League SYDENHAM IN LEAD

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

League SYDENHAM IN LEAD

Papanui Beaten 13-9 The third round in the Canterbury Rugby League’s championship was played on Saturday. Sydenham moved into the lead when, after a hard and exciting game, it beat its co-leaders, Papanui. The other games in the grade were notable for vastly improved displays by Linwood and Marist. Although ground conditions were far from the best Sydenham and Papanui gave a fine exhibition, which had spectators excited right to the final whistle. Results were:— Sydenham 13, Papanui 9. Linwood 14, Christchurch 7. Hornby 12, Marist 7. Championship points are: Sydenham 6, Papanui 4, Hornby 4, Linwood 2, Christchurch 2, Marist 0. SYDENHAM v. PAPANUI In the best and most exciting game of the season, Sydenham defeated Papanui by 13 points (one goal from a try, two tries, and a penalty goal) to 9 points (one goal from a try and two penalty goals). Features of the game were fine handling of the very wet ball and solid tacking by both sides. The winners handled the ball well, and switched play in an attractive fashion. They gained most of the ball from the scrums, and Papanui did not receive so many opportunities. The inclusion of S. Park in the Sydenham backline gave the line more thrust, and he combined well with P. Williams. The Sydenham centre, R. Forman, was prominent until he was injured. Although Papanui fielded the heavier pack, the Sydenham forwards showed greater speed and better handling. R. Turton and T. Kilkelly were outstanding in the loose, as were I. Pimley, J. Butterfield, and B. Forbes in the tight. The Papanui backs had few chances, but R. Clarke and K. Roberts shaped well. Jim Bond at second five-eighths, defended well. I. Anderson made a brilliant solo run for. Papanui’s only try. and W. Jones at full-back also defended well. R. Marsh gave a brilliant display among the Papanui forwards, and the whole pack showed good tackling on defence. The referee was Mr P. Yaxley. MARIST v. HORNBY After being beaten by more than 50 points in the previous week. Marist did very well to hold the fast Hornby side to a 12-7 loss. Marist received a much larger share of the ball than Hornby, but it was not put to good use. . When in possession, many of the Marist backline had little idea of what was required of them, and, consequently, many chances went begging. On the other hand the usually reliable Hornby side failed to function. Only once did their capable backline get really moving, and this resulted in a good try, scored by C. Courtney. Playing at full-back for Marist, B. Curtain displayed a rocklike defence which cost Hornby many points. Time and again his determined tackling stopped rushes by the Hornby forwards. E. Heenan again played a purposeful game for Marist at first fiveeighths. but his efforts were in vain as there was a complete lack of support from his other backs. Hornby had to be content to make breaks from individual efforts, and in this P. Tongue and C. Courtney succeeded. Both have exceptional speed and they made the most of it. It was Tongue who made the break to give C. Courtney his try. However, Hornby’s other speedster, M. Courtney, hardly moved more than five yards in any one move during the game. Out on the wing opportunities were lacking for him. A feature of the game was some very indifferent goal kicking from close in, but some grand kicking from the sidelines. P. Tongue (Hornby) and N. Bond (Marist) both kicked goals from the line at a stage when the ball was sodden.

For Hornby, C. Courtney and G. Neiman scored tries, P. Tongue convening one. Tongue and R. Kelly each kicked a penalty. For Marist. K. Cunneen scored a try converted bv N. Bond, who also kicked a penalty.

The referee was Mr V. Henry. LINWOOD V. CHRISTCHURCH

Linwood, playing with a fire and determination so lacking in the early games, gained a 14-7 win over the Christchurch team at the Show Grounds. It was Linwood’s day, and on this day the side would have tried any team in the competition. Christchurch opened the scoring, B. Edwards, the full-back, joining a sweeping backline movement and scoring unopposed.

Christchurch went further ahead with a penalty to hold a 5-0 lead. The Linwood team .swung into action and gave the opposition little rest. A good try was scored by one of the younger players. R. Pounsford, at half-back. This was converted by F. Hudson, the full-back. His penalty kick from 30 yards out, which gave Linwood the lead, was a fine kick with a wet, greasy ball. He later repeated this kick, and altogether his accurate boot gave Linwood eight points. Linwood’s other try was a fitting reward for the young hooker, J. Butcher, who, although hardly the build for a forward, was always in the forefront, besides raking more than his share of the ball from the scrums.

G. Smith, a newcomer to the Christchurch side, a former Marlborough representative, showed himself to be a promising back and his fast penetrating runs, although not meeting with their just reward, could have done so with an’ element of luck or perhaps a drier ground. Linwood’s points came from tries by R. Pounsford and J. Butcher, with two penalties and two conversions by F. Hudson. For Christchurch B. Miller scored a try and D. Walker kicked two penalties. LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve.—Addington 13, Hornby 7; Linwood 8, Sydneham 0; Papanui 20, Christchurch 0. Third Grade.—Burnham 4, Boys’ High School 4. Under 17.—Papanui 11, Horney 6. Results In Other Centres Auckland.—Ellerslie 15, Point Chevalier 6; Richmond 7, Marist 5; Ponsonby 12, Otahuhu 10; CityNewton 23, North Shore 15; Mount Albert 10, Northcote 3. Wellington.—Korodale 43, Miramar 5; Marist 20, Waterside 16; St. George 29, Taita 3. Dunedin.—Celtic 31, City 13.