RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27636, 18 April 1955, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE

PROMISING FORM IN OPENING GAMES PAPANUI AND MARIST DRAW The first games in the Canterbury Rugby League’s competitions were played on Saturday. Very promising fo.rm was shown by most teams, and a good season should result. Results were:— Marist 14, Papanui 14. Linwood 8, Sydenham 6. Hornby 21, Christchurch 5. Woolston a bye. MARIST V. PAPANUI i In the'main game at the Show Grounds I between Marist and Papanui, both teams produced a high standard of football for so early in the season. Weather conditions were ideal and the ground was in first-class condition. The teams were:— Marist: J. Thomas, J. King, C. McNamara I. Anderson, E. Heenan, K. Roberts, PGreedy, L. Mulcare, J. Curtain. D. Foster. J. Purdon. B. Newton, and M. Bright. Papanui: D. Derbridge, R. Marsh, A. Grant, I. Barr, R. Jones. G. Dixie, B. Campbell. E. Griffiths, B. Jones, R. Spencer, K. Pearce, J. Rossiter, R. Kennett. With the keen wind in its favour, the lively Papanui side kept up a strong attack right throughout the first spell, and by winning most of the scrums kept Marist busy on defence. However, in the second spell, with the wind, Marist improved, and with good movements in the back line gradually reduced the deficit With good combined movements, Marist finished the game with dash, and evened the score.

Marist throughout the game was handicapped by not seeing much of the ball and having to make most of its opportunities from the loose. Papanui fielded a very solid and fast set of forwards who called the tune for most of the game, giving the Marist defence plenty to do. The Papanui back-line showed a big improvement on previous seasons* form and staged many combined movements which gained big stretches of ground. The Marist forwards were more than held by their opponents, but did not let up in their efforts to open up the game. Handicapped through lack of ball from the scrums, the Marist backs had to make most attacks from loose play. They showed that, given the right opportunities. they will mould into a very strong line, A lot of interest was shown in the displays of Creedy and Heenan. Ofi the day’s plav, Creedy had to take second place to his opposite number, Campbell, both on attack and defence. However, lack of ball from the scrums must have had a lot to do with Creedy’s indifferent display. On the other hand, Heenan’s form was very promising, and when the Marist forwards settle down he should prove a force to be reckoned with. The outstanding back on the field was undoubtedly the Marist first five-eighths, Roberts, whose clean handling and clever footwork frequently cut big holes in the defence, to put Marist on attack. Another new player in the Marist backs to show fine form was the wing three-quarters. Anderson, who in the few times the ball reached him, showed fine handling ability, speed and determination. Behind the Papanui forwards, Campbell gave an excellent display. He sent the ball away smartly from the scrum, defended soundly, and was always in the {licture in the open. Dixie was a solid ink at first five-eighths, contenting himself in sending the ball along. At second five-eighths, R. Jones was always in the play with his good handling and hard running. Marsh and Barr were very sound wingers, running hard and defending soundly. The Papanui full-back, Derbridge, impressed with his clean handling and powerful kicking. His goal-kicking should bring his side many points during the season.

All the Papanui forwards gave excellent displays. They were well led by B. Jones, who was in all the play. A very pleasing aspect of the game was the good form shown by Pearce, Spencer, and Rossiter, young forwards who are improving all the time. Griffiths was always prominent in the open . play. Good individual displays in the Marist pack were given by Mulcare, Bright, and Curtain. Mulcare did not let up for a second and gave a fine all-round performance. Papanui attacked from the start and worked play down field, where Marist was penalised, and Derbridge opened the scoring with a fine goal from wide out. Marist worked back and McNamara evened the score with an easy goal from close to the posts. Another fine goal by Derbridge put Papanui in front again, and shortly afterwards he kicked another to put the side further ahead. The first the game went to Papanui, when Griffiths broke through for Jones and Pearce to carry on the move. Pearce went over close to the posts for Derbridge to convert. Before half-time McNamara added a penalty goal to’ the Manst total.

McNamara kicked another penalty early in the second spell. Marist attacked strongly with the wind, but could not get past a solid defence, and Papanui went further ahead when Barr snapped up in the Ipose and eluded several defenders and went over for a good try. Marist tried hard to bridge the gap and was rewarded when Roberts jinked his wav through brilliantly and sent Heenan over for a fine try, which Creedy converted Marist kept up the attack and King levelled the scoring with a try in the b?m e t r h e a “vertap aCk movement h *<« «ven The referee was Mr C. Hill. SYDENHAM v. LINWOOD

Linwood started the Rugby Leaeup S n B? a Strong SyJSS TLxx 8 6 ‘ Showing a reversal of form in the second spell, Linwood attacked vigorously to take the lead and then St A V ifh Ofl L a s * r ? ng Sydenham challenge Although not lacking in goal-kicking opportunities Linwood had no-one to use them and missed at least six easv points However, the fairly strong wind added difficulties to the kicking and A. Atkinson was certainly unlucky in hitting the posts twice. s

K. Journee, on the wing for Linwood, a strong, resolute runner, impressed, as ** G - Williams playing inside of him. Williams, who played for the premier Auckland club last season, North Shore, should strengthen the back attack considerably. R. Wilson, on the other wing, also played welL In the Sydenham backs, P. Yaxley and I. Mclntyre attacked and defended ably, and R. Gillard, at half-back, gave good service.

The handling and strong running of J. Pimley and R. Turton stood out in the Sydenham pack. A. Atkinson, as usual, excelled in cover defence and showed he has lost none of his speed in attacking movements. His fellow Linwood forward, G. Roberts, gave a solid display in all departments of play. From the kick-off Sydenham was hot on attack until a Linwood counter thrust gave Atkinson a chance to open the scoring with a penalty from in front. The ball hit the upright. The Sydenham forwards were, now playing well and opening the game up. A succession of kickthroughs had the Linwood backs juggling desperately with the ball, and after 30 minutes of play Sydenham scored. J. Graham made an opening and passed on to Turton, who!sent Mclntyre over. G. Guy’s kick wa> unsuccessful. Mclntyre scored an opportunist try soon afterwards by following up fast .and grabbing the ball from a Linwood defender. This try also was not converted. Then Linwood showed up. R. Wilson made a long run up the centre and when he was tackled the . ball went out to K. Journee, who inpassed for Atkinson to score. The

kick missed and at half-time Sydenham led 6-3. In the second half Linwood took over the attacking role and Sydenham was hard pressed. Atkinson kicked yet another “poster” and then missed an easy shot soon after. Wilson at last broke the spell and added two points for Linwood with a penalty goal. Linwood, with the territorial advantage, was attacking hard, but just lacked the extra thrust needed to break through. A try came to Linwood when Hodge, on the wing, snapped up a dropped pass and went over in the corner. In the last stages of the game Sydenham came back on attack, but the improved Linwood cover defence held them. The teams were:— Linwood.—B. Goslin, R. Wilson, G. Williams, K. Journee, B. 'Hodge, N. Clarke, J. Jones. T. Journee, N. Clark, T. McGee, G. Roberts, M. Carlyle, and A. Atkinson. Sydenham.—R. Gardiner, I. Mclntyre, G. Guy, P. Yaxley, J. Graham, K. Millar, R. Gillard, R. Turton, J. Beales, N. Gardiner, J. Pimley, A. Green, and B. Forbes. For Linwood tries were scored by Atkinson and Hodge, Wilson, kicking a penalty goal. For Sydenham Mclntyre scored two tries. The referee was Mr A. Cox. HORNBY v. CHRISTCHURCH After an even start Hornby gradually gained the upper hand, and finished a comfortable winner in the game against Christchurch, played at Hornby. Tries were scored for Hornby by M. Courtney (2), C. Tilson (2), and S. Lumsden. Tilson converted two tries and J. Timmings cne. I. Wilkie scored a try for Christchurch, and B. Mitchell kicked a penalty goal. Auckland.—Rugby League results: North Shore 13, Richmond 10; Ponsonby 26, Mount Albert J 8; Marist 13, Otahuhu 9; Ellerslie 23, Point Chevalier 14; Glenora 28, Northcote 9.—(P.A.)