OLD BOYS BEAT MERIVALE IN EXCITING RUGBY CONTEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17865, 5 June 1926, Page 9

OLD BOYS BEAT MERIVALE IN EXCITING RUGBY CONTEST.

ANOTHER BIG CROWD WATCHES TO-DAY’S RUGBY.

The Canterbury Rugby Union’s competitions were advanced a further stage this afternoon. The weather was threatening from the south-west, though the sun shone brightly at intervals. There was a large crowd at Lancaster Park, where Merivale were meeting Old Boys for the second time. Merivale were the only side to beat Old Boys in the first round. As the championship leaders were without the services of Harris, Syd. Carleton and Clark, everybody was prepared to see Old Boys go under again to-day.

Merivale v. Old Boys. The- teams lined out as follows:— Merivale.—R. Hart, N. Doreen, R. Nome, TV. A. Ford, T. Davies, C. Oliver, R. Hooper, R. Blazey, F. Partridge, J. Kirkland, G. Maxwell, J. Jeffries, O. Walker, L. Ebert, L. Duggan. Old Boys.—D. C. Nixon, J. Hobday, R. J. Carleton. C. Ogier, G. Mortlock, D. Hay, W. Dailey, J. Low, I. Gray, T. Donnelly, A. Jacobs. T. Skipworth, C. Speight, S. Baird, and D. M’K. DickOld Boys won the toss and played against the wind. Following a penalty against Merivale, the Old Boys’ forwards went down the field with a fine dribbling rush. Then a nice passing rush in which Oliver came on the outside of Ford and took the ball again from Ford saw play settle in Old Boys’ twenty-five. Here Low broke away from a line-out and relieved play into Merivale territory. Play was fast and exciting, each side throwing the ball about. The Merivale forwards were breaking up quickly from the scrums and were doing some fine work. One fine rush reached the Old Boys’ line, where Mortlock was compelled to carry back in order to save the situation. The bounce of the ball beat Ford, and Hobday, who had followed up fast, gathered it in and set off for the line, lie was hauled down near the line. Good work by the Merivale forwards soon had play back again in Old Boys’ half. An attack by Davies and Doreen ended in the latter making a bold bid for the corner, but he was safely tackled. Oliver, following up, picked up the ball. He and Dailey rolled together into touch-in-goal. Old Boys were soon down at the other end again, and from a penalty beyond the twenty-five Nixon had a shot. The ball went wide. High kicking and fast following up had Old Boys in difficulties, but Reg Carleton repelled an attack. The ball was kicked out to Ford, who dropped unsuccessfully at goal. Both sides were making it open and the play was of a most interesting nature. The crowd became wildly excited as Ogier, Hay and Carleton went down the field with only one man to mark them. Just as a try appeared likely Oliver came fast and tackled Carleton from behind. Merivale were getting more of the ball than their opponents, but the handling of the backs was poor. A Merivale rush would have resulted in a score but for bad handling. In attempting to clear their line, Old Boys were penalised right in front of their goal, and Ebert kicked an easy penal tv. Merivale 3, Old Boys 0. The Old Boys’ forwards started a passing rush, but a penalty pulled them up. Old Boys attacked once more, but a penalty pulled up one rush, while Hart checked another attack by taking a mark. A long kick by Hay sent the ball near the Merivale corner flag. In the ensuing line-out, Old Boys were penalised and Blazey found touch beyond half-way with a fine kick. Reg Carleton started a passing rush which gained a good deal of ground, and then a penalty against Merivale took Hay to the Merivale twenty-five. There was a series of scrums near the Merivale line Then a fine Merivale forward rush took play to half-way, and the half-time bell sounded. Merivale 3, Old Boys 0.

The wind had dropped when play was resumed. Mishandling by Old Boys’ backs let Merivale up to their line immediately following the kick-off. Hobday intercepted from an Merivale passing rush and then Hay got in a long kick which took play to the Merivale twenty-five. Here some obstruction by a Merivale forward went undetected. Oliver got the ball from Hooper behind the scrum, but he kicked straight into the arms of Reg Carleton. Carleton kicked the ball well down, and following up fast compelled Hart to kick into touch near the Merivale corner flag. A scrum followed the fine-out, and during a loose scramble the ball was dribbled over the Merivale line. Dickson fell on it. Nixon failed to convert. Merivale 3, Old Boys 3. With the scores level, the prowd became more excited. An exchange of kicks between the full-backs ended in Nixon finding touch near the Merivale line. A dribbling rush by Duggan and Doreen removed play to the twentyfive. Jacobs was twice injured. He

was thrown heavily the second time when not in possession of the ball. Most of the play was taking place in the Merivale half. Ford was doing great work on defence, frequently earning applause for well judged kicks to the line. Hooper passed out to Oliver on the blind side, and the Merivale five-eighths put on full speed for the line. Dailey brought him to earth by getting him round the ankles. The attack was maintained, but a hard kick sent the ball into touch in goal. There

was a series of scrums near Old Boys’ line, and then Dailey passed to Hay, who repelled the attack with a long kick. Old Boys attacked, and Hay dropped at goal, but the ball went wide over the dead line. Reg Carleton made a thrilling run down the side line. Donnelly failed to take the pass in-field. Oliver cleared Merivale’s line with a brilliant run to half-way. Here passing rushes were instituted by both sides. Then Old Boys followed up a long, high kick. Low compelled Ford to kick out towards his right wing, where Mortlock took the ball cleanly. Making a great dash for the corner, he hurled himself over Ford and grounded the ball for a fine try. Nixon failed to convert. Old Boys 6, Merivale 3. Merivale rallied again, and with play near Olcl Boys line Merivale were awarded a penalty in a good position. Ebert had the shot, but the ball went just outside. Jeffries went off injured. Hooper made a run that electrified the

crowd, but he was brought down near the line by Nixon. Carnegie came on in place of Jeffries. Old Boys were penalised for a line-out breach, and Ebert kicked a fine goal from right out. Old Boys 6, Merivale 6. Old Boys set up an attack, and Dailey passed out to Ogier, who missed with a drop at goal. Another attack saw Dailey get the ball from the scrum and pass to Hay, who was tackled by Maxwell. Maxwell, however, was offside and Nixon kicked a goal from an easy angle. Old Boys regaining their lead. 9-6. Merivale came again and attacked hotly. Dickson cleared finely from a line-out. In a Merivale passing rush, Norrie tried to go too far and was brought down near the line. Then Mortlock and Reg Carleton made sensational runs which took play into the Merivale half. There play remained till the sound of the bell. Final score:— OLD BOYS 9 MERIVALE 6

’Varsity v. Aibion. From the start ’Varsity played up in very determined style, both back and forward, and indulged in a series of passing movements, keeping Albion on the defence. fJose to the twenty-five Barak picked up smartly and sent on to Dickson, and the latter transferred to Loveridge, who finished off with a good run and scored. Beveridge missed the kick. A couple of minutes later Thompson broke away from the loose, and found a gap in the defence. Tie scored near the corner. Loveridge's kick missed: Albion pushed the opposition back, and Lilburne had a kick from a penalty. It was a poster. Another one was also missed. Albion forwards carried on up to the line, till ’Varsity broke up the attack, but Eaglesome sent them back with a good line kick. IJlburne had a shot at goal from a penalty, and the ball was just outside. ’Varsity backs were seen out in some good passing movements, Brodie starting them off on every

possible occasion and receiving good support from Barak and Dickson. The gem was a piece of passing which started from a line-out, and all the line handled. Low was bumped into touch. ■Varsity were temporarily in danger when Crotty chased a long kick, but Lowe forced. A solo run by Smith caused ’Varsity to force a second time. From a line-out, Finnegan broke away, with Thompson in attendance. Thompson picked up and scored a neat try. Lllburne converted. At half-time the score ’Varsity 6, Albion 6. Very fast play was a feature of the ncninir stages of the second spell. with, 1 "Varsity having slightly the better y Finn eg? n, however, broke through '£ is own lud punted over the heads of the backs, but Low saved. Uood following up gamed ground f°£, Alblon. till Dickson stopped them. again led the Albion pack, and dribbled over the line, Pettit touching down. Lilburne converted. A lbion forwards battled hard, and thoroughly tested the defence till once more the Varsity backs attacked with vlrn- The work of forwards gave Albion the advantage, and they were attacking when time was called. The final score was:— ALBION m ’VARSITY 6 Linwood v. Christchurch. Linwood and Christchurch met at the Show Grounds. Both teams were without some of their regular players, ana the back division of each side had to be re-arranged. Elvy was not playing for Linwood. Christchurch kicked off. A few minutes after the start Mullan gained, ground for Christchurch with a fine run, which carried play a yard or

two from the goal line. He lost possession, but the forwards carried play on and from a loose rush "Melvin scored. Mullan failed to convert. Christchurch 2, Linwood 0. There was nearly another try when from a passing rush Fyfe

dashed away on the wing. He passed in to Mullan, who, however, failed to hold the ball and an almost certain try was missed. Linwood then attacked. Turpin intercepted a pass from Dewar. He kicked up field, and Cornaga followed up fast, gathered the ball in and scored far out. Turpin failed with the shot at goal from a difficult angle. After a period of up and down play Linwood attacked again. Turpin came within a ace of scoring and then Millar made a determined rush for the line, but just failed to get across. The Christchurch forwards rallied and drove Linwood back. From a penalty between the twentyfive and half way Turpin had a good but unsuccessful shot at goal for Linwood. Christchurch worked play down field and for a while it settled about half-way. Then Linwood attacked. They were awarded a. penalty at the twentyfive and this time Turpin succeeded in kicking a goal. Linwood 6, Christchurch 3. A minute later Turpin scored for Linwood, aftre a magnificent solo dribbling rush fully half the length of the field. Turpin made a poor attempt to convert. Half-time was called with the T.in wood 9. Christchurch 3. Early In the second spell Linwood attacked. Ward put in a strong run and was brought down by Neill just in time. Then Christchurch attacked. Mullan put in a clever run and then passed to Robilliard. who in turn transferred to Hart. Hart dashed for the line, and. outpacing several opponents, scored. Mullan failed to convert. The game now became exciting. Play was transferred to the Christchurch end again, but it was not long before Christchurch sent it back to Llmvood’s territory. From a scrum Mullan secured possession. and, running round the side, dashed over for a great try after a fine solo effort. Mullan failed to convert and this made the scores 0 all. Linwood attacked solidly, but the Christchurch forwards, headed by Melvin, rallied and cleared the line. Each side now made desperate efforts to score. Linvoorl set up several strong attacks, throwing the ball about well, but on the whole the Christchurch defence was sound. Once Leahy saved tor Christchurch by intercepting and running practically to half way. This was followed by a Christchurch attack, but Fyfe kicked too hard and Edmonds forced. Christchurch came at it. again, and M’Gregor got across, but he was called back, Robilliard having given him a forward pass. From a penalty Turpin had a good but unsuccessful shot at goal for Lin-

wood. Scrums in front of the Christchurch goal posts followed. From one Millar made a dash for the line, but lie was held up. Then Christchurch took a hand at attacking, but two passing rushes failed to materialise. The last few minutes of the game saw both sides making desperate efforts to score, but the. game ended in a draw:— CHRISTCHURCH V LINWOOD y Referee: Mr E. Cockroft. POSITION OF THE TEAMS. The following table shows the position of the teams at the end of today’s play:— TViinls

H. LUbnrae wyue Albion Leaders).

(Christchurch).

HAWKES BAY DEFEND SHIELD.

Per Press Association. HASTINGS, June 5. Half-time:— Hawke’s Bay 17. Wanganui 3.

Points Ch. W. T i. D. I"'. A. jits. Old Boys .... 6 1 1 319 G5 6J Christchurch .42 2 123 76 5 Merivale 4 4 — 11D <>4 4 .Albion 4 4 — f>4 317 4 Varsity 2 5 1 96 130 2J Limvood .... 1 5 2 68 87 2