FOOTBALL

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1685, 8 May 1929, Page 5

FOOTBALL

MATAKANUI v. ALEXANDRA. Matakanui (Colours) — Backs—J. Moran, Williams, Alexander, Hepburn, Walker, Kilgour, T. Clouston. Forwards: —Kennedy, M' Lauglilin, Moran, Donnelly, Clouston, Flannery, White; wing-forward, Thompson. Alexandra (Green) — Backs—Thomson, Ryan, Prater, Hannay, Johnstone, Munro, Beilby. Forwards—Anderson, Carline, Cuinmock, Marslin, Lawry, Curtis, Keddell; wing-forward, J. Noble. The above teams met at Omakau before a good crowd of spectators, the home team proving too heavy, f6re and aft, for the Alexandra team. A willing but clean game saw Matakanui emerge winners by 20 points to 12. The winners score was made up of six tries, Dnc of which was converted. Alexandra's score was made up four gffals, off Hannay's accurate kicking. THE PLAY. Greens won the toss and elected to play facing the sun, but assisted by a light breeze. Prom the kick-off Colours rushed play to Greens twenty-five, good play by Noble and a free kick to Greens relieved the pressure. Play returned to the Green's twenty-five where a free kick to Colours in a fair position resulted in a force down. Shortly afterwards, from a scrum, T. Clouston sent Alexander away, this player • making a great run down the line before being dragged down. Resultant play ended in the Greens forcing. Colours kept up the pressure but a free kick to Greens, taken by Marslin, shifted play to midfield. Several promising movements by the Colours were only stopped by sound tackling. Prom a scramble near the Green's line P. Moran picked up and dived over. Clouston failed with the kick.—Matakanui 3, Alexandra nil. Play up to this stage had been mostly in the Green's quarters. A good kick by Thomson (Greens) shifted play to halfWay; then Hannay found the line with a nice kick, the ball bouncing out at the Colours' twenty-five. However, play returned to Green's territory. Hannay secured and made' a slashing run to the Colours' twenty-five before being downed by a solid tackle. The Matakanui forwards were playing a liustliug game, Moran, Donnelly and M'Laughlin showing to advantage. After a few minutes of quiet play the Greens were awarded a free kick and Hannay landed a magnificent goal from almost halfway.—Alexandra 3, Matakanui 3.

From the kick-off play rested for soma, time iu the Green's territory, tilJ Haniiay secured and finding a gap took play to the Colour's twenty-five where a short passing bout by the Green's backs found Munro in possession with supports on either side. . However, he failed to notice them and potted without success. Play soon shifted to the visitor's territory where a scrum was formed and. Colours breaking up quickly Donnelly picked up and went on to score an easy try. The kick at goal was fruitless.—Matakanui C,' Alexandra 3.

The tackling of the Greens, at this stage, was very weak. From the kickoff, Kennedy was prominent in a rush to the Green's territory with Moran in attendance, but Thomson (Green's full-back) saved well with a short kick to the line. The Colours' forwards, however, were not to be, denied and from a "scramble near the line Donnelly secured and, brushing the opposition aside, scored another easy try. The kick was again unsuccessful.—Mataknnui 9, Alexandra 3. - The Matakanui forwards were keeping the game tight and again worked their way to the Green's end. but Muiiro picked up and handed to Johnstone who transferred to Hannay, the last-named putting in a great run only to be hauled down a few yards off the. Colours' line. From a free kick to the Green's Hannay" landed a neat goal, making the score—Alexandra 6, Matakanui 9. From the kick-off the Colours' forwards worked their way to the Alexandra twenty-five .where Bobby Thomson relieved with a good kick, finding touch at halfway. From ensuing play, Frater gained ground and had he gone on, instead of passing out a score looked likely. Again the Matakanui forwards took play to the other end, but off-side play spoiled a promising movement. In an exchange of kicks by the full-backs Thomson showed to advantage. Another free kick to the Greens saw Hannay again pilot the ball between the sticks.—9 all. Halftime sounded shortly afterwards. Play had been in progress only a few minutes when from a scrum near the Alexandra line Flannery got possession and went on to score a good try. The kick was again fruitless.—Matakanui 12, Alexandra 9. From the kick-off play shifted to the Colour's twenty-five where a series of scrums and line-outs took place. A good kick by Walker saw play at the other end of the field. The" Colours kept up the pressure and were nearly over, a free-kick to Greens bringing much-needed relief. Again the Colours worked into the visitor's territory and from a scrum Clouston worked t-lie blind side" and scored a well-deserved try which he converted amidst great applause.—Matakanui 17, Alexandra 9. The Matakanui gained possession from the kick-off and their forwards, led by Moran and Donnelly, swept everything in front of them '.' taking play deep into the Alexandra's terri'. i tory where Hepburn snapped up the i ball.and was almost over. From a loose

seVum Donnelly got possession and forced him way over with three or four Greens hanging on to him. The try was not converted.—Matakanui 20, Alexandra 9. Soon after the kick:off Prater had to retire, R. Campbell coming on. The Alexandra forwards, ably led by Art Marslin, liveried up and kept the Matakanui backs defending for a considerable time. A nice passing rush started by Campbellcut deep into the opposition, but faulty handling spoilt the movement. Shortly afterwards, the Greens were awarded a free kick and Haniiay, with a great kick from just on halfway landed another beauty. Matakanui 20, Alexandra 12. "> Prom now on the Colours —backs and forwards dominated the game. Walker put in a great run, his strong, straight running almost getting jhim over on two occasions. . With only a few minutes to go Campbell started another passing rush play going across the field; the centre cut in nicely and almost scored- Time was called soon afterwards with play in neutral territory. Mr Dewar referced in an impartial manner. CLYDE-EARNSCLEUGH v. CROMWELL A. The above match, played at Clyde on Saturday before a fair number of spectators resulted in a win for Cromwell'by 17 points to .3. Cromwell's score was made up of three tries (one converted) and two penalty goals against an unconverted try. The score, however, hardy indicates the respective merits of the teams on the day's play. The first spell ended with the score at Cromwell 5, Clydc-Earnseleugh 3. In the second spell the home team pressed their more-experienced opponents time and again and on two occasions were within an ace of scoring. The luck of the play was all with Cromwell, however, and they kicked two penalty goals in the last' quarter of an hour and scored two tries. The home team, on the other hand, missed several easy penalties. On the day the home pack were decidedly the better. They have to learn two things. One is not to try picking the ball up—keep it at your toes and that means not to kick too hard. A study should also be made of the offside rule. The Cromwell backs were the better having more combination. Two outstanding backs were C. Nicholson (an exOtago University player and Cotteril. The A grade competition promises to be more interesting this year, both Cromwell and the Clyde-Earnscleugh teams showing distinct improvement. Por a first of the season match the play was good.' , Mr Burton ably controlled the game. On no occasion was his decision questioned by either side.