RUGBY FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23968, 8 June 1943, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ASHBURTON DEFEATS CANTERBURY

SUPERIORITY IN BACK PLAY .

A better set d backs helped Ashbur-. ton to beat Canterbury by 19 points to 12, in the representative match at Lancaster Park yesterday afternoon. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, but the-Canterbury backs were outclassed in every department, and failed to seize opportunities like the Ashburton players. Four tries came from movements by the Ashburton backs, while Canterbury’s points included three penalty goals. Although the ground was slippery after the rain, this did not prevent Ashburton from making the play fast and open every time they got the ball. The Ashburton forwards had the better of most of the scrums, and for the greater part of the game they were superior in the lineouts: Much of the thrustfulness and enterprising tactics of the Ashburton backs were due to the second five-eighths, J. C. Kearney, and the centre-three-quar-ters, C. R. Kilworth, both of whom played for Canterbury last season. Kilworth took passes from, almost any angle, and was quick to exploit any mistakes by the o'ther side, while Kearney’s determined funning prepared the way for at least two tries. Behind the Ashburton scrum, E. T. Aickin played a workmanlike game, and got the ball away a shade more quickly than his opposite nuntber, R. Waterland. When the Canterbury forwards gave him the ball, Waterland generally managed to avoid the fast-breaking Ashburton forwards, but his Inside backs were slow and handled badly. When they did get moving they came up against determined tackling, while other promising rushes were spoiled by the tactics of the Ashburton forward, B, Bradley, who was a wing-forward in practically everything but name. As a result, the Canterbury wings saw little of the ball, and the 1937 All Black, J. Dick, had few chances, although he was too fast for the opposing wing. A. C, Muir, on the other wing, was out of position far too much, but he redeemed himself by kicking three penalty goals, one from an extremely awkward angle. At full-back, L. Smith played an outstanding game, and without him Canterbury would have been in far more trouble. His handling and kicking were faultless, and he was rarely caught out of position. The Canterbury forwards played a vigorous game, but they did not work together at first, and It was not until the closing stages of the second spell that they swept downfield in a series of determined rushes which finally gave them a try. They were beaten in most of the line-outs, however, and the Ashburton pack gained the upper hand in nearly all the tight work. For Ashburton, R. Tonks, A, F. Tucker, and B. Bradley, were always prominent, while hardest working of the Canterbury forwards were O. S. Meads. A. Palmer, D. Hayles, and A. Parkhill,

Two Ashburton tries came from movements started by Kilworth and Kearney, which ended in the wing-three-quarters. J. W. Green, having an easy run over. Kilworth himself scored two brilliant tries, crossing the line on one occasion with two men on top of him. The fullback, I. Behrns, who played a solid game, kicked a penalty goal and converted two tries. Canterbury’s only try was scored when a scrum was formed almost on the Ashburton line, and a mass of forwards, with Hayles on the ball, practically collapsed over the line. The teams were;— Canterbury—L. Smith; A. C. Muir, J. Maxwell, J. Dick; R. P. Dansey, D. Symes; R. H. Waterland; E. Grimes* E, O. Dasler, M. Fearnley, D. Dobson, O. S. Meads, D. Hayles, A. Palmer, A. Parkhill. Ashburton—l. Behrns; J. W. Green, C. R. Kilworth, W. McEwan; J. C. Kearney, R, Jamieson; E. T. Aickin; S. Dowland, R. Tonks, W. J. Blackie, A. F. Tucker, L. J..Clark, T. Johnstone, A. N. Ramsay, B. Bradley. Referee; Sergeant D. F. Johnson. CANTERBURY BEATS WEST COAST 26-5 From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, June 7. In fine suny weather, and before a good attendance at Rugby Park this afternoon, the Canterbury Rugby representative team defeated West Coast by 26 points (six tries, four converted), to 5 (a converted try), after an interesting encounter, in which the visitors held the upper hand throughout most of the play. The Canterbury forwards more than matched the efforts of the West Coast packmen and gave the enterprising Canterbury back-line a feast of the ball from set scrums and line-outs. As an attacking force the West Coast backs were a failure, but atoned to soma degree, individually, on defence. Canterbury backs were seen in numerous quick passing bouts, though it was not Until late in the second spell that they bore fruit territorially, most of the tries being earned by individual effort Or breaks through the comparatively weak defence offered by the West Coast backs.

Herman led the Canterbury pack and was best supported by Henderson, McKenzie, and Rothwell. C. Taylor gave a polished display as hooker, Callanan turned on a fine exhibition as full-back for Canterbury, making only one minor mistake. Apart from Garrett, the Canterbury inside backs showed enterprising form, and but for Garrett’s faulty handling and bad passes the score would have been much greater than it was. Hewitt, the half, retired hurt early and G. Harvey proved an able substitute. Jones and Wilson both combined to good effec* Wilson scored two fine tries and took part in numerous other fruitful movements, Weenink had the more opportunities of the two wingers, and scored two good tries also, his speed being a big asset In his dashing runs down tire sideline.

R. R. King led a West Coast pack which did not measure up to the standard of the province in past encounters with Canterbury. N. Jones, a youthful player, proved a tireless and keen understudy, who was rewarded with a try when King handed out to him on the line Just before the final whistle. Birchfleld, Croudis, and Beardsley were the pick of the remainder. J. Lindbom showed distinct promise as custodian for West Coast, being cool, .safe, and resourceful. D. Dewar was the most reliable of the inside backs, though Goodall, at half, gave good service. The combination, however, lacked pace and the necessary crispness in their movements, to bring results. N. Sweetman showed out in a number of solo .dashes on one wing, but the Other winger, J. Hayes, did not measure up to representative form, Weigh; and Strachan, who were last-minute inclusions in place of J. Keating and W. Amberger, played only fair games, weak tackling being their downfall.

West Coast won the toss and played with the sun in their favour. Canterbury pressed hotly from the outset, but met with a dour defence. Hewitt retired early with* a leg injury and was replaced by G. Harvey at half. When Rothwell and McKenzie broke away from a lineout near half-way, the latter handed In to Henderson, who threaded his way past the opposing backs for a good try in a handy position. Callanan goaied. Canterbury 5, West Coast 0, Garrett soon afterwards dispatched Wilson and Weenink, and the latter ran round the opposing backs to score after a solo run Of 30 yards. Callanan failed to convert. Canterbury 8, West Coast 0. A minute later D. Jones broke through the opposing backs and handed out to Wilson, who scored under the posts. Callanan goaied. Canterbury 13, West Coast 0. Half-time was called soon after.

Play had not been resumed a minute when Wenink dashed down the sideline and handed in to Garrett, who in turn gave to Herman, and he went over for a try near the posts, Callanan again goaled Canterbury 18, West Coast 0, When Knowles threw out a long pass near West Coast’s twenty-five, Jones handed on to Wilson, who scored In a handy position. Callanan failed to goal. Canterbury 21, West Coast 0. Wright retired hurt and was replaced by M. Thomas. Canterbury backs handled m turn, and when Wilson handed out to WCenink, the latter evaded Sweetman and Lindbom to score under the posts Callanan converted, Canterbury 26, West Coast 0. West Coast took a turn at attack, and after Dewar had klcjced out near Canterbury’s line, R. King secured to make his way to the line, where he passed to W. Jones, and the latter was rewarded with a try. Blrchfield converted. Full time was called soon after, with the score: Canterbury 26, West Coast 5.

Thp teams were:— Canterbury.—P. Callanan; W. Weenink. C. A. Wilson, J, E. B. Kerr; D. Jones, R. Garrett; L. Hewitt; T, Waratami, C. Taylor, R. Rothwell, G. Bond, A. D. McKenzie. T. Knowles, D. Herman (captain), G. F. •Henderson.

West Coast.—J. Lindbom; J. Hayes, R. Wright, H. Sweetman; C. Strachan, D. Dewar: F. GoodslI: N. Jones, J. King, R. Neilson, G. Beardsley, R. R. King (captain). R. Blrchfield. H. Coppersmith, W. Croudis. Referee: Mr W. Eggleton (Greymouth). Curtain-raiser Match In a third-grade curtain-raiser match, Westland third grade defeated Greymouth representatives by 3 points to 0. Telfer scored a try for Westland.