RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WIN FOR MASSEY COLLEGE LINCOLN BEATEN IN. ANNUAL MATCH Disappointing football was played by the teams from Massey College and Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, in the annual game at Rugby Park yesterday. Massey College won by 9 points to 6. The ground was fast, the weather fine, and conditions generally were in favour of fast, open football. Both sides attempted to make the game open, and although there were many passing rushes, most of them broke down because of dropped passes. Massey College secured more than a fair share of the ball from set scrums, and the half-back, E. Roberts, sent the ball away correctly. The first five-eighths, M. Milne, seemed to know his football, but lack of condition restricted his operations.

A. J. Mitchell, half-back, and R. Fraser, first five-eighths for Lincoln, matched the Massey College inside men, and here the brunt of the defence was carried. It was a solid defence, but a woefully weak attack, which went across ground. The forwards worked hard but in aimless-man-ner. Too much kiqking for the line and cross-ground running spoilt what looked like providing a bright display of football. Molesworth, the best of the Lincoln forwards, shone out in the early stages of the game for sound work, which took play into the Massey twenty-five, and when the attack swung to the other end Fraser relieved with long kicks for Lin-

coln. Fraser kicked a goal when Massey was penalised for offside play. After Milne had put Massey into a scoring position with a good run, Molesworth (Lincoln) picked up a dropped pass, raced to the full-back, kicked and missed a try by inches. A few minutes later Lincoln was penalised in its own twenty-five, and Webber kicked a penalty goal. O’Reilly and White for Lincoln provided one of the few bright incidents in the game when they raced through in a bout of passing, and from the loose play that followed Fraser secured and potted a goal. At half-time Canterbury led by 6 points to 3. Webber for Massey missed with several shots at goal, and when the wing threequarters, Pritchard, appeared well on his way to score a try he was brilliantly tackled by Dickson, the Canterbury fullback. Pritchard gained an easy try after Roberts had opened up passing from loose play. Webber did not convert. Near the end of the game, Webber succeeded with one of his numerous attempts to kick a goal.

Massey College won by 9 points (a try and two penalty goals) to 6 points (a penalty goal and a potted goal.) Following were the teams:— Massey College.—H. Taiaroa. A. D. Naigelevu, D. Mander, S. Pritchard, J. Hutton, M. Milne, E. Roberts, L. Blackmore, K. Turher, L. Robbie, B. Webber. I. Inkster, H. Young. J. Cowan, L. Kana. Lincoln College.—J. Dickson. H. O’Reilly. E. D. White. A. Don, R. Smith, R. Fraser, A. J. Mitchell, E. H. White, E. Sutton, A. Norton, J. Marshall, T. Molesworth, E. Martin. A. E. Gibson, R. Wall. In the second spell, I. Barber replaced R. Smith, who was injured. Mr W. J. Brown was referee. WIN FOR POLICE ANNUAL MATCH WITH “ THE PRESS ’’ The Police beat “The Press” in a Rugby match yesterday by 21 points to 8. The game was fast and interesting, with the winning team, heavier in the forwards, obtaining possession much more frequently than their opponents and producing many bright back movements. In the first spell, Callanan and Flynn (2) scored tries for Police. Callanan converted two tries. Police leading by 13 points to 0 at the interval. The second half was mqre even. Allom

and Flynn scored tries for Police, cm of them being converted by Tate. “The Press,” Simpson and Griffiths scorfll tries, Robertson converting one. ALTERATION TO KNOCK-ON RULE SUGGESTED | An amendment to the knock-on rule wa» suggested by Mr A. Stevenson at a meettflf this week of the Westland Rugby Sub* Union. Mr Stevenson suggested that play should be . permitted to continue after ’ knock-on, provided the player regained possesison of the ball before it reached tne ground. At present referees were rulinj strictly on knock-ons, and players spectators were becoming restless whea play was stopped for slight knock-ons. Many brilliant back movements wert stopped for the slightest knock-on,- -M said, and if this strictness was allowed w continue it would go against the game. • It was decided to forward a remit Mg* ing that the rule be amended accord* ingly. -