SYDENHAM SHATTER OLD BOYS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 797, 24 June 1933, Page 10

SYDENHAM SHATTER OLD BOYS.

Prove too Strong in All Departments and

Win 18-3.

EXCITING CHARITY DAY RUGBY.

SYDENHAM had a comfortable victory over Old Boys by 18 points to 3 before the Charity Day crowd on the Oval at Lancaster Park this afternoon. Old Boys were without two of their best inside backs and, though they attacked with vim at the start of the game, Sydenham took charge before the end of the first spell and after that their victory was never in doubt. There was a great deal of scrambling play, with occasional flashes of bright play.

Christchurch had their revenge against Albion for their defeat in the first round. To-day Albion were outplayed and Christchurch had a decisive win by 24 points to 12. It was a good game, with intervals of bright back play by both sides. The attendance was 6000 and the total gate takings were £312. It is estimated that after expenses are deducted nearly £3OO will be available for charity.

After a pointless first spell Merivale i triumphed over Linwood by 16 points to 8 when the teams met in the cur-tain-raiser to the principal match of the day at Lancaster Park. Merivale had more thrust when in possession, and showed more finish to their work. Varsity struck good form, winning from Athletic by 40 to 13.

SYDENHAM V. OLD BOYS. Old Boys were without the services of two good inside backs, Vincent and Gaskin, but the substitutes showed fair form. The teams were:— Sydenham (Cardinal and Blue)— French, W. Brown, R. Brown, J. Hattersley, Hazelhurst, Innes, L. Brown, Thomas, Line, King, Smith, Dunlop, Crockett, O. Hattersley and Stanaway. Old Boys (White)—Nolan, Jacobs, Gregg, Henry, C. M’Phail, Mortlock, Clark, Berry, A. Bowes, Lowry, Rankin, Stanley, X. M’Phail, F. Bowes and North. Old Boys made the pace a hot one right from the start, when Mortlock, charging down a kick by Hattersley, took play into the Sydenham twentyfive. The seasoned Sydenham side was well equal to the occasion, and'when Clark flicked the ball out to the right wing Jacobs was too solidly marked to make a yard. W. Brown, on Sydenham’s right wing, found himself well marked when Hazelhurst let him away. French missed one hard shot at a penalty, but when Old Boys infringed again, straight in front of the posts, he made no mistake, and Sydenham lead 3-0. Clark was slow in getting the Old Boys backs away, and that nullified the fine tight work of the Old Boys forwards, who consistently gained possession in the tight.

Crockett made a spectacular breakaway, which only an infringement pulled up, and Innes pressed Old Boys with an accurate line kick. Later, Old Boys staged a most spectacular try. Mortlock cut in and made a clever run before sending to the left wing, Henry. When blocked, Henry sent in to Rankin, who gathered well and sent to Stanley. Stanley’s cross-kick to the right wing was perfectly judged, just out of J. Hattersley’s reach, and Jacobs, the right wing, raced up to secure and dive over wide out. The kick failed. Sydenham 3. Old Boys 3. Sydenham soon retaliated, a burst of short passing among the forwards sending Hazelhurst over wide out. French goaled with a beauty. Sydenham 8, Old Boys 3. Hazelhurst and Innes then gave the crowd a treat with a burst of passing which took play to the Old Boys* line, and in the resulting scramble King secured and dived over under the posts for another try. French again converting. The spell ended with the scores: Sydenham 13, Old Boys 3. Second Spell. With a comfortable ten points lead, Sydenham cracked on the pace at the start of the second spell, and for five minutes did everything but score. Then Old Boys drove them back, failing in

their turn to take advantage of opportunities. Stanley missed a hard shot at goal and Sydenham returned to the attack. A rush went out to W. Brown, who in-passed to R. Brown. The centre was surrounded by Old Boys, but met with no tackle, and strolled over for a gift try. French’s kick hit an upright and bounded over the bar. Sydenham 18. Old Boys 3. Old Boys looked a •well beaten team, having completely lost the dash they showed at the start of the game. Sydenham were on the offensive again, Rankin and Nolan doing great things on defence. Nolan’s line finding drew many rounds of applause. The last stages of the game saw much improved defence on the part of Old Boys and the game ended: * SYDENHAM OLD BOYS 3 Referee—Mr E A. Empson. '

CHRISTCHURCH SHOW DASH. Christchurch and Albion were on even terms in the early stages of their game on the west ground at Lancaster Park. After stopping a rush by the Christchurch forwards, the Albion backs made a determined invasion of the Christchurch twenty-five. From a scrum the ball was sent out smartly to Thompson, who calmly potted a goal. Albion 4, Christchurch 0. For some minutes Albion pressed Christchurch, but a close rush by the forwards finally transferred play to Albion’s end, and Manchester broke through to score wide out. The kick mrssed. Albion 4, Christchurch 3. Both sets of forwards engaged in a hard battle in mid-field, with neither side gaining any advantage until, from a set scrum, Christchurch got the ball out speedily to the backs. Fawson stab-kicked over til'd heads ot

the Albion five-eighth, raced up and beat the full-back for possession and scored a good try. The kick missed. Christchurch 6, Albion 4. Later the Albion backs made several attempts to score, but were eventually driven back to midfield by a rush in close order by the Christchurch pack. Hart then had the chance he had been waiting for. A movement by the Christchurch backs saw the ball reach him without any waste of time, and he w*ent away like the wind, handing oft three opponents and scoring a great try after a run of more than fifty yards. The kick missed. Half-time was called almost immediately with the score: Christchurch 9, Albion 4.

Christchurch had to give ground in the face of a rush by the Albion forwards, and were on the defensive when they infringed the off-side rule. Burges's goaled. Christchurch 9, Albion 7. Albion’s hopes of further closing up the gap in the score were dashed almost immediately, for Fulton kicked a wonderful field goal from forty yards out. This was followed by a rush by the forwards, and when a scrum was formed near the corner Hart went in to first five-eighth to make an extra man in the Christchurch line. Christ-

church hooked the ball from the scrum and the ball went out to Fleming, on the left wing, for a try. Fulton goaled. Christchurch IS. Albion 7. Within two minutes Hart was over for a try on the other wing. The kick missed. Christchurch 21, Albion 7. Wade added an unconverted try for Christchurch, and right on time Taylor battled his way through a ruck to score for Albion. Burgess converted and the game ended: CHRISTCHURCH 24 * ALBION 12 Referee—Mr s. Hollander. MERIVALE v. LINWOOD. The curtain-raiser to the main game of the day was provided by Merivale and Linwood. The game was keenly contested, but was not productive of a great deal of sparkling passing play. The game opened quietly, but brightened when Qrofts led a loose forward rush on Linwood’s last line. In endeavouring to keep the invaders at bay, Linwood infringed, Hendry just failed to land a goal from out near touch. Merivale, who were doing most of the attacking, came close to opening their account when Bay, Francis and May

combined in a passing bout on the right flank. May’s pass went astray, but Suckling was on hand to carry on the good work, and to just miss in a dive for a try. The Linwood backs were, given a gallop following a centring kick by Dunshea, but M'Clelland was snowed under after he had penetrated deeply with a fine dash along touch. Later Stuart made a good opening for Merivale, but when a try looked certain he was forced to go on his way be.cause his supports were obstructed. Linwood bustled the opposition considerably in the play that ensued and twice in quick succession came close to scoring. Halftime came, however, with the score sheet clean and reading: Merivale 0, Linwood 0.

Shortly after the change-over. Robb, the nippy Linwood first five-eighth, gavethe crowd a thrill. Receiving tire ball from a scrum, he cut in beautifully, and raced goalward. A sure try would have resulted had he been supported. Linwood continued to apply the pressure, but were robbed of points when the ball shot out from a meltee, only to strike the referee. Merivale transferred play to the opposite end of the field, where a passing rush by Hendry, Day and Masefield culminated in the lastnamed diving over in the corner. Suck-

ling could not improve the position. Merivale 3, Linwood 0. Shortly afterwards Hendry landed a penalty goal to put Merivale further in front. After they had enjoyed a brief respite on attack, the Linwood defence crumbled. Oliver set the Merivale backs in motion for Day to work Hendry into position on the left wing. The fiveeighths accepted his pass when the time came, and raced half the length of the field to score wide out. Rich added tlve extras. Merivale 11, Linwood 0. Stung l-y the succession of reverses, Linwood attacked with determination, and were rewarded when M’Clelland dribbled across from a lightning rush, and dived for a try. Dunshea, failed with the kick. Merivale 11, Linwood 3. A period of give and take play followed, and then Francis slipped across for a try after pa .-f-ing by the Merivale backs had broken down. Rich converted with a beautiful kick. Merivale 16. Linwood 3. Linwood came again, and from a set scrum five yards out, Stevens ducked round the scrum onl v to lose the ball when within sight of the line. Robb, however, was on hand to carry the ball ov'er, and to pounce for a try. Dunshea converted. The game ended: MERIVALE Hi LINWOOD $ Referee, Mr K. H. Perrin.

VARSITY V. ATHLETIC. Strengthened by the inclusion of 11. Brittenden, coach of the team, and B. Soloman, a new recruit from the North Island, Athletic kept Varsity busy on defence, hut finesse for the registering of points was lacking. The Varsity forwards, led by Andrews, looked like taking everything before them in several loose rushes. L. Moran, however, made some great saves. Parsons, whose speed off the mark brought its own reward, set going two movements, the second of which, with Heenan joining in, resulted in a try. Loveridge converted. Events took a quick turn when Brittenden intercepted a pass in the Athletic twenty-five and, lacking condition, strove desperately to keep ahead of the slowly-overtaking Fookes. L. Moran converted a hard-earned try. Varsity 5, Athletic 5. Varsity continued to have the upper hand, and Hayman scored. Loveridge converted from the side line. Wilson, Simmers, Hamilton and Roberts executed a fine movement for a try, which Loveridge converted. Varsity 15, Athletic 5. Fookes, just as he was tackled, potted a magnificent goal from about ten yards inside of half-way. The half-time score was:—Varsity 19. Athletic 5. Brittenden was replaced by Costello in the second half, at the start of which Loveridge notched a penalty goal. An interception by Parsons gave Havman another try and Loveridge goaled. Loveridge found the uprights again with a penalty, and Varsity romped through. Andrews brushing aside four or five listless opponents to give Roberts a try. Coaling was no trouble to Loveridge. From a scramble near the Varsity line O’Connor dummied his way through, but Varsity returned for Hay man to score and Loveridge to kick hjs eighth goal. Coll livened matters by getting at the head of an Athletic rush and scoring, but L. Moran missed the kick. The game ended: VARSITY 40 ATHLETIC 13 Referee: Mr H. O. Jefcoate. GAMES ELSEWHERE. AUCKLAND —Rugby: Grammar Old Boys 15 beat Training College; Varsity 24, College Rifles 11: Ponsonby 19, Marist 13; Auckland Grammar 11, A3l Albert 10. League: Devonport 11, Newton 5: City 12, Richmond 8; Marist 34, Ponsonby 17. Soccer: Thistle 2. Onehunga 0; Ponsonby 3; Y.M.C.A. 2; Tramways 2, Abels 1. WELLINGTON.—Rugby: First division, Wellington 21, Athletic 5. Wellington College OJd Boys 19, Eastbourne 13; Hutt 27, St Patrick’s Old Boys 6; Petone 8, Marist 8; Poneke 13, Oriental 3. Second division, Onslow 17, Berhamport 3: Petone 29, Hutt 10: Poneke 1.1, Johnson ville 10; Melrose-Selwyn 16, Upper Hutt 11; University 6, Miramar 0. Soccer: First division, Auld Memorial Cup, Petone 3, Diamond 2; Technical 4, Marist 2: Waterside 4, Hospital 1; Swifts 2, Lowtr Hutt 1. First B division, Victory Cup, Nada 5, Rovers 0; Institute 8, Island Bay 2; Stopout 6, Miramar Rangers 4; Seatoun 3, Onslow 1. Hockey: Senior A, Karori 3, Hutt 0; Wellington 6, Huia 2; University 2, Wesley 1. Senior B, Wesley 2, Karori 2; University 1. Huia 1. DUNEDIN.—Rugby: Varsity B 13, Allvambra 3; Varsity A 14, Pirates 0; Southern 19, Union 0; Kaikorai 20, Zingari 9; Taieri 34, Dunedin 0. League: Christian Brothers 22, Pacific 13; City 19, Athletic 12. INVERCARGILL—Rugby: Pirates 27, Waikiwi 11: Star 18, Old Beys 9. MASTERTON—Rugby: Red Star 16, Old Boys 8. PALMERSTON NORTH Chatham Cup Soccer: St Andrew’s 4, Athletic 2. TIMARU—Point were outclassed by Star at Fraser Park. The Star forwards won most of the scrums, so that their backs consequently showed to better advantage. For Point, Cartwright did a lot of fine defensive work. The game was to some extent spoiled by a sodd'en ground and slight rain in the closing stages. The final scores were: Star 19. Point 3. Other results:— Senior: Zingari 6, Geraldine 5. Thirds: School 6. Old Boys 3. Fifth: School 11. Technical 0. TEMIIKA—Rugby: Teinuka 19, Old Boys (Timaru) 0. NELSON.—Rugby:—Senior: Rivals 6, Pirates 6; Nelson 11, Old Boys 6. Junior: Nelson 8, Rovers 0; Old Boys 11, Regimental 6. Third grade: College B 22, Old Boys 10; Nelson 30. Rover 5. Hockey:—Wakatti 3, Waimai 1: Kiwi 2, Stoke 0. Soccer:—Athletic Old Boys 3, Y.M.C.A. 0: Celtic 3, Thistle 1. HASTINGS. Rugby: M. B. O. B. (Napier) 14. Hastings Old Boys 0: Naoier Pirates 5, Celtic 5. ASHBURTON —Rugby: Ashburton 6, Old Boys 6. WANGANUI—Rugby: Technical 15, Pirates 0: Old Bpys 11. Marist 3; Kaierau 49, Ratana 0. Harriers: A race, Masterton v. Wanganui, for the Benson trophy, resulted in a win for Wanganui. Ellesmere Results. Following are the results in the Ellesmere Sub-union games:— Rugby—Senior grade: Lincoln 22, Southbridge 0; Waihora 9, Dunsandel 6: College 9, Leeston 3. Junior grade—Southbridge 0, Lincoln 0; Waihora 0, Dunsandel 0: Leeston 9, College 6. Third grade—Leeston 30, Waihora 0: Southbridge 23, Dunsandel 0; High School 11, Irwell 11. Hockey—A grade: Leeston 8. Brookside 0; Irwell 3, Doyleston 0. B grade: Southbridge 3, Dunsandel 0.

POSITION OF TEAMS. Points Ch TV D L F A Pts Sydenham S - 1 157 59 S *'hristchurch ..8 - 2 139 6!) 8 Old Boys .... 7 - 3 117 86 7 Merivale .... 3 - 5 1 45 104 5 Albion ...... 4 - 6 108 162 -1 Varsity 4 - 3 158 139 4 Linwood .... 3 - 7 111 127 3 Athletic .... 0 - 10 61 230 0