FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

UNION RUGBY.

SENIOR B NOTES. Splendid football conditions prevailed on Saturday when the third round of the senior B grade was played. After recent rains the grounds were much softer, a condition that was much appreciated by the players. Old Boys kept up their unbeaten record by defeating Rapaki by 19 points to 8. Technical and North Canterbury were evenly matched, the former putting out a better side than on the previous week. Technical had slightly the best of the play, but do not seem to be properly fit yet. Lin wood opponents were too heavy for St Andrew's, and won with an eleven-point margin. The game between Varsity and Christchurch was not a good exhibition of football, both sides being weak on tackling. The following table shows the positions of the teams:—

LINWOOD (17) v. ST ANDREW’S (6). After an even game at Linwood Park Linwood defeated St Andrew’s by a fair margin. Both teams showed improvement on the previous Saturday’s play, the Linwood forwards especially playing much better. Play was interesting throughout, both sides making the game fast and willing. At half-back for Linwood Ilislip played a fine game and fed his backs well. The inside backs combined fairly well, but the centre, Cairns, was weak. He should learn to pass correctly. On Saturday the majority of his passes went to the feet of his support. Madden, at full-back, had a fairly busy day, but was reliable throughout. C. Christensen was the pick of a hard-working pack. Although a light team, St Andrew's stood up to their older and heavier opponents well. The forwards contain several good players, but the backs were the weak point, being very poor at tackling. Hillston, at half-back, was easily the best player on his side, while Thompson was the pick of the forwards.

TECHNICAL (15) v. NORTH CAN TERBURT (8).

The game between Technical and North Canterbury at Hagley Park was the best match of the senior B grade on Saturday. Neither side has yet any real combination, but the individual play was good. The Technical forwards did excellent work in the scrums and line-outs, but with the majority were poor at tackling. At present the weakness of the Technical side seems to be the inside backs. If they endeavoured to let the ball out more quickly to the three-quarters better results would be achieved. The North Canterbury forwards were good in the loose and proved to be a lot of battlers. The back division, however, is not working well and the ball seldom travelled but to the wings.

A pleasing feature of the game was the £ood place-kicking of both sides. For Technical Geayley kicked three penalty goals. Of the players Dunbier was the best forward for Technical and was noticeable for his following up and general play in the loose. Moulin was also continually after the ball, while his tackling was good. Todd and Barnes played well and Barnes was a fine worker in the tight. Bamford played a faultless game at full-back, his tackling being excellent, while he always knew the right time to get rid of the ball. Bellamy gave a tricky exhibition at half, and is now right at the top of his form. Burrell at wing-three-quarter showed some good bursts of speed, but his handling was not too good and he would do better if he stood deeper. Curwen on the other wing turned out for the first time this season and played well for his first match.

The North Canterbury forwards are a solid pack and several of them should be in the representative team at the end of the season. They did good work on Saturday but failed to hook the ball cleanly. Young and Hughie were the pick, with little difference between the rest. In the backs Chappell at half and Mehrtens combined nicely and were safe on defence. M X X OLD BOYS (19) v. RAPAKI (8). The Old Boys team did not get going properly till the second spell in their match against Rapaki, although they were better than the score indicates. The forwards were not in good combination, with a result that the ball -did not come out cleanly. The first half was fairly even, but Rapaki faded away in the second and their opponents had things much their own way. One big fault with Rapaki was that the backs did not stand deep enough in the field. The game was confined mostly to the forwards, although the Old Boys backs made several bright passing rushes towards the end of the game. Rapaki was rather weak at tackling, but the Old Boys defence was sound and their opponents seldom broke through. In the forwards for Old Boys Dew was easily the best. lie is a good leader and a handy man in the tight. He was well supported by O’Brien, who played a heady game. A. Cox at first five-eighths gave a pleasing display, his cutting in being a feature. Armstrong, the second five-eighths, was the best all round back, and he should be playing in the seniors next season. Cromb at centre was not too good, as he failed to run straight and his passing needs improving. W. Moffat on the wing played his usual brilliant game and was the best of the three-quarter line. Simes at fullback was fair, but he still hangs on to the ball too long. Rapaki have very little idea of team work but several of the forwards are first-rate, Watson being outstanding for his solid play. Veale and Scott also worked hard throughout. Collins at half had a busy day, but acquitted himself well. Nixon on the wing was fair on attack, and his tackling was solid.

ASHBURTON SUB-UNION.

Various matters concerning the Rugby football code in the Ashburton County were discussed at the weekly meeting of the Ashburton Sub-Union last evening. Mr W. F. Watters .prein connection with a match for June 3 it was decided to play Christchurch Old Boys, and, failing their acceptance, to endeavbur to arrange a match with a team from the Otago University Club. The Canterbury Rugby Union wrote in regard to the three challenges for the Southbridge Shield, stating that the challenges would be dealt with by the holders in the following order: llurunui,

agreed to defer the Fourth Grade competition for two weeks. On a. show of hands, a motion was passed yi favour of arranging matches with the Ellesmere and Mackenzie SubUnions at Leeston and Fairlie respecMALVERN SUB-UNION. The second round of matches played in the Malvern Rugby Sub-Union’s competition resulted:—Kirwee 3 beat Sheffield 3; Hororalta 11 beat Springfield 12, Glentunnel 36 beat Darfield nil. Playing on the Glentunnel Domain on Saturday, in the Malvern Sub-Union Rugby football competitions, the Black Diamond Senior team defeated Darfield by 36 points to 0. The following scored tries: F. 13. Smith and P. Le Compte (three each). Geo. Weastell, Geo. Bisphan, F. Teale, R. Harrison, Geo. Marsh and C. B, Powell (one each). Mr G. D. Marsh was referee. Playing at Sheffield, the Black Diamonds Juniors beat Sheffield Juniors by 3 points to 0. A try was secured by J. Stua.rt. Mr Quinton A. Wright was referee. KOWAI V. OXFORD. On Saturday afternoon, in the Sefton Domain, the Kowai football team played a. match against the Oxford team, the home team winning by 13 points to 3. For Kowai, tries were scored by E. Russell and W. Dando. The lattei' converted both tries and kicked a penalty goal. For Oxford, Mulligan scored a try.

THE LEAGUE GAME.

LINWOOD CLUB. A general meeting of the Linwood Club was held last evening, Mr W. S. E. Moyle presiding over a large attendance, there being lady supporters present. The chairman stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of electing a strong Social Committee for the progress of the club this season. Tie recalled the good work of the Social Committee last year, which had been beneficial to the club and the code. Mr J. Chick stated that the club owed a debt of gratitude to those ladies who had given their services in the interests of the club last season, and he appealed to all players to support the Social Committee. The following were elected to the committee:—Mesdames Sullivan, Underwood, Bock, Cooper, Desmond, Lee, Rogers, Dunshea, Chick, Rogers, Jackson, Pearce, Misses Desmond, Richards, Prior and Dunshea, and Messrs J. Chick, R. Archibald, Sullivan, Cooper, Dunshea, Underwood, Bowley. W. Aidwin, Stuart, Mantell, Bock, Walls, Kirton, W. Desmond, W. Dunshea, W. L. Desmond, H. Rogers, A. Milne, W. Rogers, and the president. It was decided that the Social Committee elect three i-epresentatives to the General Committee. It was also decided that the club join the Sports Protection Association. The Senior selector reported that owing to the parade held last. Saturday and three players being on the injured list, the team last week comprised Junior members, but this would be overcome this week.

ASSOCIATION GAME. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Canterbury Football Association was held last evening, Mr R. B. Walker presiding. Present—Dr J. D. Marks, Messrs W. D. Ramsay, P. L. Davies, P. Scott-Ra msay, G. R. Towart, J. S. Jenkinson, S. Keys, ,T. M’Guinness, F. O. Bentley, H. Smythe, A. Bassett, J. Stout and R. B. Bunt, seereTlie resignation, of Mr J. P. Flood from the committee was accepted with regret. A letter was received from the South Canterbury Football Association stating that the association would be pleased to make the match on the King's Birthday an annual fixture. A. recommendation was also received from the South Canterbury Association that the match this year be for the Peter Dawson Cup. The recommendation was referred to the Match Committee. The association was notified that efforts were being made to fonn a club in Otira. The only match scheduled for next Saturday is the annual Charity Cup match, to be played this year between Western and Sunnyside, at English Park. The match will be preceded by a curtain-raiser between the Technical and Western fifth grade teams. The New Zealand Football Association notified that, as a result of arbitration instituted at a recent meeting of Dominion delegates at Wellington, the amount in dispute between Canterbury and Auckland since the Brown Shield match at Auckland in September, 1924, had been awarded to Canterbury. Mr Bunt presented his report of the meeting of delegates at Wellington, and was accorded a. vote of thanks for his

Points. Oh. AV. Tj. r>. F. A. Pts. ’Varsity 3 — — 60 24 3 Old Boys .... 3 — — SI 22 3 Technical .... 2 1 — 3 7 31 2 Unwood 2 1 29 24 2 Christchurch .. 1 1 1 32 23 3 4 Merivale — 1 3. is 82 4 N. Canterbury — 3 — 32 51 0 Rapaki — 2 — 11 39 0 St Andrew’s O.B. — 2 — 6 52 0