RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23748, 21 September 1942, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

♦ SATURDAY’S GAMES

A IR forge defeats

regiment

urn,-' a lead ot one point in the cham- > sh'iD table. Canterbury Regiment had p w to win ,hjc ’ Rame a Sai.nst Air Force on eatnrdav to win the first grade como*l ® ‘Regiment failed in its task, , 3 hard game in which the superiority n fod with the Air Force backs, who p.i-ofl initiative and thrust in their scorsh°%nrts Field Regiment defaulted to ArrnV and the Coastal Artillery and Inj ltrv match was abandoned, were as follows:—Air Force 17 rnnterburv Regiment 11; Air Force B y; Albion-Southern 12; Athletic-TJrii-4uWi23 v. Chiistehurch-Merivale 8; j7 v. Signals 12; Engineers 24 v. •rctoif'!- Brigade 1G v. Linwood-Techni-Brighton 10. Th" results of Saturday’s games leave *ir Force A and Canterbury Regiment in fhP lead with 14 points each. The posiiinns of the other teams are as fol- , uv-A.S.C. U Lin wood-Technical -New Brighton and Brigade 11. Field Regiment 01 Coastal Artillery Bi, Athlctic-Univer-titvity and Army 8. Engineers 6, AlbioneVuthern, Christehurch-Merivale, Moas, iinfantrv and Air Force B 3 points each. AIB FORCE v.'CANTERBURY REGIMENT

Displaying better combination among <he backs and a better knowledge of hooking in the set scrums, Air Force A scored a well-deserved win over Canterbury Regiment. From the start both sides showed commendable enterprise in opening up the play, and passing rushes by ioth sides came frequently. The only Superiority that the Air Force forwards showed over the opposing pack was m fhelr ability to secure the ball in tne set scrums, and it was this advantage that •rave the Air Force backs many opportunities. In line-out play and in loose forward work Regiment showed dash and vigour, and some of the forwards’ dribbling rushes and clever footwork showed football of a high grade. The backs tackled, solidly, and Air Force in scoring spectacular tries had to earn every point It gained. Hewitt, the Air Force half-back, was afforded numerous opportunities to get his hacks into action, and though he caused the first five-eighths, Pearson, many anxious moments because of his illdirected passing, he did enough good wor k to make his side the winning one. Pearson, who has graduated from wing three-quarters to first five-eighths, showed his versatility in a splendid game in which he was called on for more defensive work than he had been asked to undertake in previous games. His handling and well-judged kicking were big factors in the team’s success, but his potting at goal did not bring results. Thomson, a newcomer to the Air Force team, was solid without being brilliant, and like the three-quarters line he proved a useful link in a strong chain. On defence, however, Easton, the fullback, was the real strength of the team. In the face of hard forward rushes he fielded cleanly and his kicking, well directed and powerful, gained long stretches of ground. Strachan, the Regir ment centre three-quarters, played a fine game and showed himself a powerful runner, With Jones and Richards he made up a good combination. Maw and Findlay, the wings, had all too few chances, and Thacker, at full-back, got his side out of much 1 trouble at critical periods. With limited opportunities Anderson, the Heglment half-back, got through a lot of hard defensive work, and his occasional solo runs cut through the opposition. Long and Henderson proved good leaders of a very vigorous pack. For Air Force, who won by 17 points to 11, tries were scored by Kerr, Bowler, Thomson, and Taylor. Milne kicked a penalty goal and Easton converted a try. For Regiment tries were scored by Strachan and Murdoch, one of which was converted by Strachan. Long kicked a penalty goal. Mr D. Brown was referee. BRIGADE V. LINWOOD-TECHNICAL-NEW BRIGHTON Linwood-Technical-New Brighton, who had beaten Air Force A in a hard-fought game on the previous Saturday, more than mss their match in the game against S-affle, The combined team fielded a A'-yJp new Pl a y ers > ar| d did well to to a margin of six points. In ilfttv it spell the scoring was 6 to 5 in Brigade's favour, and from the' start the combined forwards held an advantage. Morgan and Kilworth scored tries for Brigade, and for the combined team Herman dashed over for a try. which was converted by Flynn. In the second half, the Brigade backs showed the better form, and tries were scored by Weenink and Kearney, both of Svhlch Morgan converted. For the combined team Sutherland'scored a try", Which Flynn improved upon. Brigade won by 16 points to 10. Flight Lieutenant E. A. Osmers was referee. ENGINEERS v. MOAS A total of 40 points was scored In the Englneers-Moaa game, which was noticeable for bright, open play, rather than for the solidity of the defence of either side. Engineers early showed a definite superiority, and at the end of the first spell ledjby 11 points to 0, the score being

made up of tries by McCammon, Higgins, and Nicolls, one of which was converted by Webster. In the second half, Engineers added another 13 points in tries by Mullaly, Irving, and Perkins, two of which were converted by Webster. For Moas, Todd, Ropata, Mitchell, and McKenzie scored tries, two of which McKenzie converted. Mr L. A. Keys was referee. ATHLETIC-UNIVERSITY v. CHRIST-CHURCH-MERIVALE Christchurch-Merivale proved a poor match for Athletic-University, who fielded a strong back team, and were beaten by a margin of 25 points. Early in the game the Athletic-University forwards proved the better, and play had not been long in progress before Glllman scored a try, which whs converted by Callinan, who added a penalty goal to the score. Hickey potted a goal, and tries by Knowles and Hodgins, both converted by Callinan, made the score Athletic-Univer-sity 22, Christchurch-Merivale 0. In the second half Athletic-University continued their winning way, and tries were scored by Giilman, McDermott, and Cannon, one of which Callinan converted. For Christ-church-Merivale Rowland and Doak scored tries, one of which Rhodes converted. Athletic-University won by 33 points to 8. Mr D. N, H. Robertson was referee. AIR FORCE B V. ALBION-SOUTHERN Air Force B had only two points to spare in the game against Albion-South-ern, after leading at half-time by 11 points. Air Force started off with plenty of dash and early in the game from a penalty Bades kicked a goal and later Noble scored a try. Jeffrey scored for Albion-Southern a try that was not converted. and Rewi for Air Force scored two tries, one of which Corbett converted. In the second spell, Air Force did not add to the score, and Albion-Southern, having all the better of the game, were unlucky not to at least draw. Jeffrey scored two tries, making his tally three for the game, and Reid kicked a. penalty goal. Air Force B won by 14 points to 12. Mr A. T. F. Stokes was referee. A.S.C. V. SIGNALS

A.S.C., which occupies third position in the senior championship, was fully extended to beat Signals, one of the lower teams, by the narrow margin of four points. Both sides made efforts to keep the game open, and some bright play was seen at times. Ryan, a wing-three-quarters, opened the scoring for A.S.C. with a try, after Rae had made an opening, and this score was equalised by Signals, when kicked a penalty goal. Good work by the A.S.C. forwards gave Davis and Whiting chances to score, one try being converted by Devonport. Cooper, a Signals forward, was responsible for a fine solo effort when he outpaced the opposing backs to score a try, which Dorreen converted. Downie and Devonport added tries for A.S.C., and Cotter scored for Signals. A.S.C. won by 17 points to 13. Mr E. J. Parkes was referee.

LOWER GRADES Second Grade.—Kaiapol 3, Tigers C 0; Base Depot beat Signals by default. Under 18 Grade.—Technical Old Boys B 20, Albion 7; Southern 11, Merlvale 0. Under 17 Grade.—Albion 7, Technical Old Boys 3; Sumner 14, Athletic 3. Under 6st Grade.—Southern A 6, Athletic 0; Albion beat Christchurch by default; Southern B 31. Liuwood A 0; Linwood B 6, Sunnyslde 0.

RUGBY LEAGUE HORNBY’S GOOD WIN Regiment and Battery did not play their Rugby League game set-down for Saturday. The spirit and dash of the Hornby team built up a lead of 15 points to 0 against Brigade, which, in the first half, was rushed out of position and could not settle down. In the last quarter Brigade’s weight was having its effect, the Hornby attack having less fire. Brigade was the better side at the end, but failed by two points to catch Hornby’s total, as rigorous tackling nullified many strong attacks. The inside trio of Hornby’s backs played very well all through. Lewis. Mullally. and Parker scored for Hornby, all converted by Parker, one from the sideline bouncing over. For Brigade, O’Brien, Cartwright, and Messervy scored, Cartwright converting one. Clarke kicked a penalty goal. Referee: Mr C. Waugh. A.S.C. won by 22 points to 15 from Camouflage. Langrope, Childs, Campbell. Rogers, English, and Hayward scored for A.S.C., Langrope converting two. For Camouflage Day, Walker (3), and English scored, none being converted. Referee: Mr A. Bench.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

ARMY BEATS REGIMENT The main attraction on Saturday was a decision game for the Davies Shield, the winning team in the senior reserve grade. After a close game. Army beat Canterbury Regiment by 4 goal/ to 1. At Hagley Park, the two i champion Army teams met Signals again, winning by 3 goals after a scoreless fil fn a friendly match, A.S.C. beat a scratch Shamrock eleven by 4 goals to 2. Stock, Griffith, Cook, and Powell scored for A.S.C., and Paynter and Schimanski for Shamrock. ARMY V. CANTERBURY REGIMENT In a fast, even match a strong Army team beat a youthful Regimental side by 4 goals to 1. The scores were not a criterion of the fortunes of the game, but ot the accuracy of the two rival forwai d lines in their marksmanship. The game generally was a kick-and-run affair, with some slashing flank movements. Of the forward lines the Army five showed the , greater initiative. Both wing men showed the ability to carry the attack individually as they were often forced to do. Of the two, by his efforts to centre instead of attempting a speculating angle shot. Harkness was the better P la y er - j e JL„ a poor display in the first half, Davidson, the Otago representative, justified his reputation in the second spell by three fine goals. Welham. at inside right, played everywhere from full-back, where he played best, to forward, and was the pick of the Army side. At centre half, Campbell. who had good support from his flank men. proved a real trier both on attack and defence. Both full-backs were fair, and Pay, In goal, played a good game, as also did Smith, goalkeeper for Regiment. , , The Canterbury Regiment s defence was sound, except against flank attacks, when the defence would be drawn, leaving the opposing wing unmarked. The forward line was disappointing, B. Shaw, at centre, started off well with a goal, but thereafter did little with the ball. Storey and Dysart, and Thomas and Murphy, , engaged in rood combined play, but near the goal ’ ’o’ their efforts were poor. a R Davidson i ) and S. Cope** acored

Army, and B. Shaw for the Canterbury Regiment. Referee; Mr C. Sweeney. SIGNALS v. FIELD REGIMENT

With one of their strongest teams in action. Signals put the issue beyond doubt only in the closing stages in a gruelling challenge by Field Regiment at Hagley Park. In spite of the three-goal defeat, Regiment played good football, and if this team’s finish had been as good as its team work, the English Cup winners might have been beaten. Regiment had every chance in the opening exchanges, but lack of accuracy by the inside forwards, coupled with some fine defensive work by Davey, the Signals goalkeeper and the full-backs, nullified their efforts. The halves backed up well, both on attack and defence, and the full-backs, though disconcerted at times by some fast flank movements by the Signals wing men, held their own. Signals did not find their feet till the second spell, when some fine opportunist work carried the day for them. Against tenacious tackling and general bustling play by their opponents, their combination was often at fault; but some good individual efforts countered this. Goals were scored for Signals by D. Martyn, E. Kenny, and C. Bailey. Referee: Mr T. Mathie. PRIMARY SCHOOLS SIX-A-SIDE Over the week-end slx-a-sides were conducted by the Public Schools’ Sports Association for primary schools and the Shamrock Football Club for the Catholic schools. Finals resulted:—Primary schools— Heavy-weight: Rlccarton defeated Shirley A. 10-6. Light-weight: Christchurch South defeated Rlccarton, 13-0. Catholic Schools—Heavy-weight: St. Mary’s defeated Marlst, 1-0. Light-weight: Addington .Convent defeated St. Joseph's, H