ATTRACTIVE PLAY SEEN IN HORNBY-ADDINGTON MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19109, 30 June 1930, Page 14

ATTRACTIVE PLAY SEEN IN HORNBY-ADDINGTON MATCH.

' Magpies ” Make Determined Bid For Victory In Second Spell.

There was close scoring in all three Rugby League senior competition games on Saturday. Hornby defeated Addington by 17 to 13 in the big game, which produced very attractive football, Woolston lowered Waimairi’s colours by a penalty goal to nil and Linwood accounted for Sydenham by 5 to 3.

The Hornby-Addington match was the best this season and to the fair attendance of spectators at Monica Park it came as a very welcome change. The play was fast, often brilliant, and exciting to the end. Both sides scored a try earl}*, and then with smashing rushes the Hornby forwards took control. Addington counter-at-tacked but the passing of the backs was not effective, and always Hornby would come back on the offensive. At the end of the first spell Addington were 10 points down and , their form gave little indication that they would make a determined bid for victory in the second half. The forwards, however, played up splendily and almost completely dominated the spell. Hornby were penned up in their own territory a good deal and two fine tries were scored by the Addington backs, reducing the margin of difference in the scores to two. Just before time Hornbyinvaded the opposing twenty-five and from a penalty M’Kenzie goaled. The Hornby backs combined and handled better than the opposing rearguard, but in the forwards the honours went to Addington. T. M’Kenzie, the Hornby centre, played a fine game on attack. He made a number of brilliant runs and, in ad- , dition to scoring a try, kicked two ’ penalty goals. At the beginning of the season M’Kenzie was playing juniors, and now he is the star back on attack ; in the Hornby- team. The five-eighths, J. Howison and P. Smith, combined well and both were prominent for clever cutting-in. In the try scored by- M’Kenzie, Smith received from Woods, and after making a fine straight burst for the line passed out at the right moment. Cliff Woods was always on the look out for the opportunity to let his backs away and his anticipation was a great help to the side when on the defensive. F. Reid headed most of the forward playing a good game throughout. W. Woodgate’s weight and energy were telling when Hornby were hard pressed on the line. G. Falgar was the outstanding back on the Addington side. Had J. Amos been in company with Falgar it is quite likely that Addington would have won. He initiated many attacks, scored a good try after beating several opponents and put in a lot of useful work on defence. A. Peddie, behind the scrum, battled away gamely and fed the backs well. A. Simpson, at first five-eighths, was a bit erratic in his handling, but is a player of great promise. A. M’Garry, the full-back, did not make many- mistakes. lie was cool, in fact, almost casual at times, but generally he managed to get out of trouble skilfully. All the forwards played excellently, L. Brownie and F. Flanagan being outstanding. - LINWOOD SURPRISE. 2 Linwood notched a good, if narrow, g win over Sydenham at Linwood Park! after a somewhat straggling game in which neither side could claim any deB cided advantage. Linwood played an ; aggressive game and fielded a strong side. They led off on attack from the opening whistle and kept it up interns mittently throughout, showing consids erable improvement on their previous “ form. There was some new blood in the team and both forward and back divisions were strengthened. More attention has evidently been paid to training, as there was more finish about [. their movements and their penetration was more efficient. The play of the Sydenham team was more ragged, although individually several members gave a good account _ of themselves. One of their number

introduced a novel style of football dress by turning out at the last minute in trousers. L. Chick, as half-back for Linwood, filled his position to a nicety. He is a tireless worker, but at the same time he does not take too much on his own shoulders. His passing at times was uncertain, but considering the state of the ground that was to be more or less expected. M. Davis, at centre three-quarters, was the most outstanding back for the Sydenham team, but rather spoilt things by neglecting his fellow backs, with the result that although he got in some good runs the team lost possession of the ball. A. Jorgenson, in the Linwood threequarter line, got in some heady work. As it turned out, his penalty kick near the start of the game decided it in favour of Linwood. He had two other attempts to goal from near the touchline but found them too difficult.* T. Gilroy was taken from the fullback position at half-time and went up to the wing for Sydenham. The change was fully justified, as he showed himself much more at home and gave the opposition a great deal of trouble. WOOLSTON DEFEAT WAIMAIRI. Though the team that Woolston fielded against Waimairi at Woolston Park were very nondescript in appearance, they played hard football, and emerged the victors by two points (a goal from the field) to nil. The Waimairi players at least looked workmanlike in their white jerseys and dark shorts, but Woolston seemed to have enlisted the aid of members of several clubs and also of spectators. Varied coloured jerseys, shorts and stockings adorned the players, whilst two of them elected to play in trousers. Like their clothing, the play of the Woolston stalwarts did not show much combination, but individually they played hustling games and kept the Waimairi men penned in their own half. Several times E. O’Malley, on the wing, initiated attacks for Waimairi, but every time was let down, by his team mates, who seemed to think that he could get through on his own. If the thirteen who represented Woolston could be kept together and trained and practised regularly, under a capable leader they could be welded into a team which would take a lot of beating. In A. Jackson, at first five-eighths, they have a strong young player, who though on the small side, has plenty of speed, and his defence is sound. S. Hern was the outstanding player of the side on defence. Big and loosely built, he threw himself in the face of every attack, and seldom missed his man. Waimairi played a poor game. Most of the players did not appear to take the game seriously, and no attempt was made to open the game up. E. O’Malley was the best of the backs, though C. Smith (full-back) and F. Woodham (second five-eighths) also went well. E. Spencer was the best forward. The actions of a small boy, apparent! y a .Woolston supporter, caused Waimairi some trouble in the first spell. He was equipped with a whistle, and whenever a Waimairi man broke away, he blew it heartily, stopping play. At last the game had to be suspended for a time while the referee, Mr E. King, searched out the offender. IN OTHER PLACES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 29. Devonport 24, Marist (leading team) 12; Newton 22, Ellerslie 18; Ponsonby 13, Kingsland 12; City 11, Richmond 7. City now leads for the championship. DUNEDIN, June 2S. Christian Brothers 18, City 5; Pacific 19, Athletic G. N.S.W. TEAM AGAINST N.Z. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, June 29. The following have been selested to play for New South Wales against the New Zealand League team next Satur-day:—Full-back, F. M’Millan (captain); three-quarters, W. Shankland, C. Pearce, Why and L. Griffin; five-eighth, 11. Karlwell; half, J. Busch; forwards, .T. Kingston, W. Prigg, O’Connor, E. Root, A. Justice and W, Brogan.