FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17915, 3 August 1926, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY GAME. SENIOR B NOTES. The season is now rapidly drawing to a close, and Saturday's matches decided the winner of the competition. Had Lin wood beaten Xorth Canterbury, they would have been in the running. but now Old Boys cannot be displaced. The best game on Saturday was between North Canterbury and Linwood at Rangiora. The country men were better in all departments of the game, and thoroughly deserved their win. In the early part of the season North Canterbury lost several matches, but at the present time they are the best team in the competition. » » Another good game. was that between Merivale- and. 'Varsity at the Show Grounds. Merivale, though not fully represented, put up a good fight, and were just beaten in the tinal stages of the game. . They have been very unlucky in -this respect . throughout the season, for on numerous occasions thev have lost by- a very small margin Technical had no difficulty in beating St Andrew's at the latter's ground. Nine of J»t Andrew's twelve points came from penalty kicks. At the Show Grounds Old Boys ran up the huge score of’ 62 points against Christchurch. The latter played with thirteen men. and did not take the game serious!v. Tt afforded good practice for the Old Boys, who did a lot of spectacular passing both among backs and forwards

’VARSITY (14) v. MERIVALE (11). At the Show Grounds ’Varsity were hard pressed by- Merivale, and just managed to win in the final stages of the game. Play was fast throughout, both sets of forwards making the game willing, while 'Varsity used their backs to advantage. Merivale’s efforts were confined mostly to loose forward rushes, their hacks being weak on attack. Merivale started off with plenty of dash, and put on six points in the first ten minutes. Then the \ arsity backs got going, and the scores were soon evened, in the second half the Merivale pack tired, and ■Varsity obtained the ball from most of the line-outs and scrums. Merivale kept up a sound defence, however, and checked the movements of the Varsity backs. When ’Varsity lead by nine to six, there seemed to be little doubt as to who would win, but Merivale again attacked, and scored under the posts, the try being converted. They were then kept busy defending for the rest of the game, ’Varsity just scoring a few minutes before the final whistle. Of the ’Varsity team. Bennett at half-back, gave a good display, and his coolness both on attack and defence was a big asset to his side He is easily one of the best half-backs in the senior B grade. Rutherford, at second five-eighths, played a * good game, and always let the ball before he was tackled. He was very sound on defence, ('alder at centre, a promoted player, has the makings of a fine footballer, but he spoils his play by hanging on too long. lie is a very determined runner, and tackles excellently. Taylor at full-back, another new man to the team, was sound, and his kicking was good In the forwards again outstanding, while Beaumont toiled i hard in the pack. Merivale were rather disorganised, through several players going up into the seniors. The backs failed to work together, although individually several were sound. Curtis at half-back was noticeable both on attack and defence. He has been tried in several positions, but seems to lie quite at home as a half-back. BJazev at fullback acquitted himself well, and showed that he is a reliable custodian. Besides being a good kick, he handles well. Tn the forwards, Hill. Free and Partridge were about the pick.

NORTH CANTERBURY (10) v LINWOOD (0).

At Rangiora, North Canterbury and Linwood provided one of the best ex hi bit ions seen in the senior B grade for snrnc Linwood attacked from the kick-off and Cairns got over the line but was called back for a forward pa* c - Lp and down play followed, Linwood having the best of the plav. the backs and forwards combining well. Then North Canterbury infused more dash into their play and the game became fast and exciting. The countrv forwards began to feed their backs and Mehrtens set them off well, but thev failed to pierce the defence and, at halt-time, honours were even as regards scoring. In the second spell Linwood tried a three-two-one serum formation, but the North Canterbury forwards were too good and the town team had to go back to the old formation. There was no score until Mehrtens kicked a penalty goal for North Canterbury. Shortly after James snapped up the ball and with a determined run forced bis way over, giving the country team a lead of six points. Linwood made several efforts to score, but were nowbeaten in all departments of -the game. Burgee petted a neat goal for North Canterbury and time was called soun aft' •. v it.fi Linwood attacking The North" Canterbury forwards pla v-11 and gavf their backs many opportunities Sutherland wa-; th*. outstanding forward and he was veil supported by James and Woodward. The backs also played well together Mehrtens giving the best display. ChappHl at half was good and he sent out some beautiful passes. Roberts at live-eighths played a good yam. and v.u always ready on attack Haw km - and Burge- as wing-three quarter.;

(both showed plenty of dash and were sound on defence. j Had Linwood. possessed a good goal* 1 kicker, the score would have been dif- ; ferent, as four simple place-kicks were i missed. O'Reilly was away and King l took his place at full-back, but was only : fair. Heslop was not able to get the ball away quickly from the scrums, but was good on defence. Colombus at centre played his usual heady game, while Cornago on the wing was sound. , Gillies. Nelson, and M’Cambridge were about the pick of a hard-working set of 1 forwards. ALL BLACKS RETURN HOME WITH RUBBER. (Special to the “Star.") AUCKLAND. August 2. The “Auckland Star,’’ in an editorial, says: “With the rubber well won after losing the first match, the All Blacks of 1926 will return to Auckland to-day. They have well upheld the sporting traditions of the Dominion in victory and defeat, and will be warmly welcomed home. Perhaps the most satisfactory feature of the tour was the evidence it gave of improvement, in the , standard of the Rugby code in Sydney, j f ‘The New Zealand fifteen was un- ‘ doubtedlv a very strong side, quite as good a team in the opinion of competent critics as the famous side which . won all its matches in England. It i included most of the ‘cracks’ of that j great combination and newcomers who ; were well worthy of a place them. To defeat that team by 26 points to 20 was a fine performance, even allowing for the fact that the touring team had not had much opportunity of working up that combination which counts for so much on the football field. "The New South Welshmen proved that in spite of the dominance of the League game there are splendid footballers among them. Sydneysiders have a habit.of taking a match off the All Blacks. In 1881 they did not get a win, but in 1893 and 1897 they took one match. In 1903 they were outclassed. but in 1905 they drew one and in 1907 and 1910 they again scored a win. They had no luck in one war year, nor when matches were resumed in 1920. but in 1921 they won the only test against New Zealand's second fifteen, when the first was opposing the Springboks, and they won the rubber in 1922. Tn 1924 they beat the Homegoing All Blacks in the first test by 20 to 16. “The 1920 team found the Light Blues well trained, fast., capable and greatly strengthened by the inclusion of Wallace and Lawton, two players who recently returned from England and are regarded as among the finest inside backs in the world. The visitors were well tested in every game and had to call up every ounce of skill and strategy to win the rubber. New Zealand is getting a good advertisement from its footballers this year, for in addition to this side the Maoris have started on a tour of France and Great Britain with a win at Melbourne, and the League team will leave for England to-day. It is true that the League team was soundly trounced by Auck land on Saturday, but it can take heart of grace from the fact that the All Blacks of 1924 were also well beaten bv a local fifteen."

SCHOOLS MATCH. ST ANDREW'S v. ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. ASHBURTON, August 2. The St Andrew’s College (Christchurch) second Rugby fifteen visited Ashburton to-day and played the local High School first fifteen, at the show grounds. The visitors were outclassed, and after a good game were defeated by 44 to nil. The half time score was 25 to nil. Mr I». Heenan was referee. FIRMS’ MATCH. LOAN* COMPANY v. NATIONAL JIORTtiAGE. The annual football match between the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co. and the National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., was played on the Show Grounds yesterday afternoon. A MH‘l% e eo^rorta h .?,» L mJ , r B < in orn „r n i? points to 5. Loan company attacked from the outset, and. after scrambling play about mid field, a forward rush ended by G. Arnold taking a pass and scoring in p handv position. P. Rigby converted. Loan Company 5, National Mortgage 0. Loan Company continued attacking, and good work by rds^gave^j^the good passing 0 rush. Loan Company S, National Mortgage o. < Jabites and Torrance then scored, neither try being converted. The spell ended with the scores Loan Company 14, National Mortgage Cm resumption the Loan Company forwards took charge, and rushed play to the opposing goal, where Cranfleld secured and dived over. Ihe try was not converted. Then the National Mortgage took a hand, and persistent attacking saw Holly make a dash for the line with the desired effect. Tic converted his own try. Time sounded with the scores:— LOAN COMPANY 17 NATIONAL MORTGAGE . 5 FREEZING COMPANIES' MATCH. The annual Rugby match, X.Z. Refrigerating Company. Ltd. v. Combined Freezing Companies, provided plenty of excitement for a large gathering of supporters at Lancaster Park yesterday. The combined companies' team dominated the game in the first half, displaying superior combination and less faulty handling than their opponents. Tinfavour of the Refrigerating Company's team, and it was only by bad luck that thev did not score more points. off, and from a scrum G. Chambers sent K. 11. Carmichael away to score in the erner. The kick failed. Play hung for a long time in front of Refrigerating < ‘on i puny's goal. Just before half time <'. «”ocks scored in a handy position for panics S. Refrigerating Compsny l o?° In A passing rush by the Refrigerating Company’s hacks swept play into iv.mpass spoiled the effort. Johnson picked up and racing down the line scored Combined Companies third trv. Flay gradually worked up field i-md great work by the Refrigerating Companv s forwards kept their opponents defending. Crawford got cleanly away from a ruck and put in a fine run before diving over to score. .T. S. Cocks converted. Time was sounded with the <•« ».\| iIINKI' •'« >.\fP A NIKS .... 11 in n:i: rating go ah* any *

THE LEAGUE GAME,

OTAGO TEAM. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, August 2. The following players to represent the Otago Rugby League.will leave tomorrow for Auckland:—D. Sullivan, Oliver, Hansen, Connolly, Eckhoff. Yorrath, Webber. Jacobs, Rogers, J. O'Connor, T. O'Connor. E. O’Connor, Fitzgerald, Tait, Davis and Cameron. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The monthly general meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Football League w?s held last, night: present—Dr Thacker (president). Messrs W. Cole (chairman), W. l-lealey. A. Davis. FL Healey, L. Cox, A. Russell. C. Tillysliort, P. Chick, L. Derrett, W. Main, A. Leiteh. F. Smy the, F. L. M’Keon, J. M’Quillan. W. Foy, J. Pattison and S. M. Richardson (secreThe West Coast League telegraphed confirming August 21 as the date for the junior representative match at Greymouth and the league to Dr Thacker said that two teams were available, and that if they were to play Auckland on August 21 it would still be possible to play the Coast, bysending over another team. The secretary read a newspaper report*to the effect that it had been decided to change the date of the Auck-land-Canterbury match from August 21 to August 28 as the Pakuranga Hunt Club’s meeting would bo held on the former date. It was decided to send a team to play at Greymouth on September 4. The Otago League wrote stating that its representative team would leave Dunedin on August ”, playing Auckland on August 7 and South Auckland on August 11. and on the return trip they would arrive at Lyttelton on Friday morning. August 13, and stay in Christchurch till the following Monday mornThe secretary reporter! that as the result of last Saturday's match in aid of the injured players’ fund, the sum of £SO had been netted, and there were additional sums yet to come to. hand. The selectors of the Canterbury senior representative team recommended that an A and B trial game be played on Saturday next. The recommendation was adopted. It was decided to commence the knock-out competition in all grades, with the exception of first grade, on On the recommendation of Dr Thacker, it was decided to amend the rules in connection with the Thacker Shield to make it a challenge trophy for the whole of the South Island. It was decided to ask the council to make arrangements for the dissemination of the results of the New Zealand matches in the Old Country to the larger towns on Sunday mornings as with the results of the matches of the 1925 All Black Rugby Union team. Mr W. Healey was elected manager of the representative team to visit Auckland.

JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD. At a meeting of the Junior Advisory Board, Mr C. TiJlyshort presided. The secretary of the Woolston Club wrote forwarding an apology to the referee. Mr Leiteh, by a member of the club’s junior team for bis conduct on the occasion of the Woolston v. West Two new players wore registered by Woolston, and one by ex-West Coasters. It was decided to ask Blazey and Le Warne to turn out for practice with the junior representative team this afternoon and to-morrow at Addington Reserve. It was decided to ask the schoolboys’ representatives, selected to play against the West Coast, to attend practice today and on Thursday at the Marist training ground.

ASSOCIATION GAME.

CANTERBURY V. AUCKLAND (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 2. The Auckland soccer representatives to play Canterbury here for the English trophy on Saturday arc: Goal—Lucas. Backs—Gcrrard, Reid. Halves—Tinkler, Kissock (captain), Baxter. Forwards —Tnnes, Dacre, Spencer, Hyslop and Kay. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

1 The Management Committee of the l Canterbury Football Association met last evening, Mr W. H. Benson presiding. There were also present Messrs R. B. Walker, G. Buist. P. Scott Ramsay, G. Towart, E. C. Keys. J. Jenkinson, W. D. Ramsay. J. M’Ouiness, J. Stout, H. Smyth. A. Bassett, F. O. Bentley, J. A. Robb, R. English and R. B. Bunt Letters were received from the New I Zealand Football Association stating that Messrs A. E. Caisley and S. Wilson had been appointed referees for the < ’anterbury-Auckiand and CanterburyWellington representative matches re- } spectively. 1 Tt was decided that a match against Manawatu at Palmerston North be add- . to the list of fixtures set down for tbe North Island tour of the Canter--3 bury representative team. It was reported that the team would leave Christchurch for the North Island on Wednesday night. The Technical Old Boys’ Club wrote asking that the club be allowed to withdraw their A team from the third grade competition, and also requesting that the players of the A team be made eligible to participate in third grade matches as a B team. It was decided that the club be ini formed that the association could take i no action in tbe matter, as it was con-' I trary to its constitution, i It* was reported that, the Marist Old l Bovs sixth grade team which had won r a match on July 10 had fielded an unr registered player. The association decided that the team should forfeit the match. \ Tt was resolved to invite the Girls’ r Basket Ball Association to arrange curi tain-raisers at English Park on coming Saturdays. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. J The following is the draw for next Saturday:— Senior A—Sunnyside v. Thistle at Stinnyside. 2.30 p.m. (Mr Campbell); . Western v. Technical Old Boys at Eng- . Usb Park, 2.45 p.m. (Mr Stout); Nomads v. Villa at North Park No. 3, ■ 2.45 p.m. (Mr Mayo). Senior B—St Albans v. Lyttelton at I Richmond No. 1, 2.45 p.m. (Mr Jennings): Kaiapoi v. New Brighton at . Kaiapoi, 2.45 p.m. (Mr Thornley); Thistle B a bye. Juniors— Lyttelton v. Thistle at Heathcote, 2.45 p.m. (Mr Angus); Rangers v. Western at Richmond No. 2, 2.45 p.m. (air Hesketh): Sumner v. Y.M.C.A. I at Sumner. 2.45 p.m. (Mr MaoLaughlin); Workshops a bye . Third Grade—St Albans v. Technical A at North Park No. 1. 2.45 p.m. (Mr Yates); Marists v. Spreydon at North Park No. 4, 2.45 p.m. (Mr M’Guiness); Technical v. Sumner at Ensor’s Road No. 2. 2.45 p.m. (Mr Jenkinson). I Fourth Grade —Y.M.C.A. v. Marists at j North Park No. 2, 2.45 p.m. (Mr King); Technical v. Spreydon at Ensor’s Road No. 1. 2.45 p.m. (Mr Jones). Fifth Grade --Technical v. Spreydon at Ensor's Road No. -• 1.1 e p.m. (Air I Black): Marists v. New Brighton at English Park, 1.15 l»-m. (Mr Wardell); 1 Western a bye. i Sixth Grade —Western v. Marists at North Park No. 2, 1.1.> p.m. (Mr Greenlees); Technical A v. Technical B at Ensor's Road No. 1. l.L> p.m. (Mr Barnett); St Michael's a bye. Friendly—Western Fifth v St Michael's Sixth at North Park No. 4, 1.15 p.m. (Mr Hoy). THE LOWER GRADES, j The following Is a list giving the positions and points of the various I [earns in club competitions below the I senior grade: — Timior Grade— Rangers l»j, Sumner If. Thistle 15, Western 12. Y.M.C.A. !». Ad- ■ d burton Workshops 6. Lyttelton 2. I Third Grade-.** Albany is Te.-hni-ai Old Bovs B 1 s - Marist. < >ld Roys 14, Sr.revdon 6. Technical Old Boys A Sumner n. St Alba ns-Sumner, MaristsBlimner and Technical B-Spreydon still tr> played. Fourth Grade—-Marist £ ld , B °y s 16. Spreydon 14, Y.M.C.A. 9, Technical Old B< Fifth Grade-—Western 14, Marist Old P,„ v « s New Brighton 4, Spreydon 2, , Technics l ' hni'':rsi jl^ST* Grad* j: "j 1 ’ ! 1 h' :i 1 ’o' I - g'. ■' A ! |

* k k The following 4able shows the portions of the teams:— Points Ch. AY I. n For Agst Pts. Old Boys .. 11 2 — 293 88 11 Linwood ..9 r. 1 114 SI 9J Technical 9 3 1 1ST 106 9J 'Varsity .... s 4 l 207 121 SJ X. Canterburv 8 5 — 14S 98 8 Merivale ..4 S 1 112 155 4i Christchurch 3 x 2 115 216 4 St Andrews .. 1 12 — 98 339 1