TWO UPSETS IN SENIOR RUGBY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18805, 6 July 1929, Page 6

TWO UPSETS IN SENIOR RUGBY

Fast And Thrilling Game Played At Lancaster Park*

VARSITY SURPRISE BY GAINING TWO-POINT VICTORY OVER MERIVALE,

There were two surprises Varsity beat Merivale by 9 points Christchurch by 9 points to 0. Old Boys romped over We Grounds, winning by 59 points t< Sydenham won their first ga nical 15-12. MERIVALE V. VARSITY. ! I Charity Day, and the fact that the Oval game, Varsity v. Merivale, promised to be a good one, drew a fair crowd to Lancaster Park this afternoon. The teams for the Oval game were: Merivale (blue and white)—N. Brosnan, A. Rowe, R. Xorrie, R. Flewellvn, D. Rich, X T . Dorreen, G. Rhodes J. Gibson, J. Kirkland, G. Suckling. T. Lawson. P. Serra, J. Clark, T. Rountree, and L. Maginness. Varsity (maroon)—\V. J. Scott, R. N. Williams, X. Alexander, M. F. Calder, J. R. Hawkes, W. E. Alexander, F. J. Bennett, A. R. Smith, G. Burrell. J. Buckridge, C. H. Perkins, M. Wells, J. Billings, M. P. Eales, and R. G. Drummond THE PLAY. Varsity kicked off, Merivale establishing an attacking position from a forward rush led by Maginness. The Merivale men continued to press, but they nullified their advantage by offside play. Rhodes then ducked away and in a pretty run beat several men. but his pass was smothered. Two penalty kicks in quick succession neutralised play. Yarsitt- woke up and instituted a forward offensive which kept Merivale busy. A kick by Rich again evened the situation. Gibson was injured, but resumed. Then Perkins was escorted off the field by ambulance men with an injured wrist, and

Grant replaced him. The game's opening was uninspiring, with Merivale having the better of loose rushes. Varsity lost another man when Calder injured his hip, Kerr coming on. W. Alexander went to the left wing and Kerr to centre. Varsity pressed with a rush which Kerr finished with a judicious kick to the line. Merivale drove them back again, and Xorrie had a hard shot at goal from a penalty, failThe Merivale forwards repulsed a Varsity attack, but could ot finish off their effort, though they kept play well on the Varsity line, and a back rush was spoilt by an infringement within a few yards of its objective. From the scrum, Maginness started off, and Rhodes was there to go over for an unconverted try. Merivale 3, Varsity 0. Varsity reversed the position, and secured from a scrum. Bennett worked the blind side, and spoiled a chance by trying too much on his own. Two Varsity back rushes thrilled the crowd, the second ending when Williams was well taken feet from the Merivale line. Merivale broke through the next one, but Rowe was collared before he could get away. Alexander received from still another Varsity rush, and short-punted. The ball went out, and Dorreen broke away to save the situation for Merivale. Varsity were over when W. Alexander, picking up smartly in a rush, gave Williams a chance to run in. An infringement, however, gave Merivale a penalty, enabling them to clear. The

game was going Varsity’s way, and rush after rush got the crowd to its feet. A strenuous rush let X. Alexander away, but he was thrown out over the comer flag. A moment later, from the line-out. Wells secured and w r ent over for an unconverted try. Merivale 3, Varsity 3. Scott was injured, resuming after attention. Kirkland broke through a Varsity attack, taking play to the opposite end of the ground with fast following up. A Merivale rush made Varsity force down, and Dorreen and Rhodes both had unsuccessful pots at goal. Varsity ultimately clearing with a passing rush. A certain try for Varsity was spoiled by a bad pass, after Bennett had made a brilliant opening. Scott again hurt his knee, and stayed off, O’Brien going to full-back. Bennett again shone out with a snappy dash from the scrum, but the Merivale forwards rose to the occasion and drove the invaders back. In the Varsity twenty-five Rich secured and potted a neat field goal. Merivale 7, Varsity 3. The students came again, but a great chance in a passing rush was spoilt by a knock-on. Half-time sounded with the scores:— Merivale 7, Varsity 3. SECOND SPELL. Merivale attacked hard on resumption, and Brosnan barely missed with a drop-kick at goal. For Varsity, O'Brien played half, Bennett first fiveeighths and W. Alexander centre, Kerr going to full-back. The Varsity forwards at last got going, and transferred play, though an infringement held l^elTl . u P on the Merivale line. V arsity were awarded a free kick for offside play, and stormed the Merivale fine. Hawkes secured, and made an electric burst, but Merivale relieved by forcing. The Varsity forwards made a determined attack, the backs failing to press the advantage home. They were penalised, and Merivale were able to clear. From a penalty well and Wells had a shot at goal, which fell short. V ild passing spoiled a Varsity rush, and then Brosnan kicked beautifully, X Alexander stopping the ball from going out and returning neatly to halt-

in senior grade Rugby to-day. ; to 7, and Albion triumphed over est Christchurch at the Show [0 0; 21th of the season, beating Tech[way Brosnan stopped a Varsity trush which seemed sure to result in a ‘try. Merivale took a turn, but three rushes, one a solo effort by Dorreen, met solid tackling. The game was hard and keen. Varsity swung‘back, and W. Alexander just failed with a hard shot from a penalty. A moment later. and students’rush 'was stopped when a score looked very likely. Varsity were not to be denied. Bennett cleverly worked the blind side close in, and gave Williams a. try near the corner. The kick failed. Menivale 7, Varsity 6. Merivale instituted a strenuous at tack. but Varsity took advantage of a weak pass to break through to halfway. Merivale were making great efforts to score. but their attack was ragged, and the Varsity defence held good. “y illiams stopped a Merivale back rush by soundly tackling Rowe. The Varsrty backs broke away, and “’illiams short‘ punted. but he was bumped by :1 Menvale man, and prevented lrom following his kick. A similar incident occurred when a Merivale player, breaking through with the ball at his toes. obstructed Kerr. Varsity were awarded a free-kick. A Beautiful Try. Varsity secured from a scrum. The ball went to O‘Brien, Hawkes, and W. Alexander. Alexander put in a great run and sent \Villiams away; The winger clapped on a great burst of speed and out»distanced Brosnan to score a beautiful try on the _corner. The kick failed. Varsity 9. Merivale 7. .\lerivale made a hot onslaught, and v the students' defence was severely ltested. but the Varsity forwards rose lto the occasion, and stayed orf the atltack. Dorreen and Rhodesshone out in }a spectacular effort which ended when IRhodes was well collared a few yards {from the Varsity line. but a free—kick nullified the advantage, and Merivale pvere repulsed yet again. From a. free—;kick Varsity found the line, and the . final whistle sounded With the scores : VARSITY 9 MERIVALE 7 3 Mr A. R. Henderson was referee. CHRISTCHURCH V. ALBION. ‘ _ It was evident from the start that Christchurch were right out to avenge their last-round defeat at the hands ol.‘ Albion. and the forward play in the first few minutes was Very willing. Christchurch were awarded a penalty at the Albion txventy—five. and Stephenson kicked :1 fine goal. Christchurch 3, A'l,bion nil. Hart and Serimshaw made dangerous dashes in quick succession for Christchurch. but I-lodgkinsc-n saved well. From a ruck on the Albion line Manchester dived over in dashiit. style. but the referee evidently could not See the incident, and ordered a serum. Steel intwrce-pted a Christchurch pasfi and looked dangerous. but Fulton got to him as he kicked. Fulton saved from a. stung Albion rush. and. following his rush. had .\l'Kerrow in trouble. Stephvnsou kicked another goal from a penalty. and Christchurch led. six-nil. Hodgkinson bolted through a. gap in the Christchurch defence and sent on to a bunch of forwards. who appeared to have a certain try, but Hurt came from the back and took the man with the ball. Half—time was called with the scores, Christchurch 6. Albion (I. The Albion forwards started the~ second half in good style, and had Christchurch well on the defensive. but the latter's forwards, putting plenty of weight in. the scrums. pushed hack to half—way. Albion came hack and the ball came. out to Steel, who potted a magnificent goal from near the touch—line. f‘hristchurch b‘. Albion 4. Jag—gers led a great dribbling rush to the ijhristchurd-h line, but. Fulton was equal to the occasion and saved well. Albion were now bustling Christchurch badly. Manning and Jagger's heading some great forward rushes. Robilliurd eventually cleared by interconting a lung pass and running to the Albion txvenLy-rive. Albion kept the pressure up, and Steel raced up for a cross-kick and Scored in the corner. He was awarded a. "no-charge." and converted with a great. kick. Albion now led by nine points to six. Christchurch, stung by the reverse. singed two good passing rushrs. but .\‘reel saved twice with great line kicks. The: game ended without either slde adding to its total. The final score was: ALBION fl ‘_. (‘HHISTCHCRCII b' Rnt‘eree: Mr M. U. Sinclair. SYDENHAM V. TECHNICAL. Suit-Minn) and Technical Old Boys staged a game with plenty of pace about it, meeting on the “Fest ground at Lan—caster Park. Technical opened with a solid forward attack which put Sydenham on the defensive. From a. serum the ball went out to Huzlehurst. who put in a. great run before being pulled down in Terh’nical’s twenty-five. Hazlehurst figured in a rush by the Sydenham backs whit-h lnnked likely. but failed owing to a droppn-d pass. l}. V’S’F‘lch. who had bet-ll working hard for "l‘i-t‘hnit-al. retire F: dnt this stage, being replaved by \V. I). Johnston. Sydmrhmn, who were opening the game up, had the boiler of play tor a long spell and were unlucky in not svorlng on two occasions. C'. “'rlch. Hutton and 'r’llmmer played a great part in clearing 'l‘~-eli|iical's line. and led an attack into Sydenhnm's twenty—five. Syd—enhani were then on the deft-nee for a spell: A solo effort by Line, who broke angry in possession, transferred play to r.=m=nr=nr=mr=m=nr=nr=nr=m=m=m=m=l

_;-_u..uu_uuuuu afilafiléfiléfihfllafiléfléflfiafi‘afiléfiéfiéfi haXf-wru’. Uazlr-hurst math» annthm‘ good run, and passer] lo (:roalhaxr‘h, who [gut nvvr in the vurmwr. Huzlbhurst . missed with the kirk. Sydvnham :2, Tachl mica! 0. l .\lluUSt immediately afterwards, the Syrls-uhmn lan-ks. will: Hazlrhursl. IYnung and Hrslin prominnm, math,- :1, m'wur run. \x'hivll ended in a xry by :h. pun-r. 'l‘hr kit-k mi>sod. Sydcnhum G. .Tr-rimioul 0. Tm-i‘mival mlliml. a fast Edtmwk by [he h'nwvurds carrying play to ISyd-mhnm‘s inn and \‘Vnsrwm-d was Sui‘t‘C-ssful “'l'lh a kick at 2'o“] from theIrma, Syxlenhzxm li, Tumniral 4, Thar-z :“us 1.1; x-hungu in 111 v scorv at half limm . Sydenham t 5. Tun-”finix-nl 4. “ 33::“111cul Look Ilh} Ivar) purly in Iht: isem-ml spell, l'ullier scoring as the re- : sult of a good run Ivy the backs. 'l‘hu x kick nlissud. Technical 7, Sydcnhzun 6. L A determined rush by the Technical {unvards louked likely“: A scrum was ' lulu] near the Sydenham lint,- und SLQV< . ens Set ”if: Tet‘hnical hacks away. Yuunr; clé-vefly intercepted and got in E a nim- run Datum» sending out Ln \V. j-jx-uwn, who kin-kvd drywnfileld, forcing ' Tewlxui-jle Lu retina From a scrum .liim‘

mer got the ball away well, Heslip and Hazlehurst handling and sending to to Young, who raced over to score a good try. Brown’s kick missed. Sydenham 9, Technical 7. The brightest piece of play in the game came when Rimmer went away from a scrum in Sydenham’s twenty-five, supported by Heslip, Hazelhurst and Young. The Technical backs were outwitted and the rush resulted in Young getting over in a good position. The kick missed. Sydenham 12, Technical 7. Sydenham continued in the offensive and a try was added by Kerr. Hazlehurst’s kick missed. Technical forwards retaliated with a fast loose rush which resulted in a try by Henderson. French converted. Time was called with the final score:— SYDENHAM 15 TECHNICAL 12 Referee: Mr R. Kennedy.

WEST CHRISTCHURCH V. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS. Old Beys kicked off against West Old Boys, who were one short, at the Show Grounds. Merritt gained ground for Old Boys with a ‘‘grubber,” but a free-kick relieved for West. Immediately afterwards, from a passing rush, Jacobs get over in the corner. Merritt’s kick missed. Old Boys 3. West 0. West worked their way up, but a free-kick nullified the effort. Hay cut in nicely, and. after

the ball had been handled by all the backs, Ell scored under the posts. Merritt converted. Old Boys S, West 0. Roberts was caught in possession. From a scrum under the posts, Hay got over. Old Boys 11, West 0. Page cut through, the ball going cut to Merritt, who went over at the corner. Old Boys 14. West 0. Baird scored for Old Boys under the posts. Merritt converted. Old Boys 19, West 0. Roberts gained much grp-und for West with great line kicks. M’Gregor intercepted, with a clear field ahead, and passed to Chinnery, who was overtaken. From, the ensuing play West were dangerous, Old Boys forcing. Hay broke through, and, after a passing bc-ut, Hastie scored. Old Boys 22, West 0. West were awarded a free-kick just in-

side half-way, Roberts malting a poor attempt. Okl Boys were making several dangerous rushes, but infringements nullified. Half-time came with the score: Old Boys 22, West 0. Immediately after resuming, Times scored for Old Boys, making the score 25-0. Burrows £ot over the line, but West managed to force just in time. Then Foley put in a good run, Baird going over. Merritt converted. 30-0. A bout of in-and-out passing up the line resulted in Hay scoring. Merritt converted with a good kick from the sideline. The game was now developing into a procession. C. M. Harris scored two tries. Merritt converting each. Play was fairly even for a while. Then Jacobs scored in the corner. Old Boys 48, West 0. Before time was called tries were scored by Merritt, Hay and J. Harris, Merritt converting the last. ODD BOYS .■ 39 WEST OLD BOYS 0 Referee: Mr R. T. Bailey. CHARITY DAY. The gate takings to-day at Lancaster Park were £282. This is in advance of last year’s total.