RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27072, 22 June 1953, Page 7

RUGBY LEAGUE

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

SYDENHAM AND MARIST WIN Played in good conditions, the seventh series of games in the Canterbury Rugby League’s senior championship competition produced some interesting football, particularly in the two games played on the Show Grounds oval, where Sydenham, the leader in the competition, narrowly beat the young Christchurch side, and Marist had a convincing win over Hornby. Linwood played the best type of League football to beat Papanui, and Woolston beat Addington for its first win of the season. \ Results:— Marist 20, Hornby 10. Sydenham 9, Christchurch 7. Linwood 36, Papanui 5. Woolston 18, Addington 0. Competition points are:—Sydenham 13, Linwood 12, Hornby 9, Marist 8, Christchurch 8, Papanui 4, Woolston 2, Addington 0. • MARIST V. HORNBY Showing vastly improved form, especially in the forwards, Marist was too good all round for Hornby, and won by 20 points to 10 in the main game at the Show Grounds. It was Hornby's biggest defeat of the season. From the beginning Marist opened up the game, showing speed and fine handling. This unsettled the Hornby players, and it was not until the second spell that they began to show their true form, but it was then too late. The Marist forwards more than held their own against their strong opponents. The Marist backs had much more of the ball from the scrums than usual, and took full advantage of it. Hornby was perhaps unfortunate in having to take the field without Lewis and Henry, but their substitutes, McSeveney and Woodham, gave fine service.

As usual, the general behind most Marist attacks was the half-back, Haig, who gave a faultless display of constructive tootball. He seemed to be everywhere the ball was, and started moves from all angles. His kicking to the line to put his side on attack was one of the features of the game. Haig received fine support from the rest of the backs. Shaw, at first fiveeighths, handled beautifully and was a fine link. The most outstanding back on the field apart from Haig was the Marist second five-eighths. Roberts. Very fast off the mark and quick to see an opening, he looks a footballer of class. Johnston, at centre, was very solid both on attack and defence, and both wings, Barr and Cunneen, gave nothing away. In a very even Marist pack, which gave of its best, the most prominent were Hislop. Middleton, and Stokes. The Hornby backs took a long time to settle down, and combination was lacking. Fine individual displays were given by' Woodham, at first five-eighths, G. Neiman, the centre, and McSeveney, full-back. Both wings, C. and M. Courtney, showed speed, and each scored a runaway try. Rutherford, Cook, and R. Woodgate were always to the fore in the Hornby forward

Attacking from the start, Marist took play well into Hornby territory, where Haig opened the scoring with a penalty goal. Marist kept up the attack, and Haig, changing direction cleverly, kicked a short one through tor Roberts to race up, gather in the ball, and go over for a fine try in the corner. Hornby’s first points came when Woodgate kicked a fine penalty from just inside half-way. Hornby was unlucky when Rutherford went over in the corner, but knocked the corner flag over. Haig added two points for Marist when Hornby was penalised right under half ?ime S ’ g * ving hls s,de 8 7-2 leBd at

i - Marist added to its total shortly after , the second spell started. The ball was , kicked over the line, and Johnston dived • at it. but missed. Cunneen, however, . touched down. Haig converted. Roberts then scored his second try, cutting right through the Hornby backs brilliantly. Haig again converted Hornby now livened up considerably, and C. Courtney, receiving at the end of a back movement, outpaced everyone for a corner try. After an exchange of kicks, Haig found a gap, and his kick just rolled over the line for Bowrigg, who had followed up very fast, , to dive on the ball. Hornby scored the final points. McSeveney opened up the play and sent his backs away. The ball reached M. Courtney, who had the overlap. Courtney raced right away for a try under the posts, G. Neiman converting. Referee: Mr W. Wilkinson. SYDENHAM V. CHRISTCHURCH Sydenham, the competition leaders, was hard pressed to beat Christchurch by 9 points to 7 in the curtain-raiser at the Show Grounds. The game did not at any time reach great heights, but was evenly contested throughout. Had Paskell been in his usual good goal-kieking form Sydenham might easily have had its first defeat of the season. Paskett missed three kicks which usually he would have found easy. On the other hand, Wakefield, for Sydenham, was right on form and kicked three very good goals, which gave his side victory. Sydenham hardly looked a champion side, and made far too many mistakes. Sydenham’s forwards looked sluggish and were far from impressive. The Christchurch pack was much more lively and showed up in many fine rushes. The most impressive Sydenham backs were Yaxley, Parkes, and Mclntyre, with Williams and Casey always prominent in the pack. Wakefield, although not as prominent as ustial, did fine service with his goal-kicking. The Christchurch backs had to be rearranged when the halfback, Brown, retired with an injury, anti they did not function as well afterwards. Paskell tried hard to pierce a strong defence, but generally found it too hard. Mcßobie, Harrison, and Ayson made some strong runs. The Christchurch forwards were led by Purdon, Collins, and McCormack, with Gray and Crofts showing up in the loose. For the winner, Mclntyre scored a try, converted by Wakefield, who also kicked two penalties. McCormack scored Christchurch’s try, wihch was converted by Collins, and Paskell kicked a penalty goal. Referee: Mr L. Blackler. LINWOOD v. PAPANUI After a very even first half Linwood overwhelmed Papanui in the second spell to win one of the fastest games of the season by 36 points to 5.' From the kick-off, when C. Atkinson, a fast wing three-quarters, ran 60 yards to score an outstanding try. to the end of the game, the Linwood backs made attack after attack,'varied only by the strong counter movements of the Papanui forwards, who in the first half held play in Linwood territory for long periods. The early stages of the game provided an interesting contest between two different types of packs. The robust Papanui forwards, strongly led by J. Bond, R. Broadhurst, and R. Cook, worked hard to drive through the lighter but more agile Linwood pack, which was at its best in the open play in combination with a fast-moving back line. The Papanui forwards had a definite advantage in the first half and appeared capable of winning the game. At this stage Linwood had scored two tries to the one scored by Papanui, but early in the second spell the speed of the Linwood forwards took full toll of the heavier Papanui pack, and Linwood quickly took complete control of the game. The Linwood forwards were evenly . matched, with L. Knight. F. Thompson, and A. Atkinson showing up repeatedly . for good work in the loose play. Atkinson, although he was well marked, made some i

good runs and was on hand to .po-operatt with the backs to score two tries. The Linwood backs gave a first-class exhibition of combined play, and started » attacks from any position. All the inside men played soundly, and linked up well in many sparkling passing rushes. N. Clarke went through a hard game with credit, and on both attack and defence his play left nothing to be desired. The centre three-quarters, B. Irving, also impressed with his speed and straight running, which ’frequently beat his opposite number. In scoring four tries, C. Atkini son proved himself to be one of the fastest ' men in the senior competition, and more i than once he outpaced the opposition to • score. However, on one occasion at least > anything like resolute tackling would have s saved a try. The Papanui backs, . although they • played a minor role, made some good • moves, which sometimes lacked thrust, . ! but they had to contend with solid tack1 ling by thp fast Linwood backs. On de--5 fence there were lapses which -gave away far too much territory, and some of the players should sharpen up their tackling if the forwards are to receive adequate ■ support. An exception was R. Campbell, the half-back, who did everything required of him on defence, and showed up with some determined running from the scrums. J. Tinning, the full-back, was ! severely tested, but made few mistakes. . He fielded the ball well, and repeatedly saved his side, but some of his line kicking lacked direction. . For Linwood, tries were scored by »C. I Atkinson (4), A. Atkinson (2), F. Thompi son, and J. Johns. F. Hudson kicked a , penalty goal and converted five tries. Broadhurst scored a try and Bond kicked ; a penalty goal for Papanui. i Referee: Mr K. Cox. WOOLSTON v. ADDINGTON i : Woolston played bright football to beat| ' Addington by 18 points to 0 and secure; its first competition points of the season. 1 1 The game was played at a fast pace, an, improved Woolston backline providing the “ highlights with some good individual andl combined movements that frequently? ; broke through the Addington defence?' 1 There was plenty of solid Work in the' ' forwards, and when the play was tight the efforts of W. Berry, K. Smith, and G.'. Loburn gave Addington an advantage," ; which the backs were unable to exploit, when within scoring distance. The Wool- , ston forwards, led by S. Reeves and W. Hatton, played with more vim than in recent games, and played more as a pack. The improved play of the forwards gave the backs the opportunities they have lacked this season to show their ability j on attack, and they made many good i movements in which speed and clean * handling were features. B. Swann, the ; half-back, and J. Churcher, the first five- I eighths, handled cleanly and gave the' passing rushes early momentum. Churcher, when he elected to break through, generally beat the defence with his strong, straight running. J. Sewell, the second five-eighths, also ran strongly, and scored a good try in the second half, but he spoiled his display by some very poor passes. Scoring honours went to G. Pitcher, the wing three-quarters, who had his best match for some time in scoring t.'.ree good tries. He is a strongrunning player with plenty of speed, who I aas this season had few chances to show ■'is ability. The Addington backs did not fulfil the 1 promise shown in the last two games and i acked penetration, mainly because of the I absence of P. Smith, its regular second five-eighths. The combined movements lacked thrust, and on defence the tackling was below standard, but E. Lewis, the half-back, played solidly, and D. Ward, at full-back, made few mistakes. For Woolston, tries were scored by Pitcher (3) and Sewell. Pitcher and R. Hill each kicked a penalty goal, and Hill converted one try. Referee: Mr V. Henry. U.S. TEAM PLAYS WELL IN BRISBANE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) BRISBANE. June 21. The touring American Rugby League team gave the best performance when it lost to Queensland, 36-39, yesterday. The Americans led at half-time, 29-16. Queensland was without eight leading Slayers who have been chosen to tour - ew Zealand with the Australian team.