RUGBY UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20625, 28 May 1935, Page 13

RUGBY UNION.

Note* cn Second Grade Gaines. The sixtYi round of second grade competition was played on Saturday. Most of the games were closely contested. Sydenham created a surprise by beating Training College. r-i"o had not had a point scored against them in thejr -previous three games. Technical Old Boys had a hard tussle with Katapoi. and just managed to win by a margin of three points. Another even game was that between Athletic and A’bion. The latter won by three to nil. The following table shows the positions of the teams:—

a TECHNICAL 0.8. (3) V. SAZAFOZ (3). From the kick-off a hard forward struggle ensued between these teams, and. although not of a high standard, the play was interesting throughout. Neither set of backs showed up in attack. but Technical were slightly superior in this department. They were rather unlucky in the second spell in not scoring more often. Herman, Hale and Haybourn were the leaders of Technical s very willing pack. Welsh was also very useful In the tight work. Behind the serum C. Roberts gave a good display and sent out some fine passes. Smith and Tolputt. at fiveeighths, were also sound, and should develop into a good combination. Todd < wing) also played a good game, showing plenty of speed on attack. For Kaiapoi Drabble was noticeable throughout for his hard work in the for-, wards. He was well supported bv Hassell and Duff. The half-back. Rapatini, was sound on defence, but missed badly some times on attack. Cordon (second five-eighth) was sound, but did not receive enough support from the rest of his backs. The full-back, Henderscn, was reliable, and caved his side time after time by long line kicking. & OID COLLBOIANS (9) v. OX.P BOVS (0). Showing plenty of dash on attack and stamina in defence, Old Collegians were too good for Old Boys, and the score of nine to nil was a good indication of the play. The chief strength of the old Collegians side was in the forwards, who worked tirelessly throughout. At times the backs showed good form on attack, but usually the inside men were too slow oft the mark and did not have enough thrust. Old Boj's were again disorganised in the backs, and showed very little combination. They were hampered, too, by their forwards' inability to hook the ball. In the loose work Old Beys fared quite well, but in the set scrums and line-outs they were overshadowed. The whole of the Old Collegians pack worked hard and used their weight to advantage. Time after time, also, they gained much ground by fast following up. At full-back Alexander was solid, and kicked very well, putting over a couple of penalty goals. Bundle and O'Brien (the wings) also showed up both in attack and defence. The best forward on tlie ground was Toy, who made a fine leader for the Old Boys pack. He did riot get half enough support, some of the forwards failing to get into the hard work. Gill (halfback) and Brooks (five-eighth) both played up to form, and Eathorne. at full-back, was very sound. The others, however, were not impressive. :•? k SYDENHAM (18) v. TRAINING COI.LBOS 8. Training College suffered thgir first defeat of the season at the hands of Sydenham, who played good football and fully deserved "their win. The College team started off in great style and scored their eight points early in the game. In the second half, however, the position was reversed. By throwing the ball about Sydenham were able to gain the lead and keep it. The game ■was fast and open throughout, both sets, of forwards playing well. Training College were unfortunate in not being able to field their usual team, six of the regular side being away on holiday. The baejes suffered most, and their usual bright style was missing. Sydenham fully deserved their win and played hard throughout. The inclusion of Hill at second five-eighth has improved the backs a great deal, and it was the rearguard that won the game. Cox (full-back) was at the top of his form and was never bustled. Hobson, at half, was excellent in attack. Of the forwards. Crockett. Frisk and Watts were about the best. ALBION (3> V. ATHLETIC (0). Albion proved superior to the Athletic side and won the game by the work of their inside backs. Athletic played a great defensive game, but weak handling at times proved their downfall. ' Among the forwards play was more even. Athletic had the advantage in the tight work. For Albion. Evans. Spring and Hadfield played well m the pack. Wilson, second five-eighth, impressed most in the backs. Dyne, as full-back, was safe, although at times he was inclined to be slow. For Athletic. Dunn, half-back, and Morell, first five-eighth, were the pick of the.backs. They were well supported by Noonan on the wing. In the pack E. FofT, T. Poff and Vincent played sound games. ___________________

Points Oh. W. L. D. F. A. pts, Christchurch ... 5 1 — 8? 23 5 Technical O.I3. . . 5 1 — 50 4 9 5 Old Collegians ... 4 1 1 107 53 4J Kaiapoi 4 1 — 57 23 4 Training Col 3 1 — 46 12 3 Athletic 3 3 — 50 4 1 3 Albion 3 2 3 0 31 3 West Old Boys .. 2 2 1 38 40 2J Sydenham 2 3 — 78 56 2 old Boy* 2 4 — 52 65 2 T.inwood 1 5 -— 51 6 8 1 Varsity 1 3 10 55 1 Merivale — fi — 35 154 —