League

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 12

League

SYDENHAM SHOW SLUMP IN FORM.

A - powerful Hornby team. playing above their form of the previous week, when Waimairi narrowly defeated them, .scored a decisive win over Sydenham by 19 points to nil. The following table shows the relative positions of the teams after Saturday’s plav:— Pts. Pts. Ch. W. L. D. for. agst. pts. Waimairi .... 3 61 37 3 Sydenham ... . 2 1 Marist 2 1 Hornby 2 1 Addington .... 0 3 Woolston .... 0 3-- 8 7S 0 The Sydenham team could scarcely be recognised as the one which had defeated Marist and Addington respectively in the first two matches of the season. About half the team seemed unwilling to get into the thick of things.

The “thick of things” was a fruitful source of injury to players, for the game was hard, and in cases unnecessarily rough, and stoppages on account of injuries were fairly frequent. Warnings may have been issued, but the giving of such was not discernible from the stand.

The Sydenham forwards did well against the hefty Hornby men, but there was a sacl lack of combination among the backs. Individual effort was also wanting in two or three notable instances. The game, though fairly tight in the main, was not without many flashes of brilliance. This was provided mainly by solo efforts, "though the Horby back line put in four or five really good passing bouts which took in good slices of the field.

Cliff Woods was again the pick of the Hornby backs, and the best bac£ on the ground. His forwards, by their weight and by a screwing of some of the scrums, gave him plenty of the ball. His swerving run carried him past many a Sydenham man and he stood up well to a gruelling game.

Flashes of his old New Zealand rc presentative form were shown by W. Stuart in tricky runs which confounded the opposition. lie did his best to start movements among the back div-

ision, and he played a spectacular game, which delighted the crowd. R. Mackie was another player whom Sydenham found it necessary to watch closely. Mackie has played very consistent football in the last two seasons, and his anticipation and speed are great assets. Hornby have a steady and watchful full-back in K. Wilkie, whose play could scarcely be bettered. He corn-

Lined fair kicking power with a knowledge of the game which placed his side on attack time and time again. I*. Smith, formerly a long-time member and captain of the Waimairi thirteen, played his first game in a black jersey on SaturdaV. No changing of jerseys,- however, could rob him of his bent for opportunism. He played a fair game and settled down as a useful link in the back line. He appeared to take too cheaply an attempt at goal right in front of the posts, and misled.

Ihe backs were heavier than those of Sydenham, due to the inclusion of Davis and 11. A. Vivian. Davis showed up more than usual through the poorness of the Sydenham defence, but he st j6 remembered his habit of kicking when about to be challenged. Vivian got past Sydenham men through force*u‘ tac .tic s and a heavy fend. Apart from Woodgate, who bears more than the average share of the football brains of the forcing Hornby pack. A. Cameron was the most useful. A determined runner and tackier, he was in the thick of the tight work and at the head of movements in the loose. S. Minards was another forward who played solidly. Ward was fail*, while the tackling of W- Vivian was outstanding. He spoilt a chance or two, however, by not passing in time. 1 hree players stood out as dependable in the Sydenham rearguard—Davidson, Tonkin, and S. Drink water. At five-eighths the last-named, who was a former Rugby Union player in Hawke's Bay, showed up well throughout, his attack and defence alike being sound. Tonkin got through the bunch into the open several times with his usual cleverness, while Davidson was fautless m his play on the wing. Turton, the half-back, was the next best of an ill-combined set of backs. Though lacking the cleverness of Woods, he kept the backs moving whenever there was a chance, and his tackling was quite good. A little more nip in his play would be an improvement.

Hamburger (full-back) and Lagan (centre) were weak, and sometimes out of position. Hamburger, though he failed to give an impression of being dependable, played the sounder game, of the two. Lagan could, with profit to his side, practice tackling. Fraser’s lack of weight was against him, but he played a fair game. W. Le Warne was again the hope of the forwards. He was well backed up by Drury and Madden, who came to light with some great following-up and solid tackling. G. C. Blazey was in the thick of things, while Heuchan showed up now and again in willing but sometimes misdirected work. Southam played a fair game. WOOLSTON SURPRISE WAIMAIRI. Although weakened considerably by the absence of J. Mundv and J. Parkes, the Woolston team put up quite a good fight against Waimairi at Woolston Park on Saturday. Taking the match as a whole, the standard of play was not high. Concerted back play' was lacking on both sides and poor handling and running back spoilt some promising passing movements. There were occasional bright patches in the game, but play was confined mostly to a battle between two energetic sets of forwards. Stoppages of play on account of injuries were fairly numerous. A few of the players had a good deal too much to say and one of the line umpires came in for some heckling. Waimairi held the upper hand throughout the game and probably would have made a better showing if they ha,d been extended. They won by 11 points to nil. ■>

The Waimairi custodian, Gordon Blazey. played a good game, and of the eleven points scored by the side he was responsible for eight (three penalties and one conversion). On defence Blazey was safe at all times, while his strong running and backing up made him a most valuable man on attack. Althoiigh it is early in the season to predict, it is unlikely’ that a better man will be found for the position of Canterbury’s full-back. A. Smith was the best of the Waimairi three-quarter division. He was conspicuous for some straight and determined runs. Backing up well in a rush resulted in his scoring the only try of the match. W. Lermie, at centre, often made the mistake of running back and frequently' was caught in possession. The five-eighths, F. Lynskey' and L. did not combine well. J. Kelley, at half, played a very fair game and kept well up with the play. C. Sisson, K. Lange and N. Rossiter were the best of the vanguard. W. Randall, the Woolston full-back, handled well, but his tackling was * Of the other backs, Blacklock tackled well and always was in the thick of the play*. J. Wakefield and R. Newton were the pick of pack. MARISTS DEFEAT ADDINGTON. There was little doubt as to the superiority of Marists over Addington on Saturday', at Monica Park No. 2 ground. Although only one point separated the teams with fifteen minutes to go, few spectators entertained any doubt as to the ultimate issue of the match. Judged from a critical viewpoint, the game was not of a high standard. In fact, play was decidedly poor at times, but excitement and interest were sup plied at the finish by the closeness of the scores. Both sides infused much more dash into the play towards the end, and in consequence the game became interesting and spectacular. The

first half was mainly of a scrambling nature, and the first twenty odd minutes of the second spell saw very desultory' play*. Then Addington caught a lax and rather disinterested defence napping and in a few minutes Marists’ comfortable lead of 14 to 5 had been reduced to the precarious score of 14 to 13. It took Marists some time to recover from the lethargy’ which had overtaken members of the team, and Addington were going hard with the score at 16-17. Several fast and determined attacks by Marists saw three, ivies registered in short time, and the final whistle sounded with the score at 26-16, quite a fair indication of the state of the game. This year’s Addington team is not a

good one, there being an absence of inspiration and determination. The team shows to best advantage when, with the Bcores heavily against them, the players decide to make a real effort to win. There is the material for a strong team in the Marists ranks, but one serious fault will have to be remedied. The players are far too lax on the field, and with a practically certain win against Addington on Saturday, the team slackened off considerably. When this fault is eliminated, and the younger members of the team gain experience, the team should be a really formidable combination. There is plenty of speed, initiative and dash among the backs and when the combination is developed the rearguard should be the best in the competition. B. O’Connell was not as impressive as on the previous Saturday. His handling was not always sure, and his tackling was weak. His general play, however, was good. None of the Addington backs impressed. The three-quarter line was fair only, and while both Amos and Stuart, the five-eighths, made some fine openings, they did not combine very well. A. Collie and B. Keene were trie best of the forwards, while L. Adams shotted up in the open. T. M’Kendry, full-back for Marists, shaped promisingly. The three-quarter line was the mainstay of the team. \V. O’Loughlin did not see much of the ball, but when he did, he showed speed and cleverness. J. Blackaby is and big and was frequently noticeable for splendid play. He was the I>est player on the field. The inside backs need to improve their passing and their combination. The forwards played fairly well and «uite held their own with the opposing pack. T. Carroll is keen, but handles badly. Hanrahan and Considinc were citen conspicuous. IN OTHER PLACES. Per' Prees Assentation. AT'CIvT-AND, April 29. Richmond 18. beat Newton 10: Devonporf 24. beat City 8: Kllerslie 15, beat Vr-nsonhy 8. Newton won the ohampion-rhip-lnet season, and Ellerslie is 3 prompted Senior r: grade team.

developed into a battle of tactics between Walker and the Nomads halves. In the Villa front line. G. Walker played well. He showeed plenty of pace, and worked in well with Berry, who. however, was inclined to go too-

much on his own. W. Morley found Trotter his master throughout. Purvis and 11. Morley played fair games.

Flack and J. Watt, in the halves, ably assisted A. Walker, but they were often beaten by the clever inside Nomad forwards. Streeter was a tower ol strength at right full-back, and his partner. Evans, cleared well.

Jackson, in goal, had no chance at all with the shots that scored.

M’Dougall, in goal for Nomads, was the same great defender he has always been. Ilis clearances whenever he was tested were excellent.

Graham and Muscroft. the two fullbacks, broke up practically every Villa attack. Their play was marked by very sound tackling and well placed clearances.

Scragg, Bryan and Thompson provided a very effective half line. Thompson was responsible for a fine goal near the end of the game when he sent in a stinging shot which swung across the front of the goal about four feet from the ground. It was a surprise effort, but one of the best of the match.

Of the forwards, no one could be sorted out as outstanding. Trotter was not qxtite so effective as usual, though his three goals were scored with well placed shots. Ellis tackled well, but was just a little slow on attack. Whitebead did not see a great deal of the ball, but on two occasions his fine centres were responsible for goals. Wilson and Hfndson combined well with Trotter.

WESTERN DISAPPOINTING, BUT TOO GOOD FOR ST ALBANS.

The game between Western and St Albans, considering the standard of the game at English Park the previous Saturday, was distinctly disappointing. Western won by 5 to 0. The first half was not bad, but the second half developed into a sort of practice for the Western teaxn in goal shooting. In the first half, although Western had been pressing hard and had kept the game mainly in the St Albans half, St Albans had made frequent rushes, which took the ball to the Western goal. But there the St Albans effort seemed to fall off. They did not successfully end any attack, and only in one or two instances did they make Colville uncomfortable. On the other hand, Western were continually knocking at the door, and Williamson was being constantly called on to bring off saves. In the second half the game developed into a lackadaisical effort by both teams, more suggestive of a practice game than a match. Western were constantly in St Albans territory, and put on four more goals. Western lacked the sting thev showed against Nomads, and did not combine at all well. A weak point in the team was I-Jarbutt, who got the ball a great deal. His shooting was weak, and he lost the ball nearly every time it was given to him. On several occasions he missed easy goals. He was playing on the right wing outside Colville.

The St Albans team looked good for the first stages . of the game, and brought off some very pretty footwork, which gave the impression that they would give Western a good run. This illusion persisted during the whole of the. first half, but early in the second w r as shattered. Lack of combination was their chief fault. There was plenty of combination between some members of the team, but almost none of the essential eombination“between the different lines.

The hardest worked man chi the field was A. Williamson, the St Albans goalie, who had a most unenviable time. He was kept right in the collar the whole time, and did very well. He has a bad fault of cqming too far out, and on one occasion this cost his side a goai. However, he proved himself quick and reliable, although lacking the sting shown by the opposing custodian. Naturally, with the amount of attacking Western were doing, the two full-backs, R. Maynard and L. Bunt, were pretty busy. They worked well together, and brought off some clever clearances. They were pretty solidly tried during the afternoon.

Of the half line, J. Dryden, the centre, was the pick. He has a knack of putting a pass just where it is wanted, and proved that he could keep his head in a tight position. His two supporters were inclined to show a litli2 too much individuality, but with practice the three should pombine into a good line.

Individuality was the ruination of the forward line also. It was not that they did not combine fairly well amongst themselves, but that they seemed to forget entirely- that there were any of their own team behind them to help if needed. It was this fault more than any other that ran le their rushes so ineffective. They proved to be a fast line, and frequently gave the Western backs a bad time. On the whole, the game played by Western was disappointing. They did not show an}' of the dash they- brought out against Nomads. However, individually. they were good.

G. Colville, in goal, did not have much work to do, but with his sureness impressed whenever he was called on. There is no doubt that he is a very fine goalie. The two full-backs. W. Wicks and G. Bull, were in good form, Wicks showing up particularly for his neat work. He is vourg, and should develop into an exceptional player. Led by G. Roberts, the Western half line was going very well. Roberts was the pick, and at times produced some brilliant passing. He seems to have improved on his last season’s form, and is now a polished centre half. ('. Falloon. the outside, and W. Kennedy, the inside left, were very busy', and showed up well. They are both a bit too keen, and are thus apt to lose the ball, but they played very well. T. Nelson, at centre, was good." but does not impress as a centre. His natural position seems to be further out, but, as he is clever and fairly fast, he puts up a good showing. lie does not feed his wingers as much as he should. Altogether, the game was of a poor standard, especially in the second spell. IN OTHER PLACES. T’r- Press Association. „ , „ AUCKLAND. April 29. 1 onsonbv 3, beat Belmont 2; North Shore 8. beat Northcote 1 : Y.M.C A 1 beat Tramways 0* Onehunga 3,' beat Thistle 3. WELLINGTON. April 29. Marlst 3, Seatoun 1: Y.M.UA. 9 Institute 1: Diamonds 4, Thistle 2; Petone 3, Hospital 1. ENGLAND V. SCOTLAND. (United Pre«s Assn,—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON. April 28. In an amateur Sofr»r match at Ola.sgow Soot land beat England bv three goals to two. Australian Press Association—Unite *1 Service.