Rugby.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 12

Rugby.

MERIVALE SPEED UP. •EXCELLENT TEAM-WORK. The game? in the Canterbury Rugby Union's senior A competition on Saturday provided two surprises, the win of Merivale over Christchurch, and the close shave that Old Boys had of avoiding defeat at the hands of Albion. The games were played at Lancaster Park under perfect weather and ground conditions. and before a large crowd of spectators. The Merivale-Christchurch match was given pride of place on the oval. After having drawn with Old Boys the previous Saturday, it was generally expected that Christchurch would be able to beat Merivale, who, for various reasons, were not able to field their best team. Christchurch, too. were a little below strength, but the general opinion appeared to be that they would be good enough for their opponents. The first spell and a good part of the second were evenly contested, but in the last quarter of an fiour the Christchurch defence seem ed to go all to pieces, and Merivale rattled on three tries, two of which were converted, and left the field winning by 19 points to 9. Albion provided the big surprise of the afternoon by running Old Boys to a point. At one stage in the second spell Albion were leading by 9 points to 5. After strenuous endeavours Old Boys managed to add another try, which was converted, and they were one point in front. Play in the final stages of the game was very exciting, both sides making desperate efforts to score. The game ended 10 to 9 in favour of Old Boys. It has to be remembered, however, that Old Boys were below strength on Saturday, two or three of their leading backs being absent. Lin wood had no difficulty in beating Technical by 26 points to 3. Linwood, who scored twenty of their points in the first spell, eased up a good bit in the second half, but they always had the game well in hand. POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. The following are the positions of tha senior A Rugby teams at the end of Saturday’s play:—

MERIVALE GAIN SURPRISE VICTORY OVER CHRISTCHURCH. The substantial win of Merivale over Christchurch no doubt came as a surprise to the majority of followers of the game, for, before the match, the general opinion appeared to be that Christchurch would prove Victorious. This opinion was probably based on the fact that, on the previous Saturday, Christchurch drew with Old Boys, who earlier in the season had beaten Merivale rather easily. However, in Rugby there is a certain amount of that “glorious uncertainty” for which cricket is famed, and it is not always wise to go too much on past performances and past results. It is true that Christchurch were below strength, but Merivale, too, were without the services of some of their regular players. In this connection it was about fifty-fifty between the two teams. Merivale were not, on the day’s play, a better side by 10 points, but, at the same time, they fully deserved to win. They made better use of their opportunities than did the Red and Blacks. The game was far more evenly contested than the final score might seem to indicate. In the first spell Christchurch had the advantage territorially, but they lost several chances to increase their total, and a'f half-time the score was three-all. The early stages of the second spell were marked by. even play, and at one time Christchurch were leading by 9 points to 6. Then Merivale scored a converted try, which put them in the lead, and after this the}* never looked back. For the last quarter of an hour there was only one team in it, Merivale. They added two more tries, and, as one was converted, they left the field winning by 19 points to 9. In the last quarter of an hour the Christchurch defence went all to pieces, and the Merivale backs took full advantage of this. The game was played at a good, fast pace, but generally play was of a scrambling nature. The handling of both sets of backs was faulty. Considering that the ground and ball were perfectly dry, there were far too many dropped passes. Christchurch were the worst offenders. Both sides played the game in a good spirit, and there was a gratifying absence of the rough tactics that unfortunately marred the game between

Merivale and Varsity the previous Saturday. The firm action taken by the leferee in that match has evidently had a salutary effect. Once on Saturday the referee had occasion to warn a Merivale forward, but, apart from this, unfair tactics were little in evidence. Mr E. A. Empson refereed in his usual efficient manner, and he kept the game well in hand all the way through. R. Norrie, who has been on the injured list, turned out again for Men's ale on Saturday, but, instead of playing full-back, he was put on the wing. G. Rhodes played full-back, but he was injured during the first spell, and I. 11. Brown qpme on in his place. However, in the second spell Brown moved to the centre position and M. Brosnan played full-back. The Merivale selectors are certainly not afraid to experiment. but it is doubtful whether it is a wise policy to chop and change the backs around too much. This sort of thing does not make for combination. Rhodes and Brosnan both did quite well as full-backs, but. as both were playing out of their usual positions, they could hardly be expected to give high-class exhibitions. Probably, when H. Goodman is fit again, he will play on the wing and Norrie will go to his old place at full-back. Failing Norrie, the most suitable man appears to be I. H. Brown, who also is very useful as a placekick. The outstanding back for Merivale on Saturday was C. Oliver. He played his best game to date this season. He ftome jgreat and ipectaculaj; xuns^

and on defence he was very sound, saving his side time and again by brilliant play. The first try, which Merivale stored in the second spell, was the result of brilliant play on the part of Oliver. After beating the opposition in fine style, he gave a judicious short punt past the full-back, and Brown, who was following up fast, touched down for a try. Oliver scored the last try for Merivale. He was the quickest of the Merivale backs to seize opportunities, and 1 the way in which he dashed through the opposition was a treat to watch. N. Dorreen, on the wing, was always dangerous on attack. He scored a fine try in the second spell, when he ran from about the twenty-five, leaving the opposition standing. On defence he looked after Bibby, the opposing winger, very successfully. R. Norrie showed

plenty of dash on attack, but, when it came to defence, he found Robilliard a bit of a handful at times. In the sqcond half Brown played a very fair game at centre for Merivale. T. Davies at five-eighths was perhaps not quite so prominent as usual, being rather overshadowed by C. Oliver. However, he did all that was asked of him, and he worked in well with Oliver. W. Oliver was satisfactory behind the Merivale scrum. It looks as if this plaver is going to develop into a very good halfback. He is a bit on the small side, but is sturdily built, and is certainlv not frightened to stand up to the play and to meet the fiercest forward rushes gamely. On the whole, the Merivale forwards went well, in spite of the fact that they were not at full strength. During the second spell K. Kearney„ one of the Merivale forwards, had to" retire injured, and Overend, a member of the club's senior B team, came on. Overend is a half-back, but went into the forwards on Saturday, and it was rather incongruous to see such a little chap take his place in the line-out and among a burly set of forwards generally, but he stood up to his task gamely. Merivale, however, would be well, advised to have a forward or two on hand to fill vacancies when necessary. Up to the time of his retirement Kearney went quite well for Merivale, and J. Kirkland, W. Crofts, L. Maginness and O. May also played good games, though, indeed, all the Merivale forwards did their full share. O. Walker was dashing at wing forward. Christchurch backs staged one or two good passing rushes, but generally their combined work was poor. The weak link in the chain appeared to be B. Marshall, the second fiveeighths. He dropped passes and gave bad passes. The result was that the play of M. Meikle at centre three-quar-ter suffered to a certain extent, but still he was hardly up to standard, either on attack or defence, though he shows promise. On Saturday Marshall retired injured during the second spell, and J. W. Mardon came on in his place. For health reasons Mardon has been unable to play so far this season, but he will probably be turning out regularly soon, and when G. F. Hart is fit to play again Christchurch should have a good deal stronger rearguard than played for them on Saturday. H. L. Stephenson, who has shown very fair promise this season, was disappointing at full-back on Saturday. His defensive work seemed to go all to pieces in the final stages of the game, though at no time was his tackling very sure. J. Robilliard played a dashing game on the wing for Chftstchurch, and he put in some excellent runs, but, owing to the failure of the inside backs, he

did not see over much of the ball. Robilliard gives promise of developing into a very fine winger. He has all the natural qualifications. B. Bibb}*, on the other wing, was fair, but was a bit slow in getting off the mark. One of the best of the Christchurch backs was W. R. Teape, first fix-e----eighths. He put in a lot of useful play, and, had he had a better man outside him, things might have gone a good deal better for his side. T. Mullan played a better game than he did on the occasion of the last appearance of Christchurch on the Oval, against Varsity. Perhaps this was because he had a better first five-eighths outside him. However, at times he was still inclined to go too far on his own.

Generally the Christchurch forwards played well, and they can scarcely be blamed for the loss of the game. They staged some very good loose rushes, especially in the first spell. A. I. Cottrell again played a good game, being prominent both in the tight and the loose. H. B. Godfrey also went well, but he would do better if he always knew what to do with the ball when he has secured possession. E. V. Moore, J. Manchester and A. G. Rogers played solidly throughout. A NARROW WIN FOR OLD BOYS. On the south ground at Lancaster Park on Saturday, Old Boys left the field with only one point to from Albion—lo to 9. \ Neither side was at full strength; Albion’s two wingers, Steel and Laing, •were unable to play on account of injured, while Ogier, Mehrtens and Mortlock were absentees from the Old Boys’ rearguard. In the early stages of the game. Smith kicked a fine penalty for Albion, and not long after, Mortlock, the Albion wing, bumped across for a fine try at the corner. Just before the spell ended, Merritt fielded nicely, and running into midfield, sent to Cox. The Old Boys’ half, with a beautiful change of direction, beat half the Albion team, and finished a splendid run by transferring to Baird, who sent Low across in a handy position. Merritt converted and Albion led 6-5. Soon after resuming, Mortlock scored another try for Albion, which was made by the kick and follow method. Eaglesome and Finnegan being the chief actors. Albion now had the lead at 9-5, and it looked as though they might win. With about ten minutes to go, however, the Albion backs mishandled badly, and Armstrong had only to pick up the ball to score a try. Merritt again converted and Old Boys took JJia. lot fee fest lime, J.O-9. Old

Boys had the better of the play for the few remaining minutes, but it was anybody’s game right to the final whistle. Albion certainly had the better of the first spell, but in the final half hour Old Boys were superior.

The game was marked by a great deal of aimless kicking, each side appearing anxious to part with possession. There was a lamentable lack of concerted movement on each side, and the flashes of bright play were, for the most part, individual efforts. Cox, the Old Boys half, and Lilburne, Albion five-eighths, were conspicuous* in this respect. The Old Boys’ forwards played a much better game than the week previously against Christchurch, but it must be admitted that the opposing pack did not appear so good on that occasion. They went much better in the concluding stages. Clarke and Baird went well throughout and Speight, as usual, was most conspicuius in the line-outs.

Low played a fine game at wing forward and was in many movements. He was in position for a sure try on one occasion, but the man in possession elected to try on his own, and failed. Cox, at half, played his best game this year. In addition to the fine run already mentioned, he made two other good efforts, but in one instance his ,pass was intercepted close to the goalline, and in the other it was not accepted. Hay was going well throughout, but his style was cramped through the outside men spoiling his good work. The tjiree substitutes played by Okl Boys were not impressive. Armstrong at second five-eighths, Hastie at centre, and Trist on the wing, were continually dropping passes. The last-named apparently had the idea that he must “give it a go,” and came for his pass with every ounce of pace he could mfister. lie has plenty of dash, but tries to bullock through instead of looking for the opening. Merritt played a very fair game on the opposite wing, but his tackling left something to be desired. Tpwards the end of the game he was shifted in to centre, and, for the short time he was there, he went really well. lie kicked two useful goals. Harris,- as usual, was very sound at full-back. He Was given plenty of work The Albion forwards had a good bit the better of the first spell, but fell away towards the finish. O’Connor, Jaggers, Polaschek and Wylie toiled hard all the way. Finnegan, at wing forward, was prominent while his condition lasted. Hodgkinson, at half, played a fair game. He got the ball away nicely,

but Preston, at first five-eighths, was dropping many passes. Preston looks as though he should improve a good deal with experience. Lilburne played a fine game at second five-eighths, but did not get sufficient support. He made some fine solo dashes, and just before time ran through to the full-back with three men in attendance. Harris, however, came in with a hard tackle and spoiled Lilburne’s pass. Mortlock was easily the best of the three-quarters. He scored two good tries, and was always up with the play looking for work. Eaglesome, at centre, was sound in defence but only fair on attack. Smith had few opportunities on the wing. He kicked a fine penalty goal from well out, and some of his other attempts were close. Albion have a fine full-back in Worsley. He kicks beautifully with either foot, and in addition is very cool and handles well. lie proved a most useful man to his side. ANOTHER BIG SCORE AGAINST Technical. The game between Lin wood and Technical was not expected to provide a very close or thrilling contest, and consequently the few spectators present at the west ground, at Lancaster Park, witnessed a one-sided and uninteresting game, devoid of sparkle or brilliance. Lin-wood, who after obtaining a half-time lead of 20 points to 3, slackened off in the second spell, resting content with the convincing tally of 20 points to 3. One reason for the dullness of the game is that Linwood, by reckon of a solid pack of forwards, and effective spoiling tactics, are a formidable proposition for any of the senior teams, but when pitted against such a weak side as Technical, the weaknesses in attacking ability and team combination show out prominently.

In the first spell, Linwood almost entirely dominated play. Twice Technical rushes invaded Linwood territory, a score resulting on the second occasion. But after that, Linwood had things all their own way, and with better handling and combination, and more accurate goal-kicking, would have compiled many more points. In the second spell Linwood were spasmodic, and only two tries were added to the total. Towards the end, the Technical forwards showed spurts of energy, and one or two rushes almost proved successful. The honours of the game—such as they were —go to the Linwood forwards who dominated play from whistle to whistle. A hefty, solid pack, theLinwood forwards are a fine and for-

midable combination. It is difficult to individualise but J. Turpin, A. M’Duff and J. White were most prominent. Turpin roved well, and often dropped back to give the backs a hand. M’Duff is a good stamp of forward, and needs only coaching to develop into a firstclass player. White, a solid hooker, toilpd -honestly; all through. J. Mani*

hera played a good game, but was not very impressive.

The Linwood backs are not a good combination but are showing signs of improvement. C. Smart, at five-eighths .did some clever things, but often hung on too long. J. Payne was the best of the backs, making several fine runs. J. Edmonds, usually a reliable full-back, mis-handled badly on several occasions. The Technical forwards are the only pleasing feature of the team, and they are not always as energetic as they might be. R. Dunbier was easily the best of the pack, playing well right through. W. Gealey and the Welch brothers were often prominent, but the pack showed occasional lapses into spasmodic play. G. Morris, at half, was the only Technical back to impress. His defensive play was very sound, his tackling being m marked contrast to the feeble efforts of some of his colleagues. The fiveeighths are weak. The wingers had few opportunities, but both showed a turn of : peed. S. Bamford, until his played poorly, allowing two tries through bad handling. IN OTHER PLACES. Per Press Association. . DUNEDIN, May 20. University A 14, Pirates 3; Kaikoral 7, University B 5: Alhambra 19, Dunedin 3; Union 19, Southern 8; Taieri 17, Zingarl 10. PALMERSTON NORTH. May 19. Xia Toa 8, Old Boys 5; Feilding 17, Woodville 3; Athletic 8, Feilding Old Boys 9. MASTERTON, May 20. Old Boys 21, Greytown 14: Carterton i, Lnited 0; Gladstone 6, Red Star 3. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 20. Old Boys 16, Tukapa 12; Inglewood 16, El tha m 0: Clifton 14, Okato 0; Stratford 6, Star 3. WELLINGTON, May 20. Petone 12. Poneke 6; Athletic 16, Marist 0; Oriental 8, Wellington 3; Old Boys 18, Berhampore 3; Varsity 24, Eastbourne 6. . AUCKLAND, May 20. The weather was fine for outdoor sports on Saturday, though a cold wind was blowing. Heavy rain during the previous few days had left the grounds in good playing order. Results:— Grammar School 8, University 8: Ponsonby 34, Grafton 14: College Rifles 10, North Shore 6; City 18. Marist 9. The game between Manukau and Training College was not played on account of the latter’s vacation. In a friendly game Manukau beat H.M.S. Dunedin by 6 to 0.

P. W. L. D. F. A. Pta. Varsity 4 4 0 0 71 40 4 Old Boys 4 3 0 1 70 39 3| Me rival© 5 3 2 0 117 67 3 Llnwood 4 2 2 0 66 28 2 Christchurch 4 1 2 1 34 52 14 Albion 4 1 3 0 38 62 1 Technical . . 5 0 5 0 40 148 0