RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25253, 4 August 1947, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

VIVIAN CUP MATCHES HORNBY AND RICCARTON WIN The default of two teams robbed the second found of the Canterbury Rugby League’s Vivian Cup competition of some interest on Saturday. Addington defaulted to Sydenham, and Papanui defaulted to Christchurch. Hornby beat Rakaia by 14 points to 9, and Riccarton recovered well to beat Linwood by 25 points to 21.

HORNBY v. RAKAIA Playing fast and open football, Hornby beat Rakaia. at Rakaia, in one of the best exhibitions of the League code seen on the ground for some time. Although Rakaia got the ball from most of the scrums. Hornby by speed and enterprise held a slight advantage in the back play. A feature of the open play was the excellent handling of the Hornby forwards. The Rakaia forwards also played solid football and, led by L. Gardiner and D. Mead, they gained ground on many occasions. An outstanding game was played by K. Henry, the Hornby full-back. His handling, kicking, and positional play were of a high order. Henry varied his play well and ran his backs into position with judgment. Hornby’s first try was scored by Henry, when he came up to finish off a good combined movement. E. Lewis at five-eighths, was another Hornby back who played sound football. Lewis, who has been one of the most consistent scorers in the competition this season, scored two tries and converted one try. Hornby’s remaining points came from a try by L. Lanauze, the wing threequarters. E. Behrns and A. Kerslake were the best of a competent set of Rakaia backs. Rakaia’s points came from a try by K. Alfeld and penalty goals by Gardiner and C Davison. Gardiner also kicked a penalty goal. Davison, throughout his football career, has been outstanding for his goal-kicking, but it is doubtful whether he has ever kicked a better goal than this one. Kicking into the wind he put the ball over the bar from the halfway line. The referee was Mr A. Hamburger.

RICCARTON v. LINWOOD At Linwood Park, Riccarton beat Linwood by 25 points to 21 in a game which, although ragged, produced patches of good football. Both teams showed a tendency towards loose kicking which presented the other side with opportunities which frequently led to scores. The Riccarton forwards played well and, led by T Bonnington and J. Ramshaw, they kept play tight whenever possible. Breaking away fast, they frequently had the Linwood backs in trouble. Most of the tries scored were the result of individual effort rather than team work, although the Riccarton team was combining much better in the concluding stages of the game after Linwood was leading by 21 points to 10 with 30 minutes to play. Much of the credit for Riccarton’s win must go to C. Clarke, centre threewho scored three tries and converted five. Tries were also scored, for Riccarton by W Adams and J. Wylie. Wylie played a sound game at second five-eighths, and with Clarke was the best of the Riccarton backs. Linwood played with 12 men from shortly before halftime, when a forward was ordered off and was unfortunate in losing G. Nuttall, the* centre three-quarters, who retired hurt early in the second spell. Nuttall had previously scored two good tries. Tries were also scored for Linwood by W. Berry, K. Smith, and A. Humphreys. Three tries were converted by Humphreys. L. Brown, and Humphreys were the best of the Linwood backs. They combined well on attack and both were sound on defence. K. Smith and J. O’Neil worked hard in the forwards. The referee was Mr H. Hamburger. LOWER GRADES Junior.—Christchurch 23, St. Joseph's 3; Dallington 13, Woolston 5; Sydenham 24, Papanui 0. Third Grade.—Linwood 32, Riccarton 8; Hornby 21, Papanui 3. Fourth Grade.—Christchurch A 44, Papanui 0: St. Joseph’s beat Riccarton by default. Under 9st.—Papanui 13, Christchurch 6; Hornby 11, Sydenham 2. Under 7st.—Riccarton beat Addington by default; St. Joseph’s 12, Linwood 4.: Woolston 11, Prebbleton 0; Hornby 9, Christchurch 3. Under sst.—Dallington A 25. Prebbleton 6; Dallington B 3, Christchurch B 0; Christchurch 6, Woolston 0.