RUGBY LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24897, 10 June 1946, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE

SYDENHAM BEATS ADDINGTON

The first round of the Canterbury Rugby League senior championship was played on Saturday Sydenham beat Addington by 30 points to 0 in a disappointing game Hornby beat Linwood by 17 points to 3, and the recently promoted Christchurch team although beaten by Rakaia by 15 points to 6. made a good showing in its first game in the senior division The Vivian Cup series has now been concluded, with the exception of the play-off between Hornby, the winner of the present series, and Sydenham, the holder of the trophy SYDENHAM V. ADDINGTON Sydenham had all the better of the game against Addington at Sydenham Park, and was markedly superior back an< forward. The Addington side, weakened by the absence of several of its leading players through sickness and injuries, was on the defensive for the greater part of the game. Sydenham, although not playing as well as in some previous games, showed better combination and ability to handle the heavy ball In the Addington pack, K. Wilshire and R Price worked hard K. Andrews and J. Duke were the best of the solid Syden ham forwards. L. Brown, at half-back. 1 and V Meates, second five-eighths, stood out for good play in unfavourable conditions Meates, in particular, made a number of openings which brought tries, and showed himself to be a first?class Inside back In the first spell, tries were scored for Sydenham by F. Neale, K Andrews, and G. Wallace, one try being converted by M. .Noonan. Addington offered less resistance In the second half, when tries were scored for Sydenham by Noonan. R. Fuller, Meates. Wallace. and I Wilson Noonan converted two of the tries, the final score being Syderiham 30, Addington 0. The referee was Mr M. H. Smith. HORNBY v LINWOOD

Linwood, 14 points down at half-time, struck form in the second half of the game against Hornby In the early stages it appeared that Hornby would have an easy win. but Linwood fought back strongly, and the game was far from being one-sided The Hornby backs played open and attractive football at times, but the heavy ground prevented a consistently hi ch standard of play being maintained In the first spell tries were scored tor Hornbv by J Neale. A Henry D Davis, and N Davis Henry converting one try After the interval Henry scored another try for Hornbv and R Wilde scored a try for Linwood. Final score: Hornby 17, Linwood 3. The referee was Mr J Bailey. RAKAIA v. CHRISTCHURCH The ground was in good order for the gam-' at Rakaia. and both the home team and the newlv promoted Christchurch side played well For Christchurch it was a game of lost opportunities Rakaia made most of the chahces offering and scored five tries For the winnine side L Ber> was an outstanding back and K Mead at first also olaved excellent football D Mead was the best of a good oack of forwards The Christchurch hooker. L. O’Brien, plaved a solid game, and he (received sound assistance from W. McDonald H. Walker at second five-eighths, was the.

best of the Christchurch backs. For Rakaia. Beri scored three tries and C. Davison two. Walker kicked two penalty goals for Christchurch, and McDonald kicked one Final score: Rakaia 15, Christchurch The referee was Mr H. Mills. LOWER GRADES Senior, second division.—St. Joseph’s 19, Rakaia 8; Riccarton 13, Hornby 2; Woolston 14, Dallington 0,, Junior.—Christchurch 22, Addington 9; Sydenham 20, Linwood 5. Third Grade.—Hornby 2, Riccarton 2; Aranui 22, St. Joesph’s 11; Woolston 30, Christchurch 5; Sydenham 20, Linwood 8. Schoolboys.—9st: Sydenham 22, Hornby . * Sydenham 3, Hornby 0; Aranui Wa* mai £i 0- 6st 71b: Riccarton 13, Christchurch B 0; Aranui 25, Woolston 3; Christchurch A 23, Linwood 3.