RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24269, 29 May 1944, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S MATCHES .For the first time this season, teams in the Canterbury Rugby Union competitions were called on to play on grounds that .u u !?. seri °usly affected by rain, and l oough the scoring generally was lower ana the games more even than previously, standard of play was better. The withdrawal of the Canterbury Agricultural College team gave Athletic a win by default atjd the result of Saturday’s games leaves the teams in the following positions:—Air Force I and Linwoodrechnical 4 points, Air Force 11, Army, and University 3, Training College 2. Ath!S* 1C - Navy li, > Albion-Sydenham-Men vale and Christchurch 1, Kaiapoi 0. Saturday’s games resulted':— Air Force II 13, v. Christchurch 5. Linwood-Technical 12, v. Training College 3, Air Force I 21, v. Kaiapoi 5. Navy 8, v. Army 8. University 6, v. Albion-Merivale-Syden-ham 3. FAST GAME ON OVAL The game on the Oval at Lancaster Park between Linwood-Technical and Training College provided many of the brightest features of wet-day football, and several outstanding performances. The play ot Flynn at full-back for Linwood-Technical showed a master at work under conditions that appeared to suit him. Fernley gave the best exhibition of forward play en on the park this season, and Meates, the Training College centre-three-quar-ters, showed himself a player of resource and well worthy of the honour of representing Canterbury. The other feature was the plucky display put, up by the l raining College forwards, who were up against an older, heavier, and more experienced set of forwards—possibly the best in the competition. Under the weather and ground conditions Linwood gave a fine display of good, solid forward work, and backed up by safety play by the backs. The win by 12 points to 3 was thoroughly deserved. On a fast ground the result might have been different. tu Th ® ground had been left sodden by the heavy rain in the morning, and the playing of a curtain-raiser which provided bright football, between Technical Old Boys and New Brighton under 18 years' players did not improve the going. A short, sharp burst in' the early stages by Linwood-Technical was repulsed by a counter-rush, and Training College set up a hot attack on the Linwood line in which Meates made two unsuccessful attempts to kick penalty goals. For a good period Training College had the better of the play; but several bright passing rushes were stopped by the solid tackling of the wing-three-quarters, Williams, who twice lowered Mitchell when this player looked like scoring. Linwood was penalised several times for breaches and this gave Training College the advantage. The heavier Linwood forwards combined in good dribbling, and gave their opponents a torrid time until passing between Roche, Lmdstrom, and Beri enabled the lastnamed to score. Soon afterwards McAlpine, the Linwood half-back, secured from a ruck and dodged over cleverly. Before half-time Meates by clever footwork appeared certain to score, but Flynn saved brilliantly. A bright spell ended with the score Linwood-Technical 6, Training College 0. Play was still brighter for'the greater part of the second spell, but eventually the weight and vigour of Linwood began to tell, and when Hawes received on the wing, he sent infield to Le Warne, who scored. Meates provided the only score for Training College when he kicked a penalty goal and near the call of time Hewitt .received from a ruck and dashed over for Linwood. Linwood-Technical won by 12 points (4 triqs) to 3 points (a penalty goal). Outstanding Players It was probably on his grand display on Saturday that Flynn gained selection in the Canterbury team. In the whole of the game, in which he had plenty of work to do, his only mistake was a miskick In the second spell. At all times he fielded the ball splendidly and his "save” when Meates broke away was the work of a George Nepia, Flynn is young, has physique, and apparently the right football temperament. The half-back, McAlpine, played a bright game, but next to Flynn in the Linwood backs the palm must go to Williams, a stocky wing-three-quarter, with plenty of speed and one whose hard, low tackling was an example to all fcoti/allers. In the forwards, Fernley was outstanding, and with his head buried in a scrum, in line-out work, or in leading the forward rushes, Fernley was always doing a little more than any of the others. How he came to miss selection for the Canterbury team is hard to understand. Fisher, Withell, and Lindstrom, the last-named a young giant of 19 years, standing 6ft 3in, and weighing 15st 81b, were the best. Meates was the star performer for Training College, but the slow ground did not suit his inside backs and he seldom received a sporting chance to show his true worth on attack. Even when tackled by the Linwood forwards, he seldom got into trouble and his defence was sound. Dorreen, playing - his last game for College, stood up well to the pounding of the Linwood forwards, but more than once he left the opposing backs standing with his quick changes of speed. Mitchell and Wheeler, at wing-three-quarters, had few chances and like the rest of a gcod back team, was not suited by the conditions. The forwards worked as a team and put up a really good game to hold their heavier opponents as they did. They were always ready to open up the play and on a fast ground would have given a bright display. Mr L. Walsh had a difficult, fast game to control and he is to be commended for the alacrity in which he penalised players for hanging on to the ball and for obstructing players not in possession. His work had muclw to do with the bright football played. . AIR FORCE II SHOW FORM Air Force II showed the value of hard training in the game against Christchurch, for after being five points down at halftime they put on 13 points in the second spell, while Christchurch failed to score, Early in the game, P. Mahoney cut through the Air Force defence and scored a try which he converted. Muir opened the scoring for Air Force with a penalty goal and converted a try which Crossman scored. Stone was the other scorer, and Muir again converted. Air (Force II won by 13 points (two goals from tries and a penalty goal) to 5 points (a goal from a try). Mr D. B. Brown was referee. O’Callaghan’s Good Record A feature of the game between Air Force I and Kaiapoi was the play of R. O’Callaghan, who scored IS points out of the 21 points put up. by his side. Kaiapoi opened the scoring with a try by Long which Huria converted. Air Force then took charge, and before half-time O’Callgghan- scored a try which he converted and also kicked a penalty goal. In the second spell O'Callaghan scored a try which he converted and Guthrie went over after a passing rush. Just before the final whistle O’Callaghan again scored and converted. Air Force I won by 21 points (3 goals from tries, a try, and a penalty goal) to 5 points (a goal from a try). Mr F. B. Thompson was referee. NAVY AND ARMY DRAW Evenly matched forwards provided good football in the match between Navy and Army at Sydenham Park. The struggle illustrated some of the finer points of the game in back-line play. Fitzgerald at full-oack, and Lockhead, on the wing, played sound games for Army, while in the Navy team Blanchard impressed in the pack and Moore, as half-back, worked hard and well to feed his line. Forced on the defensive, Navy battled strongly at the start of the game. Willing forwards packed low and hard, and handling became difficult as the ball became slippery with mud. Passing, however, was clean and snappy, especially between the Navy inside backs. At one stage a neatly-exe-cuted scissors pass gained good ground for their team. Lockhead, on the Army wing, who scored the first try of the match following a brilliant run, later made a feint pass which nearly earned him another success. At half-time Navy had not opened their scoring and Army had five points from Lockhead's try converted by Fitzgerald. Play in the second spell found the packs still working solidly. The Army forwards were especially tried In the lineouts. though when down they broke up quickly and were swift to follow up. Two splendid kicks by Craig secured points for Navy. A long kick converted a try by Paul, and he kicked a splendid penalty shortly after. Play was then even, until Young scored an unconverted try for Army, making the final score eight all, | Mr C. C. Crawford was referee, A NARROW WIN University beat Albion-Sydenham-Meri-vale by 6 points to 3 at Rugby Park. The combined team's.backs showed skill in handling and speed. Forscutt at second five-eighths made several good openings. The muddy condition of the ground, however made backline movements practically ’impossible. The game was won in the last five minutes when the University forwards. led by McKenzie, played in vigorous fashion for the first time. McCormick and McKenzie scored tries for University,- and Downie scored for Merivale. LOWER GRADES Second Grade.— Army 8, Navy 5; Lin-wood-Technical 11, Albion.-Sydenham-Merlvale 0; High School Old Boys 6. University 0; Harewood 9. Training College 3. Third Grade A.—Spreydon 27, -Merivale B 5: Merivale A 20, Sydenham 3; Celtic 23. West Old Boys 0: Albion 8. Sumner 3; New Brighton 9, Linwood-Technical B 0; Athletic 0. North Canterbury 0. Third Grade B—Boys’ High School 21, Christchurch 5: St. Bede’s College 5, University A 0: High School Old Boys 17. University B 8. . ~ „ Under 18 A Grade.—Albion 11. Athletic 3; Technical Old Boys A 8. New Brighton 8- North Canterbury 6, Kaiapoi 3. Under 188 Grade—Boys’ High School 21. High School Old Boys 0. Under 17 Grade.—Technical Old Bovs 15, Athletic 0: High School Old Boys 13, Sydenham 8; Albion 3, Sumner fr , .

Under 16 Grade.—Technical Old Bovs A 28, Albion 0; Technical Old Boys B 22, Merivale 6. Under Bst 71b Grade.—Technical Old Boys beat Linwood by default; High Schodl Old Boys 6, Richmond 3; Sydenham B 8, Christchurch 0. Under 7st Grade.—Spreydo'n 12, Christchurch A 0; Richmond 6, Kaiapoi 6; Air bion beat Christchurch B by default; Sydenham 14, Athletic 6. REPRESENTATIVES CHOSEN CANTERBURY V. WEST COAST The Canterbury selectors, Flying Officer J. D. Mackay, Warrant Officer P. W. Storey, and Mr O. Hattersley, have selected the following team to represent Canterbury against the West Coast at Grey mouth on June s:—Full-back, M. Flynn (Linwood-Technical); three-quar-ters, G. M. Sellars (Navy), W. A. Meatcs (Training College), C. C. Foley (Air Force I); five-eighths, R. O'Callaghan (Air Force I), L. Hewitt (Linwood-Tech-nical); half-back, R. Monigatti (University). Forwards.—V. A. Ensor (Air Force I). C. Taylor (Christchurch), T. Waretini (Air Force I), F. Fleming (Christchurch), A. D. McKenzie (University), G. Lindstrom (Linwood-Technical), D. Herman (Air Force I), L. George (Army). Reserves: J. K. McLean (Air Force II), R. Proctor (Christchurch), W. J. Harvey (Air Force I). WEST COAST TEAM The following West Coast Rugby representatives will play»Canterbury at Greymouth on June s:—full-back, J. Lindbom; three-quarters, J. Hayes, W. Amberger, J. Gillan; five-eighths, G. McLean, J. Keating; half, K. Horrack; forwards, R. Pegley,. D. McKendry, I. Jones, G. Nelson, R. Birchfield, B. Watkin, R. Wieblitz, W. Croudis. Emergencies: G. Beardsley and J. Baynes (forwards), Wright and Nolan (backs). RUGBY_UNION DOMINION OFFICERS ELECTED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 27. The result of the ballot for executive positions on the New Zealand Rugby Union was:—vice-presidents, Messrs E. V. Phillips (Canterbury), E. McKenzie (Wairarapa); South Island members of the council!' Messrs Phillips (Canterbury), W. A. H. Oliver (Southland), and D. M. Spedding (Otago); executive council, Messrs S. S. Dean (Southland), Prendeville (Wellington), A. McDonald (Otago), C. L. Mullany (King Country). J. H. Parker (Canterbury), L. V. Carmine (Bay of Plenty), and T. A, Fletcher (Auckland). RUGBYJLEAGUE ADDINGTON'S GOOD WIN The Rugby League competition became much more interesting after Saturday s games, played in a light drizzle. The hitherto unbeaten Hornby team had its first beating, by two points, in a lowscoring game. It was good football by Linwood in the conditions, with Hornby not showing its best. At Sydenham Park Addington proved too strong for Syden-ham-Rakaia. The greasy ball spoilt many promising passing runs, as only a touch was necessary to ground a man in possession. Riccarton, much weakened since the start of the competition, has withdrawn, leaving only five teams, of which Woolston-Hollywood had the bye. Results were:—Addington 17, Syden-ham-Rakaia 8; Linwood 5, Hornby 3. Championship points. are now as follows :—Hornby 8, Sydenham-Rakaia 6, Linwood 6, Addington 6, Woolston-Holly-wood 2. • Spectators at the senior games on Saturday were Mr J. A. Redwood, president of the New Zealand Rugby League Council, of Auckland, Mr F. Bouzaid, of Wellington, and Messrs P. Sweetman and J. Griffin, of the West Coast, who are in Christchurch to confer with the local president, Mr T. Naylor.' ADDtNGTON v. SYDENHAM-RAKAIA Good wet-weather football was seen at Sydenham Park, Addington-being too good for Sydenham-Rakaia. The run of play did not suit Sydenham's backs, who were unable to make their usual runs. Addington's forwards and inside .men were up fast to stop any Sydenham moves, and made sure that C. H. Davison was not given any breaks. Addington's backs* helped by their forwards, were faster than usual and made many runs in which sure handling was seen, though tackling was easy. The pack? were fairly even, Addington, for the first time this season, being unable to push its way through. Sydenham's big men, T Wilson and J. R. Wright, played excellently against the Addington six in the heavy work and effectively stopped the usual Addington breaks. ..Addington won most scrums—a number were indecisive —and in the loose had a burst that Sydenham could not match. At the interval Addington led by 9 points to 5. From then on it looked -much the better side, going on to 17-5. Near the end Sydenham attacked again and made a most interesting finish. J. Neale was in •form, scoring three tries for Addington. G. James, a new centre-three-quarters with promise, scored the other two tries. J. Donaldson converted one. For Sydenham, J. Laing and I. Wilson (who played as a five-eighths) scored. Davison kicked a penalty goal. Referee: Mr B. Vine. LINWOOD v. HORNBY Hornby was not at its best against Linwoodt and suffered its first defeat. Those fast passing runs that have won it many games were not going properly, and there was a tendency to crowd, besides too much kicking. Linwood, with a strong team, was always ready to run and took many chances. In the forwards there were some, thrilling runs. K. Smith, Linwood, played his best game and led his pack in great style. D. Davis was very good behind the Hornby scrum. A. Houghton scored for Hornby and J. James for Linwood. G. Nuttall kicked a penalty goal but missed three easy shots. He also overran the dead line when going for a try. Referee: Mr W. Guy. LOWER GRADES Third Grade— Riccarton 14, Sydenham 0: Aranui 12, Addington 2. Schoolboys' games were postponed, ASSOCIATION CODE WESTERN AND THISTLE BEATEN | Saturday's championship games were played in a light drizzle and on slippery grounds. The surprises of the day were the defeats, of Western by Air Force and Thistle by Technical. Results:—Air Force 4, Western 2: Shamrock 3/ Nomads 0; Technical Old Boys 4, Thistle 2; Rangers A 5, Rangers B 2. Championship points now are:—Rangers A 10, Air Force 10, Western 8, Thistle 7, Technical Old Boys 5, Shamrock 5, Nomads 3, Rangers B 0. AIR FORCE v. WESTERN In spite of Air Force's 4-2 win over Western,at English Park, the game was much more even than the scores would indicate. Air Force owed its win to more solid defence and a more accurate forward line. Western had many opportunities, and with a forward line containing three Canterbury representatives, gave a sorry display in finishing off movements. As against Rangers, G. Smith overdid his passes to the wing men, refusing to vary his attack by driving down the centre. As it was, the Air Force halves and backs foiled flank offensives with monotonous regularity. Of a hard-working Western half-back line, C. Anderson was outi standing for a grand display on attack and defence. The main feature of Air Force's game was a great exhibition of defensive play. The main Western attack was borne by the half-backs, who got through a tremendous amount of work in fine style. In this sphere they had untiring help from the inside forwards and the full-backs Goals were scored for Air Force by B. Trask (2), M. Potter, and Yeoman. J. Smith and R. Dowkcr scored for Western. Referee: Mr M. Cassin. SHAMROCK v. NOMADS In spite of the ground conditions, the match between Shamrock and Nomads at Malvern Park was fast and interestingBetter team work and more thorough understanding by the forwards gave Shamrock the points. Backed by a capable defence, the Shamrock halves continuously opened up play to their forward line, who, with better finish, would have added to their score. Constant changes in the team's personnel have mitigated against Nomads building up a strong combination. With the pressure on against Shamrock, lack, of understanding amongst the players was noticeable. Better backing up by the inside forwards to ease the pressure off their half-back line might give the side a steadier defence, as well as allowing the -wines and ccx\U - £ move room in which to work. Jesson. Mcßae. and Waddell all gave good defensive displays, whilst on attack Le Compte and Mitchell took the eye. J. Paton, A. Laffey, and T. West scored for Shamrock. Referee: Mr C. G. Hamilton. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS v. THISTLE Constant bustling play and the sticky ground conditions were the main factors in Thistle's defeat, by the young Technical eleven. In spite of a reinforced forward line. Thistle failed to show any improvement in its finishing-off movements. Though credit must go to the Teciinical delen.ee. and in particuiajr to

O'Malley, the Thistle marksmen had a day off. With the greater part of the Technical side prominent on defence the attack was carried more or less individually from a fast counter thrust. In this spere, Paahi. with the able support of his wing men, proved much too fast for the slow recovering Thistle defence. Goals were scored for Technical by M. Paahi (2), S. Petrie. and J. Hollows. G. Grice (2) coaled for Thistle. Referee: Mr 'T. Waddell. RANGERS A v. RANGERS B In a one-sided game at Hagley Park, Rangers A had little difficulty in defeating their B team. The B side was two men short, and the game developed into more of a picnic match with the A team taking the opportunity of checking on their combination and positional play. The match, if nothing else, showed that the van line must do better within goaling range. Rangers B, almost a shadow of last year's promising reserve side, was at a disadvantage from the first, although good constructive play by R. Smith and promising offensive action by Head and Gray kept interest in the game. Goals were scored for Ranrcrs A by J. Powell <2), J. Rennie, W. Cahill, and R. Furlong. I. Gray and D. Head scored for the B team. Referee: Mr S Muirson. LOWER GRADES Second Grade.—Thistle 7, Waterside 4. Third Grade.—Air Force S, Shamrock B 2; Swifts 4, Lincoln College 2; Technical 9. A.T.C. 2; Shamrock A 7, Shamrock C 4. All grades below third 'were postponed because of the weather.