THE PLAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9203, 30 April 1920, Page 3

THE PLAY.

Ashburton won the toss,, and Francis (Old Boys) set the ball in motion, the exchange being returned to micMeld. After two scrums for minor breaches, Old Boys took a hand in the game, but indifferent handling nullified any material advantage. Stills (Ashburton) got possession, and made a poor attempt at drop-kicking a goal. With the ball in play again the Old Boys' pack rushed the leather down-field, and eventually letting it out to the backs, endangered the opposition line. Argyle, Galbraith, and Francis were next prominent, but hard boosting enabled the Reds to force down. After a series of scrums and line-outs the Ashburton pack became aggressive „. and invaded foreign territory, but Galbraith and Francis temporarily saved Old Boys. Not to be denied. Ashburton rushed the. opposing line, and A. Lewis touched down. The goal-kick failed. This set-back roused Old Boys, for immediately after ' resuming the backs came away with the oval in motion, which enabled L. Lewis to get across. Cowan added .the major points. 6—3. On resuming, the Old Boys' backs continued to take charge, and prominent manoeuvres by Cowan and Newman brought operations dangerously near the Reds' line. Here the Old Boys' pack surged round, and F. Lewis "increased the taily. The attempt at goal proved futile. '9—3. With the ball in play again, Old Boys continued to hammer away at the opposing line, but unfinished play among the backs enabled the Reds' forwards to clear their lines. .A c-bad mis-field by an Ashburton back enabled Manchester to add to Old Boys' score. The goal-kick did not improve matters. 12—3. Francis was next to secure a try by charging down a kick from Stills (Ashburton). The attempt at. goal again, failed. 15 —3. With the leather in play again, Ashburton made things interesting for their opponents, and play settled down in neutral territory. "Speculators'' and a period of desultory play followed until operations worked towards the Ashburton zone. Here sundry scrums and sorties took place until "Manchester secured and raced over. Cowan made no mistake with the goal-kick. 20—3. Ashburton became very aggressive on resuming, and penetrated the Blacks' defence, Phelps increasing their score. The goal-kick failed. 20—9. The second spell opened with an Ashburton passing..bout, but faulty passing saw Old Boys turn defence,into attack and narrowly missed scoring. Exchanges of kicks," which continually failed to reach the touch-line, monopolised the play for some considerable time until a loose rush by Old Boys enabled Farrell to scramble over at the

corner. The .goal-kick was resultless. 23—9. With the leather in the field again, operations favoured Ashburton, who' bustled the .Black pack with a series of hotly-contested, scrums. Cowan, _ however, eventually , secured, and relieved the pressure to half 7 A^ay. From this position the' oval was carried to near the Beds' line, where Bevan rushed across, no goal resulting. 26—9. Ashburton were now making strenuous efforts, but uncombined play let Fran 7 cis in, who, with the ball at toe, brought the scene of actioii. to Ashburton's quarter. Francis continued to load the Old Boys' pack, and made an opening which enabled 'Fan-ell to

increase the tally. The attempt at goaling failed. 29—9. Ashburton came away on resinning, but lacked cohesion, and a lot of strenuous work was thrown away.. Eventually Old Boys livened up,' and . McClymont transferred the ball to Farrell,' who was thrown out. From the ensuing line-out Manchester put in some useful work, and making a. good opening enabled Farrell to dive across. Cowan converted with a fine goal. 34—9. Galbraith, on resuming, headed a fierce rush in company with Farrell, the latter dashing over in good style. 37 —9. Immediately afterwards time was called, leaving Old Boys victors by 37 to 9. Mr W. Page ably controlled the game. . c Ashburton juniors, in a one-sided, scrambling game, accounted for Old Boys' juniors by 39 to nil.