RUGBY Christchurch And University Share Lead In Championship

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 16

RUGBY Christchurch And University Share Lead In Championship

Christchurch and University now share the lead in the senior Rugby championship, the only teams to have won all three games. On Saturday, at Lancaster Park Oval, Christchurch was thoroughly extended by Old Boy*, but deserved its 11—9 win. University beat New Brighton much more comfortably. There were no surprises in the other matches, but TechnicalShirley’* winning margin over Sydenham was unexpectedly targe.

Results are: Chrtetcfeurek U. ON Boys ». Vnlverelty 19, New Brighton S. Ltawsefl 23, Merivale 11. Marist U. Belfast *. Technical-Shirley 39. Sydenham 9. Albion t. SunnysideSpreydon C.

Old Boy* Defeated In Interesting Struggle Christchurch 11: Tries* by C. Devine, C. Mullaney. Conversion by G. Wattereus, field goal by B. Watt. Old Boys 8: Penalty goals (3i by S. K. Henderaon. There was never much doubt about which was the better team in the match at Lancaster Park Oval on Saturday, but there was the prospect, towards the end, that the violent efforts of the Old Boys’ forwards might bring about a result in conflict with the run of the play. For so young and light a team forward. Old Boys worked wonders in the second half, to dictate to a side ■which, particularly in the backs, looked far more swift and efficient. It was, in fact, the pace of the Christchurch backs which won the match: in set play, they made their opponents look almost arthritic, either with their pace in possession or the eager way in which they flew in to tackle.

The Old Boys backs’ movements were nearly always stifled at birth, and it says much for the leadership of D. J. Graham and. the response of his pack that the result should have been in doubt until the end. Old Boys won more than an even share of possession, but the quick, efficient tackling of the Christchurch loose forwards and inside backs was a vital factor. There was much to admire, however, in the spirited, driving rushes of the Old Boys forwards, particularly in the second spell.

This was not a great game, but it was a good one, with plenty of movement, and the fact that Old Boys led' 15 minutes from the finish gave it more than usual interest. Christchurch, in the first half especially, leaked a firstclass team, with the forwards together and the backs looking crisp and efficient. The demands exerted by the Old Boys’ forwards later exposed flaws in the defence, but Christchurch thoroughly deserved to win.

G. Wattereus had a fairly quiet time at full-back for Christchurch, but 15 minutes from time, when he joined in a back movement, he broke clear for some 30 yards, and sent C. Mullaney in for a try. Mullaney’s speed off the mark was astonishing, and invaluable. D. Arnold, on attack or defence. was excellent and so was B. Watt. W. McCallum, one of the locks, and N. Todd, on the flank, were very often prominent. Tie Old Boys backs did some good things from broken play, but were otherwise impotent. Graham, K. Victor, J. Miller and D. Hill distinguished themselves frequently. Watt kicked an unhurried field goal for Christchurch although on the run, C, Devine scored a fine try. One of Henderson’s three penalty goals was a fine effort from nearly 50 yards out. The referee was Mr F. B. Campbell.

Superiority In Second Half

Teetaieal-Shtriey N: N. Hartland (2), B. Nunan *ad W Raven trie* A. McNabb two conversions and four penalty goals, B. Richards one cos vers! oe.

Sydeakaa a: G. Riaeh a try. D. Gallop a conversion and a penalty goal.

Throughout the first half at Rusty Park, Technical-Shirley and Sydenham looked very even They were S-l for I time, and only a penalty goal towards the end of the half gave Technical a lead at halftime. However, Technical was markedly superior in the second half when it scored another 19 points to Sydenham's none, and won by 30 points to

The margin between the teams was perhaps made to look greater chan it really was because A. McNabb scored 18 pointe for Technical with kicks, several at which were fine efforts. But Technical still scored four tries to Sydenham’s one—three at them la the second half.

Sydenham played w«th a lot more energy and cohesion both baek and forward in the first half than tt did la the second, when it wilted as Technical improved. Well haki earty. the Technical backs ware given much mom latitude later, while W. Ravell. playing a strong number eight game tor Technical. broke up movements in the Sydenham ffto-eightiw. 3. Prout, the Technical hall, threw many of his passes a little behind the five-eighthj. S Quirk. and this slowed up the line, but Quirk had several chances in the second half to show his elusiveness, and McNabb. outside him. to make some strong runs. Hartland, on the wing, was able to finish off two movements well.

The Sydenham backs matched their opposites in the first half

when T. Sexton, at first BVesod G. C. Pool, at centre, showed out, but they did little attacking later when the Technical loose forwards troubled them and their defence also slackened. The side missed M. F. Whitt*, who will be out for a few weeks because of a minor operation. At full-back. Gallop performed a difficult job reasonably well. The AH Black. D. Young, was in outstanding hooking form for Technical. and he won sever*! tight heads. The loose forward tr.o of Flaveil, Nunan and B. Arthur contributed greatly towards the win by the way they kept the Sydenham backs tax check and by their speed in the open. Flaveil scored a try himself, and also made a break which led to Nunan’s try. The fittest of the Sydenham forwards was again D. Bryson, who was still up with play when some of the others were hesitant In the second half. The front row forwards. L. Summerfield and X. Miller, worked solitHy. Mr A. R. Taylor was referee. Score Not True Indication

Linwood 23 (D. Stephens (2). T. Rutene tries; W. F. McCormick three penalty goals, a dropped goal and a conversion). Menvale 11 (B. Loveridge a try: C, Henderson a conversion and two penalty goals!. On paper thia was a comfortable win by Linwood but Merlvale was a much stronger opponent than the final score indicated. Indeed, with Linwood' dominating the scrums and lineouts, it was to Merivale's credit that it stas able to figure so prominently In the game. Three times during the match Merlvale was only a point behind Linwood and once, early in the second half, it led 11-9. But lack of finish was evident and Linwood, after regaining the lead, kicked two penalty goals to dampen Merivale’s spirit and put the result beyond doubt.

With Linwood monopolising the set play, Merivale's role was a marauding one with its attacking chances, of necessity, coming from loose play. So successfully did it bustle Linwood that time a.nd again the development of a promising movement was stunted by an eager Merlvale defence. For all that, Linwood was not without its moments. Its forwards figured in some stirring drives down the middle ol the field ana its backs, man for man, were superior to their Menvale counterparts. W. F, McCormick was the chief stumbling block to Merivale's hopes. His sound, often brilliant fielding of the ball was an unfailing service he gave throughout the game. He had many unsuccessful goal kicking attempts but atoned for these by some splendidly timed entrances in the backline.

F. Jackson, a former Wellington club forward making his first competition appearance for Linwood, made a good impression as an attacking loose forward. A. Holland had a successful day’s hooking, half-back R. Stubberfleld was efficient in everything he did, while D. Stephens, on the left wing, was always a dangerous proposition. ..The experiment of playing J. Haviil. the No. 8, at centre had an inconclusive result. He saw little of the ball and when it did reach him a tackler arrived simultaneously. Although beaten. Merlvale could gain some consolation from the steady handling and kicking of its full-back. C. Henderson. and the lively display of its forwards. R. Harris was particularly to the fore in the loose and B. Loveridge gave a good all-round display.

Marist Forwards In Form Marist 19: B. Coulter. J. Ryan R. James, J. Hutchinson tries: Collier a penalty goal, two conversions. Belfast 8: P. Martlew a try; E. Williams a penalty goal. Marist was certainly the better side, but Belfast, a vigorous and heavy team, spent long spells on attack and deserved more than one try. In the early stages of the second half especially Belfast threw in some determined assaults, but there was too often a hint of desperation about its play and movements failed at crucial stages. Marist scored 11 points in the first spell, but the side never really combined efficiently until the last 20 minutes when the backs, less closely marked than previously, punched holes in a defence which found tricky footwork-end smart passing a little too much. The Marist forwards played probably their best game this season, and notwithstanding a lack of real weight in the scrums they secured a great deal more ball than their opponents. J. F. Burns was very flood in the line-outs and in the oose. too. he gave a most spirited display as did C. T. Brown and T. McKendry. There was more enthusiasm than skill in the Belfast forwards. but at times they had the Marist pack in check. The Belfast backs had a tendency to stand flat, even when pity was moving forward, but this disadvantage was partly offset by the reluctance of the Marist inside backs to move quickly onto their opposites. The Marist right wing. M. A. Keenan, was most lively and the half-back. B. Coulter, made one or two ferocious runs.

The Belfast five-eights. C. Cassidy and L. Odgers. gave Marist several anxious moments and P. Martlew. right wing, distinguished himself by scoring a neat try. Mr J. H. Stone was the referee

Fast, Resourceful Football Albion 8: I. Lawson and R. J. Phelan tries; A. Harrison a conversion. Buanyside-Spreydon 8: N. Hooper and I. Richards tries. Playing fast, open and resourceful Rugby Albion and Sunnyside-Spreydon delighted the spectators at Sunnywide on Saturday. The Rugby was by no means flawless, but it was played with such zest and enterprise that it was a thoroughly enjoyable spectacle. Apart from a period of desultory play in the second half, the pace with which the game was begun was maintained throughout The teams were evenly matched and the result could easily have been reversed. , The first try was a just reward for the Sunnyside-Sprey-don right wing, N. Hooper who foliowed-up a long kick through by V. C. Sykes, st first five-eighth. Sykes and his opposite, G. G. Barr had an Interesting duel with Barr perhaps gaining the upper hand. Barr was quick and precise in everything he did, although he tended to hold on to the ball too long before passing.

Both of Albion's tries were the result of crisp passing. I. Lawson, on the right wing, ecored from an attractive movement tn which both 3. R. Adams, at second five-eighth, and the centre three-quarter, R. J. Phelan, broke nicely past their opponents. Phelan scored later when B. Dale came into the backs from the left wing to give the overlap. I. Richards scored a good try for Sunnyslde-Spreydon when he fielded a clearing kick almost on the Albion line after the half-back, G. Roberts had refused to accept a dummy scissors by Barr and Adams. Albion was distinctly superior in the line-outs with B. Culhane dominant. A. Heatley won a number of tight-heads for Sunnyside-Spreydon and was a grand leader in all play. The front row forwards, M. Robinson, of Albion, and M. O'Malley, of Sunnyside-Sprey-don. played vigorously and D. Kerr, on the side of the scrum for Albion was very useful on defence. The referee was Mr L. S. Kirk. New Brighton’s Spoiling Play University 19: D. J. Davison (2), R. D. Hoskin and W. R. Strang tries; D. Cheery two conversions, a -penalty goal. New Brighton 8; F. Bishop a try: W. J. Harris a conversion. Playing completely different styles of Rugby University and New Brighton provided 350 spectators at Jellicoe Park with an interesting game. University led, 8-0 at half time, but 10 minutes later it was 8-5, a try apiece. It was not until the last 15 minutes that University achieved superiority. New Brighton played sporting Rugby for almost the entire game, but played it exceptionally well. University spent most of the first spell in New Brighton’s half. A. 3. Stewart, the University lock and outstanding forward In two good packs, and M. W. Irwin won the ball

monotonously in the lineouts. J. N. Creighton won several tight heads.

However, with all this possession University could score only one try. Twice it was hard put to keep New Brighton from scoring after loose rushes in which forwards and inside backs Joined.

The New Brighton forwards gave University a lesson in speed to the loose ball. The University forwards scrabbled and fumbled for the ball in the rucks to allow the Nev) Brighton pack to swarm through time after time. The New Brighton backs overdid kicking for touch and M. R. Taiaroa, the University half back, made the same error.

C. Smith and B. Allen, the New Brighton five-eighths, stood so flat they were a continuation of the line-outs. With the loose forwards they harried the University inside backs, so the ball went only once along the University back-line in the first spell. In the second half New Brighton had the territorial advantage. But the University forwards gradually tightened up play to allow their opponents fewer chances from the loose ball. In the last 15 minutes crashing, short-passing drives by the bigger University forwards had New Brighton often in reverse. Their swift heeling from the rucks and long passes from A. F. Orme, at first five-eighths, to Hoskin at centre, brought openings to the previously starved University threequarters.

Mr H. P, Hearney was the referee.

Lower Grades

Senior Reserve. Christchurch 32. University B 0: High School Old Boys 8, University A 18: Merlvale 3, Royal New Zealand Air Force 0; Linwood 9, Technical-Shirley 0. Junior A.—University A 42, High School Old Bovs 0; Sydenham 15. Teachers’ College 13; Merivale A 40. University D 3. Junior B—Burnside 6, University B 5; University C 17. Albion B 3; Christchurch B 16, Irwell 9; Merivale B 24. Hornby 3; Christchurch B beat NewBrighton by default. Under 20.—St. Andrew's 8, High School Old Boys 8: St. Bede’s 3. Sunnyslde-Spreydon 3; Marist 14. Boys' High School 5; University A 19. Christ’s College 3; Xavier 20. Belfast 0: Sydenham 25. University B 0; Merivale 29. University C 6: Linwood 21, Christchurch 3.

Third Grade.—Christchurch 45, Technical-Shirley 0: Teachers’ College 14. Papanui 0; Sydenham 9, University B 6: Royal New Zealand Air Force 24. Kalapoi 5.

Fourth Grade.—Burnside 6, New Brighton 3; Merivale 11. Teachers' College 3; Marist beat Albion by default. Secondary Schools. West High Schoo! 9, St. Bede’s 8; Linwood High School 48. Technical College 0: Riccarton High School 9, St. Andrew’s 8; Boys' High School 8, Papanui High School 6; Rangiora High School 31, Cashmere High School B 0: Cashmere High School A 30. Christ's College 6; Shirley Boys’ High School B 13, Boys’ High School A 9. Under 18.—Sydenham 13, Linwood A 9; Christchurch 23, Technical-Shirley 0: Linwood B 9, High School Old Boys 0: Merivale 24. Sunnyside-Sprey-don 3. Under 17.—Linwood 18, Papanui 0; Sydenham 11, New Brighton O: Burnside 3. Belfast 0; High School Old Boys 14, Marist 14. Under 16.—New Brighton 11, Papanui 6; Linwood A 21, Sunnyside-Spreydon 5; High School Old Boys A 25. Shirley Boys' High School 3; Sydenham 13. High Schoo! Old Boys B 5; Kaiapoi 11, Rangiora High School 0; Christchurch beat Albion by default. Under 15.—Shirley Boys’ High School 6. Sunnyside-Spreydon 5: Merivale 25. Technical-Shir-ley 0; High School Old Boys A 25. High Schoo! Old Boys B 0. Under Bst 71b.—Marist 25. Lvtteiton 0; Shirley Boys' High School 16. Marist 8: Linwood 18, Papanui 8: Belfast 25. High School Old Boys 8; Christchurch 6, Sydenham 3. Under Ist 71b A.—Merivale A 6. Shirley Boys’ High School A 3; Linwood A 8. High School Old Boys 5; Marist A 12, Bumside A 5; Sydenham A 25. Sunnyside-Sp«ydon 0; Albion 10. New Brighton 3. Under Ist Tib B.—Hornby *. Technical-Shirley 0; Papanui 25, Merivale B 3; Shirley Boys' High Schoo! beat Bumside B by default. Under 9st Tib A.-Marist 13. Kaiapoi 5: Sydenham A 12. Christchurch A 0; Linwood A

24. Papanui 0. Under Bst Tib B Belfast 12. Technical-Shirley 11; New Brighton 9, Hornby 8: Shirley Boys’ High School B 0; St. Anne’s 25. Bumside A 3. Under Bst 71b C Sunnyslde-

Spreydon 21, Merivale B 3; Cathedral Grammar beat Burnside B by default; Sydenham B beat High School Old Boys by default.

Under 6st A —Burnside A 22. Hornby A 0; Christchurch A 23, Technical-Shirley 0; SunnysldeSpreydon 21. Linwood A 6; Merivale A 25. Albion 0.

Under 6st B.—Merivale B 6. Burnside C 0: Marist A 9, Sumner 0; Bumside B 14, Mairehau Marist 5; Papanui 6, Christchurch B 5; Lyttelton 22. New Brighton Marist 0.

Under sst 71b A.—Burnside A 5. Sunnyside-Spreydon A 5; Technical-Shirley A 3, Hornby 0; Sydenham A 16, New Brighton A 0; Albion A 0, Marist 0.

Under sst 71b B.—Cathedral Grammar 25. Christchurch B 0; Linwood A 3. Merivale B 0; St. Mary’s 25. Technical-Shirley 0: Bryndwr Marist 15, Burnside B 8; Sydenham B 9. SunnysideSpreydon B 0. Under sst 71b C —Papanui 11, Technical-Shirley C 0: Sunny-side-Spreydon C 20. Linwood B 0; Sockburn Marist 25. New Brighton B 0: Lyttelton 20. Linwood 0; Albion B beat Bumside C by default. Under Sat.—Sunnyside-Sprey-don C 9. Papanui B 6; Hornby C 9. Christchurch C 0; New Brighton C 3. Sydenham C 0; Sockburn Marist 9. Cathedral Grammar 0; Hornby B 5, Burnside C 0: Addington Marist 21. Merivale C 0: Linwood C 24, Technical-Shirley C 0; Sydenham B 17. Mairehau Marist 6: Bumside D 6. Lvtteiton B 0: Bryndwr Marist 25, Kaiapoi 0; Sunnyside-Spreydon B 5. St. Mary’s 0: New Brighton B 12. New- Brighton Marist 0; Tech-nical-Shtrley B 3. Christchurch B 0; Merivale B 24. Albion B 0: Burnside B 9. Dallington Marist 0; Hornby R 25, Lyttelton A 0; Sumner B 9, Belfast B 6; Marist 3, Linwood B 0; Albion A 3. Sumner A 3; Technical-Shirley A 12. Papanui A 0: SunnysideSpreydon A 3. Linwood A 0; Christchurch A 8. Merivale A 3; New Brighton A 3, Bumside A 3; Belfast A 13. Sydenham A 0: Linwood D 18. New Brighton D 3.

Ellesmere Games

Resuite from the Ellesmere Rugby competitions on Saturday were:— Senior.—Leeston 33. Dunsandel 11; Scuthbridge 13, Lincoln 3; Lincoln College A 37. Lincoln College B 0; Irwell a bye. Junior —leeston 46. Burnham 3; Lincoln College beat New Zealand Regiment B by default; Prebbleton beat New Zealand Regiment A by default; Peninsula a bye. Under 30.—Lincoln College B 11. Dunsandel 3; Lincoln College A 28 Irwell 0: Lincoln a bye. Third Grade.—Southbridge 8. Leeston 3: Waihora-Prebbleton 8. Peninsula 6; Lincoln a bye Fourth Grade.—Waihora 14, Lincoln 3: Leeston 25. Southbridge 0; Prebbleton a bye. Fifth Grade.—Lincoln 20. Prebbleton n; Irwell 21, Dunsandel 0; Walhoea 15. Southbridge 0; Leeston a bye. Bantam.—Waihora 9. Southbridge 3; Dunsandel 0, Irwell

Malvern Matches

Results of Malvern Rugby Sub-union matches on Saturday were:— Senior.—Kirwee 15, United 11; Darfield 14, Springfield 5: Hororata 11. Black Diamond 6. Junior.—Sheffield 18. Darfield 3; Kirwee 21. Black Diamond 8.. Bst ilb,—Springfield-Shefiie'd 11. Kirwee-Black Diamond II; Darfield 17, Hororsta 12. 6st Tib Grade.—Sheffield 9. Kirwee 0: Hororata 9, Black Diamond 0; Springfield 28. Darfield 0.

Points dre P W L r A Pts. Univ. 3 3 —- 89 23 3 Ch’ch. 3 3 — 62 » 3 O.B. 3 2 1 42 30 2 Lin. 3 2 1 49 36 3 N.B. 3 2 1 n 25 2 Alb. 3 2 1 3T 41 2 Mar. 3 2 1 » 44 2 T-S 3 1 2 42 36 1 S-S 3 1 2 30 38 1 Mer. 3 — 3 14 S3 0 Bel. 3 3 30 63 o Syd. 3 •- 3 22 U 0