EXCITING MATCHES AT MONICA PARK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 9

EXCITING MATCHES AT MONICA PARK.

LEAGUE GAMES AGAIN PROVIDE HARD STRUGGLES AND MANY THRILLS.

In dull weather, with a possibility of more rain, the Rugby League competitions were continued this afternoon. The grounds were soft with the showers of the last day or two, but the turf held well, and the dampness did not make the play tight and conlined. The games were fairly open and fast. Chief interest centred in the struggles at Monica Park between Marist A and Waimairi, and Addington and Marist B.

Interest in the senior competition was increased by the meeting of these teams, as they are all likely to come out near the. top of the ladder. There was a good crowd of spectators at Monica Park, who were treated to some fast play. Before the matches Addington and Hornby were leading the competition with four points each, followed by Linwood, Marist A, Waimairi and Woolston with two points each. Marists A v. Waimairi. Waimairi set the game going and obtained two penalties in the first minute. Slieahan essayed to get away on the wing, but was crowded out, but Polascliek dribbled to advantage, and Brittenden secured from the scrum. A line passing rush went through the ' hands of Robins, Blackaby and Crocker, and the last-named scored in the corner. Fitzgerald’s kick was poor. Marist A 3, Waimairi 0. The Whites (Waimairi) returned to tlieir attack, and P. Smith put over a penalty within easy range. .Marist A 3, Waimairi 2. Marist opened up the game, and their backs made frequent efforts to get under way. Tricky passing between Burns and Ellis and a line-kick by Brittenden, brought pi a y well into Waimairi territory. Sheahan fielded a cro'ss-kick, but was well grassed. The Greens were providing the sparkle of the game by open phi y in the backs. P. Smith got a penalty for Waimairi near half-way, but the ball failed to rise for a goal. The kick was followed up, and Rossiter caught Brittenden in possession. G. Fitzgerald’s kick to clear was smoth-

ered. find the Waimairi men were near a score, but the Marist backs got the lea tlier and cleared. Spencer i-eturned play v.-ith a. clever run. and on the wing Orion helped to the line. From the. ensuing scramble Rossi ter dived over. Pearce failed to goal. Waimairi 5, Marist A 3. Marist took a turn at attack, and Peterson and Sheahan rushod play to the corner flag. Securing from the scrum, E. Fitzgerald dummied a'nd scored easily on the blind side. C. Fitzgerald failed to convert. Marist A 6, Waimairi 5. Still on the attack, Marist’s position was improved with a dribblipg rush by E. Fitzgerald. Then the beßt bout of the match took place. M’llroy intercepted in Waimairi’s twenty-five, and headed the bunch for the far-away goal. He kicked before meeting C. Fitzgerald, but the Greens were upon him before he could get possession again in front of the goal. The Greens, by smart dodging, returned play to Waimairi’s twenty-five, where a long pass from Robins let Brittenden and Crocker away, the last-named scoring in the cornel*. C. Fitzgerald failed with the kick. Marist A 9, Waimairi 5. From tight work in Marist territory M’llroy dribbled through, but he lost the ball. Ellis started a beautiful passing movement, which went through all the backs to Sheahan, who passed in again. The rush \yas smothered. The referee had to warn a scrum for infringements. Half-time ended with a rush by Brittenden and Blackaby. but the latter was grassed in possession. The score af this stage was:—

Marists A 9. Waimairi 5. Waimairi’s chance came when P. Smith intercepted with a fairly clear field. He transferred to Pearce who got over easily. Orton converted. Marists A 20, Waimairi 10. Sparkling play in Waimairi territory continued until near the call of time. Then a rush took play into Marists twenty-five and Farrell scored near the posts. Smith converted. The game ended:

MARISTS A 20 WAIMAIRI 15 Open play marked* the start of the second spell, the Waimairi men risking more and making more Jieadway. Robins was injured, but continued. A rush went through most of the Marist backs, and ejjded in a score by Blackaby near the cornea. E. Fitzgerald failed to goaL Marist A 12, Waimairi 5. Only the solid tackling of Waimairi kept the Marist backs from crossing the line. The attackers were brilliant, especially Brittepden and Robins. Waimairi’s prospects looked brighter when Pearce got away and passed to R. Lynskey, who transferred to M’llroy. The rush was smothered, but the Whites attacked on tfie other wing. Orton failed with an attempt at a pot. The Marist backs kept Waimairi on the defence, which seldom they had the versatility to turn into attack. After persistent attacks Blackaby let out to Crocker to score in the corner. C. Fitzgerald kicked splendidly, but missed narrowly. Marist A 15, Waimairi 5. R. Lynskey and Pearce showed up with some solid tackling, hut the Greens were not to be gainsaid, and Robins got over from a scrum. The scorer converted. Marist A 20, Waimairi 5. Addington v. Marists B. Addington kieked off and hustled down into Marists territory, buV~ fumbling among the backs gave Marists a chance, to clear. Off-side play by Addington put Marist in an attacking position. Blazey took the kick and punted into O’Malley’s hands. Morris and Symister Joined him and the i rlo went up the field in a spectacular rush that placed Addington m a strong position. The ball came in to Sanders, who left the Marist backs standing, and ran home to score a brilliant try under the bar. Sanders converted his try. .Addington 5 Marist B 0. Marist rallied and pressed hard on Addington’s line, but a free-kick cleared for the latter. Up and down play followed, until Cox secured possession, and got over in a good position. Sanders easily converted. H Addington 10, Marist B 0. Marist carried an attack well into Addington’s territory, but Falgar fielded brilliantly, and passed out to Symister, who went down the line with a great turn of speed and, outstripping the opposition, grounded the ball under the bar. Sanders was again successful with the kick. Half-time was called a minute later with the score:— Addington 15, Marist B 0. The second half opened very raggedly. Numerous infringements and consequent scrummages made the game devoid of interest. The Marist forwards worked up to Addington’s line and Carroll dived > over in the corner to score

Marists’ first try. Molloy’s kick went wide. Addington 15, Marists 3. Marists had all the better of play at this stage and were causing the Addington supporters a lot of anxiety. Sanders secured possession and handed the dummy to three opponents before passing to Falgar, who raced over foA a neat. try. Sanders missed with the kick. Addington IS, Marists 3. Addington began to , assert themselves again and a fast rush ; saw Symister just get over in the • corner to score an unconverted try. AdI ilington 21, Marists 3. Marist attacked on Addington’s line, and the ball was passed back to G. Blazey, who dropped a goal. In the next minute South scored in the corner, and time was called with the score:— ADDINGTON . . 21 MARIST B 8

Sydenham v. Linwood. The ground at Sydenham Park was in splendid order when the teams filed out. Linwood kieked off and the Sydenham backs showed to advantage in team play. Tonkin set his backs going and Clegg and O’Connor broke through for the latter to score wide out. S’.mlth failed to goal. Sydenham controlled the ball from the scrum and passing by the backs let O’Connor over again. Smith goaled. O'Connor with a fine run beat the defence and sent to Dawson to score. Clegg goaled. The home backs went through again and O’Connor scored and converted. Parsing freely, Clegg and O’Connor broke through. Smith scored and converted his try. O’Connor playing a fine game again drew the defence and sent Clegg over for a try wide out. Tonkin was keeping his backs going and nftei- O’Connor had jinked through he returned to for the latter to score. O'Connor goaled as half time sohnded with the scores: Sydenham 31. Linwood 0. Sydenham attacked briskly on resuming play. Clegg scored at the corner. The next score was from a ru3li by the S% denham forwards, M’Alister going over. Fast passing by the home backs ended in Dawson scoring by the posts. Mmiro was next to score for O’Connor tc goal. In rapid succession Clegg scor- <:! for Dymond to Improve. Further j Hissing rushes let O’Connor score and i vert his try. A loose forward rush ended in M’Alister scoring. Rapid passi* ■*. with O'Connor prominent let him over again for Smith to goal. Smith . scored shortly after and Tonkin conj verted. The final score was: SYDENHAM 68 LINWOOD 0

CODE HANDICAPPED AT WELLINGTON.

(Special to the “Star.”) MASTERTON. May 1. In the course of some interesting remarks on the progress of the League code jo New Zealand, an Auckland League official informed a “Star” representative that while the game Tiad made great strides in Auckland, Canterbury and Dunedin, the lack of grounds retarded its progressing in Wellington. However, negotiations were on the way to remove this handicap in Wellington, and it was probable that in the near future the League code would have in Wellington one of the best grounds in the Dominion. He stated that the Rugby code in Auckland was up against the shortage of grounds problem, but the League was returning good for evil and intended to offer Rugb3 r one of their grounds, as the League desired to see all forms of clean sport prosper, whether League, Rugby or Association. He stated that Association was booming in Auckland and had a bright future before it. League had come to stay in New Zealand, and its progress in -the other big centres would eventually become similar to that of Auckland, where it was increasing in popularity because of its brightness and cleanness and by the fact that it gave the public what they wanted —a game with plenty of thrills.

Though dark clouds hung over the League code in Wellington, due to the lack of grounds, there was a silver lining which would be revealed fully shortly and enable the game to be placed on a prosperous footing. The progress made in Christchurch was indeed gratifying to League supporters.

COLONIAL PLAYERS DESIRED AT HOME.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received May 1, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 30. A special meeting called- by the Wigan Club to test the opinion of other clubs in regard to the proposed attempt to remove the two-year qualification ban on the transfer of colonial footballers, was attended by delegates from sixteen clubs, who practically carried unanimously a resolution seeking the removal of the ban and pledging support for it at their annual meetings.