To-Morrow’s Games TO-MORROW’S GAMES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 2

To-Morrow’s Games

TO-MORROW’S GAMES

j SPORTING FORECAST OF RESULTS

RUGBY.

THE GAME HERE AND ELSEWHERE. TO MORROW’S GAMES. Merivale v. Marists (Lancaster Park Oval), Mr T. Bain, referee. Lin wood v. Christchurch (Lancaster Park South) Mr L. Guiney, re’Varsity v. North Canterbury (Lancaster Park West), Mr E. G. Keats, referee. Old Boys v. Sydenham (Show Grouds), Mr E. Cockroft, referee. Albion, a bye. At the time of writing it appears very doubtful if there will be any Rugby matches played to-morrow afternoon. Last evening an inspection of Lancaster Park revealed the Oval to bo in a very soft condition indeed, while the south ground and west ground had about an inch of water lying practically all over them. The highest parts of these grounds over near the high tin fence along the back street were the only portions on which water was not lying. Considering the very soft nature of the grounds yesterday and the continued dullness of the weather, it is extremely improbable that the grounds

Will be much i improved ’by to-mor-row afternoon. Of course, the Canterbury Rugby Union are right up against it for time in which to complete the senior championship as apart from five, representative matches ta be played here, we are to be favoured with a test match against New South Wales and a game against the Maori team. Even consider inf this it would be a great pity to spoil the oval, and this ifi what will happen if football is played on it to-morrow according to an enthusiast deeply interested in the welfare of tho park. The oval was soft enough last Saturday and since then we have had very heavy rain every day. However, football is a winter game after all, and assuming that the matches will be played I give the following forecast of the (fames: Merivale and Marists are due to meet en the oval. It will be remembered that last year Merivale were the only team to defeat the champions,, for whom they proved too good in their first round. In the second round later in the season, however, Marists turned the tables, although on the second occasion Merivale were a. much weakened side, the Ford Brothers being absentees. On a. dry ground one would pick Marists to win as being the better all-round side, but on a heavy ground with a wet ball anything is liable to happen. Merivale have suffered a severe loss through the injury

sustained by Evans, their captain, butt they are still a strong side, particularly in the forwards. And on a heavy ground with a slippery ball is it not fact that the best forward side usually Wins?

Not having seen Merivale play this season I am unable to say what tho defensive abilities of the backs arc. With the knowledge that Marists aro a team who can adapt themselves to all .conditions, however, one would expect them to win by a point or two. The game should be very even and will no doubt, provide plenty of excitement.

On performances this season on* would select Linwood to beat Christchurch in their match on the south ground. That Linwood are a good wet-day side they demonstrated in their recent friendly match with Mar. ists at the Show Grounds, when they won by 3 points to nil. Christchurc.b started off the season well, but so far have failed to fulfil that promise, and unless they have “ the notorious dav out ” for which their teams in the past have been noted, they will £gain be defeated, though the margin of points should not be very great.

On the west ground ’Varsity wilj meet North Canterbury, and despite the fact that the students will not hav«j recovered from their strenuous exer-. tions of diploma day. they should ex. perience little difficulty in defeating the country team, who so far havq provided but an exercise work-out foii the teams they have met.

Sydenliam-Lyttelton and Old Boys will play at> the Show Grounds. 0:1 a dry ground there would be littl# doubt about the result, but Old Boyi are not a wet-dav side, as was amply demonstrated last week against 'Varsity. Svdenham-Lyttelton have not been beaten yet, having drawn wit 11 Albion in the first match and easily defeating North Canterbury last Saturday. On the intervening Saturday they drew a bye. The team is full ol confidence and are certain they can exi tend any of the other teams. As Oi4 Boys will have their regular team again to-morrow. however, my forw cast will be given in. their favour.

B. Algar, the Boneke. Wellington and New Zealand representative quarter, dislocated «his shoulder in th 4 match between Poneke and ’V a rail j last~Saturday.

Mr J. F. Peake, pre-side fit of th* Canterbury Referees' Association, hai been prevented from blowing whistle so far this season owing te aj injury to his ribs sustained through his being charged into by a youth os a cycle.

At the meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union on Tuesday night, th* president. Mr S. F. Wilson, said an other meeting of delegates to the Net! Zealand Rugby Union would be called before it was finally decided to accepl the invitation of the English Rugfe] Union of a visit of an All Black tea-nft to the Old Country next year.

In order that names and initial* may he correctly inserted in the Can. terbury Rugby Union’s guide. th< names of teams should be handed not later than Thursday each week. Canterbury may take pride in tb* fact that the president of the Canter* bury Rugby Union. Mr S. F. "Wilson, has also been made president -of -th< New Zealand Union. Newspaper: from one end of the Dominion to th« other agree that this is an honoui which could not be better conferred.

LEAGUE RUGBY.

The present outlook presents the poS sibility of another postponement o! fixture to-morrow as the varioui grounds are in a sodden condition ani there are no signs of the weathei clearing. The competitions committei will meet at five o’clock this evening to consider the question of a furthe) X'ostponement. Players, officials and supporters art holding a farewell social to the pres* dent. Dr H. T. J. Thacker, to-morroul evening, at Freeman s. Dr Thackej is a keen enthusiast and has give! solid support to the game. A meeting of the Hornby Club waj held on Thursday, Mr L. Cox pre siding over an attendance of sixtj members. The meeting decided to for war-d an invitation to the' Referees Association to select a member of till latter body to address club member} at an early date 011 the playing rule! and their interpretation. Mr S. Smith vrho was captain last season, from Grey mouth that the code wai making satisfactory progress on tin coast and that several ohib6 previous!} allied to the Rugby Union had joinei tho League. The club has elected ai energetic social committee and has de cided to hold a social every fortnight The first was very successful, a larg( attendance of members and support ers being present. A progressive euchre party was held the prize win ners being Mrs Hor well. Miss Dorii Cox and Mrs Evans, Mr A. Oox, Ml J. Russell and Mr A. Davis. Tin senior team have lost the services oj Roy M’ Gregor and there is a pro bability that he will not again b« available this season. All supporter! will regret to learn of his injury, al he was a player of promise.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

(Forecasts by ‘‘NESTOR.’’) Present indications do not promise ideal conditions for to-morrow’i matches in the Canterbury Football Association’s competitions, but should they eventuate through more favour able weather, some surprises may b< looked for as a wet ground and greasj ball are factors which often throw th« best teams out of gear. English Park will be the venue for the Rangers-Sj Albans match. Western will yisii Sunnyside, Nomads will meet Thisth at Linwood Park and Villa will mak« the trip to Ashburton to try con* elusions with the Wanderers. Lyt» telton have a bye. AT ENGLISH PARK. Both Rangers and St Albans wil; make a strenuous effort to coiled their first points at English Park, ioi neither team has vet struck winning form. Under the prevailing conditioni the St Albans eleven should have ax advantage over the heavier Rangen team. Tlie light, nippy Saints forward* should be quicker on their feet and •! they are able to control the bail the; should give the Rangers' defence a busy time. On the other hand th« Blues are all players of vast experience and as a team are better balanced tliai St Albans. It is understood, however, that the Saints have been consul erably strengthened recently an< should this be correct Rangers wit have to produce their best form to wil the day. Stamina may be a deckling factor ii this match, but if Rangers field theij best team they should have the garni ip hand before the final whistle sounds

CAN, WBSWBRN WIN? Tk# Ijpb mattitz baimaen Western •od SnnnvsiJe wflis a faielul one for tie Hospital «o ft m fur it deprived tli» Greens of th% championship. Should Western pr educe the vigorous Motbnll far whieh they are noted a ▼«iy close and interesting game should result. jgannyftMe will .doubtless re •oguise the of the opposition fiohl tAoir strongest eleven, tor jw hav< * Oo suffer their first de ‘*h e •eaeeri. Wejfcrs ecmld be improved in the ftorwards and behtttd the halves, but i* a fast, nippy combination which eenditions do not seem to materially affect. ~ Th * lioapt-t.! team lias .lionn cood tpiraa this season and is well equipped both fore ?nd aft. Its defence is perhaps iU rtroiMfst point and Western will nave to produce some strategy to i* l - An edd goal will probably apolaiwi the winner, whieh should torn wfc in the wearers of the Green. t*hf. game at asm burton . The Vflia team will play its first Jnat£h at Ashburton and the local •Jetton intend to take no risks against the reinforced Wanderer*. A strong team is scheduled to make bhe trip anjl on the improved form of Ae “ Villaitts ** the points should come back to town. Ashburton at presept is the “ dark bprse ” of the competition, for to-mor-match will be their first of the Reason. It is an undoubted fact that team has been considerably dWengthened since la*t season and %feumgat the new players will be found Simcook at left back Tliis player, until recently, captained the Water•«lers' team a<t and before that a West Const rep. Practice makes nerfect Nestor i« informed that the Wanderer* hair* been out with the hall night fer some week*. It may iwyfc be easy soiling foi Villa but tHbv Amild THISTLE AND NOMADS. Qn the game thp Seets put up against Sunyiyaida, Nomads will require *• produce their beat goods at Lin wood Park to take the noitiU from Thistle. The Scots are forcing themselves into prominence hjv perseve»nce and ew muisinsm with good solid training a« .. foundation. Thev have shown improved football in all the games played ttjul they appear to be mastering the eoophined play neoeasary to score goals. On the other hand Nomads are a particularly strong team in every reaped and if the heavy going does not interfere with their combination a win for them should be recorded. A heavy jrfound should suit the Scots, however. Their unorthodox style of attack may .possibly embarrass the Blue defence at times, and it may be just one of those Awys when a surprise is effected.