RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23967, 7 June 1943, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES ARMY A STILL IN LEAD Weather and ground conditions were again ideal on Saturday for the playing of Rugby football Most of the teams were depleted by the absence of the best players who were away with the representative team at Westport. The standard of play fell considerably, much more than it should have done because of the absence of a few players, and it was quite evident that some of those who did play did not have the confidence or initiative to carry on in the absence of the star backs and forwards. This was shown In the play of the Linwood-New BrightonTechnical team, which was without the services of the captain, Herman, and Hewitt. It still had a big advantage in weight and experience over Christchurch, but it lacked the thrust and finish to make capital out of the very many chances offered. Other teams were similarly affected and strong combinations played down to the level of sides that had shown no particular aptitude for high grade football. In both games played at Lancaster Park the tackling was deplorably weak. Following are the results of games In the senior competitions - . Air Force A 24, Athletic-University 13. Linwood-New Brighton-Technical 14, Christchurch 10. Army A 22. Aibion-Merivale-Southern 14. R.N.Z.A.F. 17, Battery 5. The position of teams is as follows: Army A 6, Air Force A 5, R.N.Z.A.F. 4, Athletic-University 4, Linwood-Teclvnical-New Brighton 3J, Albion-Southern-Meri-vale 21, Christchurch 1, Battery 0. AIR FORCE A V. ATHLETIC-UNIVER-SITY Although Air Force established a lead of five points a few minutes after the start of the game with Athletic-Univer-sity, for the greater part of the first spell play was fairly even, although the Air Force team siiowed a finer knowledge of the game Their backs passed the ball freely and the handling generally was good, while the play of O’Callaghan at full-back saved the side several times when the heavy Athletic-Uni-versity forwards came through with the ball at their feet. It was from crisp, bright passing from the scrum that Air Force scored its first try, the ball going out to the wing-three-quarters, Wilson, who in-passed to the five-eighths Smith. This try was converted by O’Callaghan, who also added the extra points to a trv scored by Meads late in the spell The try for Athletic-University was scored by Mitchell, who showed up the weak tackling of the Air Force, when in a passing rush, he shot through the centre and touched down. It was a deter-, mined effort. Just on half-fime Martin added a try for Air Force, the score at half-time being 13 to 3 in their favour. Tne_l<>ad was reduced early in the second spell, when Monagetti, running from the scrum, passed to Meates, who beat two men and sent in to McMillan, who scored for Dansey to convert. More passing by Air Force gave Bowler a try, converted by O'Callaghan, and Wilson and Meads also added tries. Athletic-Univer-sity added to iheir score when Meates had a long shot at goal that went wide, and Smith snapped up and ran over near the posts. Air Force won by 24 points (3 goals from tries, and 3 tries) to 13 (two goals from tries and a try. Mr D B Brown was referee. LINWOOD-NEW BRIGHTON-TECHNI-CAL v. CHRISTCHURCH Played as a curtain-raiser to the main game at Lancaster Park, the LinwoodNew Brighton-Technical versus Christchurch game provided a poor exhibition of football, and the close scoring, 14 points to 10, does not mean that the game was even exciting There was plenty of passing of a kind, and In this department Christchurch held an advantage. There was weight in the combined team’s scrum, however, and this offset the better work of the lighter opposing backs At half-time Christchurch led by 5 points, a converted try by R Taylor, who cut through in a Christchurch passing rush, and scored, for Langford to convert Waterland scored tor the combined team In the second half. Linwood-New Brigh-ton-Technical played together better and tries were scored by Mitchell, Roche, and Farnley, one being converted by Flynn. For Christchurch Brostow added a try which Langford converted. Scores: Lin-wood-New Brighton-Technical 14 points (a goal from a try and three tries) to 10 points (two converted tries). Mr R W Blazey was referee. R.N.Z.A.F. v. BATTERY Playing at the Show Ground, R.N.Z.A.F did not have any great difficulty in defeating Battery, although it was without several of its best players, including the captain. Wilson. The teams took some time to settle to their work, and the only score registered in the first spell was by Pearson who kicked a penalty goal. In the second spell, R.N.Z.A.F were superior in all branches and only poor handling and selfishness in passing rushes robbed them of several tries Mitchell showed up the weak tackling when he broke through the Battery defence to score a try, which Pearson converted Then Strathearn, who had been the best of the Battery backs, replied with a try which was converted by O’Neill Pearson kicked another penalty goal for R.N.Z. A.F. and Palmer and Taylor scored tries R.N.Z.A.F won by 17 points (a goal from a try, two tries and two penalty goals) to 5 points (a goal from a try). Mr D N. H. Robertson was referee. ALBION-SOUTHERN-MERIVALE V. ARMY A Albion-Southern-Merivale met Army A at Rugby Park on Saturday, and was beaten decisively in the second spell The margin was large, 22-14. The first try of the game was scored by McKenzie. Streaking for the corner from the 25 yard line, he fended off three Army backs to score near the corner This excellent beginning was no flash in the pan, as he was to gain the majority of Albion’s points. Intercepting a pass to Muir, the Army three-quarters. McKenzie again scored, bringing the crowd to its feet with a splendid 35-yard run Dobbs, the Army full-back, failed to stop him, though McKenzie came close to falling. Albion continued to preSJ the attack, but the team’s territory was invaded when swift passing gave Muir the ball A dodging 35-yard run ended between the posts—Army’s first try McHerron easily converted. Stubborn in defence. Army stopped repeated attacks Playing well. Foster the Army half-back fed his backs from the scrum often and cleanly Exceptionally fast play followed and another five points were added to Albion’s score when Maxwell made an opening for Symes Maxwell converted Another converted try for Army was gained from a short run by Perkins McHerron converted. Securing another try between the posts, McKenzie gained his third success Maxwell missed the kick Immediately before half-time Muir olacecl a penalty kick squarely between the posts from 10 yards inside naif-way Attack followed attack, and Muir again proved his kicking ability with two more successful penalties Army’s forward pack asserted its weight throughout, and prominent were Kllworth and Stewart Smart work by Hobson checked many a rush on the part of Army, -but an air of despondency crept Into Albion’s play ft u - a® with comparative ease that Kilwnrth topped off Army's score with a good try The game ended - Army A 22. Albion- - •'Uthern-Merivnle 14 Other games resulted;— Senior Grade (Second Division):— Air Force B 9 Canterbury Agricultural College 3. Army B 35, Air Force C 3.

Second Grade.—Linwood-Technical 11. Air Force 3: Albion-South.-Merivale 23. Canterbury Agricultural College 3; Air Force 13, Athletic-University 8. Third Grade.—High School Old Boys 12, Albion-South.-Merivale 6; Richmond 12, Kaiapoi A 6; New Brighton. 15, Kaiapoi B9; Linwood-Technical 16, AthleticUniversity B 4; St. Andrew’s College 18, Athletic-University A 12; Boys’ High School 17, Christchurch 9. Under 18 Grade. —Christ’s College 12, Sumner 6; High School Old Boys 17, Christchurch West High School 11; Boys’ High School 13, Southern 0. Under 17 Grade.—Technical A 12. Athletic 10; Albion 37. Merivale 3. Under 16 Grade.—Linwood 19. Technical 5. Under 15 Grade.—High School Old Boys 14, Technical B 9; Technical A 17. Albion 5; Merivale 29. Technical C 0. Under 7 stone Grade.—Southern 11, Linwood 3; Richmond 11, Merivale 9. Under 6 stone.—Albion 3, Linwood A 3; Ath'etic 18, Linwood B 0; Southern 15, New Brighton 6. CANTERBURY DEFEATS BULLER (P.A.) WESTPORT, June 6. The Canterbury-Buller Rugby match, played at Victoria square, Westport, yesterday afternoon, was won by Canterbury. 13-5. Heavy rain fell overnight and on Saturday morning, making the ball greasy to handle. Buller forwards were the better pack but Canterbury backs outclassed the local players. Tries were scored for Canterbury by Cochrane (2) and Herman, two being converted by Callanan, while C. Dalziel scored for Buller, E. Nicholson converting W. Mumm (Buller) was the outstanding forward, and Jones (Canterbury) shone as a straight-running back. INTER-ISLAND MATCH REINSTATED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 5. The New Zealand Rugby Union has decided to reinstate the North Island versus South Island match. It will be played on August 14, at Wellington. RUGBY LEAGUE OUTSTANDING GAME AT SYDENHAM PARK The best Rugby League of the season was seen at Sydenham Park on Saturday when Sydenham-Rakaia beat Lln-wood-Woolston by six points. Combined runs and solo efforts were both firstclass, Sydenham winning because of ex- , tra punch in its attack Army had no chance against Hornby, which was in great form, back and forward, and scored tries in clever moves from all parts of the field. Scores were:—Sydenham-Rakaia 26. Linwood-Woolston 20; Hornby 45, Army 6. Competition points are:—Hornby 10, Sydenham-Rakaia 6; Linwood-Woolston 4, Addington-Central 4. Army 0. Sydenham and Addington have had a bye. SYDENHAM-RAKAIA v, LINWOODWOOLSTON Six tries, four converted, to four converted tries, was Sydenham's margin over Linwood in an excellent game, full of clever runs. and capped off with three magnificent goals kicked by C. H. Davison. Each was from the sideline and did not deviate an inch from the straight line A main point in Sydenham’s win was the play of L. Brown behind the scrum. His speed in passing, after cutting out his opponent, paved the way for 20 or more thrilling back runs in which his side invariably had an extra man. Linwood, by comparison, was slow in the Inside backs. Consequently its main scoring line, the three-quar-ters, Nuttall, Bateman, and Whitley, did not get the chances its opponents had, but when in possession these players made spectacular runs Linwood forwards were great in loose runs, ’much ahead of Sydenham, but were beaten in scrums and tight play, where weight and strength told their tale. The interval score was 13 points to 10 in favour of Sydenham, which went to 23 points to 10 before Linwood picked up again and put on two converted tries. Scorers for Sydenham were R, Brown, W. Guy (2), W Macdonald, Davison, and K. Alfeld, Davison converting three and L. Brown one. For Linwood, Bateman (2), A. Allred. and S. Claughton scored, A. Sandford converting all four. Referee; A.C.I G. Williams. HORNBY v. ARMY Army, which has been unlucky In losing J. Walker, had no chance against Hornby, which, with excellent combination. swept up the field in brilliant runs that left the defence spreadeagled Army will be stronger in future games Up to the interval, when Hornby led by 20 points to 3, C. Evans (2), N Davis, and D Corboy scoffed for the winner. D. Davis, A. Standeven, and Evans each converting one. while D. Davis kicked a penalty goal. R. Bateman scored for Army Later, W. Hogg, T. Jennings. W Henry 12). Standeven, Evans, and N Davis scored for Hornby, W. Lodge and D Davis each converting one. J Lloyd scored for Army. Referee: Mr R. E Mathie. Under 18 Grade.—Hornby 12, St. Joseph’s 5: Addington 9, Aranui 6; Sydenham 11, Riccarton 5. Schoolboys.—St. Joseph's A 49, Sydenham 0; Linwood 25, St. Joseph’s B 0.

ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES CONTINUED RANGERS BEAT THISTLE The second series of games in the Association football championship was played on Saturday afternoon with one surprise, considering the absence of the representatives, that - being the unexpected defeat of Thistle by Rangers. Results:—Western 4, Technical Old Boys 2; Air Force 2, Shamrock 1: Rangers 4. Thistle 1 WESTERN v. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS Western used eight emergencies In the match against Technical, who played one short throughout. T. W. Starky, A. Henderson, J. Druker W. Ives, W Whittington, and F. T. H. BelJ, former members and two well known cricketers, I. A Baxter, and R. H. Scott, completed Western’s eleven. The teams.Wierg-,well matched, and if Technical had bad a forward of the calibre of Dowker, the side might have pulled the game out of the fire Dowker scored all Western’s goals, mainly through his own speed and individual briliance. He is a fine player, but must remember his inside forwards Technical sorely missed the generalship of V Smith, and the useful Bailey, and ’it was very apparent that without these two the side is hardly up to senior standard The diminutive Goldsmith gave a very plucky display and was one of the hardest workers on the ground. His passes. like those of the rest of the team 'eave much room for Improvement in accuracy Gorely Martin and Petrie were others who -.howed up. For Western Starky, In goal, showed fine form for a veteran, and the fullbacks. Gibson and Green, both played well The rest of the team showed lack of practice, but thoroughly enjoyed themselves. R Dowker (4) scored for Western, and A. Clayton and J. Hollows for Technical Referee Corporal T Waddell. AIR FORCE V. SHAMROCK Although beaten by Air Force. Shamrock gave a much Improved showing on recent matches, and with more consideration of marksmanship, the side shoula do much better. With J. West out for some months and E. Fielding in the Air Force in Wellington, Shamrock is without two of its most energetic players. Nevertheless, the present eleven has potentialities and a more liberal share of the ball for the wing men should improve the team’s position in the competition. Laffey. at inside-right, was right back to form against Air Force, and, like the other inside. Fleete, can really play well when he likes. The halves, headed by Paton, worked well The full-backs, and in particular Jesson, played well Air Force showed its real strength by playing as a team The main weakness appears to be In the finishing-off efforts, and the side Is capable of Improvement in this respect. Of a very useful Air Force quintet B Stone was perhaps the most prominent. W McMeekan made a welcome reappearance at centre-half and had two willing outside men in McGillivray and McKenzie The full-backs were sound, and the goalkeeper, Weg England, formerly of St. Albans, was right up to form. B. Stone and J Baker scored for Air Force, and P Fox for Shamrock. Referee; Mr W Bowen. RANGERS v. THISTLE Rangers decisively beat Thistle by three clear goals Rangers successfully offset accurately conducted combined movements by vigorous play, giving Thistle little chance to settle down and dictate the type of game The work of the whole Thistle side appears to want revision The lack of cohesion on attack or defence was ably exposed by Western, and again by Rangers on Saturday For Thistle. White, McLeod, Nelson, and Green were most prominent. Rangers showed individual vigour in the forwards if not combination, and in this sphere Starr. Cahill, and Powell were perhaps the pick In the halves 1. Lee was the nick, and gave his usual tireless display The backs and keeper were sound. D Sharr (2), W. Cahill, and J Powell scored for Rangers, and G. McMenamin for Thistle. Referee: Mr M Cassin. Senior Reserve.—Army 6, Thistle 1: Rangers 3. A.S.C 1. Junior Grade —Shamrock A 3, A.T.C 1; Shamrock B 8. Lincoln College 1 Sixth Grade Thistle 3, Technical 1 Seventh Grade A.—Thistle 5, Technical B 2; Nomads 10, Rangers 0; Shamrock 3. Technical A 2 Seventh Grade B.—Swifts 3, Shamrock A 1: Thistle 9, Shamrock B 0. CANTERBURY WINS DAWSON CUP MATCH iP.A.) WESTPORT. June 6 In an Association football match at Mlllerton to-day for the Peter Dawson Cup, Canterbury defeated Buffer by a goals to 1.