RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23973, 14 June 1943, Page 7

RUGBY LEAGUE

LEADING TEAM BEATEN In a great game of Rugby League at Rakaia on Saturday the Sydenham-Ha-kaia team beat the competition leader, Hornby, and thus made itself virtually equal at the top, It has had a bye and Hornby has not. Points are:—Hornby 10, Sydenham-Rakala 8, Llnwood-Woolston 6, and Addington-Central 4. At Sydenham Park, Linwood had a big win over Addington, which was unable to finish off its movements. Scores were:—Llnwood-Woolston 27, Addington 3; Sydenham-Rakaia 18, Hornby 13, The Army team had a practice run with the members of a new club, Combined, with which it will amalgamate, probably making a strong side. Besides three well-known Athletic forwards there will be three players from the Ellesmere Sub-Union, and W. Mataira, a Wellington representative Rugby League forward. LINWOOD-WOOLSTON V, ADDINGTONCENTRAL In the first half of their game Adding-ton-Central had as much 1 attack as Lin-wood-Woolston, though, without L. Bench, who has been transferred, it lacked finish in its back runs, a part of the game in which Linwood excelled. Changed round considerably, the Linwood backs had much more fire than previously, and were faster off the mark. S. Cook, moved to half-back from fiveeighths, and W. Bateman, at five-eighths instead of centre, were especially improved, Cook scoring three tries, while Bateman scored after a 70-yard run from an interception. The Addington backs, good individually, could not combine, and at times left big holes in the defence. T. Barber, E. Falgar, and R. Dyhrberg, were the best. Forward play was even and hard all the way, with a number of stirring loose runs, in which the Addington breakaway, M. Carter, was always prominent. Linwood led at the interval by 11 points to 0. tries by G. Nuttall, K. Smith, and Cook, A. Sandford converting pnq. Barber scored for Addington in a good run with Heaton, and then Cook (2), Bateman, and A. Clark scored for Linwood, Sandford converting two. Referee, Mr M, H. Smith. SYDENHAM-RAKAIA V. HORNBY Sydenham-Rakaia and Hornby met for ;he third time on Saturday at Rakaia, Sydenham winning an excellent game by ive points. Hornby had won the other lames with margins of two points and hree points, so the teams are now even n scoring. On Saturday Sydenham vorked very hard and had slightly the letter of the play. Their bigger forwards iominated the heavy work, with Horn>y’s more compact scrum doing better n the loose. A number of Hornby’s good uns started when they pnime-d on Sydn’laiu's errors. Evans and Henry were dways the leaders for Hornby, with lyde and Noonan in great form for the iydenham forwards. Macdonald, Ryde, Javison, and Noonan scored tries for Sydmham, L. Brown converting one and Javison two, one from the side-line. W. lenry and L. Davis scored for Hornby, nd a penalty try was awarded for obtruction. D. Davis converted'two. Reeree, Mr B. Vine. Under 18 Grade—Rlccarton 22, Addingon 6; Hornby 8, Aranui 0, Schoolboys.—Linwood 31, Sydenham 3; iranul 30, St. Joseph’s B 0; St. Joseph's L 21, Hornby 0. ‘ ASSOCIATION WESTERN NARROWLY BEATS RANGERS The third series of games in the Footall Association's championship was playi on Saturday afternoon. Owing to unpreseen circumstances the match beveen " Air Force -arid Thistle ' war not layed. „ Results.—Western 4, Rangers 3; Shampek 3, Technical Old Boys 3. WESTERN v. RANGERS In a game marked by the good spoilig work of both back divisions, Western ist managed to scramble heme by the Id goal in seven against Rangers. West--n did most of the attacking, but against solid defence its forwards were less npressive than usual. Each team fielded a strong left flank, id exploited this advantage to the full., The Rangers’ defence was patchy. Freyerg played particularly well, but gave le goal away by doing his co-w r orkers’ ork and leaving his own side of the aid open. The halves were weakened ithout Lee; but Barnes at centre gave' Is usual tireless display, and had good ipport from Adams. . The Rangers’ inde men gave poor displays generally, asides failing to ease the task of their /erworked halves. Tills duty was even ft to the centre-forward to do. R. Furng was the most enterprising of the forards. Goals were scored for Western f R, Dowker*(2). J. Smith, and J. Druar. R. Furlong, D. Sharr, and E, Barnes “tied for Rangers. Referee: Mr C. Sweeney. SHAMROCK V. TECHNICAL In a fast, even game, Technical after i indifferent start managed in the last i\y minutes to draw with Shamrock, ramrock, without Jesson and Laffey, did pt appear as solid as usual, and in the including stages failed to last the pace, he forwards, as usual, show'ed their •eatest striking power on the flanks, allough Schimanski, with Improving ball mtrol, is showing better form. The fives, led by J. Paton, played an in-and-it game, allowing at times too much titude to the bustling Technical van. With Bailey, Smith, and Shannahan ick in the side, Technical, particularly the second half, worked much better, strie and Hollows on the left flank, amed together well. The defence, howrer, has much to learn In anticipation id positional play. Goals were scored for Shamrock by R. ilton (3), and for Technical by P. 'Malley, V. Smith, and J. Hollows. Referee; Mr N. L. Billcliff. Reserve Senior.—Shamrock 4, Thistle 3; angers 4. Signals 1. Junior Grade.—A.T.C. 4, Shamrock B 2. Sixth Grade. —Thistle 5, Nomads 1, Seventh Grade A. —Thistle 2, Nomads 2; lamrock 3, Rangers 1; Technical B 5, achnical A 4. Seventh Grade B.—Swifts 3, Thistle 0; omads 3. Shamrock B 1.