RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24679, 24 September 1945, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

. CANTERBURY BEATS OTAGO BACKS GIVE FINE DISPLAY For the first time this season, Canter- , bury placed in the field on Saturday a | team that in some measure showed the real football strength of the province, and its display against Otago on the oval at Lancaster Park showed It to be capable of playing bright open football. The forwards toiled honestly all through, and with a good foundation to work from, the backs showed liveliness and initiative that had been sadly lacking In earlier games. In a match played earlier In the season in Dunedin, Canterbury had been soundly trounced by Otago by 34 points to 0. The Otago team was not at full strength on Saturday, and the inability of the Haig brothers and Elvidge to travel to Christchurch' weakened the very strong back team that had beaten. Canterbury so severely In the earlier ghme. Canterbury won by 20 points to 10, and the scores do not give a true indication of the merits of the teams. A much greater margin of points in its favour was deserved by Canterbury on the run of the play. Canterbury scored six tries, all in easy positions for goal-kicking, but only one was converted. The failures were reliable goal-kicks including Callanan, who had scored 16 points for the South Island against the North; Kelly, whose goalkicking during the season has been remarkably good, and Fitzgerald and Cassidy. both of whom have proved reliable. It would have been a much more Interesting game had Otago fielded its best fifteen. Unorthodox Football In the game 12 months ago the “find” of the year in M. B/Mitchell was selected at the end of the season. This time there were included men who had played outstanding club football, but had escaped the notice of the selectors. The star performer, Roach, at first five-eighths, was not available for selection earlier in the season, but even this fine young player’s activities would have been restricted had he not had accurate and quick service from the scrum from Emery, easily the best half-back seen in Christchurch this year. The play of Emery and Roach in the inside positions not only gave thrust to the attack, but it Imbued the outside players, Forscutt and Mitchell, with confidence. and they in turn discarded the stereotyped style of football and provided the crowd with an exhibition as refreshing as it was unorthodox. In the early stages of the game the Canterbury backs flew into action with zest and speed, and it was only the brilliant tackling of Collins at centre-three-quarters for Otago that pulled up several promising movements. As Mitchell found he could not break through the solid defence he sent smartly to his wing-three-quarters, and either went round for a pass on the outside or awaited the in-pass that would again allow him to carry on the attack inside. This was the play that wrecked the Otago defence, and at times had the players bewildered. For a period in the second spell Otago forwards took charge, and by concerted forward rushes and solid tackling they had the Canterbury defence soundly tested. It also showed certain weaknesses In the Canterbury back division, especially in going down to these rushes. The backs invariably attempted to pick the ball up but, with a pack as vigorous and compact as the Otago forwards, this was not possible. Emery and Roach both showed pluck in tackling and stopping, but Forscutt’s tackling was not always sound, and he is much better on attack than defence. Canterbury did not have a monopoly of the ball, and the Otago backs were given plenty of chances on attack. The passes were sent away smartly by the half-back, Stewart, and while Sutherland and McDonald carried on with good, strong running, Mitchell dropped the centre-three-quarters, Collins, with very heavy tackles. The wing three-quarters had few chances, but both Saul and Chandler, when they did get a run, showed up as powerful runners likely to score tries. A Happy Combination The Canterbury backs made a happy combination once they settled down, and after Saturday’s game and a better understanding of one another’s play they will be hard to beat In any class of football. Emery, behind the scrum, shot the ball away very smartly, and even when worried by the opposing forwards he v/as still able to get his pass away. Emery has not developed the very bad habit of continual running with the ball but prefers to send It away •nartly and give his outside backs a chance On attack and defence Emery earned full marks. Roach soon became popular with the crowd, and his straight running and marked change of pace had the defence sorely puzzled many times. Roach is a class player, clever on defence, unselfish on attack, and Imbued with the Idea that it is bad football to pass a ball to a player In a worse position than himself. The next All Black team that Is selected will probably Include Roach. A bit weak on defence, Forscutt worked well with Roach and Mitchell, and In his brilliant bursts he made straight for the goal-line. Like Mitchell, he was always backing up. and between them they scored four of the six tries Kelly did not have a real scoring chance, but enough was seen of him to prove that he Is strong and determined and races for the goal-line. His defence was sound. Drummond scored a good try and narrowly missed another. He still lacks experience In big football, but is an improver. Callanan made a bad mistake when his kick was charged down early In the game—a mistake that gave Otago five points. When he elected to play full-back he was sound, when he came up to Join the three-quarters he was brilliant. He started the movement that led to Drummond’s try, and later he took part in some of the brightest passing of the game. Callanan offends most rules that have been framed for the guidance of full-bad*, but in offending Ms play gains a distinctiveness that adds sparkle to the game. As a full-back Callanan is a law unto himself Forwards Display Stamina Several forwards. Including Tuanui, Cassidy, and Small, were making their first appearance In the Canterbury jersey, and, three big. rugged men, they were noticeable from whistle to whistle. In the line-out they went up for the ball, and they took from McKenzie the big strain he had taken in previous games, when he appeared to be the only llne-out forward playing for Canterbury. With Fitzgerald, Cassidy was In most of the short passing rushes, and while Tuanui may have something to learn of tire finer points of forward play, he put his full weight Into the scrums, and even after a torrid pace had been set In the second spell he was still following up with a speed that suggested he was starting instead of finishing >a game. It was bad luck for Canterbury when Small had to retire with a knee Injury, for he was doing splendid work with Rothwell, who has seldom played a better game, Walklin, and Atkinson. With such a fast pace set the forwards on both sides showed rare staying power. Otago, although soundly beaten by the speed and unorthodox movements of the Canterbury backs, put up a plucky fight, and after leading early In the game by 5 to 0, two tries were scored against it, but early in the second half It again led 10-6. It was bad luck for the team when the. centre three-quarters, Collins, was forced to retire because of an Injury. Collins had played a sterling game, and the battle between him and the opposing centre, Mitchell, was a hard one. Both recognised the strength of the other and the tackling of both men was clean and vigorous. There appeared to be a good understanding between the backs, and mistakes were quickly covered up. Stewart, at half-back, and McDonald and Sutherland, at five-eighths, were sound on defence and tackled well, and In addition Sutherland made several breaks that looked like bringing results. Chandler and Saul both Impressed as good wing-three-quarters of the score-at-corner type, but their chances were restricted by the greater speed of the Canterbury backs. At full-back, Currie was sound, handling the ball with confidence and finding the line with long, well-directed punts. He was not so colourful as his opposite number. Callanan, but he gave a very sound display. Infpresslve Otago Forwards The Otago forwards gave Canterbury a few lessons In fast following up and in dribbling rusher, in which the whole pack appeared to be taking part. The Canterbury backs were asked to stop sharp, determined rushes that swept over long stretches of ground. In the line-out there was evidence of good sound coaching. The ball was taken cleanly, .a welcome contrast to the knocklng-back ideas that have been favoured by Christchurch footballers. Hughes was one of the best forwards on the ground, and his consistent following up worried the opposing backs. Wheeler was rewarded for his consistency when he charged down a kick by Callanan and scored a simple try. McIntosh was a good leader, and his llneout work was Inspiring, while E. Wallace, Buckley, and O’Connor contributed a fair share to an excellent display of forward work. Following were the teams;— CANTERBURY Backs: P. Callanan; G. A. Drummond. M. B. Mitchell, J. W. Kelly: R. Forscutt, J. Roach: H. Emery. Forwards; R. Rothwell, C. Walklln. I. Atkinson. H. Tuanui. F. Cassidy, A. D. McKenzie, P. Fitzgerald. J. Small. OTAGO Backs: D. E. Currie: A. D. Saul, E. Collins, A. Chandler; S. Sutherland, E. McDonald: R. Stewart. „ Forwards: T. Wallace, A. Storer, G. Wheeler. E. Wallace, R. Mclntosh, T. Buckley, V. Hughes. K.' O’Connor. The Scoring Movements Earlv in the game Otago was penalised, but Callanan’s kick at goal went wide. A long kick by Roach was well followed by Drummond, who badly missed the full-back, Currie, who sidestepped, raced along the line, and sent a high punt to Callanan. whose kick was charged down by Wheeler for an easy try. Currie con-

verted. Otago 5, Canterbury 0. Soon after the drop-out Emery worked the blind side with Roach, who feinted to pass and slipped through the Otago backs. He sent on to Drummond, who raced 25 yards to score behind the posts. Callanan missed the easy shot. Fine work by Mitchell and Kelly, who worked the scissors, almost ended in Mitchell scoring, and three times in succession Callanan came into the passing rushes, and when Drummond passed in-field he sent on to Forscutt, who scored under the posts. Kelly missed the kick, and at half-time Canterbury led by 6 points to 5. The Otago backs and forwards combined in a bright passing movement early in the second spell, and after Sutherland and Collins had broken through weak tackling Hughes went over for a try, which Currie converted. Otago 10, Canterbury 6. At this stage Collins retired, and was replaced by Graham. Emery started the next movement, in which Roach cut in smartly, sold a “dummy”, to the Otago backs, scored. Tuanul, Emery, Roach, Callanan, Mitchell, and Drummond figured in a spectacular move. Crowded for room. Drummond sent in-field to Forscutt, who scored. Cassidy failed to convert. Canterbury 12. Otago 10. Chandler was hurt, and was replaced by Bell. Cassidy narrowly missed with two long shots at goal. Then Emery sent to Roach, who cut In and sent Mitchell over for a smart try. Fitzgerald converted. Canterbury 17. Otago 10. Currie had a shot at goal from a penalty, but the ball hit the crossbar, and Otago set up a hot attack. Small now left the field, and was replaced by A. Fleming. The Canterbury backs were playing great football, and again Emery sent out smartly to Roach, to Forscutt, to Mitchell, who scored. Fitzgerald missed the Icicle Canterbury won by 20 points (a goal from a try and five tries) to 10 points (two goals from tries). Mr L, Walsh was referee. CANTERBURY TEAM SELECTED MATCH AGAINST WELLINGTON The following team has been selected to- represent Canterbury against Wellington at Lancaster Park next Saturday:— Backs: L. Hewitt (Linwood); G. A. Drummond (University), M. B. Mitchell (Training College), J. W. Kelly (University): R. Forscutt (Sydenham), J. Roach (Technical): H. Emery (Marlst). Forwards: R. Rothwell (Technical), C. Walklin (Marlst), I. Atkinson (Sydenham), H. Tuanui (Waikarl), F. Cassidy (Marlst), F. Fleming (Christchurch), A. Palmer (Merlvale), J. Small (Marlst). Emergencies: J. D. Morton and A. Cochrane (Christchurch), B. Fleming (Walkarl), and E. Brunnlng (Ellesmere). THE CURTAIN-RAISER CANTERBURY BEATS ELLESMERE As a curtain-raiser -to the representative fixture at Lancaster Park on Saturday. the Canterbury third grade representatives beat Ellesmere by 14 points to 13 In a game in which good form was shown by the young players. Play was fast and open from the start of the game, and after all the Ellesmere backs had handled in a passing rush, Opie scored and Coleman followed this up with a good run and a try under the posts, which Dailey converted. Arnold scored for Canterbury, after showing clever footwork. Shaw converted, and at half-time Ellesmere led by 8 points to 5. In the second half Canterbury improved and tries were scored by Arnold (2) and Minstrom. Opie scored for Ellesmere a try which Dailey converted. Canterbury won by 14 points (a goal from a try and three tries) to 13 (two goals from tries and a try). • Mr W. J. Heslop was referee. OLD PLAYERS ENTERTAINED PARADE AT LANCASTER PARK About 300 players of Rugby In the years gone by marched In a body to Lancaster Park on Saturday, where they were the guests of the Canterbury Rugby Union. At half-time the Canterbury and Otago representative teams cheered the oldtimers, who sang the chorus of the Rugby football song. "On the Ball.” After the game the Rugby Union entertained the past players and the two representative teams. NAVAL BASE TOURNEY PHILOMEL BEAT TASMAN In the final of the Naval Base Rugby tourney, H.M.S. Philomel (Auckland) defeated k.M.S. Tasman (Lyttelton) by 25 points to 9. For the winners, tries were scored by Dalton, A. Grant. Beckett, Gear, and Wilkins (2)./ Waldegrave and Beckett converted tries, and Waldegrave kicked a penalty goal. For Tasman, J. Grant scored two tries and kicked a penalty goal. WELLINGTON AGAIN BEATS AUCKLAND (PA.) WELLINGTON, September 23. Giving their brightest display for several seasons, the Wellington representative Rugby football team outplayed Auckland at Athletic Park, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon, by 20-8. thus maintaining their unbeaten record for the season. With the forwards infusing plenty of dash into their play and dominating the scrums and line-outs,* and the backs running straight and handling cleanly, Wellington called the tune throughout. * This was Wellington’s second win over Auckland this season. The Wellington showing was good. In contrast to the poor display they had given against Manawatu the previous Saturday. Unfortunately the game was played in wet weather, a stiff northerly breeze bringing continuous showers throughout the first spell. This reduced the attendance to about 5000. Among those present were the Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) and Lady Newall. Scorers were:—For Wellington: Bowman, Abbott. Goldstone, Morrison, Caldnai (tries), Beard (penalty), Wishnowsky (one conversion); for Auckland, Gunning (a try), Paiwai (a penalty and one conversion). N.Z. Forces Team Wins.—The New Zealand Forces team beat Wasps by 14 points to 3.—London, September 22.

RUGBY LEAGUE SYDENHAM WINS VIVIAN CUP Sydenham left no doubt as to which is the best Rugby League team in Christchurch when, on Saturday, it met Addington, last year’s winner, in the final of the Vivian Cup. The first half was solid football, largely dominated by the vim of the Addington forwards, who rushed the Sydenham attack into errors and would not let the backs get going. It was a rather dull spell, with far too much kicking. When the Addington forwards tired in the second spell—their pace was too fast to last— Sydenham’s back line came into prominence with a number of excellent passing runs, and it had an easy win by 23 points to 3. five tries to one. Sydenham’s backs were much better than Addington’s, though neither set was at Us best. The Addington Inside trio, well served from the scrum, and also well covered, were fairly smart into action, but the three-quarters line was poor, defending or attacking. Sydenham’s line was good. After it recovered from its early smothering it was always dangerous. D. Donaldson was sound at fullback for Addington, with J. McCarthy and H. G. de'Freatus best on attack and J. Masters adept at breaking Sydenham’s runs. Sydenham’s backs worked as a team, all linking up well, and leaving R. Brown, at centre, to make the breaks and send the ball on to his two strong wings, C. H. Davison and R. 'Wilson, each of whom was very good, and provided the thrills with dashes down the line. At half-back. L. Brown had a gruelling time, with the Addington forwards constantly breaking through on to him; but he sent on smartly to Start many fine runs. P, Smith, leader of the Addington pack, was much ahead of any other forward on the field, and fully justified his place in the South Island team. Many times, when In possession, he burst through tjie Sydenham pack. He was always leader in the loose, besides using his heavy tackles to stop the Sydenham back line. A. Gillman and G. Newton were strong In the loose. Addington raked 80 per cent of the scrums. For Sydenham, I. Wilson was most prominent, with D. McLeod and S. Dean good followers. Addington led at the interval bv 3 points to 2, J. Neale scoring for Addington after a bad fumble by the defence. Davison kicked a 45-yard penalty for Sydenham. Dean (2), Davison, J. Duke, and R. Brown added tries for Sydenham in the second half, Davison converting three, one from the sideline. Referee: Mr H. W. Lawrence. As a curtain-raiser, Referees beat Old Timers by 13 points to 5 In a bright game, with some amusing sidelights. R. Barbarel scored three tries for Referees, W. Guy converting two. J. Wakefield scored for Old Timers, G. Fraser converting. Referee; Mr C. J. Underwood. Marlst Has Two Games' Marist (Greymouth) played two games, on Saturday against Hornby, at Hornby, and yesterday against Addington, at Prebbleton. In each game, bright, open football was played, with V. Meates, P. Costello, and K. Cumow showing up in clever handling. Against Homby the game was drawn, each side scoring 16 points. Meates (2), Costello, and D. Rochford scored tries for Marlst, Meates converting two. For Hornby E. Lewis (2) and McKenzie scored. „ ~ Marist, strengthened by some Kohinoor players, beat Addington by 24 points to 13. Addington forwards had a good share in the play, with the Marlst backs combining well in a number of spirited runs. Meates (2), D. Watson, J. Pascoe, L. Sweetman, and L. Dunn scored for Marlst, Meates converting three. For Addington Bench, de Freatus, and Ockwell scored, Masters converting two. Kohinoor v. Waimairl Waimairi Combined and Kohinoor (West Coast) had an even tussle at Papanui, Kohinoor winning by one point —ls to 14—with Waimalri T s last shot at goal a poster. Kohinoor went better In the first half, to lead by 12 points to 3 at the interval. From then on Waimairi improved and was the better side near the finish. ASSOCIATION CODE WESTERN AND THISTLE WIN ENGLISH CUP SEMI-FINALS The semi-finals of the English Cup knock-out competition were played on Saturday afternoon. At English Park, in a combined knock-out and championship game, Western outclassed Technical by 9 goals to 1. In the other game - Thistle beat Nomads by 7 goals to 1. Results: Western 9, Technical Old Boys 1; Thistle 7, Nomads 1. WESTERN V. TECHNICAL Technical had Its scoring chances in the opening exchanges, but lack of experience nullified its opportunities. As the game continued its efforts at reorganisation in face of Western’s growing superiority became poorer. The team work and passing, particularly In mid-field play, was little better than fall at its best, and as a result few of the Technical eleven enhanced any reputation they might have gained during the season. Petrie; at outside left, was perhaps the most consistent player on the field, and on at least three occasions came within an inch of scoring on his own. Others who gave brief glimpses of possibilities were O’Malley, Phillip, Goldsmith, and Storer. Western, in spite of reorganisation through two regular players not being available, showed little lack of its usual strength. Brilliantly executed passing movements spreadeagled the Technical defence with ease. S. Cawtheray, in spite of a long absence from his old club, gave an excellent display at centre forward, but the real general behind Western’s success was G. Smith at Inside right. He Improvised splendidly for M. Gordon as pivot, and distributed his attack with discrimination and effect. Both the )ving men, Dowker and Almond, made grdund with their openings and drew the defence sufficiently to give the centre comparatively easy goaling opportunities. Goals were scored for Western by S. Cawtheray (4), R. Dowker (2), G. Smith, A. Almond, and G. Roberts. 3. Malllnson scored for Technical. Referee: Mr S. C. Muirson. THISTLE v. NOMADS

Playing a much improved game on its previous week’s display. Thistle decisively beat Nomads at Hagley Park by 7 goals to 1. Thistle’s main advantage came from ability to retain possession in spite of the bustling play of Nomads. Indiscriminate passing by Nomads gave the Thistle halves and backs ample opportunity to counter through its forwards. Here, with A, Sutherland and J. White directing the attack, the forwards had a feast of the ball, and in spite of a steady defence by Nomads pressed home their movements. Nomads showed Inexperience and lack of decision in defence. Players were too often caught out of position by the flank to flank attacking movements of Thistle, and were too haphazard in their passing. Goals were scored for Thistle -by G. Grice (2), G. McAnulty (2), A. Sutherland, J. White, and B. O’Rawe. R. Wilson scored for Nomads, Referee: Mr T. F. Mathie. REFEREES’ MATCH In their annual match for the Cox Cup, Association football referees beat Rugby referees this year by 4 goals to 2. LOWER GRADES Fifth Grade.—St. Vincent’s 3, Thistle 1. Seventh A Grade.—Seventh Grade Representatives 2, Schoolboys' Representatives