RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26095, 24 April 1950, Page 9

RUGBY LEAGUE

LINWOOD BEATS SYDENHAM A SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES Tlie second round matches of the Canterbury Rqgby League’s senior championship were played on Saturday in ideal conditions. The games generally were fast and interesting, particularly at Athletic Park where Lin Wood defeated Sydenham A in a match which on present fotm should have a bearing on the result of the championship. Results were:— Linwood 13, Sydenham A 11. Rlccarton 5, Hornby 2. Christchurch 22, Sydenham B 15. Papanui 10, Prebbleton 3. Championship points are:—LiftwOod 4, Sydenham A 2, Sydenham B 2, PtebblCton 2, Christchurch 2, Riccarton 2, Papanui 2, Addington 0, Hornby 0. LINWOOD v. SYDENHAM In a very even and fast game at Ath- i letic Park, Linwood, after having to defend stubbornly for the last minutes, held off Sydenham and won by 13 points to 11. The game produced plenty of sparkling movements and had the crowd excited towards the end, when Sydenham threw everything into the attack in an attempt to pull the game out of the fire. It looked as though Sydenham was certain to succeed, but the side was over-eager, and the Linwood defence was sound. Where Linwood had the edge on Sydenham was in the pack Of lively, fit forwards, Who were always up with the ball and really did something with it when in possession. They also proved viry adept in getting out to close up any gaps in tne defence when the Sydenham backs had possession. The Sydenham forwards, although perhaps lacking the pace of their opponents, were a very even Ipt and did not let up from start to finish. The biggest fault in Sydenham’s display was that both Graham and Stapley, at five-eighths, attempted too much when they had players outside them with pace and scoring ability. However, a lot of this fault could be put down to slow service from the base of the scrum, where Yaxley, although playing very solidly, could have smartened up his passing ahd given his supports more time to escape the attention of the fast-breaking Linwood pack. Both sets of backs were at fault in this respect, and should strive to put more speed into their passing without trying to go too far. A striking ex? artiple of this was given when LiriWood scored its first try. Lees, the first fiveeighths, received the ball from Roberts clbse to Sydenham’s line, and flick-passed it immediately to Atkinson, who then had the extra yard in which to send ChUrdh&t

The outstanding player of the game was undoubtedly A. Atkinson, the Linwood breakaway, who with two fine tries, i conversion, and a penalty goal, scored 10 of his side's 13 points. Possessing great pace and good hands, this player was always formidable. Where Atkinson shines is that when in possession of the ball h& wastes no time in getting moving, which is in sharp contrast to a lot of other forwards, who, when they get the ball in open play, seem unable to make up their minds what to do With it; Atkinson was ably supported by Roberts and Clarke. Clarke did a Vast amount of work in cover defence, and was always oh the spot to help his backs. Of the Sydenham forwards, Evans, Pimley, and Keenan were great workers, with Churton»- the breakaway, doing a lot of spoiling work. The backs Of both sides were vety evenly matched, and without being spectacular turned on some sparkling football. Both full-backs gave very sound handling, and kicking displays, with Flattery, of Sydenham, the morO solid oh defence. He saved one certain try with a beautiful tackle of A. Atkinson, when this player was racing for the line. Jon&s, the Linwood half-back, gave a sound display, sending out smart passes, ahd he defended solidly. Without being spectacular, Lees was a good link at first fiveeighths, and did not attempt too m.uch by himself. Churchef h-ad a lot of defending to do at second five-eighths, and did it all well, but on attack was another to go too far by himself. Beth sides had their turns on attack from the start, and Linwood gained the first points when A. Atkihson kicked an easy penalty. Sydenham worked play to Linwood's line, and after Stapley had been stopped inches, short, Churton received the ball from some loose play and dived over, for Stapley to Convert. Sydenham was now getting the ball from the scrums and making most of thd play, but solid tackling kept them out Uhtil Graham moved to the blind side, ahd aftersome short passing between himself and Evans dashed over in the corner for a try, Stapley missed the kick. Linwood had a turn on attack and A. Atkinson made a brilliant break, only to be solidly tackled by Flattery. Keeping up the pressure, Linwood added to their total when Churcher Went dVer in the corner after some clean handling by Roberts. Lees, ahd N. Atkihson. Lin Wood scored again when A. Atkinson, after another brilliant break, this time kicked past Flattery and won the race for tht ball to touch down under the posts and convert the try. From

the resumption after half-time, SydCnham attacked, but faulty handling spoiled chances and Linwood worked back. A<Urphy made grourid and sent A. Atkinson over for his second try, which Hudson failed to convert. Churton went oviir for Sydenham, after they had hammered the Linwood line. Smith's klek went just outside the posts. Sydenham put everything they had into the last stages of thfe game, and after Smith had been recalled after going over for putting his foot out, the final whistle went, to save the day for Linwood. Referee: Mr F. French.

PAPANUI v. PREBBLETON In a fast-moving game played dt the Papanui Domain, Papanui beat Prebbleton by 10 points to 3. Prebbleton led 5-0 at half-time, but Papanui scored tWd converted tries in the sedpnd half arid the game ended with Prebbleton attacking solidly. The first half was rather patchy, With erratic play by both sides. Ih the second, however, play brightened up considerably. Although unable to combine successfully early, Prebbleton, with the forward, P. Smith, as first five-eighths, Opened up the game and produced some bright movetnents. On three occasions, Smith broke through the Papanui back-line, and sent hist three-quarters away. However, when bosslble ’ movement The Papanui backs got into gear on too fe * u? C^ sion§ .’. an S When th^y did tI W combined well. A. Greening, the halfback. showed good form, and sent his backs good passes. The three-quarters, I ;._9 Te , gor and 4- Bateman, were respohSir a num ber of clever movements. M. Clinton, at full-back. Was as safe as ever, although his tackling at tiinefe was poor. ft 5 forwards. H - Broadhurst and N. withell, both of Papanui, were probably the best. Broadhurst Is one of the best to w fWnt though he is seen to a better Advantage in the tight. Tries were scored for Papanui by j Aitken and Broadhurst. Both- were converted by Clinton. R. Corbett scored Sr eb^ et J On i m^h y * ry ' The re,ere * ' VaS CHRISTCHURCH v. SYDENHAM B improved forward play in the second half enabled Christchurch to beat Sydenham B by 22 points to 15 in the early game at Athletic Park. Sydenham held a definite advantage in the first spell and led at half-time by 15 points to 6. The side is a young one, and its speed and dash in the early stages forced Christchurch into errors in handling and frequently caught the backs out of position. M. Turner, the Sydenham half-back, sent the ball out smartly and showed plenty of speed. J. Smith was sbund at fullback until he was injured in the second half. R. Hall, wing three-quarters, and L. Brown, second five-eighths, were strong oh attack, but theirs were largely individual efforts. In the second half the Christchurch forwards played more as a pack, and with a series of well sustained attacks wore down the Sydenham defence. All played good football with A. Lennie and G. Eaton showing up in every move. For Christchurch, tries were scored by Hall (2), Lennie (2), Eaton, and D. Menzies. D. Wilson converted two tries. Tries were scored for Sydenham by Turner (2), and S. Tavendale, all of which were converted by Turner. The referee was Mr G. Williams. RICCARTON y. HORNBY There was little between Ridcarton and Hornby in the game played at Hornby. Riccarton won by 5 points to 2 after maintaining a slight advantage in the forwards for most of the game, but it was a good back movement late in the game which led to the Only try of the match and won the game. For Hornby, K. tienry kicked a penalty goal, and for Riccarton H. Gibson kicked a penalty goal and R. Hood Scored a try. The refdree was Mr V. Henry. LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve.—Woolston 13, DAllington 3; Christchruch 34, Papanui 0. Third Grade.—Sydenham B 10. Addington 0; Linwood 17, Prebbleton 0. Fourth Grade.—Hornby 14. Lifiwood 9: Christchurch beat Riccarton. by default. Under 7st 71b.—Hornby 16. Papanui 5. Under 6st 71b.—Christchurch 5, St. Joseph’s 3; Dallington 6, Papanui 3; Sydenham 15, Addington 0. Under sst 71b.—St. Joseph’s 18, Christchurch 0; Addington 15, Sydenham 9. Under sst.—Bantams: Christchurch 30, Sydenham 6. Under sst.—Midgets: Christchurch B 21, Sydenham B 0; Christchurch A 12, Sydenham A 9.