LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 19919, 16 July 1928, Page 4

LEAGUE

ONLY TWO GAMES PLAYED Owing to the inclement weather conditions which preceded the usual Saturday games, only 'two League matches ware played, the fixtures staged being Christum Brothers v. Athletic A, and Eaikorai v. Pacific. The former game was played at the Caledonian Ground, which was in surprisingly good order. A southerly wind proved troublesome, however. As a team and as individuals the Brothers were again too hot for the opposition, and although Athletic managed to keep the score down to 6 points in the first half, the second spell saw the Greens cutting through the defence almost at will to rattle up 23 points, many of which were scored by Montague’s reliable boot. The final total was 29 to 0. Pacific and Kaikorai fought out a fasa, exciting game at Chisholm Park, and ended up with the “devil’s number ” of points apiece. POSITION OF TEAMS.

The positions of the teams in the senior competition aro now as folfollows:

'CHRISTIAN BROTHERS v. ATHLETIC, From a series of scrums ou the halfway line the Christian Brothers’ backs, with short, sharp bursts of pasting, gradually boro down into Athletic territory. However, the Athletic forwards saved the side by pressing the opposition back with good loose footwork. Two delightful runs by the Green backs again changed the strategic positions of the teams, and the first try of the day canto when Tom O’Connor sent the leather out through the rearguard line. Quinn joined in at the right moment, and passed to Woodhouso, who scored. Montague failed to convert. Christian Brothers 3, Athletic 0. J. O’Connor (half-back) and M'Kcwcn were repeatedly trying to set the backs going, and the forwards, by getting possession of the ball, were giving them every chance. Fumbling, however, spoiled several movements.

M‘Kay, for Athletic, was twice conspicuous in lightning dashes, but the defence was sound. Hlining, Webber, and the Hunt brothers also shoiin out at times, hi. Wills saved nicely in the face of an Athletic attack, in which the forwards pierced the Greens’ twenty-live. ‘ With a judicious punt, Webber sent the Athletic forwards pounding into the Brothers’ twentyfive. Tom O’Connor _ misficklcd the ball, which came over his shoulder from a difficult angle, and things looked dangerous for the Greens, The backs rallied round, however, and relieved the pressure. For a time the Brothers, in spite of getting a lot of the ball from the scrums, were kept battling against the wind, Harbonrno and Harbrow taking advantage of all opportunities. F. Wills and M'Kewen were largely responsible in setting the Brothers attacking again, and the lormer ou one -occasion nearly got across. Then his brother, M. Wills, raced up from the full-back position and swerved his way over the line from a ruck. Montague s kick was hindered by the wind. Halftime score: Christian Brothers 6, Athletic 0. , The Brothers celebrated the commencement of the second session with a number of enterprising passing rushes, from one of which Montague scored after the ball had been handled by MTvewen and F. Wills. _ Montague, taking the kick _ himsell, brought the score to 11. little later M’Kowen slipped across on the blind side, and Montague lauded another fine goal. IG-0. Hurriug and Leo caused Athletic barrackers to hope lor better things when they tore away with the ball at too, but Tom O’Connor fell oil it. The Brothers were not to ho denied, and it was not long before the energetic M’Kewcn had sent Quinn careering over the line. Montague again goaled splendidly. 21-0. Quinn repeated his performance a- few minutes later, but Montague’s kick just went wide. 24-0.

Athletic, mainly through tho agency of M‘Kay, Webber,, and M'Cutchcon, carried play to mid-field, but Holloway subsequently relieved by kicking well down, and following up fust. Again M'Kewcu scored by snapping up a chance from tho loose, and Montague enhanced his reputation with another lino goal. 29-0. if. Wills and Bkckledgo'narrowly inissod Scoring, and then Engstrom retrieved with a short punt. The Brothers were still attacking when tlio bell sounded. Full-time score: Christian Brothers 29 Athletic A 0 Mr S. Devereus was referee. KAIKORAI v. ATHLETIC. Kaikorai kicked olf, but tricky playing by Pacific kept them from gaming much ground, and slowly tho Blues were pressed back into their own ground. A spectacular break-awoy by Timlin (Pacilic) ended in a try for that player, after he had run from near halfway. Blazey’s kick was blown wide. Pacific 3, Kjmorai 0. Feu - a short time after this Kaikorai were kept busy defending, but at last the game was taken to the oppos'tc end o‘ tho held. Play went gradually hack, cud from about hallway Bia/'.cy attempted to goal a penalty ».ick for Pac.Se Another free ki.A tn Barev, which was awarded to Paerle for illegal tackling when Lus-tie un* about to play the ball, just faded t. gvt there. A few moments hi or L:.kio just failed to goal a penalty for ofi'-sido play on the Blues’ part. While in a tight corner a free kick for Kaikorai, which was taken by Cameron, gave that team temporary relief. Kaikorai then began to attack. In front of tho posts Cameron goaled a penalty for an infringement in playing tho ball. Pirates 3, Kaikorai 2. hi the ensuing play the Reds beat the Blues back, and the attack ended in a try, Bryan scoring after a good run. Blazey converted. Pacific 8, Kaikorai 2 The Blues were not to bo beaten, and pressed strong!}'. Their effort was successful. Cameron kicked a beautiful goal from a free kick. Pacific 8, Kaikorai 4. Tho game continued in Rod’s territory, where, from a difficult position, Cameron kicked his third penalty goal. Pacific 8, Kaikorai 6. Pacific manoeuvred into tho opposing twenty-five, where Blazey goaled another penalty kick for the Reds. Pacific 10, Kaikorai 6. Play was very x-igorous, but nothing else of any note occurred before half-time. Although Pacific were playing against the wind in the second spell, it was not long before J. Dee opened the scoring. Blazey made a good attempt at goal, but tho xvmd was too strong, and the ball was blown bfiek. Pacific 13, Kaikorai 6. The game was then kept in Pacific’s field, and Palgar raced over to score, but ho wont out of bounds, Kaikorai kept up the attack, and, after a good amount of hard play, Mackey dashed across. Cameron converted xvith a nice kick. Pacific

13, Kaikorai 11. The play tjiat followed xvas very open, but Kaikorai, xvho were playing tbe bettor game, were kept back by Blazey’s, line kicking. Kaikorai were,, however, tie next to score, with ii penalty kick by Falgar from about thirty yards out. While play was still going on within Pacific’s twenty-live lime was called, leaving tho scored unaltered; - Pacilic _ ■■■’ Kaikorai Mr I, Olsen was referee. 1H OTHER CENTRES 1 CHRISTCHURCH. Mnrists 13, Hornby 10 AUCKLAND, Richmond 16, Dovonport 11. Ponsonbv 11. Manst 11. Newton 5, Ellersho 2. THE SECOND TEST ENGLAND BEATS AUSTRALIA. ?te«» Association —By Telegraph-Copyright. SYDNEY, July 15. in wet, cold weather, on a muddy ground, and in the presence of 44,0011 spectators, England defeated Australia in tho second Rugby League test by Bulliman, Ellaby, Oliver, Brough. Aslan, Tices, Parkin, Horton, Woman, 1* ikies, Burgess, Thompson, Bentham. Australia: Hardy, Byrne, Gorman, Craig, Maher, Weisscll, Busch, _ feteinbort, Treoweoke, Armhrustcr, Y'orke. Justice. Dempsey. The weather conditions lavoured the visitors, and from the commencement they shoxved greater command or handling tho greasy ball, giving an exhibition of control which was better than any other seen in recent years. The Englishmen’s footwork was also wonderful, and the Australians appeared outclassed. England’s score was made up of two tries, scored by Ellaby and Parkin, one being converted by Sullivan. The game was played in steady rain. Tho play on tho day left no doubt that tho visitors arc the better team, and they will return xvith tho well-earned ashes, having xvon two out of the three tests. —Australian Press Association.

Glirisii City Pacific Kaikor Athlcti Athleti i ; br r c 1-1 o c o o Playe-d ohw H-iaotocLost. outitioo Drava I —* *—» !—» tO £2 S S ic £5 Poii\fcs for. cSSSSsojS Points against, o -l. c~- c Cup Points.