HIGH SCORING IN LEAGUE GAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17836, 3 May 1926, Page 3

HIGH SCORING IN LEAGUE GAMES.

MARIST A AND WAIMAIRI PROVIDE BEST MATCH ON SATURDAY.

The Marist A-Waimairi game was the best in the League code on Saturday, the fast and clever Marist backs providing the sparkle. The Addington-Marist B match was very ragged at times, but the scores were fairly even compared with the struggles between Sydenham and Linwood, and Hornby and Woolston. In these last two games the final scores were more like those of cricket than football.

Saturdav’s matches leave Addington jid Jlornbv still at the top of the com>etition ladder, which is beginning to zngthen. There are six rungs in it now. Vddineton and Hornby are on the ;ixth. diarist A on the fourth. Linwood, Waimairi, Woolston, and Sydenham are * crowding on the second, and Marist 13 has not started to climb yet. The two teams leading at present will meet at the end of the round on May--21;. Next Saturday the matches will be Lc: Addington v. Sydenham. Marist A v. Linwood. Waimairi v. Woolston, and Ilornby v. Marist 13. On Saturday Marist A put up 20 against Waimairi's 15, Addington prevailed against Marist 13 by 21 to 8, and Svdcnhams 68 to nil against Lonwood was even bettered by Hornby's cricket score of 71 to \\ oolston s modest » 3.

POSITION or TEAMS.

WHERE MARISTS STRENGTH LAY.

From 250 to 300 spectators watched the chief game at. Monica Park. They not only watched, but they yelled, and the seats in the pavilion got cold when there was any exciting work afoot. This was fairly often, and the Marist backs were responsible for it. Almost invariably their hookers, Hanrahan, Bateman, and Ellis, were successful in the scrums, and the backs made good use of the advantage. The three-quarter line worked like a machine, but intelligent withal, for there was plenty of the strategem of cutting r out men with long passes, and in-pass-ing. Only the deadly tackling of the Waimairi men kept the score down. The Whites had their aggressive turns also, and solid play put up a score of 15, but there was not the nippiness about their play that Marist showed. The Whites seldom got under way with a concerted effort among the backs Thev mav have been too keen, but their back line was often sadly crooked. It was fielded deeper than in other games, and wisely too, for they did not overrun the play when one of their men cut in. The team has a good pack of forwards and much individual merit among the backs. What it wants is confidence in attack, and the feeling that in a rush they can depend upon one another. They did not display much confidence among the backs on Saturday, and did not appear to realise that the team was composed of more than one player, the one with the ball. This was not selfishness, but merely a grasping of the truth that the back line is sadly in need of combination. and cannot carry through an attack., .-.without getting itself crowded out of tlie picture. Their three quarter .line was npt extended enough, but this may have been a defensive measure to prevent the frequent and' clever cutting in of the Marist men. The move, howver. was not very successful. for time and again the versatile .Brittenden and Robins left them standing with corkscrew runs, -which Crocker. on the wing, often tilmed ’in to a soore in the corner. Blackaby has not the skill at cuttingin that. Brittenden and Robins possess. Practice makes perfect, and he put in much practice at it on Saturday. He is not by any means perfect yet: in fact, he spoilt many promising movements by running into Waimairi men and starving ( rocker. < uttihg-in is very effective, but it must be <Jone well and cleverly to succeed. The cleverness about it is not in trying it every time, and attempting it only when an opening has to be made, and’ that quickly.

Brittenden and Robins were the pick of the Marist backs. Brittenden's sidestepping was wonderful, and he often left a trail of opponents prostrate after making a dive at his elusive legs. He knew when to cut-in, and when not to. and acted upon it. After leaving college, where he played Rugby, two vears ago. he played in the third grade, and has now worked his way up to be one of the best senior men. He and his schoolmate, Robins, were the best two backs on the field. Robins is only eighteen, and played against Queensland last year, giving a brilliant exhibition of the code. His leg was in jured cm Saturday.* but he continual his game after a short spell. Crocker showed he was not afraid ij go down before a hefty rush. lie was forceful and fast on attack, and his three tries were made in brilliant fashion. He has the happy knack of drawing the oppositkm before passing in-field. Blackaby, at centre, did not give him enough of the leather. tiheahan, on the other wing, was scarcely as aggressive as ( rocker, but showed he was well worth his place. The full-back, C. Fitzgerald,, was very slow at fielding, but he got down to one or two hard forward rushes. Towards the end of the game he gave a profitable exhibition of dodging, and left many of the field standing where they thought he should have run. but didn't. He got through most of the bunch, but the effort was smothered. K v Fitzgerald plaved a great game at half-back, lie was wide awake and fed the backs smartly. His dummying of a pass and running round the scrum to score on the blind side was a clever piece of work. Polaschek and Petersen Id the Marist forwards, and led them well. The former is probably the best in the cod: at following up smartly, and the move

bore fruit. Petersen's weight, combined with a handy fend, were very useful.

Ellis, one of the hookers. played forcefully, and used his weight to advantage. Two years ago he playe.l four times as a South Island Rugby representative, and, with his captain. Petersen, gave a good account of himself against the Springboks. Burns showed up now and again.

Bateman was a hard worker, and used him weight to the best effect. In the Waimairi rearguard M’llroy and Pearce stood out as aggressive and very useful players. Through indecision further imfield, M'llrov was not given much of the leather, but when in possession he made good use of time. He has a deadly tackle which he is not slow to' use. Pearce, at five-eighths, played solidly throughout and tackled splendidly. His partner. P (“Doc”) Smith, was also solid, without any trace of brilliance. He intercepted a pass towards the end of the game and let Pearce over for an easy try. Orton, on the wing, proved a man in his right place. Pahi, the half-back, was fair. His hookers did not often give him the’ ball from the scrum. Sometimes when he got it the opposing half was on him before the backs could get delivery. Spencer led the forwards by hard work. Rossiter backed him up with some solid plav. ADDINGTON AND MARIST B DISAPPOINTING. Disappointment was the lot of the supporters of both the Addington and Marist B on Saturday. Plenty of thrills and excitement were looked for as the result of their efforts, but their very half-hearted display fell far short of expectations. After the first twenty minutes it was obvious that Addington would win by a big margin. The poorlytrained Marist B team cracked up under the pace, which was by no means fast, and it was only a matter of scoring on Addington’s part Time and time again, however, their sallies were reduced to naught by disgraceful handling and injudicious kicking. Their movements were lax and careless, and often ended where they started. Dozens and dozens of times players received the ball with almost a clear run in front of them, yet more often than not they ran almost straight across the field or charged hopelessly into the oncoming forward pack, there to be dumped and the ball and the opportunity lost

If the Addington backs would only learn to combine at all times, not sometimes, pass just before the moment of being collared, not afterwards, pass instead of kick, and run straight there would not be a club back line superior to them in Canterbury Their speed and stamina is a great factor in their favour and their occasional flashes of combined brilliance give indications of the great attacking power they would be if they were properly harnessed As they are at present, however, Addington stand chances of going down to Hornby. Marist A and Waimairi, although the last-mentioned will have to fight hard to beat them The hard-working Addington forwards have combination, their scrum work is above standard, and they mingle speed with weight in excellent proportion. M'Leod, Collie, Amos, Green, Cox and Adams—the whole bunch of them break even in honours, and generally can be depended upon to put their rearguard in a position to score.

It was the backs who were at fault oil Saturday, however, and whether they had what is often termed a day

off or not, they must shoulder the responsibility for the shake’ that was administered to the confidence placed in them by their supporters. Maris B did not appear to have taken their training seriously, for there were few traces of a desire to settle down to hard work. One of their supporters remarked that there had been a lack of seriousness because the team had a B after it. Whether this statement be right or wrong, there is no gainsaying the fact that the team will suffer adverse criticism until the players take the game more seriously, Addington, playing a very ragged game, beat theim by 21 points to 8. The day’s honours were shared even13* between Sanders. Addington’s skipper and first five-eighths, and Falgar. full-back for the same team. Sanders scored a. brilliant try under the bar and kicked three beautiful goals after tries. Falgar with his speed, swerve, kick and brains, was alwa>*s in the picture. lie scored a try in his own style, and his habit of turning defence into attack was very* much in operation. Symister, the speed}*, on one occasion. ran practically the whole length of the field, and went round to score behind the posts. Amos was good at half-back. Cox scored a try for Addington in true forward fashion.

G. BJazey. Marists' full-back, was sound. His drop at goal, against his captain’s wishes, was a spectacular piece of work. South, right wing for Marist. and Malloy, centre, played well. South scored a try*. O’Loughlin. on the left wing, was weak. lie lacked confidence. Carroll made the first entry in Marists’ account with an unconverted try. lie is a hard worker. SYDENHAM C6B) v. LINWOOD (0). The overnight rain had been beneficial to the ground at Sydenham Park,

which was in splendid order. J There was a fair attendance of the home team supporters to witness the south suburbs de- j cisively beat Linwood, though the lat- i ter did not field their full team, owing to three members being on the injured list, and their absence disorganised the eastern suburb’s thirteen. The Sydenham backs had . the opportunity of improving their team play, and the forwards, controlling the ball with consistency, gave the home backs every chance to display their abilities. It was the play of P. O’Connor that was the chief feature and the Sydenham centre had a benefit, as time and again he jinked opponents in fine style, or, drawing the defence, he would put over the dummy, and then get his supports in motion. The play throughout was a repetition of smart passing rushes by the southern backs. and the opposition had the role of pursuers from start to finish. The play served to illustrate that if the Sydenham backs can retain their team play they should fully* extend any team they meet. It is in the forwards that an improvement can be made, and the exclusion of two of the pack last Saturday for two good youthful forwards who will follow through would be to the advantage of the side. The home team were not called upon to show their abilities as defenders, as the green and blacks rarely threatened to score, and it was only b\* the work of the Linwood forwards that they even sighted the scoring line for themselves. R. Hoskins. R. Stewart. T. Healey, A. Moorhead and W. Dunshea we/e the best of the Linwood side, and they stuck to their forlorn task with credit. For the winners, P. O'Connor was very prominent, and showed a good turn of speed and anticipation, S. Clegg. F. Tonkin and M. Smith (backs), and H. Dawson. J. Munro, W. M’Alister and A. Davis (forwards) showed . best form. "notes!* The Linwood Club will held a general meeting of members and lady sup porters to-night to consider the social side of the club. P. O'Connor scored five tries and placed four goals for Sydenham against Linwood on Saturday, thus accounting for 23 points. He could have scored some of the other tries, but did the correct thing by passing into supports. The Referees’ Association will not meet to-night. After being conspicuous for his team on Saturda>*. L. Vivian decided that he could be spared in the concluding stages, and had a look on from the touch-line. The Linwood seniors are all young and enthusiastic players, and they would welcome the services of two or three forwards and backs, as some of the team would prefer their games in the junior grade. The Addington Club had a.very successful social evening last week. The Social Committee are endeavouring to improve on the very successful season the club had last winter. HORNBY HAS RUNAWAY VICTORY. Playing against Woolston on the Hornby Recreation Ground, the home team had a runaway victory over Woolston to the tune of 71 to 3. It was a one-sided game all the way through, and merely a procession of scores by the Hornby men. Near the end it degenerated to more or less of a farce. Woolston’s only try was scored by Ferris from a scrum near the line. Just previous to it the team had mad<Y a good rush, but had kicked the leather over the dead-ball line. Parker played a great game for Woolston. For Hornby* tries were scored by L, Vivian (4). Henry (3), Mason, .W. Davis, Warre and N. Vivian two each; and Wilscn-llall and Mackie one each. L. \ ivian, Wilson-llall, Munday and Warre converted two each, and Dawkins and Henry one.

Wilson-Hall was outstanding among the Hornby backs, as also was Mackie. All the Hornby forwards played well. S. Hern (Woolston) had his shoulder injured, and had to* be carried off the field.

IN OTHER PLACES.

AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 2. Ponsonby .10 beat City 20. Marists 31 beat Grafton 11. Richmond 13 beat Devonport 5. WEST COAST. GREY MOUTH, May 2. SENIOR. Blackball 20 beat Grey 3. JUNIOR. Blackball 3 beat Grey 2. Runanga 8 beat Marist nil. THIRD GRADE. Blackball 11 bent. Marist 2. BRITISH CUP FINAL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 1. In the Rugby* League Cup final, Swinton beat Oldham by 9 to 3.

Pts. Tl. W. L. D. F. A. pts. Addington .. 3 — — 7 4 2» £ Hornby .... 3 — — 11-2 «*8 6 diarist A ..2 1 8» ..0 4 l.inwood 1 2 14 3 Oh 2 Waimairi 1 2 — »2 «1 - Woolston 1 2 — 20 1-Jn - Sydenham . . 1 2 — 108 48 diarist 33 .... — 3 28 6J