RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24027, 16 August 1943, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

INTER-ISLAND MATCH WIN FOR SOUTH ISLAND TEAM (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 15. Though winning most cf the ball and having the better of play territorially. North Island was defeated by South Island by 17 points to 16, in the first Inter-island Rugby match since 1939, played at Athletic Park yesterday in the presence of 20.000 people. North Island scored four tries to two, but jnissed some easy conversions. South Island, on the other hand, secured the maximum points, b°th its tries being converted, while Murdoch potted a goal and Callanan kicked a : penalty ; North Island played against a stiff I breeze in the first spell, but opened the [ scoring when Frazer tapped the ball back from a line-out. and in the ensuing back ! movement, J. Smith centred for Pike to score near the pests. An easy conversion was missed. ; Callanan equalised the scores with a good penalty goal The South backs then combined brilliantly, Dick beating Jamieson. swerving infield, and passing to Wilson. to Smeaton. who scored. Callanan converted. North Island retaliated with a spectacular tush Sorensen cut through the defence in his own half and punted ahead. Wilson’s clearing kick was brilliantly taken by Jamieson, who passed Infield to M. Smith. The ball , then went to P. Stanaway, who scored. Sorenson goaled. Just before half-time South Island heeled from a scrum near the North posts, and Paewai threw a pass well back to Murdoch, who potted a goal, making the interval scores: South Island 12. North Island 8. A spectacular try early in the second spell gave South Island a commanding lead. Paewai dashed round a scrum in ms own half and centre-kicked for Herman to carry on. An all-Canterbury movement followed. Herman passing to Wilson who passed to Dick The latter swung infield and in the ensuing play Kerr secured and scored. Callanan converting North Island had much the better of the rest of the spell. J. Smith intercepted a pass to race 60 yards and score a sensational try. Sorenson converting Sorenson was unlucky with two penalty shots at ■ goal, both missing narrowly. Later he scored from a blind side movement, but again missed the shot at goal, leaymg the scores at 17-16 at the final whistle. The standard of the football suffered through lack of finish, neither full-back being up to the best Island standard. However. Callanan was sounder than .Hook. None of the wing-three-quarters received many chances. J. Dick was the most dangerous, and J. Smith (North) and Wilson (South) showed distinct promise as centre-three-quarters. The run of played favoured the former, and he showed himself a fine footballer. A feature of the play of the inside backs was reverse passing. Paewai was the more versatile of the scrum halves, both of whom ran from the sefum a great deal and often into trouble. The best forward on the ground was the South Island captain, Herman, who excelled In all phases of the play. Stanaway (North) played an Ideal loose game, and was In the thick of everything In line-outs two tall forwards, McKenzie (South) and Terry (North) excelled. Smeaton and Keeble (South) and M, Smith (North) were firstclass loose forwards,-and Young (North), and Prior (South) were great workers In the tight. Pike (North) carried off the hooking honours.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

CANTERBURY DEFEATS BULLER The standard of football displayed In the game between Canterbury and Buller at Lancaster Park on Saturday provided few thrills and still fewer of the highlights of football for the very good crowd present Weather and ground could not have been better. There was hardly any wind and the ground was fast without being hard The Canterbury team was much weakened by the absence of regular players who were playing for the South against the North Island in Wellington. Yet with its sadly depleted side Canterbury was altogether too good for the visitors and the score of 20 to 10 did not represent the difference in the two teams. Although play was uninteresting, both sets of backs frequently swung into action in orthodox movements that should have brought results. The passing, however. was not uo to standard. From the start it-,was plain that the Buffer' side had a wholesome respect for the Canterbury backs, and when the latter did secure the ball the opposing five-eighths stood up close to them and attempted to break up the passing near the scrum This they did not often succeed in doing, for Brinsden, O'Callaghan, and Jones usually managed to get the ball away, and it was the crowding of the wings that brought a halt to the attack On the other hand, the Buller backs had a fair share of the ball, but it was not difficult for O'Callaghan and Jones to drive them across the field for the passing to break down at the centre three-quarters. The forwards were fairly evenly matched and each side secured a fair share of the ball in the line-outs and scrums, and each side did its level best to give the ball to the half-back for a defensive kick instead of attempting good forward rushes Line-out play was not a bright feature of the work of either team, and the tearing forward rushes that the Canterbury representatives had put on in other games were not made. There was too great a tendency for individual play rather than concerted effort and several scores were the result of solo dashes, with at times a display of speed against weak tackling. Neither side was at its best in stopping the other, and there were more headlocks than clean tackles. In the first 10 minutes ol the game passing by Brinsden. O’Callaghan, and Jones sent the ball to Bowler, who cut in and left wing-three-quarters and fullback standing. The result was a try near the posts. More passing across field ended when Bowler cut in and gave Cochrane an easy try. The Buller forwards engaged in a dribbling rush and Insull was handy to score a try near the posts. At half-time the score was 10 to 5 in favour of Canterbury. The full-back. Flynn, started the next scoring movement when he kicked to the centre and the Canterbury forwards carried on for Knowles to score Morgan instituted the next movement and O’Callaghan, receiving at the twenty-five. dndg°d or fended half a dozen round-the-neck tacklers and scored behind the posts Passing by the Buffer backs ended i" Smallholme scoring. All the Canterbury tries were converted by O’Cailaghen. and both for Buffer by Nichn’son, who««> second kick hit the upright and elided Inside. O’Caffaghan was the best back on th« Canterbury side both on defence and attack, and the close attention of the second five-eighths forced him to so on Its own more often than he would otherwise have done. Jones, Brinsden and Bowler were all patchy in their play but on occasions Jones and Brinsden earned applause for brilliant tackling Flynn, at full-back, is much too slow for representative football and MeKenzie. at wine-three-quarters would have done better had he kept his eye n" the hall instead of on the opposi-e wing-three-quarters McKenzie has fnotbaff In him and minor faults in his play can be corrected by coaching Cochrane at times showed plenty of dash —at others his form was elementary In the forwards. Knowles Morgan Meads, and Bond were the best. , The full-back, Nicholson, for Buffer, gave a good display of clean handlingand accurate line-kicking. He saved his side many times. Mullan, at half-back, had a heavy day’s work, but like- the other inside backs, Hansby, Alexander, and Smallholme, his passing was not nearly fast enough. Hansby did attempt to go straight and his defence was sound. W Neighbours, who replaced Stock at wing-three-quarters when the latter was injured. showed plenty of dash in the little work he had to do. and he showed promise. Of an even set ot forwards Dickson, Insull, and Dalzell were often prominent. The following were the teams:— Buffer.—E Nicholson: M. Stack. G. Smallholme. A Cummings; T Hansby.-J Alexander: W. Mullan; W Mumm, P Insull, A. Moslev. G Dnizell (captain), D Neighbours, J Beveridge, G Andersen. J Dickson. Canterbury.—M Flynn; D. Cochrane, D G. Bowler. A W McKenzie; D. M Jones T. R. O’Caffaghan: W. R. Brinsden; N Morgan, C. Walklin. E. Grimes. G. Bond T. C. Knowles (captain). D. Hayles, A Palmer, G. S. Meads. Mr R. W. Blazey was referee. CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES CONTINUED A weakened Army A team was defeated by R.N.Z.A.F at Rugby Park on Saturday and an easy win over Christchurch left Air Force A with a lead of a clear point from Army A In the Canterbury Rugby Union championship Saturday’s games resulted;— Llmvood-Technical-New Brighton 16. Albion-Southern-Merivale fi; R.N Z A F 8. Army 0: Air Force A 19. Christchurch 3; Athletic-University won from Battery bv default Championship points are now as followsI—Air 1 —Air Force A 10. Army 9, Linwood-Technlcal-Ncw Brighton BJ, R.N.Z.A.F 7 Athletic-University 7. Albion-Southern-Merivale 61; Christchurch 3, Battery I.

LINWOOD-TECHNICAL-NEW BRIGHTON v. ALBION-SOUTHEEN-MEKIVALE Played as a curtain-raiser to the representative game, Linwood-Technical-New Brighton, with several of its best players absent, were too good for Albion-South-ern-Merivale, and scored a comfortable wm. Geddes, the Linwood wing-three-quarters. opened the scoring with a try after a good run. The Linwood backs were the more experienced and Bert, who played a fine game throughout, made openings for Ryan, who scored two tries, one of which Bert converted. Mitchell, the best of the Linwood forwards, added a try which Beri converted, and Maxwell kicked a penalty for Albion. At half-time Linwood led by 16 points to 3. Play was ragged but even in the second spell, and the only score registered was another penalty goal by-Maxwell. Linwood-Technical-New Brighton won by 16 points (two goals from tries and two tries) to 6 points (two penalty goals). Mr H. T. Coulter was referee. AIR FORCE A v. CHRISTCHURCH Air Force A. with a team well below its usual strength, had little difficulty In beating Christchurch, who also had several of its best players’ engaged in other matches. Air Force A won by 19 points (tries were scored by Tredrea (2), Wilson, and Butterfield, two of which were converted by Giles and Mahony, and a penalty goal by Giles) to 3 points (a penalty goal kicked by Lang). v Mr G. H. Cowles was referee. - R.N.Z.A.F. v. ARMY A Play was ragged in the match between, R.N.Z.A.F. and Army A at Rugby Park. The first spell was uneventful, with Army pressing a continuous attack. In the second half Army continued to attack strongly, but R.N.Z.A.F. succeeded in breaking through, Williams scoring from the loose. Granger, the Army full-back, was clearing well and Ms kicking gained stretches of ground. Army seemed to have the upper hand, but R.N.ZA.F. added to its score when Rushton took the ball from a ruck and passed to Dansey, who dodged over to score. He converted his own try just before the final whistle. On the general play R.N.Z.A.F. was fortunate to win. The final score was: R.N.Z.A.F 8 points (a goal from a try and a try). Army , A 0. Mr F B Thompson was referee. Second grade.—Air Force A beat Al-blon-Southern-Merivale by default. Third grade A.—High School Old Boys 17, Alblon-Southern-Merivale B 6; Richmond 17, Kaiapoi 14; Celtic (Greymouth) 16, New Brighton 9; Linwood-Technical A beat Canterbury Agricultural College by default. Third grade B.—Christ’s College 12, Athletic-University A 6; Boys’ High School 11, Training College 3; St. Bede's College 44. Athletic-University C 0; St. Andrew's College 11. Christchurch 10. Under 18 grade.—Sumner 21, Christ’s College 3; Boys’ High School 9, Sigh School Old Boys 3; Christchurch West High School 38, Merivale 0; Albion 16, Southern 9; Technical Old Boys 24, Linwood 0. ■ Under 17 grade.—Secondary School Representatives 10, Canterbury 9. Under 16 grade.—Secondary School Representatives 11, Canterbury 8. Under 15 grade.—Canterbury 22, Secondary School Representatives 8. Under 7st grade.—Linwood 24, Richmond II: Sunnyside 9. Merivale 6; Soutben 6. Albion 3 • - • • ■ Under 6st grade.—Linwood A 18, Albion 3; Southern 15, New Brighton 0; Athletic 11, Linwood B 0; Christchurch A 6, Christchurch B 0. / REPRESENTATIVE TEAM SELECTED. The following players have been selected to represent Canterbury against Otago at Dunedin next Saturday:— P. Callanan: J. E. Kerr, C. A. Wilson, A. Cochrane, D. M. Jones, T. R. O’Callaghan; W. R. Brlnsden; N. Morgan. C. Taylor, R. Rothwell, T. C. Knowles, A. D. McKenzie, D Herman, D. Hayles, and G. Bond. Emergencies: A. Palmer and L. Hewitt. The team will travel, to Dunedin by the midday express next Friday; and return on the Sunday night. The players are to assemble at Hagley Park for training to-morrow and on Thursday at 7.30 p.m. THIRD GRADE TEAM The following is the Canterbury third grade representative team to play a South Canterbury representative team at Timaru next Saturday:—Hulston (High School Old Boys); Kerr (New Brighton), Smale (High School Old Boys), R. S. Thompson (High School Old Boys); Cusack (Richmond) Tie (High School Old Boys); Kerr (New Brighton): Atkinson (Richmond), Blackmore (High School Old Boys). D Brown (Linwood), Gillman (Kalap/i), Barter (New Brighton), Paterson (Christchurch, Jensen (Technical Old Boys). Pauling (Albion). Emergencies: R. E. Thompson (Albion), Lenahan (Christchurch). This , team will travel to Timaru on Saturday morning and return on Sunday. The players are to assemble for training at Hagley Park on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m.

INTER SCHOOL MATCH

WESTPORT BEATS PAPANUI s The annual inter-school Rugby match between Papanui Technical School and Westport District High School was played at Westport on Friday, and resulted in a win for the Westport team by 18 points to 9. Conditions were perfect for the game. The visitors, who were billeted during their stay, were taken on a sight-seeing tour of Tauranga Bay and Cape Foulwind on Friday morning, and were entertained at a social at the school in the evening. They returned home on Saturday.

RUGBY LEAGUE

REPRESENTATIVE GAME WEST COAST BEATS CANTERBURY From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, August 15. The Canterbury Rugby League representatives failed in their quest for the Anisy Shield when they were defeated by 22 points to 17 by West Coast at Wingham Pai’k this afternoon. The weather was line and there was a large attendance. The display of both sides was far below standard, there being too many individual attempts, particularly by the West Coast backs, who- had more opportunities than did their opponents. The Canterbury forwards measured up to • the Coast npekmen. but their backs failed to work proficiently as ah attacking force. Canterbury secured an early lead ol seven point's, but before the Interval Coast wore on top and led 10-9. The game was marred to a great extent by a series of infringements on both sides. Of the Coast forwards. J Newton was outstanding and easily the best on the field. He was well supported by R. Clarke and P. Mountford. M. Ord was the most enterprising of the backs, but though he gave his supporters ample opportunities, selfish play spoiled many scoring chances, the chiei offender being C MOuntford, who made many fine openings only to be tackled in possession A. Standeven was Canterbury’s best torward. and he was supported by P Smith and T. Wilson (hooker) T. McKenzie was safe at full-back, while L Bench, centre, and R. Whitley, wing three-quarters, were the only backs that proved dangerous. All played soundly Scorers for West Coast were Newton, Ord. P. Mountford, and Hobbs, Mann converting three tries and kicking a penalty goal, while Newton also kicked a penalty goal. For Canterbury, L. Bench and Whitley (2) scored tries, McKenzie converting two and kicking two penalties. In a third grade curtain-raiser Town beat Country by 9 points to 5.

ASSOCIATION

WESTERN WINS HURLEY SHIELD AIR FORCE BEATS RANGERS Bv defeating Shamrock on Saturday Western won the Hurley Shield chamnjonship competition. There is one round to go in tliis series, but Western is four nolnts in the lead. By defeating Rangers Air Force is assured of being runner-up Saturday’s results were:—Air Force 2, Rangers 0; Western 4, Shamrock 2; Technical Old Boys 4, Thistle 2. Championship points are:—Western 18. Air Force 14, Rangers 10, Shamrock o. Thistle 4, Technical Old Boys 3. AIR FORCE V. RANGERS Though playing one short throughout. Air Force never looked like being beaten by Rangers. Rangers gave a very disappointing display Rangers persisted in a defensive type of game against a side with a depleted forward line, which was a contributing factor in losing the game Other factors were the Inability of the existing forwards to work up a scoring combination and the amazing lack of accuracy of the halves in placing the ball to the vanguard The AJr Force men, on the other hand, adapted themselves admirably to the ruling conditions, and if their shortage of attacking players made their offensive play more individualistic Ilian cohesive, they certainly got results besides enjovi-'g a much larger possession of the ball than did Rangers. Outstanding in the Air Force forward tine was B Stone, who adopted a roving commission with marked success. The other prominent forward was F. Adams, who. however,

might have proved even more dangerous with a greater share of the ball. Much of the forwards’ success with the ball was the result of fine instructive play by L. Nicholls in the halves, who initiated many of their most dangerous movements. Austin and -McNaughton. the full-backs, got through a tremendous amount of work very capably. England, in goal, with relalively- little to do, was always sound. . Of the Rangers’ forwards. Furlong saw little of the ball, with the result that Cahill shouldered most of the attack on his own, Bames. Lee. and Powell played handy defensive games In the halves, spoiling much good work, however, with poor passing. . • . __ Goals were scored for Air Force by F. Adams and R Sturgess. Referee: Sergeant T. Waddell. WESTERN V. SHAMROCK In spite of a much more vigorous resistance than on the former meeting of the two teams. Western, with more possession of the ball, particularly over the latter stages, always looked the likely team against Shamrock. Shamrock, however. has been reproducing its earlier form over the last few Saturdays, and a continuance should see the team contesting the finals of the knock-out. At present the forwards are rather slow In pressing home their attack. Deliberate shooting takes time, and a quickly recovering back line, as on Saturday, can and did on occasions lose them the advantage. Hilton and Laffey were the pick of the attacking forwards, and Fleete showed up in some nice auxiliary eonstructive play Paton and West had a gruelling time in the halves, and Jesson proved a tower of strength at full-back. Barker, in goal, was very safe. Western, while not always having things its own way, played good combined football. with the half line in particular showing up in promoting likely scoring sallies. Of the forwards J Smith was always handy and got good support from G Smith *md R Dowker. Goals were scored for Western by J Smith (2). R. Dowker, and G Roberts. J. Laffey* (2) scored for Shamrock. Referee; Mr T. Gottermeyer. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS v. THISTLE At Haglev Park Technical surprised by defeating Thistle by a two-goal margin Both teams had several new players out and while L Diver, formerly of Air Force Improved Thistle’s forward line, the Technical eleven showed more all-round dash and held a major share, of the ball which finally told on the Thistle defence Backed by two solid backs in OMalley and Phillips, the forwards; well headed by cherwood and Hollows, made successful use of their scoring opportunities Thistle had an imnroved forward line out. but with indifferent supporting units could not make the best use of It. white. Milne, and Sutherland were perhaps the nick of the backs, and Diver. Hall, and O'Rawe of the forwards. H. Bherwood t4) scored for Technical, and B. Farmer Hall for Thistle. Referee- Mr M Cassln. LOWER GRADES Reserve Senior.—Rangers beat Signals bs Junfor l Grade.—Shamrock B 5, A.T.C. 3. Sixth Grade.— Thistle 3, Nomads B 1. Seventh Grade A.—Nomads 0. Shamrock ° Seventh Grade 8.-Thistle 2. Western 2: Swifts 11, Shamrock 0.