RUGBY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16738, 20 May 1922, Page 10

RUGBY.

FIFTH ROUND. The fifth round of Rugby drew a very rge attendance at Lancaster Park, where urists met Merivale- 'Vaj-sity defaulted © Linwood, who visited Sheffield for a Match with the local team there.

MARISTS V. MERIVALE.

The game went from the Marists to the Merivale twenty-five in the first few minutes.' Merivale carried a scrum but the second five-eighth missed a pass. The next incident was a Marist passing rush iki vvhich D. M'Cormack took a high pass, and broke into the open to send a pass out •o J. M'Cormack, who was grassed by Penberthy twelve yards out. Then Meri*ale carried a scrum and Evans cut oui i man and sent a speculative ’»ass out or Blazey, who passed out to E, Ford, hut it was forward. Nice work on the ither wing by W. Ford gained ground, iut it was lost by loose rushes. In one i >f these Smyth fielded well and went over it the corner, but grounded the ball on •Jit side line. A silly pot by J. M'Cormack just previously had lost Marists another opening. The first score came to Merivale. A long kick followed up by Blazey compelled Brosnahan to kick out just outside hie. twenty-five. Merivale carried the "Crum, and Evans, working a dummy pass, iroke clear and sent a fast pass to K. 7 ord. who shot over at the corner, amid .Treat excitement. An extremely difficult kick ‘by Penberthy just sailed over the bar. Merivale 3, Marists 0. Carrying another scrum. Merivale were down on the line again with a cross kick by Evans, and despite a couple of marks, Marists had to force. Marists picked up ground from this out. out in a hot attack on the Merivale line Hardie saved with a good punt. A moment later J. M’Cormack threw away a good chance by holding too long in a passing rush. Then came the most xpectaoular incident in the game. Brosnahan cross kicked to his wing at the twentyfive, but R. Ford, sprinting at top, took the ball on the full and streaked for the line. He shook clear of two men and was almost through the field when J. M>3ormack overhauled him a dozen yards short of the line. It was just in the last gasp that M'Cormack got him. or he would have ijeen over. A shot from a mark by Evans % gave Marists another force down. They were not carrying the scrums and Merivale were doing all the attacking. In a scrum right on the Marists line Merivale were penalised. A mark by I). M’Cormack gained ground, but good work W. Ford compelled Marists to force again. Another drop-out came from another Merivale attack. Then Carnegie and W. Ford tried to penetrate the defence. Ford made the opposition look silly with tricky sidestepping, but failed to get over. Then Merivale carried a scrum. but Blazey missed the pass in an ambitious attempt to cut in at full speed. It was a good effort on his part, but it would have been better if he had passed to R. Ford. Halftime came with the score:— Merivale 5; Marists 0.

In the second spell M’Neilage replaced Blazey in the Marists forwards and E Fitzgerald replaced J. Mullins. Marists now had the sun behind them. They dropped almost a certain score when J. M’Cormack sent a hopeless pas-4 out to Fitzgerald Then Brosnahan fielded the ball pretty close in and had a very cool pot that struck the joint of crosshur and post. Marists carried a scrum very close in, but Kirwan was penalised for pXicking the ball out of the scrum. Smyth was . .lust pushed into touch a yard from the line, and Merivale pushed clear from the line-out. only to be forced on the defensive again by solid loose play. Merivale eventually cleared by carrying a scrum, their two-three-two formation completely outplaying the three-two-three Marists fiierum. Merivale finally responded with a Sweeping forward movement into the Mar twenty-five. Here H.' Mullins went V on, and F. M’Donald came on. Bustling play compelled Marists to force again after some nippy play by R. Ford, whose fielding was very accurate. Merivale were losing a good deal of ground by finding touch on the full, but the forwards' forced play back right to the corner flag, where a scrum followed the line-out and Marists forced. Lodge marked the drop-out buc failed with a fairly good kick. At this stage Merivale were on the attack constantly. The ball went out from Brosnan to'Blazey. who ran strongly and put up a short kick close in. R, Ford dashed up, shot through three men and swerved over at the corner. His success created a, furore, which was as much a personal tribute aa anything else. Penberthy put the ball well up but wide. Merivale 8, Marists 0. From the kick-off Marists attacked strongly and were twice on the Merivale line.'Tfrhere they passed out, but were intercepted. D. M'Cormack was held up on the line in a dash from a scrum. Marists carried their third scrum five yards out, but Carnegie intercepted on the third occasion, and Brosnahan was caught in possession. Finally Merivale attacked in a very enterprising manner. Penberthy, fielding the ball in his own . half, ran strongly and passed to Blazey, who kicked to the gap. but the ball jounced out at the twenty-five flag. Marißts forced play back in loose rushes, and three scrums were formed on the line. Kirwan whipped the ball out to E. M’Donald. who was collared, but shook himself clear and went over - close to the pests, but failed to convert. Merivale 8, Marists 3. Merivale forced play down again, and a high kick by Penberthy was mulled by Brosnahan. and Penberthy got up t o him Marists pushed clear but were immediately on the defensive again. From a scrum Evans cut out a man with a dummy pass, and then sent it on to Blazey, who let it out to R. Ford for his third try. Penberthy landed a lovely goal from the side line. Merivale 13. Marists 3. Merivale were still in the Marists half when no-side was sounded with the score. MERIVALE . THIRTEEN MARISTS * TH.tEE. Referee: Mr J. F. Peake. There was a scene of enthusiasm reminiscent of the Springboks' defeat when the teams came off the field. R. Ford was carried shoulder high and cheered lustily by n large crowd. It was Marists’ first defeat for the third season. ' They won in J 220 and 1921 without a loss.

ALBION V. SYDENHAMLYTTELTON.

Sydenham-Lyttelton attacked from the start and Cain kicked a goal from a penalty awarded in front of the posts. Sydenham-Lyttelton 8, Albion 0. After some scrambling play, Albion worked down to the other end. keeping the upper hand in the tight. The combined team * infringed, and W. L. Henry put a free kick over the cross-bar. Syd.enham-Lyttelton 3, Albion 3. Then Dunlop scored for Sydenh a m-Lytt el to n from a. passing rush started in the loose. Cain’s kick missed. Syden-Viam-Lyttelton 3, Albion 3. Albion broke through with a vigorous forward movement, and H. Hogg touched down. Henry’s kiok went wide. Sydenham-Lyttelton 6, Albion 6. Scrambling play let Sergentina over for the combined team. Cain concerted. The score at half- time was : k Sydenham-Lyttelton 11, Albion 6. incident of note in the scr-oad

epell wap a. potted goal by H. Watson. Sydenham-Lyttelton 15, Albion 6. The combined team were putting a great deal more vim into their work, and they maintained the upper hand against Albion, who had had to fill several gaps with old players. A. Henry was on the left -fins, and •* Doddy ” Gray, ex-New Zealand representative was 'second five-eighth. The net score was a try by Dunlop. SydenhamLyxttelton 18. Albion 6. Albion attacked for a few minutes, but could not keep it up. Clever combined play by Sargentina, Batson and Cain let Sargentina in. He converted his own try. Final score :—* SYD-LYTTN. . TWENTY-THREE ALBION SIX Referee. Mr O. D. Fraser.

CHRISTCHURCH V. OLD BOYS’

Christchurch—Y. H. Robinson, Cowlishaw, Brown. Boon, Batley. Fyfe. Melvin, H. W. Robinson, Fleming, Gerard, Gibson, Kirby, Knight* M’Donald and Cook. Old Boys—F. J. Jacobs, Bowes, Harris, Werren, Hay, Zimmerman, Carleton, Donnelly, Otley, Forsyth, Davy, Baird* Gray, A. S. Jacobs and Clark.

Old Boys met Christchurch at the Show Grounds. Soon after the kick off Zimmerman missed a pass abopt Old Boys’ twentyfive. Brown rushed forward and getting the ball at his feet dribbled through and scored. Brown just failed with the kick. Christchurch 3. Old Boys 0. After the kick off even play followed for a time, first one side and then the other attacking. Then Christchurch were awarded a penalty about Old Boys’ twenty-five and Brown kicked a good goal. Christchurch 6, Old Boys 0. Christchurch had two chances ot scoring from passing rushes, but they were spoilt by passes being bungled. Then Old Boys attacked. They secured the ball from a sorura near the goal line, but Werren, wing three-quarter, was well collared. Old Boys kept up the attack, and Zimmerman following a kick up fast scored. Carleton failed with the kick. Christchurch 6, Old Boys 3. From the kick off Christchurch set up a strong attack, and Kirby scored. Brown added the major points. Christchurch 11. Old Boys 3. Good work by Harris, the Old Boys’ half-back, carried plav on to the Christchurch goal line, and Baird following up fast secured possession and scored. Carleton converted. This made the half-time score:— Christchurch 11. Old Boys 8. * Up and down play marked the opening stages ot the second spell. The Christchurch backs tried several passing rushes, but they were spoilt by faulty handling of the* ball. Old Boys were awarded a penalty close to the Christchurch goal, but Carleton failed with the kick. Christchurch carried play well into Old Boys’ twenty-five, and from scrambling play in front of the goal posts M’Donald set up a passing rush which resulted in Cowlishaw scoring. Brown converted with a good kick. Christchurch 16, Old Boys 8. Christchurch attacked again, and Brown getting away with the ball at his feet scored, and also added the major points. Christchurch 21, Old Boys 8. Old Boys carried play into Christchurch territory, and from a passing rush Werren raced round and scored right on the corner. Carleton's shot at goal failed. Christchurch 21, Old Boys 11. Christchurch returned to the attack,and persistent effort* resulted in M’Donald scaring. Brown failed with an easy kick. Christchurch 24. Old Boys 11. Another try for Christchurch was scored by Brown, who secured the ball in a passing rush, and dodging through nice- j ly scored between the posts. Brown’s kick j at goal was charged down. The final score was:— CHRISTCHURCH TWENTY-SEVEN OLD BOYS . ELEVEN Referee, Mr E. Empson.

LINWOOD V. SPRINGFIELD.

Playing at Springfield, Linwood defeated Springfield by 35 points to 13. Tries were scored for the winners by Brown (2), Coe, E. Cumings, Hewitt, Gillies, Davis. Harley and Turpin, Davis converted four tries. For Springfield Lilligan, Geddis and Odgers scored tries, and Geddis converted two. Mr D. Barrett was referee.

JUNIOR GAMES.

SECOND GRADE. Playixig on Lancaster Park, Christchurch defeated Riccarton by 35 points to o. The scorers for the- winners were Webber (3). lowis (3), Robilliard 2 and M’Cree. Richards converted four tries. Mr L. Cade was referee. Playing on the Show Grounds. Old Boys defeated Merivale by 25 to 5. The scorers for the winners were: Tries, Duff. Richards, Buckhurpt 12), Harris (2), Johnston and L. Smith, and C. Johnston converted. For Merivale the scorers were: L. Keys, T. Hardie, and Skelton converted one. Mr .J. Mercer was referee. THIRD GRADE. New Brighton v. Albion, played at Albion ground. South Park. Won by Albion by 13 to 9. Referee, Mr A. King. Wharenui defeated Sydenham-Lyttelton at Sydenham Park by 12 points to 11. For Wharenui, B. Mitchell scored two tries and converted one and W. Mitchell potted a goal. For Sydenham-Lyttelton, E. Thornton kicked two penalty goals and scored a try, which he converted. Referee. Mr L. Guiney. Merivale v. Sydenham-Lyttelton B, played at Merivale ground, North Park, won by Sydenham-Lyttelton by 13 to 6. Scorers for Merivale. Rountree and Thompson ; for Sydenham-Lyttelton C. Gilmore and T. Edwards. Referee, Mr C. M’Lachlan. 'Varsity A v. Marist A, played at Marist ground. North Park, won by Marist A by 24 to 17. Referee, Mr R. Twyneham. The match between Linwood B and Old Boys was not played. Christchurch C v. Christchurch A, played at Christchurch ground. North Park, won by Christchurch A by 31 to 0. Referee, Mr J. Brown. Prebbleton v. Belfast A, played at Polo Ground No. 1, was won by Prebbleton by I 9 to nil. H. Cox and Barr scored tries, and F. Cox kicked a penalty goal. Referee : Mr W. Harman. Linwood A v. Spreydon, played at Polo Ground No. 3, was won by Linwood by 20 to nil. The scorers were:—G. Porteous, J. Barwick. H. White, B. Stewart, T. Spencer, and A. Gee. W. Robertson converted one try. Referee: Mr J. M'Cormack. FOURTH GRADE. Marists v. North Canterbury, played at , Polo Grounds No. 4, was won by Marists by 22 to 3. Crowe, Darby (2), Foster, ( O’Laughlin and Clarkson scored tries for the winners, and Munday converted 2 tries. Sinclair scored for the losers. Referee—Mr L. Donaldson. Albion B v. Linwood, played at Polo Grounds No. 5, was won by Linwood by 15 to nil. For Linwood Butterworth (2), James, Bepnets and Seales scored tries. Referee—Mr A. Henderson. Linwood A v. Old Boys, played at Polo Grounds No. 6, wan won by Old Boys by 1G to 3. For Old Boys Murray, Evans, Pearson and Ballantyne scored tries. Berry converting two. Davieß scored for the losers. Referee—Mr W. Turner. At Kaiapoi, the home team defeated Albion by 38 points to nil. Mr H. Rollinson was referee. Merivale beat Belfast by 12 to 3. Ollive (2) and King (1) scored for Merivale. and Stiles kicked a penalty goal. Thurlow scored a try for Belfast. Mr J. Murphy was referee. FIFTH GRADE. Technical v. Y.M.O.A. Played at Y.M O.A. ground. South Park. Won by Technical by 9 to 3. Referee, Mr W. Harlp. Marists v. Merivale, played at High School ground, North Park, won by Marists by 21 to 3. Referee, Mr H. Macintosh. Sydenham-Lyttelton v. Kaiapoi, played at Polo Ground No. 2, was won by Syden-ham-Lyttolton by 42 to nil. The. scorers for the winners were Murchison (3), Chasten (3), Brown (4), Thaw (2); Bright converted three tries. Referee: Mr P_ C. Jones. Linwood ▼. Ric-oarton, played at Polo Ground No. 7, was won by Riccarton by 30 to 3. Referee: Mr M. Higgins. The New Brighton Scouts beat the Aranui Club by 12 points to 3.

NEXT WEEK’S CAMES. MARISTS v. I.IKWOODMKRIVALK v- VARSITY. ALBION v. OLD BOYS. CHRISTCHURCH v. SYDENHAM LYTTELTON.