CANTERBURY’S IMPROVED FORM

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22510, 19 September 1938, Page 6

CANTERBURY’S IMPROVED FORM

Buller Rugby Team Beaten

VISITORS BE'LOW FULL STRENGTH

A depleted Buller team, the combination of which was further upset by replacements during the game, was decisively beaten by Canterbury in the last representative Rugby match but one of the 1938 season at Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon. The home side gave probably its best performance of the season in winning by 33 points to 9, its improved form giving provincial supporters reason to feel hopeful for the success of the side against its old rival, Wellington, next SaturdayWith key men missing from back and forward positions, Buller was not impressive, and Canterbury had all the better of the game. Nevertheless the visitors’ defence rarely slackened, and Canterbury had to earn its points by good combined play. There was a (airly large attendance of (he public, and the game was favoured by perfect conditions except for the brisk northwest wind.

In the curtain-raiser to the representative match the Canterbury Junior representative side played dashingly to beat Buller B by IS points to 6 in an Interesting game.

The weather was more suitable to summer sports than to football, but In spite of the warmth the Canterbury team showed a measure of dash which has been lacking from its play in most , matches this season. There was more liveliness forward, possibly because Buller, concentrating to some extent on a spoiling game, did not require as much holding in the tight as many of Canterbury’s opponents this year have done. Nevertheless, the value of close following of the ball was convincingly demonstrated in this match, not only in the good forward rushes which resulted, but in the excellent support which was given to the backs. On two occasions . tries came from movements ip which forwards raced up to support backs who had made openings,' and these thrusts were worthy of the best representative football.

Canterbury 13, Buller 0.

Thrust in the Backs

It was in the back line, however, that Canterbury was most impressive. The return to the team of J. A. Hooper, All Black five-eighths, and the inclusion at centre of A. G. Hunter-—not previously available this season —gave the line much-needed thrust, and their work was so good at times as to suggest that.they would have been little less effective against much stronger opposition. C. Saundercock played a workmanlike game at half and W. Jarman, who has been one of the selectors’ most criticised choices, justified himself by some good work in a display which, nevertheless; was not faultless. The wingers, too, were always menacing, W. A. Hadlee having more chances than F. L. Pearson. G. T. Nolan played'a polished full-back game. C. W. Williams and F. J. Foley were good leaders of the forwards, and with L. Homer and R. Duncan they were always in ihe thick of the fray. Duncan hks developed into one of the best all-round forwards in the province; there are; few departments of the game in which he does not excel. W Fright was a keen hunter of the ball in the: loose. The whole pack, however, gave good , service in this game. . ’ - Toiling. Buller : Forwards .

WIN

BULLER B TEAM BEATEN

Buller lost its beck-line leader, D. Strachan. earlyin the game, and in .attack the rearguard was seldom hnpreeaive. Most trouble Canterbury came from. J. Alexander, at first flveeigbths,an elusive runner with a keen eye for an opening.- R. Butterfield was very solid at'half-back and W. Neighbours and P. Neighbours were sound without doing anything brilliant bn attack. The wings had few cbaneeK'so that the' ability of W. Waenink.held In high esteem by good judges of the game, could not be assessed with any degree. of accuracy. He bad another duel with Pearson and the defence of each-.was equal to the other's attack. A. Dunn was an excellent full-back. When W. Neighbours was in jurad in the-first 19, minutes . of the second spell Wyeth, - who bad played, for. the Buller B team, came on to give a capable performance at half-back in themain match. - ' The Buller forwards were without their captain, O. D.'Masonrtheir usual hooker. K. Corrie, and J. Jackson,- and this no : doubt upset the pack both in scrummaging and in loose play. However, J. Brown* F-'Kaye,-and E; Brown did some good spoiling work and .O. Wilson and B. Hayward joined with them in some fine loose, ( rushes, R, Pratt was another excellent'forward in both tight and loose work, and J. Lake and J. Stewart worked hard throughout; . • The Teams ■ The teams were as follows:

Canterbury

G. Ti Nolan. , Three-quarters: W. A. Hadlee. A G. Hunter, F. L. 'Pearson. , Five-eighths: J. A. Hooper, W. Jarraai. .■ - Half-back: C. Saundercock. , ' ■ Forwards: F. J. Foley; W. Fright, C. W. Williams, L. Homer, D. Herman; R. Duncan, H. B, Hay, P. K. Rhind. ; Bailer Full-back: A. Dunn. Three-quarters: W. Neighbours, D. Strachan. W. Wcenink. j Five-eighths; F, Neighbours, J. Alexander. . ■ ■ . Half-back: R. Butterfield.

Canterbury 14, Buller 0.

Forwards: E. Brown; J., Brown, B. Hayward, G. Wilson, ,F. Kaye; R, Pratt, J. Stewart, J. Lake.

How the Scores Came Canterbury had the advantage of the wind in, the first spell. Foley kicked through after Jarman had been held up, and' Fright broke away, shortpunting to the goal-line. Pearson,, however, was beaten by the bounce. Hunter goaled finely from a penalty 45 yards out. Canterbury 3, Buller 0.

A WELLINGTON TEAM BEATS MANAWATU

Hooper shot through, was partially tackled,''and sent a long, high pass to Hadlee, who made a fine bid for the line,, being forced out at .the corner Stfachari was injured, and K. Brown came: on in the wing position, W. Neighbours going to centre. Hunter cut through brilliantly, but was finely stopped by Dunn. The forwards carried on, and Hadlee won the,race to the ball. Nolan converted. Canterbury 8. Bailer 0. Alexander was prominent in Rood runs for Buller. but the defence quickly rallied to close the gaps. W. Neighbours also made a good thrust after a Canterbury rush bad broken down. Led by Wilson, J. Brown, Stewart, and E. Brown, Buller attacked strongly, until a great, clearing kick py .Hadlee gained 70 yards. The halftime score wai:— ■ Canterbury 8, Buller 0. The Canterbury J?ack» threw the ball about enterprisingly -on f the reaumptioh, buttbere:was not sufficient certainty in the handling. The Buiicr forwards battled back, and Canterbury wag hard-pressed by fine iqter-paMing by Butterfield,•'Alexander, and the Neighbours brothert. Hadlee sgain saved well. * ,\y. Neighbours was hurt, and Wyeth came on in the half position, Butterfield going to second five-eighths. Hadlee came across field to send Hooper racing to the - line, lie was

AUCKLAND LOSES TO HAWKE’S BAY

WINNERS SUPERIOR IN LOOSE. PLAY

stopped, and Weenink cleared. The relief was only temporary, for Hooper cut through splendidly and Fright accepted a pass for a good try. Nolan converted.

A quick heel from a ruck sent Canterbury away again. Hunter cut in, losing touch with Pearson. Williams came up at great speed to take a pass, and send Pearson over just as was tackled. Nolan converted. Canterbury 18, Bullcr 0.

From a line-out on the twenty-five Saundercock raced through the opposition, to score a great solo try. Nolan goaled. Canterbury 23, Buller 0.

The Buller backs made determined efforts to get going, and Weenlnk took play to the Canterbury twenty-five with a determined run. Buller hooked from a scrum and Alexander potted a fine goal. Canterbury 23, Buller 4.

Alexander brilliantly fielded a loose ball when a Canterbury back rush broke down, and raced to Nolan before sending a good pass to K. Brown, who rah 30 yards for a great try. Stracnan .converted- The game ended soon after:— ' . „ Canterbury 23, Buller 9. Referee: Mr R. W. Blazey.

CANTERBURY JUNIORS

The very high standard of second-grade football In Christchurch was reflected in the excellent display of the junior representative team which beat Buller B on Saturday by 19 points to 6 In the curtainraiser to tne senior representaUve game Canterbury had fast, strong-running backs and a pack both solid in the tight and fiery In the loose. The visitors, forced to play a defensive game lor, long periods, stuck manfully to their task, and the forwards. particularly, were always ready t counter Canterbury’s attacks with con C *Cai?terbury^ l, real strength laying® three-quarters line, FounUln. Cartwright. and Sinclair, who played with a confidence and dash that stamM team as represervative' players of the future. they seemed little short of representative standard on Saturday. Klmberley second five-eighths, also showed speed andpenetratlon. In loose forwardwork, Toon. Andrews, .and, in, the second spell, Charterjs, were wweys menacing, but the entire pack were' played for-Buller by Chandler, an alert, and very - sound first Bve-eigWhs—hi* defensive wodc was excellent—and F. Powick, full-back. who extricated We team from m»ny dimculttes. Robinson. Coyne, Small, and Bddy wfii uiuiUy tht leadiri of a sound pack* The teams were as follows:- , _ . Canterbury—Kay; Fountain. „ CartT : Humphries. PmvTck?* ’Marshall!’ 'Williams. Eddy, Robinson, Small. . Buller kicked off against the brisk northerly breeze and a fending run of 50 yards by Fountain, who centred well, nearly brought • try. F. Powick went down -on the ball to save. Canterbury continued to attack and Sinclair picked up a loose ball to score after a Une-out. Cartwright goaled from the sidetine with a great kick. Canterbury 9. Buller 0, Canterbury had all the bettor of the play in the first half-hour. but a ootid defence-kept the backs In check. At laat a fine forward rush. ended in Toon scoring. Canterbury 8, Buller 0, - Just before half-time Canterbury scored a fine combined try. The forwards, led by Toon. Andrews, Mahar. and Wilton, want through and the last-mentioned got the ball out to Sinclair, who veered infield to beat several men. Canterbury 11, Buller 0. A blind-side movement by Kimberley, who - dummied and side-stepped two opponents before sending on to Sinclair, brought another score, and.the points et the interval were:—

A long run by Sinclair put Canterbury, on the attack’again. The forwards carried on and when the ball came infield to Harvey the defence w.as spreadeagled. Charterls converted, Canterbury 19, Buller 0. The visitors attacked after a fine linekick by Robinson. Chandler cut through brilliantly and scored beside tha posts after beating several men. Robinson missed the kick. Canterbury 19. Buller 3. Robinson, Eddy, and Small led Buller to the attack again, and F. Powick goaled easily from a penalty. The final score was; Canterbury 19, Buller «. Referee: Mr D. F. Johnson.

(rasas abiocutiom TXUaiAU.) WELLINGTON. September 18. After being five points down with five minutes to go, a WeUtngton representative Rugby team beat Manawatu by 18 points to 11; The game was not a, scientific display, but both, sides excelled ln keen bustling, tactics. Except tor TintUll. Lambourn,. and Pollock, tne Wellington team was a B team, and Manawatu was without the All Black McKenzie. Manawatu’s spoiling work was partlcularly effective on defence. Bulck scored for Manawatu in the first few minutes. Powell converted. A penalty goal by' Pollock for Wellington was the only other score in the first half, but at the beginning of the second half he kicked another and put Wellington ahead. Buick scored another try and Powell kicked a penalty goal, putting: Manawatu ahead. 11-6; but In the last five minutes the home side toolc charge. Wareham and Carter scored tries. Pollock converting both.

HASTINGS, September. 18. Playing on v a brick-hard ground at Napier, the Hawke’s Bay Rugby representatives convincingly beat Auckland by 37 points to II onßaturday. Auckland was superior in the set «crum»__and had more , than its share of the ball, but In loose play Hawke’s Bay was markedly superior, with short, fast passing forward rushes disorganising the Auckland pack and leading to many scores. Both, sets of backs. were, sound, but Auckland could seldom penetrate the Bay • defence; Thomas, 'who 1 took Bradley’s place ,at first five-eighths, had a day out. scoring 29 oointa for BetAM Baik , _

SUNNY SIDE’S WIN

CHALLENGE TROPHY FINAL

CHRISTCHURCH BEATEN IN KEEN GAME

Sunnyside IT, Christchurch < Referee: Mr H. J. Coulter.

OTAGO BEATS WELLINGTON

HtUI 4SSOCIATIOM

DUNEDIN, September 17.

TARANAKI BEATS KING COUNTRY

playing a last, hard, and dean. Sunnyslde won the Canterbury _Rugby Union's challenge trophy m the the knock-out competition, br beating Christchurch 17-8 on Saturday, The game. “ st ™ 3 well^wbVm^eelng! and it attracted , v?r , y a S l f h o vmili Scores were nearly level all the way unw the last few minutes, but Sunnyside_de served Its win, A fast and Rgsvossivo P C made the most of every clmnoe. and the backs occasionally played brilliantly, The Christchurch forwards, too, worked WJUj and the backs. Individually good, at times tU The d r fuU^ack a Thacker, a new recruit from college football, was in excellent form for Christchurch, and Sunnyslde’s full-back L. Moran, was even better. Bacon, in the Christchurch f° r a wards, played an excellent game* t and a try oi his was one of the season s b®srt; Both sets of forwards Played * game, and at times "incidents , likely to develop. The closing stages ot the game were exciting until successive tries cave Sunnyside a clear lead jUST before s the final whistle. The teams were. Sunnyside—L. Moran; w, OUver.Pe Kins, Chinnery: W- Ritchie, E. Vincent. S. McCarthy; G. Newton. R. Burke, W. McLeod, G. Kelly, N. Mllhken, W, Alt ken. Young. T. Moran, w t Christchurch—Thacker; JJeame, M. Watson. Baker; A, T. Black, B. Toon. W. J. Byrne; Jesson. Fleming. Clay. W. Stone house, G. Gasson, Reid, H, B. Bacon, 5was put well on attack when a penalty “gainst Sunnyslde boded a promising, forward thrust by a hard working Christchurch pack. Thacker a Kick fell just short, but L. Moran regained all Sunnyside’s lost ground with a brilliant line kick from his goal-line almost to naif-way. A minute later his excellent kicking ability gave Sunnyside an early points lead when he made no mistake with a penalty kick from a long way out. Sunnyside 3. Christchurch 0. A solo rush by Newton paved the way for a strong Sunnyside offensive on the Christchurch line, but Thacker. Playing a sound and reliable game at full-back, saved the situation. Sunnyside came back again and worked into an excellent position for ,an attempted pot at goal by Moran, hut he missed. Sunnyside was pressing hard now and Christchurch had to force twice in two minutes. Finally, for a change, the Christchurch forwards, with Bacon and Horwell prominent. awept downfleld almost to Sunnyaldes line, Byrne let the ball out to the, backs after the forwards had gone so far, but the movement broke down and Black was Injured. He had to go off and waa replaced by Wlgzell. One of the beat tries of the year finally put Christchurch on top. Bacon, who was. playing a brilliant game in the forwards, came In as an extra back, received a pass from Nearne, and then ran some 40 yards, beating Oliver easily in a dash for the line. It was a beautiful try, and Thacker converted and put Christchurch ahead. Christchurch *5, Sunnyside 3. Sunnyside went away again in the lead when two minutes later Chinnery raced through on his own for a try almost as good. Moran failed to convert. Half-time came with the scores still: Sunnyside 6, Christchurch S,

Sunnyside attacked strongly when the second spell began, but Thacker cleared for Christchurch. A penalty for Chrlstchurcn from a fair way out gave Thacker another chance, but his kick went a long way astray. After a torrid forward clash Sunnyside forced Us way to' the Chrlst'•hurch line and eventually added to Us iced when W. Aitken went over for a try after a forward scramble. Moran missed the kick. Sunnyside 9, Christchurch 8. i Christchurch was not long in closing the gap in the scores, Neame, who had been walling an opportunity most of the game, was given a good pass at the end of a Christchurch attack, and scored in the corner. The kick missed. Sunnyside 8. Christchurch 8. The fast rate of scoring was maintained when Vincent rounded off a determined Sunnyside rush with a good try. The kick missed. Sunnyside 12, Christchurch 8. Sunnyside nut the result beyond all doubt when another powerful forward rush ended in a god try by Aitken, He converted .it himself. The game ended with the score:

BRIGHT, OPEN GAME IN DUNEDIN VISITING TEAM LACKED FINISH

Playing in perfect • conditions and .before a crowd ,of about 7000, Otago ..beat Wellington In the final match of the-sea-son by 18 points to 8. It was a lively and entertaining game, in which, Wellington played brightly -but lacked the finish' and experience of the home team. Wellington, playing with a light braeee, had the better of the early exchange*, and for some time. had Otago defending hard.' The visitors were caUing for scrums instead of line-outs, and this tactic was giving them plenty of ball, resulting in lively back movements which, however, were not finished off. . ■ After about 80 minutes* play, the Otago backs and forwards came away in a strong passing rush which enabled Black to carry play right to the Wellington line, where no was tackled by Fleming. _TOje ball feu loose over,the line, where Tyrte fell on it for a try at the corner, which Taylor failed to convert. Otago 3, Wal* lington o# A few minutes later, from an infringement. Taylor had a snot from 3# yards out. Kicking a fine goal. , Otago lington 0. Play continued to be bright and interesting, and towards the end of the spell Trevathan made a break through which carried play close to the Wellington line. Fleming cleared, but Taylor fielded his kick and attempted _a field goal which missed narrowly. Just on naif-time, from a scrum in the Wellington twenty-five, Simpson shot the ball out to Trevathan, who, taking his. time. Potted a beautiful goal, making the score: Otego 10, Wellington 0. . - - . The second half had scarcely started when Berghan picked up in the loose; cut through, and transferred to Trevathan, The latter sent the ball on to Neiper, who feinted his way through the to score. Taylor converted. Otago 15, Wellington 0. The Otego forwards were now taking the advantage, and from a loose rush in the Wellington twenty-five McLelland dived over after what appeared to be a knock-on. Taylor missed With the kick. Otago 18, Wellington 0. Play was continued at a fast pace, and a good run by Sargison put Wellington in an attacking position until the Otego forwards cleared to half-way, Werner, of Otego, was injured, and was replaced by Murray. Pringle also left the field, McNicol coming on. Trevathan and Berghan Joined up in some fine passing movements, and Otago continued to make most 0l The e Wellington backs showed promise, but their handling was not always good. They were seldom dangerous. The Wellington forwards, headed by Hegglum, Wales, and Gunn, broke away in a. passing rush, the defence being caught out of position. The ball was kicked over the line. Gunn won the race to It, to score near the comer. Gilmore failed to convert. Otago 18, Wellington 3. Hegglum again broke away; and Wales scored just on time, Sargison converting. The final score was: Otago. 15, -Wellington s.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEOBAN.) NEW PLYMOUTH, September 18. Taranaki won its - last representative Rugby match of the season by beating King Country by 21 points to S at Stratford on Saturday. Benefited ,by combination acquired on their southern tour, , the Taranaki forwards were markedly superior in the tine-outs and serums, and the young back line was too good for the rather weak opposition of King l Country, which was without Phillips and Cameron. Ward, the King Country full-back, played arp outstanding' game against the home' forwards’ strong attack. rive tries were scored for Taranaki* by B, Young, Neiison, Meuli, Bowler, -and Brown. Two were converted by Simpson and one by Meuli. Trustnim scored a try line -dig wisltaai in Wialmii* knot.