Hornby Has Clear Lead In Rugby League

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31060, 16 May 1966, Page 17

Hornby Has Clear Lead In Rugby League

In spite of a valiant challenge from Sydenham, Hornby took a clear lead in the Canterbury Rugby League championship on Saturday when its former co-leader, Addington, was held to a draw by Marist.

Hornby had its second close encounter in as many weeks and, after a slow start, fought back to win by three points. Sydenham gave its most impressive performance for some years and has consolidated its much improved form this season.

Neither Marist nor Addington was able to finish off its moves very well in a game either team could have won. Opportunities were missed because of fundamental errors and, although Addington had a territorial advantage, a draw was a fair result Linwood won an interesting match against Papanui. Kaiapoi, without J. E. Bond, was a

team without a leader against Christchurch, Results:— Hornby 11, Sydenham 8. Addington 5, Marist 5. Christchurch 32, Kaiapoi 10. Linwood 19, Papanui 12. Champkmsftip points after four rounds are:—

Sydenham Nearly Causes Upset HORNBY Ut B. Neiman, T. Wastney, I. T. Drayton tries; Drayton one goal. SYDENHAM 8: A. Swan, J. Murdoch tries; A. Tutrta one goal. Hornby had its second close call on successive Saturdays when it beat a determined Sydenham XIII with a try in the closing stages of an actionpacked match. Sydenham provided the early ingredients for exciting fare when it took a stx-podnt lead. It did this with some hard work in the forwards, although both tries came from the backs. Hornby’s best work was from its versatile backs. Sydenham’s obvious policy was to starve Hornby’s backs of possession and it almost succeeded, because Hornby scored its winning try within only a few minutes of the final whistle. The Sydenham pack produced one of the most sustained forward games seen in senior foot belli for some time, with all six members of the unit turning in splendid performances. An unusual aspect of the game was that Sydenham’s opening try was scored by the full-back, Swan, and Hornby’s final and winning try was scored by its full-back, Drayton. In Swan, Sydenham has found a full-back of real ability. He bandied splendidly and gave one of the best tackling displays seen for some time. Hornby’s best backs were J M. Bray, who showed real penetration on a number of occasions, and Westney, who scored a fine try in the corner. Sydenham had good forwards in B. T. Barron, W. E. Butterfield, who had easily Ms be game of the season, B. Green and Tuuta. Referee: Mr B. A. Pont. Everything But Victory

ADDINGTON 5: B. Cotter try; P. M. V. White goal. MARIST 5: N.-M. Diggs try; M H. Mofri goal.

A few minutes from time White resorted to a field goal In a desperate attempt to win a match that produced an even balance of very good and very poor football. Both teams had their opportunities to add to their totals—Addington more so than Marist—but smalt blemishes proved costly.

Addington made its error by not feeding its fast and powerful back-line more often Insetad, it attempted to beat Marist in the forwards. This proved fatal. Although Cotter scored from such a play, the Marist pack never collapsed in spite of the pounding it took. The Marist forwards appeared to take turns at spearheadin the offensive and defensive

plays—while three rested the other three toiled. However, the hooker, Diggs, played an outstanding match. Apart from has work in the scrums, Diggs chased the bail relentlessly and often retrieved it after Ms own team bad kicked off. M. H. Mohi made several bursts through the Addington forwards and D. Barton and W. A. Fla veil had their moments on attack. Cotter played astutely for Addington and J. L. White rar well in possession. D. McCosih mada no mistakes In the backline and G. Teaho fielded Manst’s tactical kicks well. In the Marist back-line B F Dobbs took his move from wing to centre without trouble, C. C Worters ran strongly on the wing and R. S. J. Irvine dtistributed and kicked the ball with sfaiM. Referee: Mt K. Henry Narrow Win For Linwood

LINWOOD If: G. J. Abercrombie, W R. Campbell, E. Williams tries; G. J. Rosanows'ki five goals. PAPANUI 15: M. R. Napier two, S. Dunn tries; J. C. Hawthorne three goals.

Dinwood led 12-7 at half-time and successfully withstood a strong Papanui second-half onslaught. Each team scored three tries, but the Linwood second row forward, Rosanowski, kicked two more goals than Papanul's Hawthorne. Rosanowskl was also prominent in the open, while J. A. Flanagan, W. P. Noonan, and J. Fonotea were toilers in the rucks. W. J. Godfrey, Abercrombie, and Campbell were Linwood's best backs.

Undoubtedly the most exciting player for Papanui was the left-wing, Napier. Making his debut in senior Rugby League, Napier, with snappy acceleration and determined running, fully deserved his two tries. Th® Papanui scrum-half, G. H. Clark, made several good runs from the base of the scrum, and Dunn scored the third try in the dying stages of the game with a fine burst of aggressive speed. T. L. Bis-man, D. G. Alsop, and K. R. Blackler were the most formidable Papanui forwards. Bisman was especially strong in the close exchanges. Referee: Mr J. Hills don. Eight Tries To Christchurch CHRISTCHURCH 32: T. Parker two, J. Williams two, E. Bennett, B. H. Turton, B. Clark, B. Bebbington tries; W. Morrison two, Bennett two goals. KAIAPOI 10: T. Gage, B. Williams tries'; E. Sincock two goals. Kaiapoi played quite well in patches, but had no real answer to Christchurch. Well directed by Turton, the Christchurch XIH threw the ball around and enjoyed a field day over the leaderless Kaiapoi pack.

As in its win against Marist a few weeks back, Christchurch scored within a few minutes, and took the advantage from the outset. The crashing runs of Bennett and Parker up front took their toll, and Kaiapoi wilted in the second half.

However, the centre, Williams, enjoyed another successful game, and scored his fourth try of the season, a remarkable figure because in its five matches Kaiapoi has scored only 10 tries. Gage and M. Price were others to play well for the country team. Beferee: Mr P. Yaxley.

W L D F A Pts Hornb .. 4 0 0 77 23 8 Add 3 0 1 93 40 7 Syd 2 2 0 65 59 4 Lin .. 2 2 0 65 66 4 Mar .. 1 2 1 48 42 3 Chch .. 1 3 0 66 97 2 Papa .. 1 3 0 62 74 2 Kai 1 3 0 42 117 2