COMPETITION MATCHES

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26746, 2 June 1952, Page 10

COMPETITION MATCHES

TECHNICAL BEATEN BY SYDENHAM

OLD BOYS NOW IN LEAD Wet and slippery grounds and the absence of the best players with the Canterbury representative team, detracted from the interest in the Canterbury Rugby Union’s championship on Saturday, and there was only a moderate attendance at Lancaster Park where the star attraction was the game between Technical and Sydenham. There were major surprises in the defeat of Technical by Sydenham, Christchurch by Air Force, and University by Sunnyside-Spreydon. In each case the losing side was affected by the absence of players with the representative team, Technical losing, five men, Christchurch three, and University two. Marist and Linwood won comfortably from Albion and Merlvale, and the unbeaten Old Boys* team was too good for New Brighton. Results:—

Sydenham 11, Technical 6. Marist 14, Albion 3. Old Boys 11, New Brighton 0.

Linwood 19, Merlvale 0. Air Force 6, Christchurch 3. Sunnyside-Spreydon 8, University 3.

GOOD FORWARD PLAY The game between Sydenham and Tech nical provided one of the brightest wet weather displays seen in Christchurch for a long time. Play was mainly a battle Between two vigorous packs, but the Technical backs handled the heavy, slippery ball very well in several bright passing movements. It was not a day for passing rushes, however, but rather one for vigorous forward work in which, the lightei and faster Sydenham pack was admirably suited by the conditions. Although Technical fielded a depleted team, Sydenham thoroughly deserved its win on the run of the play. Players became over-keen at times and there were instances of jerseyholding, obstruction, and shepherding which did not always go unnoticed by the referee. Both sides were at fault. There were many stirring rushes by the forwards on both sides and with the ball at toe these rushes took a lot of stopping. Occasionally the Kicking up-field was too hard and this eased the positions of the two full-backs, M. Gowans (Sydenham) and T. Jackson (Technical), both of whom handled well and earned applause for accurate line-kicking. Each was caught in possession several times by fast following forwards, the excellent cover defence of the loose forwards savm A in C. Rhodes set the Sydenham forwards an example and » n , un ® out and dribbling rushes he was alway. prominent. The side-row men, M. IClwoi th and D. Bryson, were in their element in raiding the Technical backs andl driving the back attacks across field. These were the three most prominent ptayers in r fast vigorous, and well-trained pack. B.’ Hurndell, a fast-improving wing three-quarters, D. Bo wick (centre), and M Dixon formed a three-quarters line that was always equal to the big demands made on its defence, while R. Cotton, at five-eighths, showed commendable thrust on occasions. Sydenham backs, however, do not make a good attacking combination and several times lost the advanta,e when they began passing. A dropped ball was always an opportunity for Technical b M. Logan, at half-back for Technical, gave another grand display of Quick, acmtratp nassinc and it was not his fault that his five-eighths did not sh °w more thrust On defence he was as solid as a rock J Grant was the best all-round back, and could well have been given more chances. P. Logan is fast improvinc with experience, and looks like developtag into a gi>od. straight-running was the bright Performer in the Technical forwards, and he more.than anyone else, was responsible for breaking un the Sydenham passing bouts. D. Herman did splendid work in the line-out and scrum, while good hunters included I. Rathgen and D. Hume. After Jackson and Gowans hadl failed in attempts at goals from penalties. Bo wick opened the scoring mr Sydenham after he and Dixon had combined in a fast dash up the side-line. Gowans conVe when Wi Grtmf° "beat several men and kicked ahead, Spencer followed fast and scored wide out. Jackson was caught in possession and for hanging ton to the ball he was penalised, and Gowans kicked a goal. At half-time Sydenham led by 8 points to 3. . ~ From a scrum Sampson ran and passed to Cotton, who cut through the defence to score well out. With a deficit of eight points, Technical made strenuous effort: to score, and when Jackson moved up into an attacking position he potted t g °Sydenham won by 11 points (a goa from a try. a try, and a penalty goal) tc 6 points (a try and a field goal). Mr V. C. Empson was referee. SPEED ON HEAVY GROUND In spite of the slippery surface ano the greasy ball, New Brighton and Olc Boys played open football in the curtain raiser on the Oval. With a depleted back line, Old Boys did not have an effective combination, and New Brighton lacked the speed to follow up opportunities. New Brighton’s hooker, J. Hecker, who has been chosen to play for Canterbury 1 against Ashburton to-day, gave his side a large share of the ball from the set scrums. W. Rouse, at half-back, also ' gave a good account of himself. J. carbines. first five-eighths, was the only New ' Brighton back who showed any tendency to run up, rather than across the field. His kicking was judicious. M. Hadley, full-back, brought his side out of trouble with good clearing kicks. Old Boys’ forwards played a good loose game. M, Hern, breakaway, was always on the ball, and R. Cochrane, a solidlybuilt lock, was prominent in a number of rushes. The backs seldom had good service from the line-outs and scrums. When they did get the ball, it was often lost through haphazard handling. D. Mavo gave an unruffled exhibition of fullback play. His line kicking was accurate and his positional play good. He missed four attempts at goal from penalties and I one conversion, but even so he scored . eight of his side’s 11 points. . A few minutes after resumption of play in the second spell, a free kick was awarded to Old Boys, and Mayo goaled from in front. In a series of attacks New ' Brighton forced twice, and when one rush broke down M. Hern picked up and made a dodging run of 30 yards before he was tackled. E. Bullmore snapped ujr the ball • and scored. Mayo converted. Old Boys ■ scored again when Mayo, who came into the three-quarters’ line, dummied two . players, fended off a tackle, and went . over for a try. His kick missed. Old Boys won by 11 points (a goal i from a try. a try, and a penalty goal) to

0 Mr R. C. Findlay was referee. SUNNYSIDE-SPREYDON WINS The goal-kicking of the full-back, R. Barnes, gave Sunnyside-Spreydon a win against University on the Sunnyside ground. Each side scored one try. Barnes converted a try and also kicked a penalty goal, bringing his total for the season up to 26 points. University made most of the play and might have been unlucky not to score more than one try. The only score In the first spell was a penalty goal by Barnes, which gave SunnysideSpreydon a 3-0 lead at half-time. Sunnyside-Spreydon went still furttier ahead in the second half, when the halfback, D. Stewart, scored after diving round a scrum on the line. Barnes converted The University backs attempted to open the play, and from a passln rush O. McDowell scored a try, which he failed to convert. Sunnyside-Spreydon won by 8 points (a goal from a try, and a penalty goal) to 3 points (a try). Mr A. G. Berry was referee. MARIST BACKS IN FORM

The ground at Rugby Park was greasy and had been churtffed up in a previous game before Marist met Albion. The conditions were all in favour of forward play and against the work of a good line of backs fielded by Marist. Albion had a set of light, fiery forwards, and m the lineouts they held their own and frequently started passing rushes. Albion kicked off and Kearney fielded the ball. He steadied himself and kicked for the line. B. Hopping, following up fast smothered the kick and forced the ball over the line, to give Albion three points. The first few moves showed the strength of the Marist backs and from then on Albion elected to keep the play among the forwards. When the ball did come out the hesitant running of the inside backs lost the team good ground. R. Dyer, second five-eighths, attempted to cut through, but was usually brought down by two or three defenders. Marist took advantage of every opportunity to open up play and the passes of P. Collins at half were well taken by J. Maybury and passed on to a fast threequarters line. The good tackling of E. Neave, of Albion, and Dyer prevented Marist from scoring at least two tries. In the second half, the' hooking of D. Hodgins gave Marist most of the ball, and the backs passed it freely. P. Dempsey scored three tries in rapid succession and then Douglas on the right wing crossed after a fast back rush. D. McCormick converted one try. The best back on the field was Dempsey at centre three-quarters for Marist. He showed too much speed for the Albion defence when he scored his tries. Kearney. who moved into first five-eighths from full back when Maybury was injured. saved Marist many times. W. Cadigan, full-back, kicked and handled well under the conditions. Of the forwards, J. Small. D. Hodgins, and J. Fahey

were the best with Small prominent in dr Neave g beetle of sound defence, was the best of the Albion backs,.all of whom were called upon to stem many hot attacks. L. Topping was safe at full back. Hopping, T. Davies, and G. Bond were prominent in the forwards, and Bates was always fast on to a loose ball. Marist won by 14 points (a goal from a try and three tries) to 3 (a try). Mr W. Fright was referee.

LINWOOD WINS AGAIN Linwood won its fourth game this year when it piled on points in the first spell to beat Merivale decisively. Linwood opened the scoring early in the game, when from a scrum ttie ball went to the wing three-quarters N. Main, who scored wide out. The Linwood backs handled the ball safely and a passing rush started by R. Waterland was finished off by R Argus, who went over for a try. Fast following up gave the centre threequarters, D. Tabb, a try which M, Munnerley converted and from a forward rush I. Mitchell scored, giving Linwood a lead of 14 points to 0 at half-time. The second spell was more even, the quick-breaking Merivale forwards stopping passing rushes of the Linwood backs. The only try scored Was by the Linwood forward, P. McGregor, after a dribbling rush by the forwards. Munnerley converted. Linwood won by 19 points (two goals from tries and three tries) to 0.

Mr D. N. Jarvis was referee. AIR FORCE WINS FIRST GAME In a game confined mainly to the forwards Air Force beat Christchurch by 6 points to 3. Conditions for handling were not ideal, but the Air Force backline showed enterprise and speed. A few minutes after the start, the ball went out to Cochrane on the left wing, who ran through and scored for Christchurch. The Air Force forwards carried play deeper Into Christchurch territory, and O’Connor kicked a goal from a penalty. The heavy Christchurch forwards looked formidable in a series of foot rushes, but were unable to finish off their movements

In the second half, play was very even, with both packs of forwards fighting hard for possession. Gold, first five-eighths lor Christchurch, received good passes from his half, Allsop, and his kicks gained valuable ground. On attack he was well held by O’Connor, who was easily the best Air Force back. Near the end of the spell Christchurch was penalised in front of the posts and O'Connor kicked a goal. Air Force won by 6 points (two penalty goals) to 3 points (a try). Mr D. H. Parkes was referee.

LOWER GRADES Senior (Second Di vision) .—Linwood 8. Old Collegians 8; Belfast 16, Technical Old Boys 0. Junior Grade.—High Schoo! Old Boys 30, Technical Old Boys 8; Kaiapoi 6, Marist 0; Papanui Technical Old Boys 6, Sunnyside-Spreydon 0. Third Grade.—Belfast 15, SunnysideSpreydon 8; Albion 6. Riccarton-Sock-bum 3; University 13, Sumner 6. Third Grade C.—Linwood 6, St. Bede's 0; Boys’ High School beat R.N.Z.A.F. by default. Fourth Grade.—Technical Old Boys 22. High School Old Boys 6. Fifth Grade.—Linwood 21, RiccartonSockbum 0; Albion 14. Marist 6. Secondary School Grade.—West Christchurch 15, St. Bede's 3; Technical College 9, Boys’ High School B 6. Under 18 A.—Merivale 17, Christchurch 0.

Under 17.—Sunnyside-Spreydon 21, Christchurch 3; Kaiapoi 12. High School Old Boys 3; Marist A beat Technical Old Boys by default; Linwood beat Papanui Technical Old Boys by default.

Under 16.—High School Old Boys 9, Kaiapoi 0; Sunnyside-Spreydon 18, Technical Old Boys 0, Under Bst 101b.—Kaiapoi beat Linwood by default. Under 7st 71b.—Belfast 20, Merivale 0; Technical Old Boys 10, Sunnyside-Sprey-don 0; Linwood 19, New Brighton 0; Sydenham 6", Marist 3: Christchurch beat High School Old Boys by default. Under 6st 71b —Albion 3, Christchurch 3; Marist B 3, Sydenham 0; SunnysideSpreydon A 20, Sunnyside-Spreydon B 0; Linwood 12, Rangiora 0; Marist A 25, Kaiapoi 0. Under sst 101 b A. —Christchurch 25, Merivale 0; New Brighton 14, Marist C 0; Sunnyside-Spreydon A 25, Marist B 0. Under sst 101 b B. —Linwood 24, Rangiora 0; Sydenham A 25. Albion B 0; Albion A 17, Sydenham B 0. Under sst A.—Sydenham 6, Christchurch 3; Marist B 18, New Brighton 0: Marist A 18, Sunnyside-Spreydon A 3; Linwood A 25, Albion A 0. Under sst B Kaiapoi 15, Marist C 0. Under sst 101 b (Seven-a-Side). —Alb' B 3, Sunnyside-Spreydon B A.

The following table shows the positions of the teams P. W. L D. Points F. A. Ch. Pts. Old Boys .. 6 fl 0 0 93 33 6 Technical .. 6 5 1 0 83 44 5 Marist 6 S 1 0 113 23 5 Linwood 6 4 2 0 83 44 4 Christchurch « 3 3 0 73 57 3 Sydenham .. 6 3 3 0 63 43 3 Sunny-S.prey. 6 3 3 0 38 84 3 Albion 6 2 4 0 22 49 2 N. Brighton 6 2 4 0 28 70 2 University .. 6 2 4 0 62 89 2 Air Force .. 6 1 5 0 51 83 1 Merivale 6 0 6 0 20 110 0