RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25580, 23 August 1948, Page 5

RUGBY LEAGUE

VIVIAN CUP GAMES SYDENHAM BEATS CHRISTCHURCH Sydenham maintained its lead in the Canterbury Rugby League’s Vivian Cup competition, when the fourth series of games was played on Saturday. In the second division of the competition, Addington beat St. Joseph’s and will play off with Papanui for the right to meet the winners of the first division for the trophy. Results were:— First Division.—Sydenham 11, Christchurch 2; Hornby 7, Linwood 2; Prebbleton 17, Riccarton 3.

Competition points are:— First Division.—Sydenham 8, Hornby 6, Prebbleton 4, Linwood 2, Riccarton 0. Second Division.—Addington 6, Papanui 4, St. Joseph’s 4, Dallington 0. SYDENHAM v. CHRISTCHURCH The game between Sydenham and Christchurch did not produce the spectacular football expected of two of the leading teams. An advantage in the backs gave Sydenham its win by 11 points to 2. There was little between the forwards, although in the second spell the Christchurch pack played solid football and just failed to score on more than one occasion. Both sets of forwards worked hard in the tight, and in the loose made attempts to open up the game, but the movement usually broke down against solid tackling. K. Andrews, I. Pimley, and M. Noonan were prominent in the Sydenham pack, which, without Duke and D. Hancox lacked some of its usual dash in the open. A. McDonald, G. Eaton, and S. Collins were the best of an even Christchurch pack. The backs of both teams defended strongly and tackled well, with the result that many movements were forced across field and did not gain a great deal of ground. Sydenham made the most of the openings to it, and R. Wilson and R. Hill scored tries with good runs. O’Halloran was safe at full-back for Sydenham, and P. Foster the half-back varied his play with judgment. B. Stapley, the centre three-quarters, made some good individual runs and watched H. Walker closely. The Christchurch wing three-quarters did not have many opportunities, and when they did they had very little room in which td work. D. George made some good runs. Walker, the centre three-quarters, made some good openings, but usually ran into a hard tackle. The other inside backs were solid on defence but were frequently in difficulties when starting passing rushes from the scrums, when the Sydenham backs moved smartly to catch them in possession. In the first half the Christchurch forwards took play to the Sydenham twentyfive with a good loose rush, but Stapley broke away with a run which gained 40 yards. Foster secured from a scrum close to the Christchurch line and, after several backs had handled. Stapley scored. The kick failed. Sydenham 3, Christchurch n. When the Sydenham forwards attacked Walker intercepted, but a dropped pass lost what appeared to be a certain try. Wilson, the Sydenham wing three-quarters, followed up a long kick, and when the Christchurch full-back fumbled he picked up to score under the posts. Noonan converted, making the half-time score: Sydenham 8, Christchurch 0. Within three minutes of the start of the second spell. Hill picked-up from the loose to score a good try, which was not converted. The Christchurch forwards gained ground and Walker kicked a penalty goal. Christchurch held a territorial advantage for the rest of the spell, but the defence held and the game ended without any addition to the score. The referee was Mr E. J. Smith. HORNBY v. LINWOOD Too much kicking by both sides spoiled the game between Hornby and Linwood at Linwood Park. Hornby was perhaps a little lucky to win by 7 points to 2 after the score was 2 all until late in the second spell. On the run of the play it was any one’s game and the result could quite easily have gone the other way. Sound defence was a feature of the game and many promising movements by both sides were stopped by solid tackling. The Linwood forwards gave their best display of the season and held their bigger opponents for most of the game. Playing more as a pack than usual, they often made ground with some good loose rushes which taxed the Hornby defence. J. O’Neill gave an excellent display in the loose, being always up with the play and tackling soundly. He was ably supported by K. Smith and Waghorn. The sound tackling of the Hornby backs stopped most of the Linwood backs’ attempts to get going and most of the play was of an individual nature. Atkinson wa? always prominent on attack and his defence was first-class. Humphries made the most of his limited opportunities on attack and was also sound in his defence. Both fullbacks, Bateman, for Linwood, and Wilson, for Hornby, gave almost faultless displays and saved their sides repeatedly with good handling and well-judged kicking. The best of the Hornby forwards were Bainbridge and Pomare. Bainbridge was at the head of most of his side’s forward rushes and played with determination throughout. Kenworthy was a great tackler in the light and opened up the play for his backs at every opportunity. McKenzie, the Hornby centre, was closely watched, but managed to make some good runs which were only stopped by determined tackles. Edgier, a lower grade player, was at half-back for Hornby and gave a fine exhibition. His passes, from the scrum were well directed and he defended stoutly. Lewis played perhaps his best game of the season and was responsible for the try which gave his side victory. The first movement of note, in an even first spell came when Edgier made a break from the base of the Hornby scrum. Getting clear, he sent the ball on to Budge, who got to within inches of the line before Atkinson pulled him down. Linwood cleared and took play to the other end. After some individual efforts Humphries opened the scoring for Linwood with a penalty goal. Linwood looked like adding to the score when Atkinson broke away, but a good tackle by Lewis stopped him. McKenzie showed up with a good run early in the second spell but Bateman stopped him. Shortly afterwards Linwood was penalised and McKenzie evened the score with a fine goal from wide out. A good tackle by Atkinson saved Linwood when McKenzie made another strong rim. Humphries made two breaks but could not quite finish them off. With time almost up Lewis kicked through and got to within a yard of the line f before Atkinson tackled him. From the resulting loose play Kenworthy picked up and threw a long pass to Lewis, who went over for a try which he converted. 9 The referee was Mr R. Mathie. PREBBLETON V. RICCARTON

The much-improved Prebbleton side was too good for Riccarton and had its easiest win of the season by 17 points to 3. Allom (2), Gallagher, Thiele, and Callanan scored tries for Prebbleton, one of which Smith converted. Giles scored for Riccarton. The referee was Mr H. Mills. LOWER GRADES

Junior.—Linwood 18, Christchurch 11; Sydenham 24, Addington 18; Riccarton beat Woolston by' default. Third Grade. —Unwood 11, Prebbleton 3; Sydenham 20, Addington 3; Papanui 26, St. Joseph’s 26. Under Bst 71b.—St. Josephs 21, Hornby Under Bst 71b.—Linwood 32, Papanui 0; St. Joseph’s 12, Christchurch 0; Sydenham beat Dallington by default. Under sst 71b.—Christchurch 6, Sydenham 3; Woolston 12, Riccarton 0. Under sst., Midgets.—Dallington A 9, Christchurch 3; St. Joseph’s beat Papanui by default. _ ... , Bantams.—Christchurch 9, Dallington 0. RESULTS IN OTHER CENTRES Wellington.—Marist 16, Randwick 10; Miramar 34, Watersiders 11; St. George 42, Te Aroha 2.