League GOOD MATCH AT SHOW GROUNDS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 7

League GOOD MATCH AT SHOW GROUNDS

Hornby Defeats Christchurch Second round matches in the Canterbury Rugby League’s championship were played on Saturday under ideal conditions. The main game at the Show Grounds produced excellent football, with the younger Christchurch side giving a fine display against the stronger and more experienced Hornby team. Results were:— Hornby 18, Christchurch 12. Papanui 44, Linwood 14. Sydenham 59, Marist 2. Championship points are.— Sydenham 4, Papanui 4, Hornby 2, Christchurch 2, Marist 0. Linwood 0. HORNBY v. CHRISTCHURCH The match between Hornby and Christchurch was in doubt until the end of the game, when a converted opportunist try gave Hornby the deciding points. The match was fast and even throughout, with Christchurch having the territorial advantage. Lack of finish, plus the strong Hornby defence, cost Christchurch the match. Hornby took the field without three of its regular players, but during the match two Christchurch players, Booth (forward) and McDonald (back) retired through injuries. These had been two of the outstanding players, Booth being up with the play at all times, and McDonald showing himself to be a strong-running back with a good eye for an opening. The Hornby side gave its usual solid display, and fully lived up to its reputation of taking full advantage of any errors by opponents The Hornby backline worked together smoothly. Courtney, at centre was the best of the backs, with D. and G. Nieman doing well in the five-eighths positions. The Hornby pack, led by Rutherford and Woodgate, gave another good display. The cover-defence was again excellent

The young Christchurch backline showed great promise, and should mould into a first-class attacking unit. R. Franklin at half-back was the best of these, and the best of the Christchurch pack were Hughie and Douglas, who received solid support from Booth until he went off injured. Scorers for Hornby were G. Nieman. B. Towart, C. Courtney and P Tongue (tries). Tongue (two conversions), and Woodgate (one conversion). Christchurch’s points came from tries by Booth and McDonald, with Walker converting both these tries, and also kicking a penalty . goal. Mr L. Cox was referee. PAPANUI V. LINWOOD

Taking full advantage of a lamentably weak defence, Papanui had a very easy win over Linwood by 44 points to 14. Headed by K. Roberts, New Zealand representative, playing his first game of the season. Papanui had far too much pace in the backs for Linwood, and was able to score some runaway tries. Linwood’s pathetic tackling enabled Papanui to pick holes in the defence almost at. will, although Linwood’s display did improve in the second half. This was when D. L. Blanchard, the former Kiwi forward, came on in place of M. Jones, who was injured just before halftime. Blanchard’s ability as a leader roused Linwood to better things and made Papanui’s try-scoring spree at least a little more difficult. However, although Papanui had a handsome margin there was little cause for complacency in the display, as it will meet the co-leader in the championship. Sydenham, next Saturday. The handling of the backs was by no means perfect, and their tackling could have been improved. Papanui’s greatest advantage lay in their faster wingers, I. McKenzie and K. Harding. Their ability to finish off moves, started by the in-