League GORE CUP GAMES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28371, 2 September 1957, Page 16

League GORE CUP GAMES

Papamii Beats Linwood

Play continued in the Gore Cup Rugby League series on Saturday, although only two of the three games set down were played. Marist, due to play Sydenham on Show Grounds No. 2, was forced to concede its match to Sydenham as the team was depleted by influenza. On the Show Grounds oval, conditions were good, and the ground was harder than at any stage the season. Players, however, found it hard to accustom themselves to the tricky conditions caused by the strong easterly blowing down the field. Results of games played were:— Papanai 19, Linwood 11. Hornby 37, Christchurch 3. Points in the Gore Cup competition. with two rounds yet to be played, are:—Sydenham 6, Hornby 6, Papanui 4. Christchurch 2. Linwood 0. Marist 0.

PAPANUI v. LINWOOD Linwood and Papanui provided a very even encounter in the main game of the day at the Show Grounds. Papanui winning -by 19 points to 11. With only a minute to go Linwood was within inches of scoring, and at that stage Papanui was leading by 14-11. However, defence was quickly turned into attack by Papanui when a clearing kick by one of the backs bounced the wrong way for Linwood’s full-back. F. Hudson, and G. Bond, coming through quickly, took the ball and raced 40 yards to the line to put the issue beyond doubt. In the first half neither team was able to handle the tricky conditions caused by the strong easterly, and more often than not promising moves broke down because a pass would be whipped away from tne players’ reach. Only four points were scored in this half, a penaitv and a field goal, both by Papanui. giving the team .a 4-0 lead. However, after the interval both teams warmed up, and play W2S very much better.

Shortly after this half commenced Linwood indicated it would make things very difficult for Papanui by scoring two quick tries, one of them being converted, to give Linwood a lead of 8 points to 4.

After that the tempo quickened, and Papanui scored several runaway tries due t» its faster backs taking full advantage of opportunities. Linwood came back with another try, but Papanui then scored its decisive points right on time.

For so late in the season play was good, with Linwood perhaps having the better of play territorially. particularly in the second half. Its lighter scrum won a much bigger share of the ball than did Papanui. but the backs were not able to function as well as Papanui’s. Both sides tackled well, and as with attacking moves, this was more evident in the second half. K. Pearce, the Kiwi forward, impressed as a goal kicker by converting one try from the sideline in an effortless fashion. K. Journey made a magnificent effort too. although his did not go over. Taking a penalty on the halfway mark and kicking into the strong wind, he sent the ball as high as the uprights, but was just a little wide.

Scorers for Papanui were W. Jones t2> and G. Bond. K Pearce converted three. K. Roberts kicked a penalty, and Jim Bond a field goal. For Linwood. T. Journey, F. Hudson, and L. Knight scored tries. Hudson converted one. The referee was Mr K. Cox. HORNB¥ v. CHRISTCHURCH Hornby was too good in all departments of the game for Christchurch, and won by 37 to 3. The game was never in doubt at anj’ time, and Hornby had a 24-3 lead at half-time. Christchurch througnout the game persisted in throwing long passes, fatal against such a speedy side as Hornby, who maae many tries from interceptions. Christchurch at times defended stubbornly. showing good tackling, but lapses were far too many and made at stages where advantage could be taken from them. Hornby played good football, and both the backs and the forward pack were on their toes throughout the game. R. Kelly, with his two tries and. four conversions, was the highest scorer of the day. For Hornby tries were scored oy R. Kelly <two>. A. Woodham. M. Courtnej. P. Rutherford, M. Cook, G. Nieman. G. Bray, and P. Tongue, with R. Kelly making four conversions and P. Tongue one. Christchurch’s points came from a try by I. Wilkie. The referee was Mr H. Cox.