RICCARTON BEATS LINWOOD

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26492, 6 August 1951, Page 8

RICCARTON BEATS LINWOOD

CHAMPIONSHIP games CONTINUED Linwood, the competition leader, lost its first game this season on Saturday when it was beaten by an improved Riccarton side in an even game. Linwood retains a lead of three points over Hornby, and appears to have the championship In hand. Results:— Riccarton 7, Linwood 5. Hornby 25, Prebbleton 7. * Sydenham 27, Christchurch 14. Addington 19, Papanni 3. Championship points:—Linwood 18, Hornby 15, Papanui 10, Sydenham 10, Prebbleton 9, Riccarton 8. Addington 6, Christchurch 4.

RICCARTON v. UNWOOD Riccarton, in a close game at the Show Grounds, beat Linwood, the competition leaders, by 7 points to 5. The winners countered the speed and safe handling of the Linwood back-line with effective bustling tactics and hard tackling, which kept much of the play in their opponents’ territory. Securing the ball from most of the scrums and well fed by their forwards from the loose play, F. Lees and N. Atkinson, the Linwood inside backs, tested the Riccarton defence repeatedly. Atkinson, at centre three-quarters, and later at second five-eighths, made some good breaks, but just failed to get clear. The side tried many orthodox passing movements, but even when F. Hudson, the capable full-back, joined in, they seldom made ground against the sound defence of S. Keenan and M. Turner, and the other Riccarton backs. Keenan was the best back on the ground, and In addition to saving his side repeatedly, he made much of the play when Riccarton attacked. With more combination in the backs and more support for Keenan when he found a gap in the defence, Riccarton would have scored tries. There was little between the forwards, but Linwood missed A. Atkinson when he retired hurt in the first spell. L. Blanchard, P. Griffiths, and K. Griffiths played good football, especially in the tight play. The Riccarton forwards gave little away, and G. Mather and J. Smith were the equal of any forwards tn the game. Late in the se"ond spell a Linwood forward was ordered off. but the game, although hard, was cleanly contested. For Riccarton, K. Young scored a try and Turner kicked two penalty goals. Hudson scored a try which he converted, for Linwood. The referee was Mr V. Henry. ADDINGTON v. PAPANUI Addington taught Papanui that to rely on one section of a team to win matches was fatal when it beat Papanui by 19 points to 3 at the Show Grounds on Saturday. ’A much enlivened Addington team outclassed the heavy Papanui forwards. » M Farrington, centre three-quarters, and P. Wiseman, wing three-quarters, were instrumental in the victory of their side. Since the arrival of Farrington. Addington has shown marked improvement In all departments of the game. Wise-

man, although only a young player, has speed and penetration worthy of a much more experienced player. G. McKenzie, the full-back, played a good sound game, and was far better than the Papanui fullback. S. Southen. Southen has been moved about too much, having played in the forwards, at five-eighths, and now at full-back. M. Clinton, playing at fiveeighths. was more lively than he has been for many matches. Addington opened the scoring when N. Murray was sent over after a passing rush in the back line. D. Henderson converted. Papanui did not score in the first half, but on the resumption of play the forwards took the ball down the Addington line and M. Pahi dived over to score.

Addington took control from this point and had the Papanui men very uncomfortable. The defects in the Papanui tackling were shown clearly when Farrington broke away, evaded several half-hearted tackles, and scored a try which was converted by Henderson. The handling and tackling of the Papanui players were poor, and Its forwards could do little against the attacks of the Addington players. From the kick-off after Farrington s try the Addington backs took control, and Wiseman gathered the ball, cut through, and scored in the corner. Wiseman scored a further two tries, both after good back movements, which left the Papanui team all over the field. For Addington, N. Murray, M. Farrington. and P. Wiseman (3) scored tries, two of which were converted by D. Henderson M. Pahi scored a trv for Papanui. The referee was Mr E. J. Smith. SYDENHAM V. CHRISTCHURCH

A spectacular back display in the first han, and cast-iron aeience in the second brougnt Sydenham A victory by 27 points to 14 over Christchurch at Aranui oil Saturday. For la minutes Christchurch set the pace, but the superior commnation of Sydenham sqqn asserted itself in a series of successful back movements. The Christchurch backs played a fast but ragged game. Their attacks had plenty of sting but little combination, and their cover defence was weak. C. Paskell, the centre, played a really fine game, but lacked support from his wings and five-eighths, and was too well marked to get tar by himself. G. Harrison, the Christchurch lelt wing, played a hard game, but lacked opportunities to show his real worth. S. Collins, at naif-back, played a splendid game, all his passing was fast and faultless, and in spite of fast breaking by the Sydenham forwards he gave excellent service from the back of the scrum. The Sydenham backs showed more combination than Christchurch, and their quick backing up soon halted the disorganised Christchurch attacks. D. Gardiner, the Sydenham full-back, played a sound game, his line kicking was sure and steady, and his tackling was deadly. R. Hill, on the wing, played well, but his runs lacked variety and intitiative. He was better on defence. B. Stapley, S. Parkes, and P. Yaxley, the Sydenham Inside backs, played extremely well, always keeping right up on top of the Christchurch fiveeighths. Their defence was almost impenetrable. Unfortunately they did not see enough af the ball to show how good they were on attack. The Sydenham forwards played a hard game, using their superior weight and speed to the full. Their fast breaking from the scrum broke up many Christchurch attacks and their quick following up had Christchurch thoroughly bustled. A. Young, J. Cherten, and J. Butterfield were the best of a hard-working pack. The Christcurch forwards were lighter and slower, but managed to beat Sydenham in a surprising number of scrums. J. Crofts was the mainstay of the pack. Tries were scored for Sydenham by J. Butterfield (2), J. Young, I. Pimley, S. Parkes, J. Graham, and J. Robertson. Parkes kicked a goal and converted two tries.

For Christchurch, J. Crofts and G. Harrison scored tries, C. Paskell kicked a field goal and three penalty goals. The referee was Mr K. Cox. HORNBY V. PREBBLETON Playing well on its form, Hornby won a fast, open game against Prebbleton by 25 points to 7 at the Show Grounds on Saturday. For the first 20 minutes of the game Prebbleton had the upper hand, hut Hornby settled down and Prebbleton did not score again. K. Henry, the Hornby full-back, again showed his worth. His handling, kicking, and positional play were faultless and he managed his team with the kand of a master. D. Neiman, first five-eighths, worked well and although young, is a valuable and keen player who shows promise. He teamed very well with his brother, G. Neiman, at centre threequarters, who once more gave a display of hard, accurate tackling. In the scrum the Hornby hooker (B. Woodgate) outclassed his opposite number in the Prebbleton team (E. Adams) and also worked well in the loose. R. Pomare, one of the heaviest of the forwards, at times used his weight somewhat aimlessly, but he was a persistent trier. At half-back. K. Kibblewhite was a tower of strength. An enterprising player, he gave good service to his backs and was responsible for many good movements. After Hornby rallied in the first half Prebbleton became and remained very uncomfortable. J. Bond, in the forwards, worked hard, but he lacked concerted support. R. Corbett, on the wing, was not as good as he has been, but he occasionally showed touches of his old form. R. Tilson, at full-back, although not in the same class as Henry, acquitted himself well. He made many openings, but lacked support. Prebbleton attacked strongly from the start and soon R. Corbett had scored a good try from an opening made by K. Keenan, who had passed on to J. Bond. The kick missed. K. Barr, the first fiveeighths, showed up in some good movements but Prebbleton did not score another try. Bond kicked «two penalties. G. Neiman broke away late in the first spell, after the whole back line had handled from a break made by B. Woodgate, and scored in the corner. D. Neiman was soon after given a chance and he scored a clever try with no one near him. Henry converted. After the interval Prebbleton could do nothing to stop the tide of the Hornby attack and tries were scored with easy regularity. For Hornby tries were scored by G. Neiman. D. Neiman, R. Pomare. R. Wilson (2), W. Bainbridge, and K. Kibblewhite. K. Henry converted two. For Prebbleton. R. Corbett scored a try and J. Bond kicked two penalty goals. The referee was Mr M. Noonan.

IN OTHER CENTRES

Wellington.—Marist 10, St. George 7; Miramar 22, Taita 12.