the speed and skill of their opponents at their best, met some very solid defence. University did well to hold the eager Merivale pack, but although its defence on most occasions attained the standard of last season, it will have to improve its attack. There were glimpses, in the last quarter of an hour, of the brilliance of University’s attack last season, and they did much to compensate spectators for the dullness of the earlier stages of play.

The teams were;— . „ . University—C. V. Dickinson; W. V. Hadfield, A. G. Hunter, P. Overton: B. Malley, W. G. Brooks; M. P. Donnelly: P. G. Roberts, G. T. Wilson, W. Gomez, J. Hogg, C. W. Williams. D. O. Lynch, G. S. Walter, C. Lake. Merivale —J. Nolan: Rudkin, H. Forbes. R. Downie: A. Johnson, W. Jarman; G. S. King; P. Hathaway. R. Clark. A. Bourne, M. O. Stanley, R. Sneddon, M. Sellars, H. Berry, S. Harding. Merivale scored from the kick-off. Williams failed to take the ball cleanly and the Merivale backs went away, Johnson kicking through for Rudkin to pick up the ball, bump off Dickinson’s tackle and pass to Forbes, who dived over by the corner flag. Nolan’s kick failed. Merivale 3, University 0. University’s reply was almost as swift, the forwards taking the ball over the halfway line, the attack being held up by a Merivale infringement from which Hunter kicked a goal. Merivale 3, University 3. Twice Merivale nearly scored and then University lost a fine chance when Hunter dropped a pass after Overton had suddenly swung an attack to an unprotected flank. Nolan missed an easy penalty against University, and with half the spell gone University worked into Merivale’s territory for the third time. An infringement by a Merivale forward near the posts put University in front, Hunter kicking a goal. University 6. Merivale 3. Ten minutes later Hunter kicked another penalty, this time from a more difficult position, half-time coming with the score: University 9, Merivale 3.

Not until half the second spell was gone was there any attack notable for its directness and precision. Then University had the defence straggling with a back movement from a scrum on Merivale's line in the corner, the ball going swiftly along the line of backs to the other flank, but there Overton dropped a pass when a try seemed certain. Repulsed temporarily. University drove through to the line again after Brooks had cut through cleverly. Hunter, however, crowded to the side-line, Just failed to get across, Merivale forcing. Solid forward play put Merivale on attack, ard Jarman kicked a penalty. University 9. Merivale 6. A high kick by Hunter from half-way found a wide gap in Merivale’s defence, Lake goipg up to take the ball on tire bounce, draw two men and pass to Overton, who crashed over in the corner for a fine try. Dickinson missed the kick, the match ending a few minutes later with the score: University 12, Merivale 6. Referee: The Rev. E. A. Osmers. CHRISTCHURCH HAS EASY WIN TECHNICAL OUTPLAYED IN THE BACKS With a difference of only four points between the teams at the end of the first half, it seemed that the game between Christchurch and Technical Old Boys on the south ground at Lancaster Park might be fairly even. In the second halt, however, the Christchurch backs ran through the Technical defence, and the final score was Christchurch 31, Technical 8 , ,

At the start of the game the Technical forwards won most of the scrums, but they seemed to tire soon, and the Christchurch forwards appeared to gather, energy. It was the backs, however, that swung the game so decisively in Christchurch’s favour. The ball was shot out fairly fast and accurately by Byrne to Toon, who seldom ran much before letting It out. Watson made one or two openings. but he also was more . concerned In giving Pawson and Busfield plenty of room In which to work. They tackled their work In their usual efficient manner, and the Technical defence was not up to the strain. Among the hardest workers in the Christchurch pack was L. Poison, who was always to be found close up on the ball. He scored one good try himself and paved the way for another, as well as making several good openings. Bacon was always prominent in the loose, and his speed made him a very valuable member of the side. The selectors could do well to watch this pair very closely, as in their line they are among the haedestworkine forwards in the competition this year. The Technical forwards were again admirably led by Herman, though he was closely watched. The backs were not very impressive, as the ball did not get out to them very quickly. This was mostly due to the way In which Murray loitered with the ball, as It was coming out fast enough to him from the half. It allowed the Christchurch men to get well up or; their defence before they had much room in which to work. The place kicking by both teams was poor. The teams were:— Christchurch—A. Black; G. .T. Busfield. J. C. Pawson, E. Neame; M. Watson, O. Toon; W. J. Byrne: A. B. Bacon, R. D Smith, L. A. Poison, G. S. Gardiner, V Gilbert. P. K. Rhind, M. Clay, I. Robson

Technical Old Boys—R. Lang: P. Coote, G. Parlane, E. Lunn; D. Murray, C. Buckley: R. Sturrock; A. McMillan, J. Brown, H. McLean, H. Harrison, D. Herman, D Hayles, M. Price, H. Ansley. Technical held Christchurch well pinned for the first few minutes of the game, bul could not get through. Byrne, Busfield, Clay, and Bacon started a promising back movement, but the latter failed to take a poor pass. From a loose ruck on the line Poison scored, and Black failed to convert. Technical took the lead soon after when Parlane, at centre, scored from a passing rush among the backs, with a Christchurch player hanging on to his jersey as he went across. Murray converted. S. Reid replaced Robson, who had a cut over an eye. Murray and Herman missed penalties from outside the 25 line. Black missed the conversion when Pawson and Busfield combined for a good try. Smith went off injured and was replaced by E. Morton, Poison and Bacon combined In .a forward rush for the latter to score, Black missing the kick At half-time the score was: Christchurch 9, Technical 5.

Soon after the start of the second half Gilbert went off with an injured shoulder, and Christchurch played with J4 men for the rest of the game. Black again missed the kick when Toon scored an opportune try from a melee near the line. Bacon, the fastest forward on the ground, again broke away, passing to Pawson and Busfield, who scored, and Clay converted. Pawson scored shortly after between the posts, but Clay missed the kick. Toon later dummied and ran straight through the opposing backs. Black converted. Lunn missed a chance of scoring for Technical by hanging on, and plav soon came back to their half, where Watson cut through well and drew the centre before letting the ball out to Pawson and Busfield for the latter to score. Black missed the kick. The Technical forwards came back again, and from a loose melee a rush was started from which Coote, on the wing, scored fairly well out. Herman missed the kick. Pawson cut through and sent inside to Watson, who scored under the posts. Pawson missed the kick, and time was called with the scores: Christchurch 31, Technical Old Boys 8. Referee: Mr G. C. Salt.

OTHER COMPETITION RESULTS SECOND GRADE Athletic 25 defeated Air Force 0. Merivale 22 defeated Sunnyside 0. Sydenham 17 defeated Technical Old Boys 6. High School Old Boys 11 defeated University 9. Llnwood 14 defeated Collegians 8. Training College 18 defeated Christchurch 8. THIRD GRADE New Brighton 28 defeated Bromley 3. Sydenham 6 defeated Merivale 3. Christchurch 9 defeated Beckenham 6. West Old Boys 17 defeated St. Bede's College 13. Technical Old Boys 25 defeated Llnwood 3. High School Old Boys 38 defeated Hillsborough 0. FOURTH GRADE Llnwood 21 defeated Athletic B.i Technical Old Boys 11 defeated High School Old Boys 0. Merivale 14 defeated Training College 9. Christchurch 50 defeated Beckenham 0. FIFTH GRADE High School Old Boys 6 defeated Merivale 3. Athletic 28 defeated New Brighton 3. SIXTH GRADE Llnwood 13 defeated High School Old Boys 9. West High School 32 defeated Richmond

Linwood , .. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pfs 5 4 0 1 65 49 4* 4 Air Force 5 4 1 0 53 24 Sunnyside .. 5 4 1 0 58 46 4 •University .. 4 2 1 1 48 41 •Old Boys 4 2 2 0 46 ?? 2 •Sydenham .. 4 2 2 0 48 34 ? Athletic 5 2 3 0 40 60 2 Merivale T. •Albion 5 4 2 0 3 2 0 2 65 78 46 43 2 •Christchurch 4 1 3 0 48 48 1 Technical .. 5 0 •Have had a bye. 5 0 48 125 0