Rugby.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18830, 6 August 1929, Page 5

Rugby.

SENIOR B GRADE. The only remaining interest in the senior B grade now is the selection of a representative team. With only one more round to go Old Boys have a lead of two and a half points, so there is really no need to go on with the competition. In order to pick the best team there should be several trial games, and as the season is drawing to a close it would be wise to have the trials straight away. The two most important games on Saturday were between Old Boys, who beat Sunnyside by a big margin, and Linwood and North Canterbury, the latter winning by 8 to 3. On the first occasion when they met Old Boys had a struggle to beat Sunnyside, but the latter had an off day on Saturday. Linwood, who played short-handed, put up a good fight against the __ strong North Canterbury team. Training College had an easy win over Merivale, whom they beat by 18 to nil. Varsity also gained an easy victory, beating St Andrew’s Old Boys by 29 to 3. At Kaiapoi Albion beat the home te’am by 13 to nil, while Christchurch had a* win against Old Collegians by 15 to 9.

NORTH CANTERBURY (8) v. LINWOOD (3). The second field was in good condition at the Show Grounds, but the standard of play produced by North Canterbury and Linwood was of a very ordinary nature. North Canterbury fielded several junior players, while Linwood played with only thirteen men. Linwood held their own in the first spell, but tired toward the end, with the result that the Rangiora side finished with a five-point lead. Play was of a loose, straggling nature throughout, being generally confined to forward rushes and kicking exchanges. Although all the conditions were suitable for bright back play, little was seen. Running across field was too much in evidence, while forward or knocked-on passes were the order of the day. The tackling was consistently good, this forming one of the few bright spots in the game.

North Canterbury secured the ball from most of the scrums, but their backs lacked penetration. Indeed, ground was often lost during a movement. From the one successful passing rush Burgess secured a fine try. Hawkins also scored a try. Most of Linwood’s attacks were confined to the forwards, and in the loose they .vere the superior. King scored their only points, crossing the line from forward play.

M’Artney had litle to do as fullbacK for North Canterbury, but got through his work with credit. The centre three-quarter, F. Burgess, was easily the best of the line. He attacked vigorously throughout. P. Roberts and L. Hawkins were a fair five-eighths combination. Robertson played pluckily behind the scrum, getting the ball away quickly. D. Garret was easily the best forward, being ably supported by Sutherland.

W. Laffey, for Linwood, again proved that he is a fine full-back. He handled well and kicked with judgmen. Davis and Vickery were the only two other backs'who were seen to any advantage. Vickery often put his side on attack with judicious kicks. The best forward on the ground was N. Gunderson. He played a fine game.

and with Barlett and King led the good Linwood pack.

OLD BOYS (22) v. SUNNYSIDE (3). At Sunnyside, the game between Old Boys and Sunnyside proved disappointing, the former winning rather easily. Sunnyside were unfortunate in being without the services of a number of their best players. In the opening stages the Sunnyside defence was sound, but latei Old Boys began to throw the ball about in great style and Armstrong scored a good try in the corner. A vhile later, from another passing rush Mortlock cut in and beat several men to score under the posts. Sunnyside attacked. Oliver being outstanding for his sound play. Several times he broke away on his own, but good defensive play saved Old Boys. Just before half-time, 'Baker scored for Sunnyside from a scramble near the line. In the second spell the Old Boys backs outclassed their opponents. The Sunnyside forwards did not tackle low and often let a man pass. Trist, Bluett, Mortlock and Gregg scored tries in the second half. For Old Boys, J. Bluett played a good game on the wing and showed plenty of dash. K. Mortlock was the best back. He scored two good tries and was also very sound on defence. M’Phail showed improved form and handled well. J. Gaskin also went well behind the scrum. Of the forwards G. Petrie played a good game and worked hard in the tight. He was well supported by F. Bowes, G. Hooper and B. Trist. The best man in the Sunnyside team was W. Oliver at five-eighths. He played a very heady game and was equally good on attack and defence. A firstclass five-eighths, he is quite up to senior standard. Freear at full-back played a steady game and had plenty to do. Of the forwards Odell, Simpson and Sincock were about the best. TRAINING COLLEGE (18) v. MERIVALE (0). The Training College v. Merivale match was played on a heavy ground. The first half was uneventful, but after the interval the clever handling of the College backs, plus their speed and mobility on attack, quickly changed the complexion of the game. The Merivale forwards were the superior pack; but the backs lacked the

excellent team-work and penetrative power of their rivals. Immediately after the kick-off Training College assumed the offensive. For some minutes pla)' was confined to Merivale territory. A long kick took play to the Training College twentyfive, and the Merivale forwards set up a vigorous attack. Training College eventually cleared and Merivale were again called upon to defend their goalline. Once Lunn was all but over, and then Graham was grassed after a good attempt to score. Play was transferred to mid-field, and a little later half-time was called. Following the resumption, Merivale attacked, but could not keep up the pressure and play soon returned to their territory. After several fruitless attacks, Phillips scored for Training College and Graham converted. Play now became fast and open, with Training College in the ascendancy. Lunn broke away with the ball at toe and after a fine dribbling effort dived over near the posts. Graham again converted. A few minutes later Bradley ran right through the Merivale defence, scoring a spectacular try. Graham’s kick failed. Training College scored again when Kelman went over, following a movement started by O’Connor. Graham added the major points, and time was called shortly afterwards. Turner, the Training College fullback, proved a reliable custodian. Dunn at centre and O’Connor at second five-eighth both played well. O'Connor was responsible for several clever openings and he started the movement which led to one try. Haworth played a useful game at first five-eighth, although inclined to make too much use of the punt. Charles, as usual, gave a solid display at halfback. Graham and Bradley both went well on the wing. Graham converted three out of the four tries. The forwards were up against a heavier pack, but their display was quite creditable. Kelman, Phillips and Smith were always in the limelight.

Dahlberg was the pick of the Merivale rearguard. He is a promising type of full-back. Ebert at first fiveeighth was the best of the remainder. Billens played a fair game on the wing, but had few opportunities. Malcolm, Carnegie and Barron shone out in a fine hard-working vanguard.

The following table shows the positions of the teams P. W. L. D. Points For. Ag. Ch. Pts. Old Boys 15 13 1 1 291 in 131 N. Canty. 15 11 4 — 167 80 11 Training College 14 10 3 1 183 167 101 Albion .. 15 8 6 1 124 108 81 Sunnyside 15 6 6 3 152 191 71 Merivale . 15 7 7 1 103 119 7k Linwood . 15 6 8 1 94 139 61 Christch’ch 15 5 8 2 136 170 6 Varsity .. 14 6 8 — 167 165 6 St Andrew’s O.B. 15 5 10 _ 156 212 5 Old Collegians 15 3 10 2 98 160 4 Kaiapoi . 15 3 12 — 126 176 3