RUGBY University In Form To Beat Sydenham

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 7

RUGBY University In Form To Beat Sydenham

The only surprise in the third round of matches in the Canterbury Rugby Union’s senior championship. played on Saturday, was the defeat of Belfast by Sunny-gide-Spreydon by the narrow margin of 6 points to 0. Rain made some of the grounds slippery and the ball difficult to handle, but there was little wind. A fair crowd watched a grand display of forward play by the two unbeaten teams, University and Sydenham, at Lancaster Park, and with both teams in fine physical condition. University, without several of its star performers, richly deserved its win. Scoring in all the games was comparatively low, Christchurch having the biggest margin in beating New Brighton by 11 points to 0. Technical maintained its unbeated record with a narrow win over Albion, and Marist and Old Boys each won their first games of the series. Results: —

University 13, Sydenham 6. Christchurch 11, New Brighton 0. Technical 11, Albion 6.. Old Boys 9, Merivale 3. Sunnyside-Spreydon 6, Belfast 0. Marist 6, Linwood 0.

The following table shows the position of the teams at the end of the third round:—

GOOD FORWARD PLAY Handicapped in passing and speed by the slippery ball, and a ground slightly affected by rain. University and Sydenham gave one of the best displays of combined forward play seen on the Lancaster Park Oval for some years. University also faced a disadvantage in the absence of B. Molloy, who was earning his place in the New Zealand team in the trial match at Wellington, and S. G. Bremher and P. Hutchinson unable to play because of injuries. The Sydenham captain, M. J. Dixon, was also playing in Wellington. Dineen, the University full-back, narrowly missed a 40 yards shot at goal early in the game and the Sydenham forwards, carrying on after a smart dash by halfback M. Whitta, took play to the University line, where R. Cotton, after cleverly evading several tackles, potted neatly to open the scoring. T. Bisman, playing a loose forward game, gave Sydenham valuable assistance in keeping the University backs subdued but eventually a good centre-kick by J- Tapsell and good followingup by the University forwards ended when R. Moginie went over for a try in a handy position. Dineen converted, and at halftime University led by 5 points to 3.

M. Gowans had several long kicks at goal and put Sydenham in the lead early in the second spell with a shot at goal from a penalty 40 yards out. It was a good kick and appeared to give new life to the Sydenham forwards. who worked well together and, with the ball at toe, severely tested the defence of the University backs, several of whom did not relish the style of play adopted by the fast and lighter forwards. Several times in quick succession the Sydenham forwards appeared unlucky not to score. Only the clever defence of J. Park and Tapsell saved the line. Well beaten in the forwards for a period and gaining much-needed relief from a force down, the University pack now took a hand and a shot at goal from a penalty was narrowly missed by Dineen. The University backs found a weakness in Gowans, the Sydenham full-back, who dropped a high punt by B. Croucher and gave J. Williams a try which Dineen could not improve on. The Sydenham forwards were now beginning to feel the strain and a high punt found Gowans out of place, and Croucher scored a try which Dineen converted. University continued to exploit the high-up-and-under kicks and poor handling by the Sydenham backs gave University the advantage. Tapsell. Croucher and Park were the best of the University backs, with G. Loveridge, Moginie and Williams the best of a heavy pack. The Sydenham forwards, playing an inspired game until they tired in the second spell, were well led bv Bisman. J. Moorhead, and D. Collins. Of the backs, R. Bowick, at centre, and Whitta: half-back, were the only two in form. University won by 13 points (two goals from tries and a try) to 6 points (a penalty goal and a field goal). Mr R. G. Condliffe was referee MARIST WIN NARROWLY

Marist and Linwood engaged in a dour struggle in the curtainraiser at Lancaster Park and the much heavier Marist pack failed to stay on against the fiery Linwood forwards. Marist won by 6 points to 0, but in the whole game only one try was scored. After J. Collier had missed with a shot from a penalty Stuart sent his backs away and Marist almost scored when McDonald ran Anderson into position. C. Ellis, the Linwood five-eighths, had bad luck in not scoring when he charged down a kick which took play nearly the length of the field. A long kick by J. Stuart went over the goal-line and when the fullback, B. Dailey, missed in his dive to force E. Noonan raced up to score. At half-time Marish led by 3 points to 0. Early in the second half the Marist forwards, with W. L'Estrange and B. Mann leading, took play to the Linwood twenty-five and a penalty gave Collier an easy chance to kick a goal. N. Main and Ellis combined well for Linwood in several spirited dashes and in turn Dailey and D. Lynch were called on for a defence which they got through in approved style. C. McDonald, with all too few chances, Collier and Anderson were the best of the Marist backs Mann> J - Ryan and LTstrange showing up in the forwards.

For Linwood, Main and Ellis played best in the backs, well sup-

ported by Dailey at full-back, and in a light pack, D. Tabb, K. Trevella and B. Powell worked solidly.

Marist won by 6 points (a try and a penalty goal) to 0. Mr R. W. Fazackerley was referee. TECHNICAL IMPROVES

Coping well with slippery ball and field, Technical College Old Boys showed a marked improvement on their two games this season when they beat Albion by 11 points to 6 at Rugby Park. Nearly all the first half consisted of good but indecisive forward play before Technical gained superiority, with some sure handling in the backs, for a large part of the second half.

That period, from half time until about a quarter of an hour before the end, won the match. In the first few minutes both fullbacks, N. Edgington (Albion) and T. Jackson (Technical), kicked penalty goals and the score was still 3-3 at half-time. In the second half Technical scored two tries in quick succession, one by B. Arthur, No. 8 forward, and the other by R. Logan, second fiveeighths, converted by Jackson. Albion tried desperately late in the game, but could only get another three points—a dropped goal from a penalty by Edgington. Given plenty of ball by hardworking forwards with N. Teague, G. Sibley and Arthur in the van, and L. Langstone out jumping everybody in the line-outs, and Technical five-eighths attacked competently. J. Waine placed kicks for his outside men and R Logan made some grand breaks. They were aided by long, accurate passes from the half, N. Grenfell, who initiated Arthur’s try. Logan’s return to the side after an injury made a noticeable difference. The wings, B. Logan and I. Pickering, both made some speedy and determined bids.

Holding Technical with solid play in the forwards and good tackling in the backs for the first half, Albion lapsed for part of the second half before the forwards put the team on attack again at the end. S. Robinson, W. Garlick and B. Hopping led the forwards well, but the backs did not have a good day. Hampered by lack of ball they were unable to attack often and the defence slipped for a period. J. Ackland tackled- well before he went off and a young wing three-quarters, B. Stewart saved a certain try when he got R. Logan in the corner. Generally consistent, Edgington had the embarrassment of missing a penalty kick from straight in front. The referee was Mr G. P. Thomas. GOOD FORWARD PLAY In an interesting match at Rawhiti Domain, Christchurch beat New Brighton by 11 points (a goal from a try, a try and a penalty nil. Christchurch were scored by C. Devine and B. McPhail. M. Gold converted Devine’s try, and kicked a penalty goal. The game was mostly confined to the forwards. The state of the ground accounted in some measure for this but, when the ball was sent out to the backs, it did not go past the first fiveeighths of either side. T. George, first five-eighths for Christchurch, kicked for the line at all times, and gained much ground. •K. Logan of New Brighton had a very sad day, and was unable to handle the greasy ball as well as his opposite number did.

Most of the game was played in the Christchurch half, and New Brighton came close to scoring on several occasions. Good cover-defence by Christchurch was mainly responsible for the team’s victory. The New Brighton forwards played particularly well, in spite of the absence through injury of their captain, H. C. Burry. Both sets of forwards employed kick-and-follow tactics. K. Orsbourne and J. Staines were again in good ford in the loose for Christchurch. R. H. Duff was not as prominent as usual in the line-nuts, but was playing well in tight play, receiving good support from McNickel. In the line-outs, M. Harris and R. Nixon did much good work for New Brighton. The two half-backs played very well. The remainder of the back-lines did not receive many opportunities, and had to make their own play. R. M. Smith had a quiet day, and McPhail and Devine both showed speed to score tries. McPhail’s try came from a well-placed kick by George, one of the few occasions on which that player did not kick for the line. The referee was Mr B. J. Drake. BELFAST BEATEN

Sunnyside - Spreydon thoroughly deserved its win over Belfast by six points to nil in the match on the south ground at Lancaster Park, for it showed a better appreciation of the conditions. The forwards kept the ball under closer control in the foot rushes, which were conducted with vigour by both teams, and Belfast made the mistake of trying to open up play too much. The Belfast backs certainly looked better than their opponents, but they made many mistakes. Sunnyside-Spreydon held a slight territorial advantage for most of the time, but it did not score until 20 minutes from the end. L. Stuart played a particularly good all-round game and so did I. Hoe when he went on as one of the replacements for the brothers Kendrew, both of whom retired with leg injuries. In the backs I. Richards, at wing and then half-back, and the fullback J. White, did best. The rangy Belfast centre, C. Cassidy, made one or two good breaks and in an even pack the mas-sively-built B. Rogers did more than his share.

Tries for Sunnyside-Spreydon were scored by K. Cooper and R. Stuthridge. The referee was Mr J. Stone. UNINTERESTING MATCH

in spite of a clear advantage among the forwards, High School, Old Boys were fully extended by Merivale at Athletic Park. Old; Boys tried to keep the game openj but dropped passes spoilt prae-i tically every back movement. Ragged play by both teams provided little interest for the spectators. After the scores were equal. 3-3, at half-time. Old Boys went on to win by 9 points (two

penalty goals and a try) to 3 (a field goal).

With their forwards striving keenly against the heavier Old Boys pack, Merivale showed a lack of enterprise among the backs on the few occasions they received the ball. The Old Boys back line fared little better, and the large number of misunderstandings and poor fielding did the side no credit.

Old Boys scored the first points when M. Wood kicked a penalty half-way through the first spell. Merivale, however, was able to equalise soon after when, during broken and indecisive play typical of the whole match, M. Stonyer kicked a field goal.

What they lacked in enterprise, the Merivale backs made up for in their defensive play. Here they clearly held the advantage over Old Boys, and showed much pluck in going down on the ball in the face of strong forward rushes. M. Wood kicked another penalty for Old Boys early in the second half, and shortly after, the only try of the match came when the Merivale defence collapsed to let D. Pankhurst score wide out.

Towards the end of the game, the Old Boys forwards had losfi much of the little spirit they had shown earlier, and Merivale saw more of the ball. Unfortunately they had not the ability to capitalise upon the weakening of their opponents. Playing for Merivale, R. Watson behind the scrum showed patches of brilliance. Frequently forced to cover up handling mistakes further along the line, he tackled resolutely and proved frustrating to the Old Boys forwards trying to take the ball through at their toe. Among the forwards, B. Turner. J. Turner, and I. D. Skelton played well. A. R. Pearce was the only Old Boys back who looked formidable, and whether taking the erratic passes from the base of the scrum at his shoulder or ankle, was able to penetrate deeply. Among the forwards, K. Kirkland, E. Hern and R. Cochrane worked well, but the pack as a whole never functioned efficiently. Kirkland was injured later in the game and was replaced by D. Hattaway. The referee was Mr F. Campbell.

Results In Other Centres

Dunedin. Zingari-Richmond 13, Southern 3; University A 6, Dunedin 6; University B 14, Alhambra 6; Pirates 11, Taieri 6; Kaikorai 13, Union 9.

Taranaki.—New Plymouth Old Boys 19, Star 6; Stratford 13. Okato 6: Inglewood 17? Rahotu 6; Tukapa 19, i Clifton 14: Eltham 8, Kaponga 3; I Stratford Old Boys 24, Athletic 0; ' Opunake 9, Hawera 6; Waimate 8, i Patea 3.

Auckland.— Otahuhu 14, Ponsonby 0; Grammar Old ’Boys 19. Grafton 3; Suburbs 9, North Shore 6; Manukau 3, Takapuna 3; University 17, Marist 8: Eden 6, Northcote 3; Waitemata 11. College Rifles 3. Invercargill.— lnvercargill 14, Old Boys 9; Pirates 14, Collegiate 6; Bluff 16, Star 13. £

For Ch P. W. B. D. F A. Pts Univ. .. 3 3 0 0 55 9 3 Chch. .. 3 3 0 0 40 6 3 Tech. .. 3 3 0 0 32 23 3 Syd. .. 3 2 1 0 38 22 2 S-S. .. 3 2 1 0 28 13 2 Alb. .. 3 1 2 0 28 30 1 Mar. .. 3 1 2 0 18 24 1 Bel. .. 3 1 2 0 10 33 1 Lin. ..3 1 2 0 12 17 1 O.B. .. 3 1 2 0 12 33 1 Mer. .. 3 0 3 0 9 30 0 N-B. .. 3 0 3 0 6 48 0