RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25181, 12 May 1947, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUED

three teams still UNBEATEN

°t the tourth round of shinnuTLa y ftuuhy Union s championSaturday in fine weather Sjdenham ‘ JS? ’J? 5 ’ ■ *f aves Christchurch, teams Marist as the unbeaten test ni * was Siven its first real the OvaV at ‘‘s™* Technical on givingawav Laocaster Park, and though the ? ot of we »gh* in the pack. Sve a irtd?" 8 Powers of the forwards down y ,n ' After bei ng well « on points for the greater nart nf finlsFTnd a grandstand sinele nl U!t falled against Albion. A from separated Training CoUege fourth and Sunnyside had its marcin narrow defeat when a Ltawood separated It from cultv to ristchurch had little difiienhai ! n J£ oaftne New Brighton, and Svdagainst O°d Boys °" winnln S way Dl f° U d ‘ he results of carries P yed m the senior championship:— Marist 18, Technical 8. Christchurch 17, New Brighton 3. Sydenham 15. Old Boys 3. Tm! nln §„ CoUe ge 6, Merivale 5. Albion 19, University 16. Linwood 20, Sunnyside 17. ChV 1 ?«tIu > . ion i Shi ?. P° int s are as follows: Marist, Sydenham, each 4 Fan I in A !5!2 n ’ n 3: n. lJniversit s'’ New Brigh--2: Technical, Training College, Old Boys, 1; Merivale. Sunnyside 0.

A _. V ,G “ T FORWARDS win ead tiP g . f ? r the greater part of tne game. Technical was beaten by a of 10 . P° ints by Marist. whose Fds. working well together, outstayed their heavier opponents and in the last quarter of an hour had control of ti/e game Actually. Marist did not deserve to have such a good margin in its at tb® finish, for in the early stages of the game the heavier Technical forwards gave their backs innumerable chances, two of which were taken advantage" cf. Marist packed a solid scrum and kept it solid until the ball was lost Technical did not follow this style. With a big advantage in weight, its side-row forwards were continually breaking from f£ ru . m w ith the object of harrassing the Marist backs. The counter-move to th*s .was the simple one of keeping the ball >n the back of the scrum and leaving the Technical forwards "in the air.” The physical fitness and tenacity of the forwards and the splendid tackling of the inside backs won a game that might easily have been lost. J. Roach and R. McCammon, prominent players in previous seasons, were brought in to strengthen the Technical back division, and although Roach almost won the game in the first spell with judiciouslyplaced kicks, both were feeling the effects of the pace and heavy tackling towards the end of the game. Their tackling was not good, and twice P. Kearney went between the pair to score tries. Roach, who broke a bone in an ankle last year, was favouring one leg, and the game on the firm ground would not improve him. Logan, behind the Technical scrum, did a fine job, and with well-directed passes sent his backs away. He left the kicking to his outside men. Carr, wing threequarters. scored one good try. but he did not appear to relish hard tackling. The best back on the side was Jackson, who, at full-back, gave a grand exhibition of clean handling and long, accurate linekicking The tries scored against him would have been scored against any other full-back.

Had the Technical forwards used their weight to the best advantage, the result of the game must have been different and it must now be apparent to them that forwards who whip off the side of the scrum looking for five-eighths are not an asset to the side. With such weight against them. Marist should nevei have had the ball, and even if they did hook it they should have been pushed back over it. One man who did his woik honestly and well was Herman, who, seldom noticed in the open, did more than has share in the line-outs, and heavy scrummages. Couling and Harvey also went well, and in the fast, open work none was better than Allen.

Like Jackson, for Technical,, Flattery at full-back for Marist gave a finished display. He had more serious work to do than Jackson, and his line-finding was just as good. Previously, a wing-three-quarters, he seems to have found his right position. Davidson had few chances but in his play there were glimpses of brilliance and football knowledge. Scully had a torrid time behind the Marist forwards. and when he - did receive the ball it was usually attended by more than one opposing forward. Yet his work all through was solid, although M. Kearney made it the more difficult by standing too far away from the scrum. M Kearney was sound, and his brother, Peter. was brilliant at times and two slashing tries were his just reward. He is at the top of his form. To the forwards must go much of the credit for the win. Each man packed into a solid scrum and stayed there until the ball was clear" In the loose all hunted and tackled with, enthusiasm, and while Mullins took a hand in valuable cover defence, he was also hot on the trail wheti Barry, an especially good young lorwai'd. Mather. O. Noonan, and others had the ball at toe or were raiding the Technical ba Marist won by 18 points (two tries by P. Kearney, one of which was converted bv M. Kearney, who also kicked a held goal and two penalty goals) to 8 (tries by Carr and Allen, one of which Jackson converted). Mr J. Gough was referee. CHRISTCHURCH BEAT NEW BRIGHTON The solid pack work of the Christchurch forwards was the deciding facto, in the game at the Show Grounds, where New Brighton was beaten 17-3. Christchurch scored points from a goal from a try two tries, and two penalty goals, and New Brighton kicked a penalty goal A steady easterly blowing across the held kept Christchurch on the defensive in the first spell, but helped them to put on 14 points when the teams changed ends Cutstanding in an excellent pack were the Christchurch forwards. J. b. McQuigan and P. K. Rhind. McQuigan s play, particularly in the loose, fully justified the high opinion formed of him as one of the most promising forwards in New Zealand. Big and fast, he is the ideal breakaway. Rhind used his weight to advantage in the'scrum and in breaking tackles. He often beat taller men for the ball in the line-out and on Saturday his line kicking would have done credit to any back. _ The handling and kicking by both sets of backs were poor. Tire Christchurch three-quarters were too fast for their opponents, while J. Eggleton, at full-back, gave a better display than New Brighton s full-back, P. Long. Eggleton made up for some poor line-kicking, as he scored eight points in goals from difficult angles. Except for one or two sallies, Christchurch was confined to its own hall throughout the first spell. Several times New Brighton nearly scored, and twice spectacular tackles by Christchurch backs brought down players just short of the goal line. The first score for Christchurcn came when C. Steel, on the wing, beat several opposing backs and scored in the corner. The score at half-time was 3-0. Plav in the first speU had been willing, but shortly after the interval the pugilistic tendencies of the players caused the referee, Mr C. P. Harris, to hold up play while he warned both teams. Eggle ton kicked two penalty goals from half way within 10 minutes. Christchurch was now winning the scrums fairly consisi ently and the backs were given plenty of chances. A. Cochrane showed a fine turn of speed and scored at the corner. Eggleton’s kick was successful. He failed to repeat the performance when trying to convert D. Lenihan’s try, scored from a loose scrum. A penalty goal from an easv position was kicked by the New Brighton forward, D Gibson, shortly before the final whistle. Mr C. P. Harris was referee. • SYDENHAM BEAT OLD BOYS

Although Sydenham beat Old Boys in the match on the south ground at Lancaster Park by 12 points, the game was more evenly contested than the score® suggest. Sydenham had a slight advantage for most of the game, but the 010 Boys’ defence came through a real test with credit. Many of the Old Boys worries were caused by the jinking runs of C. Brown, the Sydenham half-back, who played an enterprising game. Blackmore, the Old Boys full-back, was out of form and he ran into trouble occasionally with the fit Sydenham forwards, who managed to maintain a brisk pace from start to finish.

Sydenham scored first w-hen Shaw, the first five-eighths, went over after some scrambling play. Gilmour converting. A solo run by C. Brown brought Sydenham another try, Shaw converting. A good forward rush by Old Boys gave B. Brown a well-earned try. but near the end of the game Sydenham went further ahead when C. Brown, after another brilliant run, scored his second try. Shaw converted. The final score was Sydenham 15. Old Boys 3Mr D. Jarvis was referee. ALBION BEATS UNIVERSITY Good loose work by the forwards gave Albion a narrow but well-deserved win over University in the match at Rugby Park. University began confidently and the forwards repeatedly gained possession from the scrums, but the backs, running into solid tackling by their opposite numbers, and the attentions of the fast-moving Albion forwards, fell into handling errors which spoiled promising movements. University won 27 set scrums to Albion’s seven, and. holding a less marked advantage in the line-outs, the forwards were able to feed the backs with almost monotonous regularity. L. Savage, the University half-back, played an outstanding game. He sent out accurate passes very quickly indeed, and on several occasions earned applause by picking the ball off the toes of the Albion forwards and finding touch. M. B. Mitchell was not at his best, although he played solidly enough. He was forced across field by the quickbreaking Albion forwards, and the lack of room hampered the brilliant men out-

side him. He took the ball well, but very! often the one-hand under-arm passes he 1 favoured went astray. Mitchell’s passing. far from orthodox, was evidently intended to gain distance and cut out his second five-eighths, as an answer to the quick fanning of the Albion pack. W.. A. Meates. at second five-eighths, played ’ splendidly, and although his opportunities! were limited, he made some spectacular' solo runs. J. W. Kelly, the right wing,! also played very well when he had the chance. At full-back. E. Lucre was safe enough, but lacked finish.

The Albioin backs were not so conspicuous, but they all defended stoutly, and the game was a personal triumph for the first five-eighths. E. Jackson. His side’s first points came from a penalty try. and he scored the remaining 16. converting two tries, scoring one. and kicking three penalty goals. University would have been well advised to hold the ball in the scrum more frequently to counter Albion’s spoiling tactics. The move was used to good effect very early in the game, but subsequently ignored. The best forward on the field was G. Bond, of Albion. He did more than his share in the tight, and led the fierce loose rushes spiritedly. Others in a good pack who impressed were F. Fleming, I. Purdon. and S’. Cooke

The University forwards performed their main function in winning the scrums and line-outs, but they could not match Albion in the loose. The forwards, particularly in the first spell, were sluggish. The game was marked by frequent penalties. mainly for scrum- infringements—for most of the first half there was one awarded every two minutes. Albion won by 19 points (a penalty try and a try by Jackson, both of which were converted by Jackson, who also kicked three penalty goals) to 16 points (tries by Meates and Wilson, both of which were converted by Kelly, who kicked two penalty goals). Mr J S. Freeborn was referee.

LINWOOD’S NARROW WIN In an exciting game, in which each tedm put on 14 points in one spell. Linwood beat Sunnyside at Sunnyside by 20 points (a goal from a try, three tries, and two penalty goals) to 17 points (a goal from a try, a fry. and three penaltv goals) The half-time score was 14-3 in Linwood’s favour. but Sunnyside put on a great spurt in the second spell, and several times in the last five minutes of the game nearly drew’ level with the visitors. The strength of both teams lay in their forwards, the packs being evenly matched. F. Hobbs (Linwood) again showed himself a fast runner as W’ell as a solid scrum and lineout forward. He scored two tries, having to beat several men each time. D. Spencer, the Linwood five-eighths scored seven points with his kicks, converting two tries and kicking a penalty goal. R. Cameron and L Foster each scored a try for Linwood. The Sunnyside full-back, L. Moran, bettered Spencer’s performance by three points. C. Nuttridge anff B Preston each scored a try for Sunnyside. Mr V. Empson was referee. TRAINING COLLEGE v. MERIVALE Playing the curtain-raiser at Lancaster Park, Training College scored a narrow wdn over Merivale in a game that provided little bright football and showed very few players up to senior championship form. Training College attemnted to throw the ball about The Merivale five-eighths stood un close and tried to prevent any open olav The result was football of poor standard. Training College won bv 6 points (a trv by Evans and a penalty goal by J. Enni®) to 5 pointe (a try by O. Smart, converted by E. Ennis) Mr R. Empson was referee.

LOWER GRADES

LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve.—University A 12, Maiist 3; Technical Old Boys 11, Kaiapoi 8; Linwood 13, High School Old Boys 6: Christchurch 5, Sydenham 5. Second Grade.—West Cid Boys 8, Linwood 3; Belfast 18, Lyttelton 3: High School Old Boys 14. Spreydon 6; Merivale 14, Papanui Technical Old Boys 14; Christchurch beat University by default Third Grade A—West Old Boys 8. Lyttelton 3; Technical Old Boys 31, Collegians A 0; Merivale A 19. High School Old Boys 3. . Third Grade B.—Albion A 18, Merivale B 0: Sumner 13. Richmond 6; Sydenham 11, New Brighton 8. Tihrd Grade C.—Boys’ High Schoo) 9. Marist 9; Albion B 32, Collegians 6. Fourth Grade.—Marist A 15, Linwood B 11; Linwood A 11, Sydenham 8; Albion B 12, Albion A 0; Merivale 16, High School Old Boys 0. TTnHor 10A AlKinn 9.1 Marist 3- Svd-

Under 18A.—Albion 21, Marist 3: Sydenham 9, High School Old Boys 3; Tech- - nical Old Boys 14, Papanui Technical Old Boys 0. Under 17.—Sydenham 14, New Brighton 0; Technical Old Boys 28. Papanui Technical Old Boys 6. Under 16.—Kaiapoi 15, Sumner 3; High School Old Boys 17, Merivale 3; Marist 20. Technical Old Boys B 6; Technical Cid Boys A 11, Albion 8. ' Under Bst 71b. —North Canterbury 15. 1 Christchurch 3; Sydenham 6, High School ' Old Boys B 3; Technical Old Boys 8, High ' School Old Boys A 0. Under 7st 71b.—High School Old Boys B 3. New Brighton 3: Christchurch 12. Linwood 11: Sydenham beat Technical Old i Boys B. Under 6st 71b.—Sydenham B 14, Christchurch B 3; Linwood A 6, Christchurch A 3; Kaiapoi 18, New Brighton 0; Spreydon 6. Technical Old Boys 5; North Canterbury 36, Linwood B 0; Sydenham A beat Lyttelton; Albion beat Merivale. Under sst 71b.—Christchurch A 0, Christ- ! church B 0; Sumner 6, Linwood B 0; Marist 21. New Bi ighton 0; Merivale 28. Lyttelton 0; Sydenham B 6, Christchurch C 3; Linwood A beat Linwood C. DUNEDIN GAMES (P.A.) DUNEDIN. May 11. Following are the results of games played in the Otago Rugby Union’s senior championship:—Dunedin 11, Training College 8; Southern 19. Kaikorai 7; Pirates , 9. Zingari-Richmond 5: University A 16. Taieri 7; Union 11. Port Chalmers 9; AlI hambra 17, University B 3. NORTH CANTERBURY SUB- A UNION The following junior players will assemble for practice on the same night as the seniors with a view to selection as , representatives of the North Canterbury Sub-Union against Malvern, at Dudley , Park. Rangiora. on Saturday next;—M. Pearson. N. Sail. K. Lowe (N.C.): A. Croft. G James, M. Peach. J. Wilson t (Ko.): L Wright (Am.); O. Meyers. B. _ Tozer (Sb.): G. Schroeder. F. Ward (Oh.): N. Mehrtens. S. Mitchell. C. Garlick. T. j McClatchey (Ox.); J. McLean. G. Meikle , (Glen.); Te Aike, G. Howse, T. Hopkinson j (Nga.). Advt