FROM THE SIDE-LINES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29801, 18 April 1962, Page 13

FROM THE SIDE-LINES

J. de Malmanche is as • spectacular on the Rugby field as he is when diving from the 10metre tower at the Centennial Pool, the scene of his Canterbury tower-diving title victories. Playing on the right-wing tor the Sydenham senior side against Linwood on Saturday, he made one or two very vigorous runs and marked his opposite, D. Stephens, with great determination. De Malmanche's upending of W. F. McCormick when the Linwood full-baetc was in full cry was one of the features of the match.

S. K. Henderson was not a success at full-back for Old Boys against Christchurch at Lancaster Park on Saturday. He still has the qualities of an attacking back, as he showed in his incursions in the line, and the thi>eequarters undoubtedly benefitted from his experience # and ability.

An outstanding goal kicked by the Hornby Rugby League full-back, L Drayton, when he converted one of his side’s tries last Saturday. The kick was taken from near the sideline. As the ball left the ground, it looked as if it would go well outside the posts. But the wind, which was very strong and which Drayton must have judged beautifully, seemed to take the ball and drop it over the cross-bar. Drayton also kicked some other good goals during the match.

D. Staple, of Nomads, must come into serious consideration for a wing-half position in the Canterbury representative soccer side this season. Stapley has always been a consistent and hard-working player, but his displays this season in combination with his inside-right have be-n most constructive and have contributed greatly toward; his side's success in the two matches played. New Brighton has two very promising jL young forwards, E. Leask, a lock, and I. Penrose, on the side. These two are tall, well-built forwards who will develop considerably. Penrose, as well as being a sound player in tight play, fields the ball beautifully and kicks long, accurate touch-finders.

The price of earning a wonderful reputation overseas fell heavily on J. A. Bond, when he played against Marist on Saturday. Bond received the closest attention from his opposing first five-eighths, P. V. Smith, and was given little latitude to show his attacking ability.

m The positional play of the Suburbs fullJL back, T. Sykes, was fully tested by the incessant kicking of the Albion fiveeights on Saturday, but he made hardly a mistake. His handling was of a high standard, and if his line kicks did not have the length of those of his opposite number, A. Harrison, it was seldom that Sykes failed to find touch.

Doubtless playing to instructions, the Marist halfback, B. O. Coulter, played the line consistently against University at Lancaster Park on Saturday, but he did it well. With the marking as close as it was. Coulter was probably wise to kick, but he might have placed a few more kicks over the opposing scrum.

The All Black and Canterbury hooker, D. Young, has seen his club undergo four changes of name during his playing career in Christchurch. Originally it was the Technical Old Boys' Club —a closed club limited to former pupils of the Christchurch Technical College. In October, 1959. the name was altered to Technical and the restriction on membership withdrawn. Six months later the name was changed to Technical-Shirley because many players came from the Shirley district. Late last year the club's title became simply Shirley and playing under this name for the first time on Saturday the senior team —with Young as captain —beat Merivale.

oTbe Christchurch left wing, W. M. Birtwistle was opposed by the fast P. J. Morrissey, of Old Boys, on Saturday, but in his few ' brief bursts he showed plenty of pace and a deceptive side-step. Tall and well-built. Birtwistle shows much promise and could be a contender for a place in the Canterbury backs. ef It -was disappointing see the Albion and Suburbs backs adopt a shallow formation in the senior match last Saturday. The result was inevitable. Both sets of five-eighths either ran across the field, hemming in their outside men, or kicked to excess. Both back-lines had a good service from the scrums and enough pace to make the game attractive.

The Albion lock forM. D. Grant, gave an impressive display against Suburbs on Saturday. He tried hard for the full 90 minutes and his rugged line-out play while marking the taller T. Cowan was a feature of the match. It was fitting that he should cap such a fine performance by scoring late in the second spell.

The University centre. Q. T. Tapsell, had only one chance against Marist at Lancaster Park on Saturday, but he took it with both hands and scored the try that inspired his team to victory. Tapsell made a name for himseitf with the New Zealand Universities’ team in California last month as a dashing five-eighths and he and R. C. Moreton, the former Southland representative who played inside him on Saturday, should be a formidable combination this season.