RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27441, 30 August 1954, Page 14

RUGBY LEAGUE

VIVIAN CUP FINAL

SYDENHAM BEATEN BY HORNBY, 20-12

The Canterbury Rugby League’s club games were concluded on Saturday. In a fast and exciting game at the Show Grounds Sydenham lost the Vivian Cup for the first time in 16 years. For most of that time Hornby has been runner-up, and its success on Saturday was well earned. , ; - x. v Hornby won by 20 points, to 12. The game was full of interest from start to finish, and some of the play was very fine. Sydenham kept to its policy of playing open football, but Hornby’s defence, was one of the features of the game Hornby’s tackling and cover defence were of the highest standard. Receiving most of the ball from the scrUms, Sydenham attacked relentlessly, and had the Hornby defence wilted at any time Sydenham would have won by a good margin. Every member of the Hornby side did his full share on defence. The Hornby players did not see much of the ball from the scrums, and had to

make most of their attacks from loose play. They were ..quick to take advantage of any mistakes by Sydenham and were on to dropped passes in a Hash. They scored two spectacular tries with these methods.

Ouce again a very pleasing feature was the fine' form shown by some, of the younger players. The two Courtneys and Lumsden, for Hornby, and Clarke and Turton, for Sydenham, showed that they are greatly improved footballers, who should go a long way. Clarke, the Sydenham half-back, did sl9.t„ waste time in getting the ball away. Williams Was a fine link at first fiveeighths, Parkes, the second fiveeighths, and Guy, at centre, handled very cleanly, ran strongly, and were always looking for gaps. However, any gaps they did find were quickly closed with fine coyer defence. Gardiner was a sound full-back, handling cleanly and kicking with judgment. Yaxley and Parmenter had their hands full on the wings coping with their speedy opponents, but made few mistakes.

The Hornby backs did not get the same opportunities, and had to make the most of their chances from loose play. They were very solid in the inside backs, Cooke, D. and G. Neiman, and C. Courtney stopping many promising Sydenham attacks. The two speedy wings, M. Courtney and McSeveney, had more chances than usual, and both proved their worth with spectacular runaway tries. M. Courtney was much the stronger on defence. Tongue was not very happy in his unaccustomed Position at full-bßck, but did not make ?ny bad mistakes. Packs were * very evenly 4p\ ey l rie , d at 311 tlmes to make PhZ ? r their bac * B - Both Sydenham’s Slfu *^ erG 7 sco x r eci br forwards right up hL i 2L th^a P l? y J°,^ nish off m °ves by their rfi c lc L “i? KUkell y were fine leaders m the Sydenham pack, and were ?K2v 8 , up w ? th ? he play - Pi ™ley and Casey were in all the tight play and ai?d tO hanrii?n^ r T akaway ’ showed™** pace ?nrrt J«rt d T? g L n many breaks - Rutherwhn HL? were Hornb y forwards who did not shirk any of lhe hard work. aJ ways prominent. They B Wmd n o t £UPP ° rt from Tilson, Luke and B. Woodgate in a very even pack.

The Scoring x. both sides had turns on at tank son fi kl S cked "'l’ , H< i rnby when Tilia ftoe goal from wide out. Sydenham kept attacking at every onP and after Butterfield came into * m ovement and went over near the posts for Gardiner to convert Svd’for timl 8 ' w Til ?° n converted. Before halfto d S and «%d after It lo When’ Vb'fft “ head ’ ars: vis*??™«“ —; k£ SisSa- “S ReUg ‘eV" 81 WhiSUe -

CANTERBURY TEAMS CHOSEN

nXol following _ are ' the Canterbury Coast terms next week-end:— Canterbury A team, to play Otago- K Henry (Hornby); c. Paskrtl terfield (Sydenham); J?Snd %anan.?i)' (Papanm!' ard (Linwood) ' «• Broadhurst Canterbury B team, to play West CoastB. Irving (Linwood); I, 'Wilkie (ChristS b “ rc ?xl’ R l Gilson (Linwoodh C. CourtNlTmln°G?n y ? ; I ? ei^ an <Hornby° G. Neiman (Hornby); L. Mulcare (Marist)Keen (Linwood), J. Purdon (Christ: tn’ (Hornby), B. Newton (Marist) I. Pimley (Sydenham). Reserves for both teams are- r> diner (Sydenham), J. T, Sewell (Wool" SK.’- f JPtP-ney ffXn W^nby) K ' PearCe & TU-

NEW SOUTH WALES SCHOOLBOYS WIN

WEST COAST BEATEN, 28-0 (From Our Qwn Reporter) GREYMOUTH, August 29. The touring New South Wales schoolboy Rugby League representatives'showed too much polish and finish against a West Coast, fifth grade team at Wingham Park I™ 3 . Z? 1710011 * and won by 28 points to °j_«4. Alt b° u Sh the West Coast held the Sators to a 9-0 margin in the first spell, west Coast wilted under constant attacks in the second spell. This was mainly due to the work of R. Godciy, E. AJlard, J. Quinlan, B. Cooper, and J Mowbray. Allard frequently cut toe defence to ribbons. He scored three e^ S- B - Coop er, who linked up effectively as the extra man in attacking movements, scored two tries, and J. Mowbray scored one and converted one try. J. Shaw converted one other try. West Coast lacked drive and combination, although tha defence on the whole was sound.

TRIANGULAR TOURNEY AT CHRISTCHURCH

WEST COAST TEAM TO TIpUN

(From Our Own Reporter) mi- w -4. GREYMOUTH, August 29. The West Coast Rugby League selectors have announced the names of the following 17 players to train for the triangular tournament at Christchurch early nerft month:—l. Hay, L. McNicol, R. Gibb, J Richards, G. Menzies, J. Morrow, M O’Brien, A. Worthington, P. O’Leary, f’ Mulcare, F. Hassam, A. Skalmer, W. McLennan, M. Ord, F. Molloy, J. Baxter, J. Coll.

MATCHES IN QTHER CENTRES

Auckland.—Point Chevalier 11, Mount Albert 10; Marist 12, Otahuhu 11; CityNewton 10, Northcote 9; North Shore 12, Richmond 8.

Wellington.—Randwick 13, Miramar 12* Waterside 29, Marist 8; Korodale 17, St George 5.-