N.Z. Reps. Figure In League Games.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17907, 24 July 1926, Page 10

N.Z. Reps. Figure In League Games.

ADDINGTON AND MARIST A FIGHT OUT FAST, OPEN STRUGGLE. Good games were played in the League code this afternoon. The chief match was between Addington and Marist A to decide which should have the right to challenge Hornby, the winners of the competition declared closed some weeks ago. The round has been staged to determine which is the champion team, but its result will have no effect on the clubs’ competition, which Hornby has won. Several New Zealand representatives were seen in action this afternoon at Monica Park. Sydenham and Woolston met at W oolston Park.

The weather was beautifully fine, though a nortliTweat wind made it warm for the players. Over a thousand people attended. Marist A v. Addington. Both teams were practically at full strength. The game was open from the start, and play went from end to end, being, in the first ten minutes, mainly in Addington’s favour. Twice Addingtno had good openings, but poor fielding and Blackabv's great saving saved a score. The tackling was deadly. Then Fetersen burst through the ruck and in a passing bout with E. Fitzgerald carried play to the Addington twenty-five. Hero Bur As started a. spectacular move-

ment in which most of the team handled. The leather went from wing to wing, Burns finally dashing over unopposed. Petersen failed with the kick. Marist A 3, Addington 0. A loose rush by Addington went to the twenty-five, and G. Falgar capped it by getting over in the corner. Sanders made the scores even by failing to goal. Addington maintained the ascendancy, though Marist threatened their line now and again. J. O’Malley earned applause by a great save, and the crowd got. excited when Sanders broke through from near midfield. Clever passing with. Mayne and Falgar let the last-named over unopposed. Panders converted. Addington S. Marist A 3. Then the cleverest solo movement of the match was brought off by J. O’Malley, full-back for Marist. In the Addington twenty-five ho corkscrewed throught the whole team, giving Burns an opening which lie failed

to realise upon. Ellis, however, got. over a moment later, but failed to goal. Addington S, Marist A 6. On both wings the AJarist men attacked, and, finding Addington out of place, Ellis scored again. A beautiful kick, but a few yara& to one side. Then just on half-time the O’Malleys had a bout. J. O’Malley (Marist) took the leather through half the Addington team; then E. O’Malley (Addington winger) took it hack, scoring under the posts for Sanders to convert. Half-time was called with the scores:— Addington 13. Marist A 9. In the second half Watts went to second five-eighths for Addington. Falgar dropping to full. .T. O’Malley came up to half for Marist, and Clarkson went custodian, Marist came again with a back rush, Crocker, Brittenden and E. Fitzgerald completing a. pretty movement which brought off a score. Brittenden added the major points. Mar-

Ist A 14. A<l cling ton 1.3. E. O’Malley skle-stepped neatly. Watts got possession. Sanders dodged through the bunch and Brown scored under the posts. Sanders goaled. Addington IS. Marist A 14. The Green hacks returned, and Batchelor gave Molloy a try, which Brittenden improved upon. Marist A 19, Addington IS. The close scoring excited the crowd, which got on its toes when i the Marist backs scorched into 'the I twenty-five. Batchelor let out to Oroci ker, who in-passed to give Batchelor a try. Petersen failed with the kick. Marist A 22, Addington 18. Sanders improved Addington's score with a penalty from the twenty-five mark, and Biackaby scored in the corner. Petersen failed to convert. Marist A 25, Addington 20. Sydenham r. Woolston. Sydenham met Woolston on Woolston Park and the game was a mixed one. Five minutes after the kick-off Sydenham's half-back. M. Smith, goaled from a penalty. Woolston more than, equali ised from an obstruction try to be ! credited to W. Mason and G. Main con- ; verted. Woolston had a free kick awarded in a good position, but T. Armstrong missed with the kick. The latter part of the spell was evenly fought and it ended:— Woolston 5. Sydenham 2. Sydenham's score was increased by l Smith goaling from a free and Gorman j scoring, making the score Sydenham 7. Woolston 5. Sydenham looked to be in la. scoring position when Woolston were given a free kick and play went to the other end. C. Matthews made a : good run, passing several in a dodgy run to score between the posts, but the kick failed. A passing rush broke . through the Woolston defence, and Dai vidson scored and converted. The game ended with the scores:— SYDENHAM 15 WOO J i ST O X 5 Waimairi v. Hornby. Hornby and Waimairi provided an exciting game, on Monica Park No. 2. WaimaiiTs sterling defence and Hornby's determined attacks held the interest right through the game. A blinding sun and a strong wind confronted Hornby when they kicked off. Play gradually worked up field and .settled in Waivnairi’s twenty-five. A free Kick relieved the pressure on Wafmairi's line. Rutledge followed up, securing possession, and with a. good run placed ! Hornby on the defensive. A force-down | resulted. Hornby forced again a few ! minutes later. Be Warne led a Hornby ; rush into Waimairi’s territory, but the 1 defence was sound. P. Smith drove the invaders back with a well-placed kick int.. t'-wdi. off-side play by Mason nullified Hornby's closest thrust, up to this stage Farrell got away with the ball at his toe, and dribbled through Hie Hornby team till be reached Mund'y,

who held him up. Off-side play sent play back to midfield. Hornby pressed, but a force-down resulted. Ilodgklnson sen. Wilson-Hull and B. Vivian a wav from a scni.u. Vivian plunged over

with a pile of white and black players on his back, a try wjjs given.. Mason failed to convert. Hornby 3, Waimairi 0. H. Vivian scored a minute later. Henry's kick was beaten by the wind. Half-time sounded wjth the score: Hornby 6, Waimairi 0.

Hornby's first attack of the. second spell pierced Waimairi’s defence and L,o Warne scored iu the corner. . Henry missed. B. Vivian and Mason adored another five points to Hornby’s score a few minutes later. P. Smith took a. brilliant penalty goal and opened Waimairi’s score. Bernby 14, Waimairi 2. Davis raced round and encored under the crossbar. Mason converting. Morwood got over from a scramble on Hornby’s line. P. Smith did not contort. Hornby 19, Waimairi 5. Mason scored and converted bringing Hornby’s total to 24. Time was called with the HORNBY 24 WAIMAIRI 5