RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26397, 16 April 1951, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

FINAL PRACTICE GAMES PROMISING FORM SHOWN Playing fields were in good order and the weather fine for the final practices carried ““t on Saturday by clubs in the Canterbury Rugby Union competitions. Most clubs held trial games among their own members to assist selectors. More serious was the game between Canterburv University College and Lincoln Collect which was the first of the trials for the selection of players to represent New Zealand University on a visit to Australia Sydenham and Albion and SunnysideSpreydon and Rangiora played inter-club fixtures. The form shown promises well for Rugby Union football in Canterbury in 1951UNIVERSITY BEATS LINCOLN COLLEGE

The New Zealand University team to tour Australia this seasbn should be strong if the material available from the two local university colleges is any indication. In a trial match on Saturday Canteroury University College beat Lincoln College by 6 points to 3, and a number of more than useful players were seen in action-

The grass at Rugby Park was very lone but the game was played at a good pace’ and both teams seemed very fit for so early in the season. The star performer was the Lincoln College and former Southland and Bush District first fiveeighths, J. Hotop, who gave a splendid all-round display. The Lincoln College forwards were an honest lot, with the best of them probably S. D. Clay and K M. Wright. Canterbury College’s pack was headed by such tried performers as R. C. Stuart, J. Steel. J. D. Stewart, and Z. Dalzell, and the backs received good service from the All Black half-back, L T. Savage. R. O. McDowell looks likely to make further progress this season as a wing three-quarter, and another likely looking player in this position is the University sprint champion, S. Matanitobua. a Fijian.

Canterbury College's points came from tries by McDowell and D. Kemp. A try was scored for Lincoln College by D Boyd. Mr A. G. Berry was referee. SYDENHAM BEATS ALBION

Sydenham and Albion held their final match practice at Waltham Park, in a game in which hard-rucking forward work was the feature of the play. Sydenham won by 17 points to 11, but the scores more than represented the difference between two well-matched teams. Both sides showed that they had done some serious training, and their form suggested that both teams will enjoy a fair measure of success in competition games. M. Dixon, who showed very good form in the different positions he played in last year, was the best of the Sydenham backs. A. Webb, at full-back, with good kicking, added two penalty goals and converted a try. C. Rhodes, M. Kilworth, and D. Smith were the best of the'forwards.

Albion has every reason to be pleased with the new senior backs, R. Dyer and W. Langley. Dyer is a promoted junior half-back, and possesses a sound knowledge of the game. He replaces last year's half-back, W. Campbell. Langley, who played at wing three-quarters for Manakau (Auckland) last year, is regarded as a very useful inside back and will play at centre or second five-eighths. G. Bond, N. Purdon. and B. Hopping will be the leaders of a good forward pack. Sydenham was first to score when a forward. D. Smith, went over the line after M. Dixon had made the opening. Albion took the lead when Hopping scored and A. Drake, Albion full-back, converted. Penalty goals were kicked by Drake (Albion) and Webb (Sydenham) before half-time, making the score: Albion 8, Sydenham 6. In the second half, Sydenham went ahead with a try by Rhodes, converted by Webb, a try by N. James and a penalty goal by Webb. For Albion, Edgington, who had replaced Drake, kicked a penalty goal. Mr L. Walsh was referee. RANGIORA TEAM BEATEN

Sunnyside-Spreydon was fully extended to beat Rangiora by 11 points to 6, at Sunnyside, in a game which was not marked by brilliant Rugby on either side. The game was a dress rehearsal for more serious engagements, and the coaches of both teams tried out fresh players in the second half.

For Sunnyside-Spreydon, D. Farrell scored a try which was converted by A. Jemmett. and J. Purdon and K. Rennal scored tries. For Rangiora, Forsythe and McCracken scored. Mr W. Oliver was referee.

RUGBY LEAGUE

MARIST (GREYMOUTH) BEATS LINWOOD (From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, April IS. Marist (Greymouth), who led 10-2 at half-tjrne, maintained their advantage to beat Linwood (Christchurch), 23-8, in the annual fixture for the Harrison Cup at Wingham Park, Greymouth, on Saturday. Conditions were ideal for the match, which produced some bright football for the start cf the season. Linwood lacked thrust and combination in their movements. Marist showed the benefit of their recent play in the Easter tournament at Auckland, where they beat leading Catholic clubs in the Dominion. For Marist, C. Mcßride (2), J. Pascoe, L. Ward, and J. Mundy scored tries, and J. Guy. Mcßride, and J. Knapp each converted a try. Tries were scored for Linwood by J. Ockwell and A. Atkinson, and J. Hudson kicked a penalty goal.

ASSOCIATION CODE

HURLEY SHIELD GAMES THISTLE BEATS WESTERN The second round of the Canterbury Football Association’s senior championahip was played on Saturday. Celtic provided the surprise of the day by drawing with Rangers. The best match of the day was between Technical and Nomads, the result being decided in the last period of play. In the other match, Thistle narrowly beat Western after a very dull game. Results: — Thistle 2, Western 1. Technical Old Boys 4, Nomads 2. Rangers 2, Celtic 2. Championship points are: Thistle 4, Technical 4. Western 2. Celtic 1, Rangers 1, Nomads 0. THISTLE V. WESTERN For a number of years Thistle ;.nd Western have displayed a high standard, and their matches have always provided some of the best football of the season. On Saturday, however, neither side deviated from the sluggish standard set in the initial stages of the game. The long grass may have slowed forward thrusts, and solid tackling was the order of the day. J. King will definitely have to return to Thistle's backs to balance the defence. There was little at fault in the Western team individually, except the poor finish within scoring range. N. Eggleton, at outside left, was more subdued than usual, considering his immediate opposition, and he requires more discrimination in his centring kicks. Goals were scored for Thistle by J. King and G. McAnulty. J. Longsmuir scored for Western. Referee: Mr T. Mathie. TECHNICAL V. NOMADS Although beaten by Technical on Saturday, Nomads was a vastly improved side than that which failed badly in the closing stages against Western the previous week. This better showing can be attributed mainly to the more useful positional play adopted by the two inside forwards. They closed the gap formerly existing between the flank intermediates and van. In this sphere. R. Smith, in particular, and T. Shearer came into their own, making full use of the two speedy and enterprising wing men. Without detracting from the honesty of the individual members of the side, mention must be made of the two youths, Ferguson and Heath, and of the two exce'lent goals scored by P. Fox. Technical, on the other hand, has yet to reveal the full weight of its undoubted ability on attack and defence. The right flank must develop a closer understanding to be consistently effective as a scoring partnership. C. Bailey (2). S. Goldsmith, and J. McLennan scored for Technical, and P. Fox (2) for Nomads. Referee: Mr S. Billcliff. RANGERS V. CELTIC At Linwood Park Rangers and Celtic had a hard fought but scrambling match, rhe long grass played no small part in impairing both accuracy in passing and speed with the ball, and a spoiling, bustung game developed, with good marksmanship the deciding factor. D- Head's reappearance for Rangers will considerably strengthen the weak department of the side. If his example is followed the cohesion essential in a goalscoring combination will be achieved. If E. White had been present he would have stabilised the defence, which was not as impressive as it was the previous week •gainst Thistle. Celtic generally was content to wait for mistakes and test the Rangers defence with fast sorties. In this Pickworth and OHawe had fair success, and on defence Nelson and P. Guthrie were always reliable. D. Head (2) scored for Rangers and “■ Guthrie and M. Condon for Celtic. Referee: Mr M. Cassin. _ LOWER GRADES Lower grade results were:— Second Division.—Atlantis 3, Y.M.C.A. Ji Technical 4, Shamrock 3; Trewellard 3, University 1. Senior Reserve.—Rangers 4, Nomads l: Western 2, Tamaroa 0. , , Junior A Grade.— Canterbury Agricul-

tural College 4, Thistle 2; Sydenham Rovers 6, Western 2: Rangers 10, Atlantis 0. Junior B Grade.—Western beat Training College by default. Fourth Grade.—Thistle 3, St. Vincent’s 0; Western 5, Sydenham Rovers 1; Celtic beat Nomads by default. Fifth Grade. —Technical B 0, Technical C 0; Nomads 5, Shamrock B 0: Technical A 5, Shamrock A 0; Western beat Thistle by default. Sixth Grade —Technical 4, Shamrock J: Nomads 5, Celtic 1; Shamrock 4, Y.M.C.A. 1. Seventh Grade. —Rangers beat Thistle by default; Shamrock beat Nomads by default. Eighth Grade I.—Shamrock 2. Western A 0; Rangers 3. Celtic 0; Y.M.C.A. 2, Nomads 0. Eighth Grade ll.—Western B 2, Celtic 0; St Vincent’* A 6, St. Vincent’* B 3;