Linwood Maintains Unbeaten Record

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30231, 9 September 1963, Page 10

Linwood Maintains Unbeaten Record

Linwood continued its unbeaten record in championship matches this year when the side deservedly beat Papanui, 18-5, in the main senior Rugby League match on Saturday. The oval at the Show Grounds was in surprisingly good order but the small crowd that attended was not treated to a particularly good game.

To win the championship Linwood has to beat Hornby next Saturday apd on current form this match should be one of the outstanding contests of the season. Ln the other senior match played on Saturday, Christchurch had a narrow win over Sydenham, 8-2. LINWOOD v. PAPANUI Looking the better side for most of the game, Linwood had a comfortable win over Papanui. The match was a fairly scrappy one, but the crowd was given some compensation by a few exciting movements. The only time Linwood lost control was for a brief period half-way through the second spell. During this time Papanui kept possession, and after attacking strongly was rewarded with a good try under the posts. As usual it was the combination of the Linwood side that gave it the advantage. The forwards played with vigour and purpose, and the backs always looked a threat, although if Linwood had made more use of its backs the score might have been much higher. Although well beaten, Papanui played well. The side still has not reached the standard of which it is capable considering the individual abilities of its members. Lack of support at vital moments lost the side at least two tries. In the forwards Papanui was equal to the opposition, but its backs never looked as enterprising as those of Linwod.

For the winning side good displays were given by J. Jones, G. Clarke, and G. Wade. Jones was never far from the ball, and Clarke gave his backs an excellent service from the base of the ecrum. Wade made a

couple of strong runs. W. Campbell was very sound at full-back, and displayed more attacking ability than he has in tire past.

For Papanui, K. Pearce was a tower of strength. He always proved a hard man to stop when in possession. T. Bisman was more subdued than usual, but still did some good work. Of the backs. J. Bond tried hard to open up play, but he did not receive a great deal of support. Credit, however, must be given to the Papanui backs for the manner in which they tackled. P. White, Wade, K. Batten, and R. Pounsiord scored tries for Linwood. White kicked three conversions. For Papanui, B. Lawrence scored a try, which Pearce converted. The referee was Mr A. Low. CHRISTCHURCH V. SYDENHAM Considering Christchurch and Sydenham are at the bottom ol tile championship table they provided an entertaining game. Play was hard and there was a number of stoppages for injuries. The St. John Ambulance attendant was as familiar to the spectators as some of the players. There was very little between the two sides, and Christchurch’s winning margin of six points was perhaps a little unfair. Christchurch's victory was achieved by two excellent tries by the side's captain, R. Turton. However, the Christchurch defence was very sound, as it had to be to stop Sydenham from scoring on a number of occasions. Both sides played » number of young players from the senior reserve grade, and there were some creditable performances by them. The poorest feature of the game was the tackling. Some of the players’ efforts in this direction were of doubtful legality. Besides scoring two tries, Turton had a very good game. Probably the best aspect of his play was his tackling. Sydenham’s representative player, K. Harding, was the most consistent member of his side. He made two delightful mid-field breaks. Other Christchurch players who impressed were E. Bennett and D. Robinson, the latter being especially dangerous on attack. C. Porima was an honest toiler fat the Sydenham forwards.

Turton scored two tries for Christchurch. and Bennett kicked a conversion. E. Butterfield kicked a penalty goal for Sydenham. The referee was Mr K. Henry.