UNIVERSITY TWO POINTS AHEAD

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28009, 2 July 1956, Page 8

UNIVERSITY TWO POINTS AHEAD

CHRISTCHURCH LOSES TO MARIST

SYDENHAM AGAIN BEATS OLD BOYS

University’s prospects of winning the Canterbury Rugby Union's senior championship for the first time in 16 years were improved very considera • on Saturday, when Marist, third equal in the table, beat Christchurch, which was in second position. This leaves University with a lead of two points, and four games remain to be played. University had an easy win over Albion at Lancaster Park Oval, but the Christchurch-Marist game at Rugby Park was very keenly contested. Old Boys was beaten by Sydenham for the second time this season, and in recent weeks has been barely recognisable as the powerful side of recent seasons.

In the D.C.L. Shield competition. Technical retained the lead by beating New Brighton, and Linwood and Belfast, the next teams, both won their games. Results were:—

HARE •OOD TROPHY University 21, Albion 9. Marist 14, Christchurch 6. Sydneham 18, Old Boys 11. D.C.L. SHIELD Technical 21, New Brighton 11. Linwood 19, Merivale 9. Belfast 17, Sunnyside-Spreydon 3. The points scored are:—

Leading 10-6 aiter playing against a strong wind in the first spell, University was seldom in danger of defeat by Albion, its backs showing more snap and thrust than their opponents. Both sides have played better football this season, but it was an interesting game, with the determined burst by the Albion forwards near the end providing it with considerable colour. In the first spell Albion made several attempts to bustle University with high kicks, but usually the ball went too far. T e University full-back, B. M. J. Dineen, was sometimes caught in possession, but he took the ball beautifully and was always able to hold up the attack long enough for the defence to rally. University’s inside backs played well, J. Park at second five-eighths running with rare determination, and again the wings had their chances. The forwards, with J. D. Stewart, A. Chirnside, and J. Williams playing particularly well, more than held their own against a lively Albion eight. The inside-back combination of R. Dyer and J. Palmer has done much for Albion this season and again they paired well, but the men outside them were not able to break past the fastmo\ ing University backs, who tackled well. When Albion made its all-out effort in the second spell, the forwards were magnificent, and all eight of them did their share well.

University scored very early when J. Tapsell went over to complete a good back movement. Dineen, whose *oal kicking was extremely good, converted the try. Then Palmer made a ?ood break and kicked for the corner, T. Neave scoring a try. Dyer kicked ? n easy penalty goal to put Albion in the lead but within a minute or two it had been lost. Albion hooked from a scrum on its own line and the ball went back in-goal to N. Edgington, the full-back. His kick was charged down and the ball flew across field, still in goa . and the bounce allowed C. Keenan to come up and score an nnportunist try. Dineen converted this try.

In the second spell R. Land, University’s right wing, exposed sorry efficiencies in the tackling of the Albion three-quarters when he ran through for a good try and then Dineen kicked an excellent penalty goal to put University 10 noints ahead. K. Wood then made a brilliant run and Tapsell scored in the corner. Dineen again converted splendidly. A few minutes before time Albion attacked strongly and J. Claridge scored a welldeserved try. University won by 21 points (three goals from tries, a try, and a penalty goab to nine (two tries and a penalty goal). The referee was Mr F. Goodman.

GOOD WIN FOR SYDENHAM Sydenham scored a well-merited win over High School Old Boys in a fast, interesting game at Waltham Park, by 18 points to 11. Nine of Sydenham’s 18 points came from penalty goals, but Sydenham’s superiority was clear Old Bovs was outclassed in the forwards. They played far too loosely, and for this they were beaten. Sydenham drove hard into the rucks and tightened up the forward play, with the result that the Sydenham backs received the ball when they wanted it most—with Old Boys retreating and back line out of position. The Old Boys backs were starved of chances, but when they did receive they showed uo in a more favourable light than Sydenham. They handled more crisply and ran -straighter and faster. The Sydenham backs, with the great amount of ball they received, should have been able to increase their score They could not, because they usually took a pass at an easy loping nace and were unable to pass in practically the same stride. Good Old Boys’ tackling also had its effect on Sydenham’s movements.

M. F. Whitta, A. W. Prestage, and R. Bowick were the pick of the Sydenham backs. Bowick especially impressed with his powerful running, and Gowans at full-back was sound. His goal kicking, however, has suffered in recent weeks, and although he scored nine points with penalty goals —they were simple kicks—he missed many which were a little more difficult.

M. B. Poore, his opposite number, also played a useful game. He did not appear to be ruffled under pressure and his kicking was excellent. His drop kick from a yard or so inside half-wav for a penalty goal was a beautiful effort. H. L. Johnsen and R. Blick. centre and wing, received all too few chances Johnsen made one or two grand breaks, but with one exception good covering halted them. Blick scored a fine wing’s try after Johnsen had made the opening. K. Stubbcrfield. deputising for Vincent, struggled manfully on against the quick-breaking Sydenham forwards. In the Sydenham forwards. D Brvson was outstanding in the loose with B. Wilson. B. Mason. D. Collins •’nd H. Fox plaving a large part in Svdpnham's sur»eriorifv in the tight M Hern pinned another good, honest "ame for Old Boys in the tight and loose, and J. Wynn. E. Loveridge, and M Hern were al c o prominent. For Svdenham. R. Bowick (two) and Prestage scored tries and Gowans Mck'-’d three penaltv goals. Blick and M. Hern scored tries for Old Boys Poore converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Mr D. H. Parks was referee.

TECHNICAL WINS BRIGHT GAME Both sides threw the ball about to give a bright but sometimes ragged display when Technical Old Boys beat New Brighton by 21 points to 11 in a D.C.L. Shield match at the Ensors road ground. Playing without several of its most prominent forwards, Technical was well held by New Brighton throughout the first half and led only, 6-5, at half-time. New Brighton scoring the only try. At the beginning of the second half, the Technical backline struck excellent form with penetration, speed and sure handling, to score three tries, all of which were converted by the fullback, T. Jackson, in about 15 minutes Thus, aided by lapses in the New Brighton tackling, Technical increased its lead to, 21-5. New Brighton returned to the attack and made desperate efforts to bridge the gap. It held the initiative, and scored two tries, but the lead was too great. The Technical backs, directed by J. Waine, were the decisive factor in the match for their outstanding burst at the beginning of the second half was enough to win with the addition of Jackson’s kicking—he scored 12 of the - 1 . Points. A wing three-quarters, I. Pickering, made several determined runs in the. first half and D. Taylor, at centre, used his speed and elusiveness to advantage in the second half. The Technical forwards were not able to master their opponents. L. Langston jumped well in the line-outs and B. Nunan and B. Arthur were loose forwards who were very quick to follow up, but the pack could not stop New Brighton foragers from breaking through. Scoring three tries to three, New Brighton gave one of its most satisfying performances this season. Set off by the half-back, S. Kermode, the backs combined really well at times with the second five-eighths, D. Needham and the centre three-quarters, W. Earsman prominent. Needham made a fine break to make the first try. The forwards played their usual loose spoiling game with success. After holding the Technical pack throughout the first half, they lapsed for a time but recovered. E. Carbines. M. Harris, the big lock, who failed with his kicks at goal and C. Brown, the hooker, forays °^ en the head of spirited

Tries were scored for Technical by Waine, Taylor and Nunan, Jackson converted three tries and kicked two penalty goals. Earsman, Brown and B. Kelly scored for New Brighton. Kermode converted one try. Mr L. Mahoney was referee.

MARIST BEATS CHRISTCHURCH Marist and Christchurch provided plenty of incident in their game at Kugoy Park, Marist scoring a welldeserved win by 14 points to 6. Neither side made full use of a strong easterly wind, and at half-time Christchurch, after playing with the breeze, could only register a penalty goal against two tries. The ground was in splendid order and all in favour of fast football. Several warm exchanges between the forwards did not please a section of the crowd. While the game was fast and open, there were many mistakes in handling and some very weak tackling, especially by the Marist centre backs, who, however, showed good form when in possession. Cadigan at full-back for Marist was never seriously troubled, but Gold, for Christchurch, was in his best form and, besides saving his side many times by clever handling and long line-kicking, provided a real problem when he joined in passing rushes. Several times he bumped off would-be tacklers and showed up some weaknesses in the Marist defence. Better served by two very good fiveeighths, P. Hutchinson and T. Purcell, the Marist three-quarter line always looked better than Christchurch, although J. Douglas mishandled several times and lost almost certain tries. J Osborne was the best of the Christchurch three-quarters, but at fiveeighths R. Havill and N. Sharpe did not combine well with the half-back. K. Allsop, who was overshadowed by the Marist half-back, J. Stuart.

The Christchurch forwards appeared to have an advantage in the line-outs, but Marist fielded the better-condi-tioned pack and its fast following-up was a constant source of worry to the Christchurch backs. There was no better forward on the ground than J. P Ryan until he was injured and had to leave the field. In the hard rucks and scrums. D. Ashworth, F. Sugrue and T. Longley were the mainstays.

K. Orsbourn, D. Corsbie, and A. McColl were the pick of the Christchurch pack and struggled on valiantly against a livelier set of forwards. For Marist. tries were scored by C. A. McDonald (two), P. Hutchinson, and E. Dalliessi. J. Cadigan converted one try. For Christchurch, M. Gold kicked a penalty goal and D. Sewell scored a try. The referee was Mr W. Fright.

GOOD WIN FOR LINWOOD Linwood beat Merivale by 19 points to 9 at Malvern Park. The game was a bright one. with lively play in the forwards, and some good back movements Linwood owed its win to a fit pack which gained a large share of the ball for an attacking back line. The game opened with Merivale quickly scoring six points, but thereafter the play was mainly in Linwood's favour. Both forward packs played well, but Linwood's greater weight gained it the superiority. The backs on both sides passed the ball well, although too many of Merivale's movements broke down in midfield. The play in the second half was especially bright. A strong wind made goal kicking from positions other than in front of the posts, very difficult, although H. Tuanui kicked a very fine penalty goal from the sideline for Merivale.

R. Currie played an excellent game at first five-eighths for Linwood; he handled well and made some incisive runs. S. Stirling, on the right wing, showed plenty of pace and made several very good runs. He scored a try and went close to scoring on several other occasions. H. Waterland was reliable at full-back. In the forwards, B. Trevella, A. Holland, M. Couch and J. Pickering all played very good games. Trevella, in particular, was outstanding in the loose. K. Burnett, the full-back, was the best of the Merivale backs. In the second half he changed places with Hawthorn, the second five-eighths, in an effort to give more thrust to the back-line. Merivale, however, did not gain enough of the ball for this move to be successful. Burnett’s line-kicking was first-class, and his positional play and fielding generally good, although he presented Linwood with a try when he missed with a flykick in the face of a Linwood forward rush. H. Tuanui, B. Turner, and D. Skelton played well in the forwards. For Linwood, tries were scored by Holland, Pickering, Currie, and Stirling. Currie and Powell each converted a try and Currie kicked a field goal. Merivale’s points came from penalties by Burnett and Tuanui, and Hawthorn kicked a field goal. The referee was Mr R. G. Condliffe. BELFAST WINS The game fell somewhat below senior standard when Belfast beat SunnysideSpreydon 17-3 in a D.C.L. Shield match at Lancaster Park South. The game was characterised by far too many free kicks for minor breaches which are not expected from senior players. There was little constructive back play because of handling lapses and aimless kicking.

While playing a bustling, quick-break-ing game, the Sunnyside-Spreydon forwards surprised by gaining a fair share of the ball against a heavier pack. Indeed. the Belfast forwards, with good players such as L. Halligan and G. Fecnney among them, disappointed in not getting a bigger share of the ball to their backs, who looked more formidable than Sunnyside-Spreydon’s.

Although they tried to open up play in the second half, the Belfast backs had few chanches from set play. R. Odgers, the half-back, threw some crisp passes but faulty handling by the first five-eighths often nullified these. Some good runs from the scrum by Odgers eave the main thrust to the Belfast back line. A Cameron, the Belfast full-back, returned the opposition’s kicks ahead with interest, and followed up his attacking kicks energetically to gain ground. He also kicked three penalty goals. The Sunnyside-Spreydon backs were unimpressive.

Scrambling play and a succession of free kicks marked the first half in which no tries were scored. Belfast led at halftime, 0-3, with Cameron kicking three

penalty goals (two from difficult angles) to one for Sunnyside-Spreydon by R. Barnes.

In the second half Belfast pinned the combined team in its own half and looked likely to dominate play, but the Sunny-side-Spreydon forwards fought back and prevented Belfast monopolising possession. The Belfast backs tried to open up play as much as possible, but either faulty passing or good, low tackling held them up When Odgers ran from a scrum near the line, he beat a man and passed to the back-row forward Halligan, who handed the ball on to the backs who chain-passed for a good try in the corner. Near the end Odgers received from loose play near the Sunnyside-Spreydon line and broke through to score under the bar. He converted his own try. Belfast won by 17 points (a goal from a try and a try, and three penalty goals) to 3 (a penalty goal). Mr L. M. West was referee.

LOWER GRADES

Senior Second Division.—R.N.Z.A.F. 8, Christchurch; Marist A 13, University 3; Technical Old Boys 15. High School Old Boys 6; Teachers’ College 23, Papanui High School Old Boys 6; Linwood 9. Sydenham 6.

Junior A.—Albion 3, Sydenham 0; Christchurch A 14, Marist 3; University A 12, New Brighton 12. Junior B— Belfast 11, Lyttelton 9; Linwood 6, Merivale 0: University B 8, Christchurch Maoris 5; Kaiapoi 14, Sunny-side-Spreydon 3.

Under 20.—St. Bede’s 14. Christchurch 3; Christ’s College 12, Sunnyside-Sprey-don 6; University A 15, Albion 14; Technical Old Boys 9. Sydenham 6; St. Andrew’s 3, Marist 3.

Third Grade. —University 19, Marist 8; Teachers’ College 8, New Brighton 3; High School Old Boys 9, Technical Old Boys 9.

Fourth Grade.—Belfast 14. Technical Old Boys 3; Papanui High School Old Boys 12, Marist 3: High School Old Boys 8, Lyttelton 3; Christchurch 3, Linwood 0. Secondary Schools.—Xavier 5, Christ’s College 3: St. Andrew’s 9. St. Bede’s 8; Christchurch Technical 5, West High School 0.

Under 18.—Linwood 6, High School Old Boys 3.

Under 17.—Sydenham 9, Kaiapoi 0: High School Old Boys 9. New Brighton 3; Sunnyside-Spreydon 20, Linwood 3; Technical Old Boys 17, Christchurch 14; Albion 25, Merivale 0.

Under 16.—High School Old Boys A 11, Lyttelton 3; Linwpod 17, Albion 0; Marist A 6, High School Old Boys C 5; Marist B 25, Technical Old Boys 0; Technical Old Boys A 14, Papanui High School Old Boys 13; High School Old Boys B 25, Belfast 9 Under Bst 71b.—Christchurch 8. Linwood 6; Sydenham 6, Albion 3; Marist 25. Belfast 3: Sunnyside-Spreydon 6, High School Old Boys 0. Under 7st 71b.—New Brighton 11, High School Old Boys 3; Sunnyside-Spreydon 9 Papanui High School Old Boys 0; Sydenham 20. Marist B 0; Linwood B 8. Merivale 3; Marist A 12, Christchurch 5; Linwood A 25. Albion 0.

Under 6st 71b A.—Linwood A 11, Sydenham 0; Merivale A 25, Lyttelton 0: Sunnyside-Spreydon A 12, Technical Old Boys 0.

Under 6st 71b B.—Linwood B 3, Albion 3; Christchurch B 20. Marist C 0; New Brighton B 6. Marist B 3.

Under sst 101 b A. —New Brighton A 20, Merivale B 0; Belfast 8, Linwood A 0; Merivale A 8, Christchurch A 6; Sydenham A 25, Bryndwr Marist 0; Marist A 14, Sunnyside-Spreydon A 3; Albion 24. St. Mary’s 0.

Under sst 101 b B. —Marist B 6, Merivale C 3; Lyttelton 12, Sunnyside-Spreydon B 0; Christchurch B 25. Linwood C 0 Under sst A.—Linwood A 0, New Brighton A 0; Kaiapoi 8, Christchurch A 0, Marist A 16, Riccarton Marist 0; Sunny-side-Spreydon A 14, Merivale A 0; Belfast A 8, Sydenham A 6.

Under sst B.—Merivale C 11, Bryndwr Marist 3; Christchurch B 6, Merivale B 0; Sunnyside-Spreydon B 23, Marist B 0. Under sst C.—Linwood D 6. New Brighton D 0; Linwood C 18. New Brighton C 0: Sunnyside-Spreydon C 9, Merivale D 0: Albion B 25, Sumner 0.

NORTH CANTERBURY

The following is the draw for matches to be played in the North Canterbury Sub-Union's competitions on Saturday:— Senior: Glen. v. Ko. (Mr Grant); Ngal. v. Ox. (Mr Jordan); Wo. v. Lo. (Mi Sloss), 1.30; Rang. v. Am. (Mr Doody); Oh a bye.

Junior: Ko. v. Rang. (Mr Luke): Ox v. Cu. (Mr Stevenson); Glen, a bye. Under 18: Wo. v. S’Brook (Mr ‘Eaglesome); Am. v. Oh. (Mr Whyte); High School a bye.

Under 8 stone: Wo. v. S’Brook (Mi Petrie). 12.30; Rang. v. Cu. (Mr Pearson). 1.30; Am. v. Ko. (Mr Sincock), 1.30: Lo. v. Ox (Mr Hood), 1.30.

RESULTS IN OTHER

CENTRES

(New Zealand Press Association) Auckland.—University 9. Waitemata 3; Grammar 27. Shore 14: Suburbs 9, Takapuna 3; Eden 11, Otahuhu 0; Grafton 11 Marist 6; Northcote 9, Ponsonby 0. Wellington.—University 11. Athletic 3 Petone 21, Poneke 6; St. Patrick’s Old Boys 5, Onslow 3; Hutt 3, Wellington 3Marist 8, Taita 0; Oriental 3, Wellington College Old Boys 3. Dunedin.—Zingari-Richmond 9, Kaikorai 6; Southern 29. Alhambra 6; University A 17, Union 8; Pirates 19, Dunedin 3; Taieri 16, University B 11.

p. W. D. L. F. Ch A. Pts (Hare wood University .. 12 11 Trophy) - 1 261 88 11 Christchurch 12 9 3 191 94 9 Marist .... 12 9 - 3 187 93 9 Albion .... 12 8 - 4 194 134 8 Sydenham . 12 8 - 4 123 122 8 Old Boys 12 6 1 5 164 122 6J Technical D.C. 12 L. Shield) 6-6 144 109 g Linwood 12 5 1 6 96 137 5i Belfast 12 5 - 7 101 135 5 Merivale 12 3 - 9 61 143 3 N Brighton 12 a 1 11 75 219 i Sunny.-Sprey. 12 - 1 11 55 264 i UNIVERSITY WINS WELL