TO-MORROW’S GAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17032, 4 May 1923, Page 2

TO-MORROW’S GAMES.

A SPORTING FORECAST. RUGBY. THE GAME HERE AND ELSEWHERE. Old Bovs v. ’Varsity (L.P. Oval), Mr C. W. Allard. Linwood v. Albion (L.P. South), Mr E. G. Steans. Svdenham-Lyttelton v. North Can tarburr (L.P. West), Mr L. Guiney. Merivale v. Christchurch (Show Grounds), Mr E. E. Luttrell. The apparent evenness of the senior teams this season is evoking a great deal of public interest in tlie competition. Pride of place on the Oval lias been given to Old Boys and ’\ arsity, and a great game should result. As both teams play a fast, open game, some fine spectacular Rugby will no doubt be witnessed. ’Varsity's record so far is a good one. They succumbed by one point to Christchurch in the first match, and last week defeated Merivale. Old Boys were beaten by Marists on the opening day. though they had the better of the game, and last Saturday they defeated what is regarded as n strong Linwood side. Old Boys are favourites and should he returned winners in what will probably be the best game of the season from a spectator’s point of view. On the south ground Linwood will play Albion, and it looks like a comfortable Linwood victory. I,inwood had a bye the first day. then defeated Marists by 3 to nil in a friendly game, and last week went under to Old Boys. Albion drew with Svdenham-Lyttelton on the opening day and defeated North Canterbury last week by 17 points to 3. Svdenham-Lyttelton and North Canterbury meet on the west ground, and on performances everything points to a victory for the former. Sydenham drew with Albion on the opening day and last week had a bye. North Canterbury have been twice easily beaten by Merivale and Albion, and it will ’'.me as a big surprise if they win morrow. Tt is to be hoped, however. that they will stick to it to the '•r.ci of the season. Tlie second biggest game to-morrow will be between Merivale and Christchurch, at the Show Grounds. Merivale easily beat North Canterbury in the first round, and then had victory snatched from them by ’Varsity right on time last week. Christchurch beat ’Varsity by one point on the first day and went under to Marists in a fairly even game last week. Taking a line through the Merivale-’Varsity and Christchurch-" Varsity matches, everything points to a very even game at the Show Grounds to-morrow. Without wishing to detract from the merit of 'Varsity’s win last week, I am inclined to think Merivale were caught napping as- it were last Saturday, and although Christchurch are undoubtedly a strong side. T predict a win by a small margin for Merivale. R. Evans, captain of the Merivale team, anti one of their best backs, injured his ankle in last Saturday’s match and has been laid up all the week- It will be some time before he will ]>e able to play and his loss will be severely felt by Merivale. W. Ford was approached to fill the vacancy, but he could not be induced to turn out. The injury to Evans wil a rearrangement of the Merivale backs, and it may make a big difference in to-morrow game. The Otago Rugby Union originally icceived eleven entries for the senior competition and decided to play it in two sections. Port Chalmers, however, have since withdrawn, leaving ten teams in. This has caused the i Jtago I nion to reverse its decision and not to play the senior grade in sections, as with five teems in each "ectiou, a bye would result in each case, and two teams would thus be idle every Saturday. The publication of tlie New Zealand University team to make the trip across to Sydney created some surprise in local football circles. Tlie absence of the names of Fea and Perry one to believe that they were not available. Canterbury will be represented by four player? ,* Robertson (fullback). Bvodie (half), and Jackson and Watson (forvrii-Js). Robertson’s inclusion was a surprise, but he is a fair player when on his game, and it is Lo be hoped will make good on the other side. Brodie should do well, likewise Jackson and Watson. It was the general opinion locally that Lang bein and Craven would be included, but they are among the unlucky ones. The captains of the senior teams here are:—Marists (D. M’Cormiek), Old Boys (T. MilHken), Linwood (O. Turpin), Merivale (R. Evans), Christ-

church (P. Kirby), Albion (R. R. Masters; Sydenham-Lyttelton (Q. Greatbatch), ’Varsity (J. B. Jackson), North Canterbury (J. Harding). W. Storey, the South Canterbury and All Black wing-three-quarter, ia playing again in I'imaru after having announced hi*s retirement. Since Southland won the Ranfui#y Shield in 1920 the standard of play in the southern province has improved immensely. There are now 104 teams taking part in the Southland Rugby Union’s competitions. The entries in all grades of Rugby ia Wanganui constitute a record. The first representative match of th« season in Wanganui will be played on June 3 between the home team and Taranaki. • _ *»* The Kaikorai team in Dunedin are i eported to have a great pack of forwards and it is anticipated in the south that they will fight out the champiourhip issue with ’Varsity A. It is more than likely that C. E. Guiney, the Old Boys and Canterbury icpresentative. will get fit and stand l«y in case of emergency for hie old team. A number of the Old Bovs’ t acks are light and are liable to "be injured, so that if Guiney will act as emergency for the team "it will be a great help to the side. He intends tc adhere to his decision not to play regularly, however An ex-Christchurch hov, Jack Kennedy, who has spent the last fire or six years in the North Island, has re-

turned to Christchurch, but intends to give the game a. spell for a while. Having been a Wanganui representative forward for the past two years he would be a valuable acquisition to any of our senior teams.

LEAGUE RUGBY.

The third round of the various grad* competitions will, weather permitting, be continued to-morrow afternoon witn the chief interest centred on the senior championship. The games to be played, in this are Sydenham v. Hornby at Hornby; Addington v.* Linwood at'Linwood Park ancl \\oolston v. Kai&poi at W oolston. The competitions committee would have been acting in the general interests of the code had they hxed the first-mentioned match at Sydenham Park, as that is the ground which the majority of patrons regard as the League’s first ground, and on which, the important matches should be played. The home and home match principle is one to be adopted in all of the lower grades, but with the exception of Kaiapoi the other fixture* should be played in town if possible. There should be a good game between Sydenham and Hornby, but thn former’s superiority in combined play should pull them through. When the Hornbyifces adopt team play and delete individualism they will be hard to beat. On performances Addington should defeat Linwood comfortably, though the latter are quite capable of effecting a surprise. It they played two good, nippy five-eighths they would win the majority of their games Team tactica should win for the western suburbs thirteen. A close game may be expected between Woolston and Kaiapoi. The former irre now showing some combination. and if it is •••» evidence tomorrow they should win. tl ough Kaiapoi, by persistent eTorr, are equal to pulling off :he mstch The Junior flag fixtures are: Sydenham v. Addington at Sydenham Park, Ouruhia v. Hornby it ilernby Central v. Kaiapoi at Kaiapoi. Waimaire have a bye. The prospects of the firstmentioned teams in each case read best. For the third grade: Linwood play Woolston at Woolston, Federal meet Addington at Addington, and Sydenham play Waimari at the latter’s ground. Close games should result with the first-named club in each instance having the best prospects. Heatheote have a bye. In the fourth grade Linwood play Hornby at Richmond. Kaiapoi and Addington meet at Kaiapoi, and Sydenham and Woolston play at Sydenham early. The first mentioned team in each instance should win. In the fifth grade Heatheote meet Hornby at Heatheote and Central play Linwood at Linwood Park early, With Sydenham and Addington a bye. A deputation from the local committee are to wait on the Headmasters* Association to-night. Though the League code has had a Junior Advisory Board existent in the principal centres for some year* past, it will be taken as a further compliment by followers to read that a Northern Rugby Union has decided to adopt a similar title. Satisfaction is expressed at the decision of the New South Wales League in refusing application of H. Tanered for reinstatement. It is rumoured that more than one player here w’ould welcome reinstatement if the authorities would agree.

HOCKEY.

St Albans meet Technical at Ensor'* Road and the game should be very even and Both teams have been beaten & bv Sydenham b'- a one-goal margin in I each case, but Technical having now f

included Steere and. Edginton, who are both accustomed to Grade s play, the alteration will make a *olid centre in the line. Luxton will be in his usual place in goal, and Faulkner will be right wing a* formerly. Both sets of halves and backs will he the same as previously. Sydenham meet Christchurch at Lancaster Park. So far the latter have not played a competition match as their game against Selwvn on the first day was postponed, and last Saturday they were allotted the bye. However, they have a solid team this season and will make the game, willing. ‘*Ted” Aokroyd will be in goal, and with Martin and Vic Cameron will provide a solid defence for Sydenham to negotiate. Sepie is not available for the halves, but; his place will probably be filled by Newton from the juniors. The inclusion of Beame. .James and Sisson, who are all young and speedy, will make the line a fast one, so the attack should be swift and sudden. Sydenham will field their usual team, and as they are improving each game they play, they will be hard t(> boat. I think they will win, but they will not be able to throw any chances away. Two of the junior games, namely, "Wesley v. Sydenham at Sydenham, and Christehuroh r. Technical at Hagley, should he keen and close. Wesley, who are being coached by Mr W. Simpßon. are showing greatly improved form and will he very near the top in the junior competition. Sydenham won the junior oompetition last season. Christchurch are a solid team and Technical were runners-up to Sydenham la6t year.