FOOTBALL

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1688, 29 May 1929, Page 5

FOOTBALL

The local footballers, both A and B grades, journeyed to Cromwell on Saturday to meet the Cromwell team. The A grade were short and called on three members of the B grade to play for them.

I The "Cromwell Argus" gives the I following account of the games:— Under ideal playing conditions Rugby enthusiast's were treated to an 'interesting afternoon's Rugby on Saturday when teams of both grades from Alexandra and Cromwell Hiet. The B teams were late in starting and played short, spells, but they were off the field 20 minutes before the seniors lined out at 3.30. It is time punctuality was more closely observed. Cromwell By. Alexandra B. These, with little exception, were just what B grade should represent. Scrums and a success of penalties for breaches of the off-side rule marked the opening stages. Twice Cromwell (Blues) lost an attacking position through this fault. First Blue andthen Alexandra (Greens) took up an attacking position. W. Olds found.the Green backs out of position with a welljudged kick. The same player had a pot but missed. A spell of open play. W. Olds sent R. Wishart away from his own territory and in a fine individual effort the latter raced through the opposition and scored at the posts, and converted. That was the only score in a spell in which Blues had slightly Hie best of the play. Greens did much better in the second half. Bad passing, however, brought trouble. Lynch fielded a kick in his stride and dashed over at tho corner, but the kick'at goal missed. Next Greens passed from the centre and kicked through. The Blue backs missed badly, and B. Carline got over well out. He converted his try. Bad fielding was again the Green's weakness. Near the finish Old and Radford broke away, and were almost j over. Time sounded with the score:— Cromwell .. .... ...... 8 Alexandra '-.. .. 5 ; Mr A. Dewar was the referee. Alexandra v. Cronlw.ell. Alexandra won the toss and Cromwell (Blues) kicked off. An exchange of kicks, fpllowed by several penalties, left. play in ; neutral territory. From a. hard kick Greens forced. Following the drop out Greens. kicked down the centre, and continued in a passing rush, which saw the ball mishandled in a promising position. The Blues retaliated with a passing movement and had the Greens defending. Play swayed back to nndfield. Then from numerous penalties Nieolson (Blues) and /Hanuay (Greens) had a competition in place kicking. 'At last Nieolson, from an angle well out, gave Cromwell a lead of three points. A loose dribbling rush drove the home side biick and Campbell and Hanuay came in with a short reverse passing bout the former getting across well ou4 Hannay converted. —Alexandra 5,- Cromwell 3. Blues failed to field the ball and twice Hannay was all but over. The visitors were pressing hard and finally from tile ruck Marslin dived over in! good position, but Hannay failed to | convert.—Alexandra 8, Cromwell 3. After brief exchanges in midfield, loose play settled near the Blues' line. R. 'Campbell fielded and after sidestepping three high tacklers raced into a gyp and potted a fine goal—Alex-1 andra 12, Cromwell 3.

A penalty brought trouble for the Greens awl they were driven back on defence. Blues were hard at it under; the Greens' goal but over-eagerness ended in a penalty. Half time sounded shortly afterwards. It was Alexandra's spell. Opening the second half Campbell sent Hannay away from a difficult position, but the movement was not 'Sustained, and Blues improved their position with a .penalty. Duncan-led back with a determined run but the Blue pack came irito the picture, and Campbell, saved by' marking, and immediately after Hesson got his side out of a tight corner. Nicolson potted very wide and' the "Greens forced. Blues were going well in a passing rush which stopped with a knock-on. Then they were penalised and the Green forwards dribbed on but lost the ball when over the line'. Cockerill intercepted a Green passing rush in the centre of the field and raced away to 'transferred to Nicolson, who carried it to success near the corner, but the kick failed.—Alexandra, 32, Cromwell 6. Again Nicolson and Hannay had shots from penalties without success. Following a bout of passing by the visitors, in which ByaiL was prominent, Nicolson dashed back-up the line, and Greens- were .hard- on -"-Blues were right on the line, but; the inevitable penalty lost any chance. Playwas swinging up and down the field. Cockerill and Nieolson broke away in passing, but Bob Campbell' countered it with a great opening from his own twenty-five, but Hannay ran infield and was stopped. The final incident, right on time, was a penalty against. Blues in a handy position, and Hannay goaled. This spell had been more even. The whistle sounded .with the score:— Alexandra ... .... .. „ .. 15 Cromwell .. ... 6 ...Mr ..Cox w; ( s the. referee,...,.,.. ...

Matakanui v. Wanakn. ~ Matakanui journeyed to Wanaka-on Saturday, minus four of their usual team. These were replaced at the last minute. The game was fairly.•even* throughout. Fred Graham (a substitute) scored Matakauui's only try whielV was not converted. Just before .time, was:called Wanaka evened up the score with a penalty goal. A drayni game was a happy cudiug. . ~. *