LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28253, 15 April 1957, Page 15

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS

Papanui Wins By Two Points The Canterbury Rugby League season started on Saturday, when first round games in the championship were played. The season started on a high note with a fine exhibition in the main game at the Show Grounds between Papanui and Hornby. Grounds were in first-class condition and fast, open football was played.

Results were:— Papanui 14, Hornby 12. Christchurch 19, Marist 14. Sydenham 44, Linwood 6. PAPANUI’S WIN Papanui Hornby in a fast and exciting game by 14 points (two goals from tries and two penalty goals) to 12 (two goals from tries and a penalty goal). The teams were very evenly matched. Papanui impressed in the first spell but. in the second spell, had difficulty in retaining the lead. The teams were:— Papanui.—W. Jones; R. Marsh, E. Anderson, I. McKenzie; M. Jamieson, Jim. Bond; A. Grant; G. Ibbotson, K. Pearce, J. Jones, J. Bond, D. Hunt, Gi Cooper. Hornby.—P. Tongue; A. Woodham, C. Courtney, M. Courtney; G. Neiman, D. Neiman; R. Kelly; M. Cooke, F. Tinning, J. Withers, P. Rutherford, R. Woodgate, G. Bray. The referee was Mr P. Yaxley. Papanui’s fine pack of big, mobile forwards played well until the end of the game, when they were to some extent mastered by the lighter Hornby pack. Passing rushes among the Papanui forwards gained much ground. The Papanui inside backs showed great promise and, further out, Anderson and McKenzie were Impressive. At full-back, Jones made very few mistakes. Bond again showed his worth as a goal-kicker.

Rutherford was the most impressive of the lighter Hornby pack, and was fully supported by his team mates. Hornby was unfortunate in losing the half-back, Kelly, early in the game, and the back-line suffered accordingly. D. and G. Neiman were very good on defence. The speed of the two Courtneys outside them was invaluable.

From loose play at the start, Jim Bond scored for Papanui under the posts, and John Bond converted. Shortly after this, John Bond kicked two fine penalties. Jim Bond scored his second try, in the corner, and John Bond again converted with a fine kick. After half-time, Hornby was much more impressive, and Woodgate kicked an early penalty. In the last stages of the match two tries were scored for Hornby by C. Courtney and Tongue, both of which were converted by Woodgate. BIG SCORE After having a margin of six points over Linwood at half-time, Sydenham added a further 36 points in the second spell to gain the easiest of wins. Linwood did well in the first half to hold the more experienced Svdenham side to 8-2, but after that Sydenham scored practically at will. Among the Linwood players fitness was obviously lacking, as was also the desire to tackle low. Time and again attempts were made to stop a Sydmham player’s progress with a half-hearted high tackle. Several times tries were scored from these weaknesses.

The teams were: Linwood.—W. Goslin; K. Journey, C. Robinson, M. Duncan; J. Robinson; N. Clarke: R. Pounsford; M. Garylyle; P. Journey, B. Shanks, T. Journey, J. Butches, M. Jones. Sydenham.—P. Williams; B. Forbes, G. Williams, I. Stehr; R. Turton, R. Forman; R. Gillard, B. Barren; G. Rutherford, A. Green, I. Pimley, J. Butterfield, T. Kilkelly. Due to the hooking of the Kiwi Butterfield, the Sydenham backs had a field day. The Sydenham backs were a smooth combination throughout, and often they teamed up with the forwards with success. R. Forman, at first five-eighths, was the instigator of most of Sydenham’s moves, and R. Turton, at second five-eighths, after a bad start, realised the weakness in the Linwood defence, and made the most of it. Sydenham’s forwards, too, had far too much experience for some of the younger Linwood players. J. Butterfield and T. Kilkelly teamed up well. Tries were scored for Sydenham by P. Williams (2), R. Turton (2), R. Forman (2), B. Barren, B. Forbes, G. Williams, and J. Butterfield. G. Williams converted six tries and R. Forman one. For Linwood, B. Shanks kicked a penalty goal. Referee: Mr W. Gray. CHRISTCHURCH V. MARIST After being down by 14 points to 3 just after half-time, Christchurch rallied to play some delightful lootball and Win its game against Marist by 19 points to 14. From the outset it was obvious that, both sides had decided to throw the ball around at every opportunity. These opportunities were numerous, but at times plans went astray because of faulty handling and inaccurate passing. It was a pleasing game from the spectators’ point of view, and both teams came out of the match with credit. The teams were:—

Marist.—P. Creedy; R. Lancaster, J. Thoms, R. McDonald; B. Kirton, E. Heenan; K. Cunneen; F. Hatch, M. Bond, W. Middleton, P. Dempsey, L. Devine, L. Lind. Christchurch.—L. McNaughton; B. McDonald. A. McDonald, B. Edwards; E. Walker, R. Franklin; B. Miller; P. Hughey, R. Austin, L. Ayres, B. Douglas, I. Rickerby, R. Booth. Marist, after a promising display against a fitter and more experienced Sydenham side last week, showed a great improvement. The side has a sound back line that could be moulded into a good one. Heenan nursed the team along nicely, and when R. McDonald moved into centre from the wing the combination was better.

The Christchurch back line is a young one, but very active. The backs put plenty of energy into their play, particularly in the final 15 minutes, when the pace was fast. They combined splendidly with the forwards, too. Three forwards in particular stood out—Hughey, Douglas, and Booth. Douglas scored the two winning tries, and they were the result of some good backing up. Marist was by no means disgraced and was beaten by a side that snatched opportunities that were given to them and used them to score points. Tries were scored for Christchurch by B. Douglas (2), E. Walker, P. Hughey, and A. McDonald. B. Miller converted two. R. McDonald and W. Middleton scored tries for Marist, one of which was converted by P. Creedy, who also kicked three penalties. The referee was Mr K. Cox.

Results In Other Centres

Auckland.—City-Newton 10, Richmond 4; Point Chevalier 37, Mount Albert 13; Ponsonby 44, North Shore 5; Otahuhu 8, Glenora 4; Marist 30, Northcote 12.

Bonus for Australians.—Australian Rugby League tourists, recently returned from Britain, are to receive £9O each—the lowest bonus paid to an Australian touring team since the war, the Australian Rugby League Board of Control decided last night. The two previous Australian touring teams received £425 and £350 a man. The 1956-57 team managers will receive the same bonus as the players.—Brisbane. April 12.