ELLESMERE DEFEATED IN TWO GRADES.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3257, 25 September 1928, Page 8

ELLESMERE DEFEATED IN TWO GRADES.

MATCHES AGAINST ASHBURTON. Owing to strong counter attraction in the form of a championship cycle road race, to unfavourable weather in the early part of the afternoon, and to the usual waning of interest in football at the end of the season, there was only a moderate attendance at the Leeston Recreation Ground on Saturday to witness the first and second grade matches between the teams of the Ellesmere Rugby Sub-union anil the Ashburton Union (which is now a major union). In both matches Ashburton triumphed, the first grade side winning by 19 points to six, and the second grade by 16 points to six. SECOND GRADE. This matek was played as a curtain raiser to the first grade fixture. Ash burton attacked. strongly in the first few minutes and attempted to open up the game, the Ellesmere forwards stopping several rushes. Lambie saved by a good kick to half-way. Another attack by Ashburton almost succeededSeveral passing rushes by the visitors were checked just in time. An attempt to pot a goal failed and soon after Ellesmere had to force again. A loose rush took play to Ashburton 25 and Free had a shot at goal from a free kick, the ball missing. The play now consisted chiefly of a forward scramble, the backs being unable to handle the slippery ball. A passing rush by Ashburton backs ended in Fagan scoring. Later Fisse just missed goaling from a penalty. Lambie's fielding was not up to the mark and in consequence Ellesmere were placed in tight corners several times.

Soon after the opening of the second spell Guthrie scored for Aahburton from a scramble on the line, but the kick failed. Miller was following up well. Ashburton scored another try following a high kick, Ellesmere backs being out of position. Adams lost a chance to score through hanging on too long. Following another high kick Ashburton nearly scored again, Ellesmere forcing just in time. When near the Ellesmere 25 Hopwood potted a goal. Lambie was forced to kick hurriedly and Welsh, securing the ball, beat Marsh and scored. Ellesmere now attacked strongly, led by Miller, and soon Arps scored under the posts. The kick missed. Keeping up the attack, the Ellesmere forwards were playing well, but the backs were unable to handle the balls A long kick found the Ashburton full-back out of place, and the Ellesmere forwards, led by Fisse, carried on, Brown scoring. The game ended with the final scores 16-5 in favour of Ashburton. FIRST GEADE MATCH. In this match ( the Ellesmere side held its own very well during the early stages. When the ball became less slippery the Ashburton backs got going and proved more than a match for their opponents. Soon after the opening Ellesmere got the ball from a scrum, but Payne dropped it and Ashburton forwards broke away, Carlton essaying an unsuccessful pot. Eich kicked out at Ashburton 25. Following an . interchange of kicks Friedlander sent the Ashburton forwards away, but Payne saved. Then Friedlander stopped a vigorous Ellesmere rush. A short kick by Musson found the line at Ashburton 25. Smith, Cartwright and Hood in dulged in some passing, taking play to the Ellesmere line. Mason marked from a line-out and play moved to Ellesmere 25. Carlton stopped an Ellesm«re rush by a smart mark. Russell fielded a long kick and put in a run, beating five or six men. A passing rush by Mason, Payne, Loader, Rich and Heslop gained some ground. Following a line-out Mason set the backs going again, but a pass was dropped and a forward rush by Ashburton backs reached the Ellesmere 25. The ball rebounded after a kick by Mason, and Ryan forced down just in time. Dalton broke away from a line-out, but Loader saved with a good kick. A brisk rush by Ellesmere forwards reached Ashburton 25. From a scrum Mason got the ball and sent on to Payne, who tried a pot without success, Cartwright forcing as Rich rushed up. Later Carlton tried a pot without result. Mason put in a good run after securing from a scrum, but a forward pass held up play when in a good position. Half time came with the ball in Ellesmere 25. At the opening of the.second spell Loader led a good rush which reached Ashburton 25, but a long kick sent the ball back to Ellesmere 25. Securing the ball from a scrum, Friedlander, Carlton and Day did some good passing, the latter cutting in and scoring, Pennall converting. Rich just managed to relieve from another determined attempt. | Friedlander sent Carlton away after the next scrum, the latter dummying his way through, but went too far and lost a certain try. Clark went off with a knee trouble and Tait went on.

From a free kick in front of the posts Pennall sent the ball over the bar. Musson put in a great kick and sent the bail from Ellesmere 25 to Ashburton 25. Pennall broke away and bustled Musson, whose kick Carr fielded and the ball went to the Ellesmere line. From a line-out Dilnstan went over, but Pennall missed with the kick. Again Musson did some fine kicking, sending the ball to Ashburton 25 as before. Some bright play ensued in front of Ashburton goal. The ball was shot out to Coop, who picked up well and scored at the corner, Ebert 's attempt to convert just missing. A penalty to Ashburton held up a passing rush by Ellesmere backs and there was some more tight play. From a scrum Mason shot out on the blind side to Loader, who transferred to Coop, the latter being tackled within ten yards of the line. Mason sent on another pass to Loader who cut through but hit the post in diving for the line and was temporarily knocked out. Near Ashburton 25 Ellesmere were awarded a penalty and Ebert, with a good kick, sent the ball over the bar. From near half-way Carlton fielded a kick and sent Russell away, the latter outpacing his opponent and scoring behind the posts. Pennall converted, making the scores 16-6. Twice Ellesmere were awarded free kicks almost at their own line for picking out of the scrum by Friedlander. Later Friedlander, Carlton, Day, Brown and Eussell did some fine passing, the latter evading several men by dummying and getting within a yard of the line. From a scrum the same players got going again, Brown scoring under the posts. The kick failed, leaving the final score 19-6.

Later the visitors were entertained at a dinner by the Ellesmere Subunion at the Leeston Hotel.