GOLDEN BAY-MOTUEKA BEATEN BY SUB-UNIONS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 5

GOLDEN BAY-MOTUEKA BEATEN BY SUB-UNIONS

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Canterbury Sub-Unions, which held the Town team to a draw at Lancaster Park recently, did not enhance its reputation when it beat the Golden Bay-Motueka representatives at Rugby Park yesterday by 19 points to 8. The weather was fine and the ground in a condition to encourage the best brand of football. A comparatively light pack of Golden Bay-Motueka forwards was much inferior to the Sub-Unions’ pack, which gave its backs a good supply of the ball from scrums and line-outs, few of which Golden Bay-Motueka won. With innumerable chances the Sub-Unions’ team disappointed its supporters badly until in the later stages its tiring opponents allowed many liberties to be taken. Behind the Sub-Unions’ scrum the North Canterbury half-back, B. Hassall, sent out swift, well-directed passes to his first five-eighths, J. Nimmo, who had every chance to set an effective back-line moving. The efforts were very disappointing, for Nimmo w’as much too slow in his transfers, and all too often attempted to cut in without the necessary dash to complete his task. Yet all the blame

cannot be placed on the shoulders of Nimmo, for his second five-eighths, A. W. McPherson, did not improve the position by dropping passes that should have been taken with ease. At the start McPherson thought it his job to play the opposition alone, and it was not until after half-time that he realised the hopelessness of the task he had set himself. When he did elect to send the ball along the line to Apatu the latter had little chance of doing anything except to take several very hard tackles. The full-back, Patterson, of whom much was expected, had several bad lapses early in the game and his failure to find the line counted against him and his side. One back, however, who did impress, was the wing three-quarters, Pickering, a strong runner with a powerful fend, who made much of his own play. Because of an injury Pickering did not play in the Town-Country match, but Christchurch followers of Rugby would like to see more of him. He has all the makings of a high-grade wing three-quarters. The Sub-Union forwards really controlled the game. Mauger, Davies, and Moffatt gave their backs a monopoly of the ball in the line-outs, and the hooker. K. Fincham, regulated - a full supply

from the set scrums. Davies, Mauger, and Moffatt had so much control over the direction of the ball in the line-outs that the opposition looked feeble. Fincham and McLean must be given full credit for the part they played in dribbling rushes, and fast following, work that was very effective in directing the trend of the game. A feature of the Golden Bay-Motueka game was the excellent tackling of the inside backs, especially that of Dixon at centre. For a comparative light-weight his marking of the big Sub-Unions’ centre Apatu, was remarkably good. W. Taylor, who replaced P. Capon, injured, at full-back, halfway through the game, gave a fine display of positional play, good handling and line-kicking, while Barnett and Hobson, at five-eighths, stood up manfully to their work. Of the forwards, who met a heavier and much superior pack, Sparrow, who came on about half-time, Heenan, and Durrant were the best.

The Scoring Sub-Unions had all the better of the opening exchanges, but Golden Bay-Motu-eka opened the scoring when a long kick by Barnett was fumbled by the full-back, Patterson, and Heenan was on hand to score a try which Capon converted. Soon afterwards Apatu made a good break through for Sub-Unions and he passed to Pickering, who sent on to McPherson for a try which Patterson converted. At half-time each side had scored five points. Early in the second spell Hassall went alone from a scrum and scored a good try against weak tackling. After loose play by Golden Bay-Motueka, Sparrow secured at the twenty-five and run in for a try. When Patterson had a shot at goal for Sub-Unions, a tricky bounce beat the opposition and Moffatt scored for Patterson to convert. After passing, Hassall got a try at the corner and Davies from a line-out secured an easy try after running 15 yards. Sub-Unions won by 19 points (2.goals from tries and three tries) to 8 points (a goal from a try and a try). Mr L. Kirk was referee.

UNIVERSITY MATCH

CANTERBURY BEATEN BY OTAGO The game between Otago University and Canterbury University College, the curtain-raiser to the main game at Rugby Park yesterday, was played in the spirit of university Rugby with a carefree abandon that brought few results but provided a lot of fun for the players. The Otago University team, at the head of the Dunedin Rugby Union championship, can always be depended upon to provide bright football of a brand that will make a general appeal. In the game against Canterbury College yesterday the form of the majority would not have earned them places in a very ordinary provincial team, for at few stages of the game did they do anything but take risks in bright Rugby as it should be played. Many of the bright movements started by Otago came to an untimely end because of handling mistakes. Otago won by 16 points to 9, but up till half-time the score wag 3-3, with the reputedly weak Canterbury side opening up thp game with the confidence of a high-grade team. The finish to many promising movements was lacking. The Canterbury men tackled in resolute fashion when the Otago backs were in full flight, and they showed up apparent weaknesses in the defence when they decided to test it. All-in-all it was a good game of Rugby thoroughly enjoyed by. the players if not fully appreciated by a full grandstand. Most interest was taken in the performances of R. Archer and L. Smith, five-eighths, and D. Ludbrook, forward, stars of the Otago team. In every move

Archer showed the hallmark of a good player. He took bad balls cleanly and sent good passes along the line, and occasionally he left the opposition standing with a clever jink. Smith did not appear to take the game very seriously on defence, and often appeared to give an opponent more than the ordinary latitude. After having had the better of the game territorially, Canterbury opened the scoring when Wells broke through the Otago defence and handed on to Land, who scored a simple try wide out. Croucher had bad luck with his attempt to convert, the ball hitting a, goal-post and rebounding. Croucher did fine defensive work to repel the Otago backs and forwards, but just before half-time Otago was awarded a very easy chance for a penalty, Morris kicking a goal. At half-time each side had scored three points. Early in the second spell fast passing and dribbling took play to the Canterbury line, where Archer broke through and sent Chambers over for a try which Morris converted. Smith then landed a penalty goal from 40 yards out and Croucher improved on this effort by kicking two penalty goals for Canterbury and make the score 11-9 in favour of Otago. The final minutes of play provided little excitement for Otago had all the better of the game. In a passing rush Smith outclassed the field to send Balme over for a try which Morris converted. Otago won by 16 points (two goals from tries and two penalty goals) to 9 points (a try and two penalty goals). Mr N. Condliffe was referee.

N.S.W. COUNTRY TEAM DRAWN MATCH WITH THAMES VALLEY (New Zealand Press Association) PAEROA, July 14. A good try 10 minutes before time gave the New South Wales Country Rugby team a worthy 12-all draw with Thames Valley at Paeroa today before a crowd of 5000. Thames Valley scored two tries to one by New South Wales, but the visitors kicked three penalty goals to two. New South Wales led briefly 3-0 and 6-3, but trailed 9-12 for most of the second half. C. T. Burke started the fine movement which led to a try for New South Wales by G. Davis in the corner. The visitors showed a rare amount of dash. Their mistakes in midfield should easily be remedied. The New South Wales forwards stood up well to the stronger pack. M. Graham kicked three penalty goals. Jacomb kicked two penalty goals for Thames Valley, and O’Shea and Fisher each scored a try. New South Wales played attractive football, and its backs, particularly G. Davis, at centre, showed speed. With more play together they should prove formidable. Burke, the half-back and an Australian representative, was outstanding.

MASSEY COLLEGE BEATS VICTORIA (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 14. Massey Agricultural College beat Victoria University College by 16 points to 15 in their annual Rugby match at Athletic Park today. Victoria led 10-3 at halftime. For Massey, J. B. Buxton (2) and W. Hemopo scored tries. K. W. Carter con--1 verted two and kicked a penalty goal. A. S. Clark contributed 12 of Victoria’s 15 points with two tries and three conversions. B. W. Battell also scored a try for Victoria.

AUCKLAND BEATS NORTH AUCKLAND (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 14. The Auckland Rugby representatives had an overwhelming victory over North Auckland at Eden Park today by 25 points to 3. Tries for Auckland were scored by Russell (3), Tanner, Dalton, and Kelly. Kelly converted two, and kicked a penalty goal. Pearson scored a try for North Auckland. TIMARU WINS SCHOOL MATCH Timaru Boys’ High School played Its annual match with Otago Boys’ High School on Tuesday. Timaru won by 16 points to 6.