FOOTBALL

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1691, 19 June 1929, Page 5

FOOTBALL

POSITION OF TEAMS. The following are the positions of the teams in the A grade competition at the end of the first round: —

Wanaka v. Clyde-Barnscleugh. The above match was played at Wanaka under ideal weather conditions. Clyde (Beds) lost the toss and kicked off with the sun in their eyes. The first spell was very even. Carney, the Beds' first five-eighth, on one occasion cut clean through the defence and ran to the full-back. He was unsupported and punted, but the three- . quarter kicked hard over the line •and the ball went out of bounds. The play went from one end of the field to the other the honours in the forwards being about even. .Innumerable penalty kicks, mostly for offside play, in easy positions 'were missed by both sides. In the second spell, after many attempts Wanaka kicked two penalty goals. The Wanaka forwards then came away with a forward rush from which the only try of the day was "scored, making them 9-nil. This reverse roused the Beds and they came away with a loose forward rush. From a free kick in front of the goal Stevens kicked a goal. Shortly afterwards they came away again with another rush which gained nearly the length, of the field. One'of the home backs dropped on the ball and stopped the rush. The referee, to the visitors' astonishment, gave a very curious decision. The home back was temporarily disabled and when he recovered the home team was awarded a free kick. Had the Wanaka player not lain on the ball it lookod as if the visitors would have scored. The game ended shortly after with the visiting forwards still attacking strongly. The final score was Wanaka 9, Clyde-Earnscleugh 3. / Mr Dewar was the referee.

The game was played in a friendly spirit. There was very little between the two teams. The home side had the safer back, but neither side of backs had finish. Waldron, the home halfback, played well and fed his backs consistently, but always broke down. Carney, for the Beds, played a great game both in attack and defence. The home forwards played well, the wing forward standing out. The visiting forwards as a whole played well; they were handicapped by lack of weight, but made up for this by their dash in the open.

We have drawn attention to the Wanaka player lying on the ball because the rule distinctly says the, player must immediately get up or roll away from the ball otherwise a free kick is given against the offender. If referees do not enforce this rule a' serious accident may occur some day.

Matakanui beat Cromwell on Saturday by 12 points to 3. Alexandra B v. Galloway. The above mateh -was played on tho Bccreation Ground on Saturday and was witnessed by a fair crowd of spectators. The home team, after a bright display, were the victors by a comfortable margin of 28 points to nil. Up and down play marked the opening stages of the game, both packs endeavouring to open up the play without success. From a scrum Cooney secured and made a good run before passing to Pierce who / transferred to Carline, the latter carrying on to the goal line where he lost possession. How-' ever, Thomson was handy, and--picking up nicely he beat the opposition and scored a good try. The kick at goal was unsuccessful.*—Alexandra 3, Galloway nil. The Greens forwards were 'i, holding their own" in the lineouts. A free kick to Galloway (Colours) relieved, but Alexandra kept up the pressure and eventually the Colours had to force down. Alexandra continued to press and carried play to halfway. Both sets of backs again endeavoured to open up the game and in this department Alexandra were showing up to advantage. Battray broke away from his own and evaded several opponents but $e lost the ball near the goal line and a mark by Arnott relieved. O'Neill from a lineout sent to Thomson who passed to Biaeh and then to Cooney who shook off a tackle and scored well out. The kick failed.— Alexandra C, Galloway nil. The Colours were securing from the line out but could make no progress. Alexandra pressed again but a free kick to the vistiors sent them back. Pclvin was showing up, especially in the lineouts. Too hard kicking by the Colours' forwards when -in a fair position enabled Thomson to force down. Halftime was called with Galloway pressing. On resuming Thomson secured from' the ruck and coming, out-kicked high. In a rush for the ball Carline secured and dived over~ to score. Again the kick failed. —Alexandra 9, Galloway nil. Kelly cross-kicked to Carline who made a good run and transferred to Maskill the latter being dragged down a yard short of the line. The Colours then took a hand at attack but the ball came back to halfway. For picking the ball out of the scrum Galloway were penalised and Thomson kicked a goal.—Alexandra 12, GalloWay nil. The Colours rallied and carried play to the Greens' line where a; series of scrums teok place. C. Theyera'made a bold

bid for the line. Pierce dribbled the bait to halfway. From the lineout the home forwards again asserted, themselves and Cooney,forced his-way over for "an easy try.—Alexandra 15, Galloway nil. Shortly afterwards, from a scramble Bowljer scored and Thomson converted 'p'icked up in 'his".own twenty-nve and kicked, following up fast lie secured and ran right through leaving the opposition standing to score ;;beliind, the posts. Cooney cross-kicked; tp,. Bowler who kicked :to Rattray but'h'e was weljl grassed. Thomson, however, picked up 'and 'dived over i to make the score—2B to nil. The game ended wards. ".-; '..•'". -■'#'•'<■ ■■;-' \< : ,-..";•: Alexandra .. .... /. .. 28 Galloway .. .. ...' ..".." nil ' Mr G. Campbell an able referee. For Alexandra Thomson.was the outstanding player both in attack and 4?' fence. The Green forwards played tyell and gave their backs cvory opportunity 7 to polish off their efforts. .-■•-' For the visitors L. Ashwqrth ; and Pelviu were the pick of:a hard.workiug set of forwards,, the latter was noticeable particularly in the lineouts.. Both the Cummoeks also got through a lot of hard work. The Jackson brothers were prominent in the back division.' It i,s pleasing to notice the improver inent in the Galloway backs, who should do better in the second Toundj

Clyde-Earnseleugh B v. Poplburn. . The above match was played oil the latter club's ground/ The home pack were in good form and administered a severe, defeat on the visitors by; 32 ; points to 0. The.score is a fair indication of the run of the play. ..The following team will represent Galloway against Lowbjirn: on Saturday at Lowburh :—Girenf ell, Battray, Tohill, L, Jackson, C. Tlicyers, L. Ashworth; S. Jackson', Pelyin, J. Cummock M'Kellar, Bell> • ■ Cummock, : Symonsi '• E. Loite, o££anei Emergency: W. Jackson. The busV;ieav.es' Alexandra «t 1 p;nu sharp.

Pts. Pts. Ch. P. W. L. D. fr. ag. pts. Matakanui .. , 4 3 0 1 60 24 7 Alexandra .4 3 1 0 53 29 6 Wauaka ... . 4 1 1 2 13 21 4 Cromwell . 4 1 3 0 29 34 2 Clyde-Earn?. 4 0 3 1 12 49 1