PETONE AND DIAMOND DRAW

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 1, 1 July 1935, Page 4

PETONE AND DIAMOND DRAW

Petone and Diamond registered a draw at the.Petone Becreation Ground, one goal being scored by each team. The game was played at a fast pace at limes, and it was- only the excellent defence on both sides that prevented the score from being larger.

The teams were:— . Petone.—McVean; Connell, Haines; J. White, Campbell, M. White; McLeod, Patterson, Leslie, Watson, Craig.. Diamond.—Ell; Rabbit, Hopper;! O'Leary, Geddes, Nicol; O Connell, Tucker, Upchurch, Gilchrist, Dyer. The game opened brightly, with good heading being noticeable on the part ot the Petone team. Following a Diamond rush, Dyer shot for goal, but the ball hit the side support and bounced back again. Clever footwork by the. Petone forwards had the opposition baffled for a time, and the Blues were very close to scoring. Diamond then initiated a series of fast attacks, and ! McVean was put to the test in the Petone goalmouth. No score was made, however, and :£or a time play moved up and down the field. Petone missed a fine opportunity after a good centre by Craig, but were more successtul shortly afterwards when McLeod netted with a swift shot from a melee in front of the goalmouth. Diamond again at* tacked,-led by Upchurch, and McVean proved his worth in the next few minutes, keeping the goal intact in the faceof repeated onslaughts. Several promising Diamond movements came to nothing. Diamond kept up the pressure until the end of the spell, but no further score resulted. O'Leary and O'Connell were playing solidly for* I the Blacks, 'and were responsible for [many promising Petone rushes being frustrated. Diamond equalised a minute after play commenced in the second spell, Dyer centring after a pretty piece of play, allowing Tucker to shoot the ball into the net. Hard play followed, but neither side was able to gain an advantage for a time. Petone initiated some attacks, but most of the outstanding movements came from Diamond's ranks. Upchurch was making good use of his speed, but some of his shots were erratic, the final whistle going with the score at 1-all.

Mr. J. S. Sanderson was the referee.