FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20921, 31 July 1933, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY.

DULL TRIAL MATCH. POSSIBLES AND PROBABLES. '( The match between the Possibles and the Probables at Lancaster Park on Saturday was primarily to give the Canterbury representative team's selector an opportunity to review players*' form, and it served that purpose well. As a spectacle it was very disappointing, and the small attendance of 1500 io 2000 persons watched disjointed and often ill-directed play for most of the afternoon. The only relief in a drab display was privided by individual brilliance. The selector chose two fifteens at the cutset and alterations were made at half-time which resulted in all 35 players selected for trial receiving a game. The Probables won by 23 points to 8, mainly due to better combined play in the backs, together with more individual initiative on attack. However, the result of the game was ©£ little importance. Difficulties in Filling Side. To the selector the form of many of the players must have been interesting and helpful, and by the end of the match most close observers must have realised where Canterbury's weakness and its strength lie for this season's Eanfurly Shield matches. Undoubtedly difficulty will be encountered in securing a first-class middle row with the necessary balance, the two men to fill the lock positions being difficult to find and match. At half-back there will be solidity perhaps, but unless there is a marked improvement in form before the major representative fixtures, little cleverness or speed either in passing or in close-in play. Three halves were tried on Saturday, but none of them was very impressive. The third main difficulty will be to select the best left wing-three-quarter Before considering the individual merits revealed in Saturday's trial, it has to be remembered that many playeri who will be playing for Canterbury this season were not playing, the selector wisely adopting that course in order to give younger aspirants for representative honours a chance to »how their metal. Form of Backs Reviewed. G. T. Nolan, of Old Boys, must have played himself into the Canterbury team as full-back by his magnificent displays during the last two months. In this trial he came through with flying colours. His handling, kicking, speed, and positional play have improved remarkably, and he is a deadly tackier and accurate place-kick. His attributes are sufficient to indicate that with big match experience he migftt develop into a full-back of more than provincial repute. He is very young to take on such a responsibility, but has the right temperament—plays well up to the occasion, while keeping ms head. The country full-back, N. Mussen, of Ellesmere, after an uncertain opening, played splendidly and should be second selection at least. He is a good place-kick and very strong. His line kicking could be improved. G F Hart, of Christchurch, must be the 'selection for the right wing, and C J Oliver, of Merivale, if he is lit, must be first selection for centre threequarter; but the filling of the position on the left wing -will not be so easy. IW. Brown, of Sydenham, who was on that wing last year, will be a/possibility, but he has lost form in the last few weeks rather disconcertingly, as he has the right temperament for big football it is difficult to pass him over, however. J. Jacobs, the Old Boys right wing, also has the ability and temperament, but is untried in big football. He should be selected for the •northern tour, and a slight improvement in form would make him a certainty for honours in the major games. It was a pity that J. Hattersley, the Sydenham left wing, was not given any opportunities on Saturday. He is a young player of great promise, and would not be disgraced in any company. For the emergency centre-three-quarter position C. H. McPhail, of Old Boys, and J. Pawson, of Christchurch, appear the logical candidates. Pawson is really more useful as a five-eighths. McPhail is in form at present. A Bullivant, of Merivale, was tried at centre on Saturday, but while he is fairly solid on defence he is too ■"flashy" to be relied on in representative fixtures. N. Dunshea, of Linwood, should be considered before Bullivant, and probably before Pawson. He is experienced, very fast, and brilliant when in form. The better the icompany the better Dunshea plays. There are certain duticulties in the flve-eighths line, but several promising men are available. B. Hazelhurst. of Sydenham, must be the first fiveeighths. He is a heady player and greatly improved. He was the best back on the ground on Saturday in spite of numerous lapses, and many do not realise his class. If K.. S. Mortlock is recovered from his injury ho would make a useful second fiveeighths, while McPhail and Pawson must be considered for this position also. Of the halves, L. Brown is the pick. His passing has improved, he is resolute on defence, and he has a fine Imderstanding with Hazelhurst. Promise of Fine Pack. The pack should be an excellent one, fit to resist the sternest challenge. A, I. Cottrell and J. Manchester, of Christchurch, and A. H. Andrews, of University, were not playing in the trial snatch, but will be the leaders of the Canterbury pack. R. K. King, of Sydenham, should also be sure of a place it fit He is one of the best scoring forwards from rucking play near the line that Canterbury has produced for some years. For positions in the front row there is a wealth of candidates. Such is the case for all scrum positions an fact, and the selector will have a difficult task deciding who to leave out in order to get a balanced scrum. There are certain to be many splendid lorwards left on the line this year. The pick of the front row men available appear to be A. I. Cottrell of Christchurch, A. Bowes of Old Boys, G. Suckling of Merivale, H. Mooney of Albion, and J. Wade of Christchurch. Bowes is on the injured list, but it is expected that he will recover in time for the principal matches. For the middle row the obvious candidates are J. E. Manchester (Christchurch), A. Hartnell (University), G. Roberts (University), W. Coll (Atii.jtic), O. Hattersley (Sydenham), and G. J. Howell ( Albion). Roberts is an improved forward. Hattersley is a fine type and very fast and solid. Howell was injured a short time ago and was allegedly unht. He played for Albion against Linwood on Saturday, however; and played good football. Candidates for the position of loose forward are first class. They are R. K. King (Sydenham), A. H. Andrews 'University), and J. Rankin (Old Boys). Andrews and King have experience, but Rankin has good credentials and is one of the most promising loose forwards of the year. C. Wilson (Peninsula) played an excellent game in the loose on Saturday and must have taken the selector's eye. Other forwards who would worthily fill a place in a Canterbury scrum if called upon are A. Bourne (Merivale), F. J. Ffeley (Old Boys), K. Lowry (Old Boys), and B. F. Anderson (Christehurch).

Teams in Saturday's Trial. The teams at the commencement ol the trial game were:— Possibles—N. Mussen; J. Hatterslcy, \. Bullivant, J. Mitchell; N. Dunshea, A. P. Cobden: A. N. Bouterey: K. Lowry, G. Suckling, A. Bourne. F. J. Foley, W. Coll, A. M. Hartnell, J. Billings, J. Rankin. Probables—G. T. Nolan; J. Jacobs. J. Pawson. W. J. Brown; C. H. McPhail, R. Hazelhurst; G. F. Stevens; E. Watkins, J. "Wade, H. Mooney. L. Thomas, P. G. Roberts, O. Hatterslcy, C. Wilson, H. Milliken. . Play opened scrappily, with Probables defending the northern goal and having the advantage of wind and sun. In the forwards there was a good deal of over-eagerness, and m the backs many futile efforts at passing, all of the lob type. The Probables nearly penetrated when Hazelhurst opened play on the blind side for his club-mate, W. Brown. O. Hattersley followed through and dribbled over the line, but Rankin came back veryfast to force down. A minute later, before Possibles had cleared they infringed in a ruck and Nolan kicked a neat goal from 30 yards out. Probables 3. Possibles 0. The Possibles had a reply m a con. certed forward effort half the length) of the ground. Following it, Bouterey sent the backs away and Bullivant had only to send on a good pass to give Mitchell a chance to score wide out. The pass was at the flying winger's feet, giving him no chance. Back again, Bullivant compensated by giving Mitchell a fine chance; but this time is was Mitchell's hesitancy which lost a try. He was tackled a yard from the line, and when Nolan cleared in part Cobden had a snap shot at goal. It swung off his boot and J. Hattersley and Jacobs had a great race for possession. Hattersley was there first, but the bounce beat him and Jacobs bustled the ball out. Busch, Mooney, and O. Hattersley headed a loose rush to clear and Nolan clinched the clearance with a fine line-finder. Cobden made one straight thrust, spoiling it by hanging on too long, and Jacobs provided the only other bright interlude of the 10 minutes' play by intercepting in midfield and running to Mussen, the Possibles' full-back. Jacobs sent a long pass to Pawson, backing up on the outside, but Pawson dropped it with a clear field ahead. The respite for Possibles was momentary only. Wilson and Busch led a loose rush, the latter going down in possession. Possibles' backs attempted passing, but it broke down. Hazelhurst snapped up the ball and made a dash diagonally, which beat the defence, and let Wilson over for an easy try. Nolan goaled. Probables 8, Possibles 0. Nolan, who was having a lot ot work and doing it well, started a forty-yard assault when he ran up strongly from inside his twenty-five, allowing W. Brown to run past halfway. Wilson and Watkins carried on and the latter would have scored had not Rankin "come from the clouds" to save in the nick of time. Probables kept up the pressure and Milliken broke away at the twenty-five line and scored unopposed under the posts. Nolan goaled. Probables 13, Possibles 0.

A spasm of improved hooking gave Possibles' backs two chances, but they made poor use of them. Nolan wae magnificent in defence during this period, his fielding, kicking, and tackling being high-class. McPhail gave direction to a back thrust which travelled from halfway to under the goal posts, where W. Brown scored. McPhail came round nicely outside W. Brown when the first chain was complete and when he was tackled Pawson snapped up and passed in to W. Brown, who shot diagonally to score under the posts. Nolan goaled. Probables 18, Possibles 0. After half-time French replaced Nolan, C. Innes replaced Hazelhurst, and L. Brown replaced Stevens in Probables. McPhail went to centre and Pawson to second five-eighths. In Possibles Thompson and Matterson replaced Foley and Hartnell in the pack. Probables had to defend immediately but not for long. McPhail saved twice and then all the backs handled in a good rush. French fielded a clearing kick and ran 35 yards to in-pass to O. Hattersley, who was three yards from the line, when he was brought down by three defenders. L. Brown was passing crisply and well behind the Probables' pack. Rankin gave the Possibles hope with a solo run for 30 yards. French gathered him in with, the remainder of the defence beaten. The ball came out from the resultant scrum to Dunshea. He dummied and corkscrewed for 25 yards at top speed beating three men completely, including French, the full-back, for a try under the posts. Mussen goaled. Prob-1 ables 18, Possibles 5. I Two minutes later a penalty was awarded Possibles and Mussen kicked a good goal. Probables 18. Possibles 8. One of the most improved players I of the second half was the Possibles full-back, Mussen. Several times he saved' spectacularly. W. Brown went off injured and Nolan came on again and j played on the wing. Nolan signalled his arrival by spectacularly following up a kick and charging down Mussen s attempt to clear. O. Hattersley, following up, gathered it in and ran 25 yards to score by the posts. French goaled. Probables 23, Possibles 8. Play was much more even than in the first half, but still very scrappy and often ill-directed. Just on full time Mussen had a long angle shot from a penalty, but he missea narrowly. | Probables 23, Possibles 8. The referee was Mr F. Sinclair. LINWOOD (21) v. ALBION (0). Linwood eliminated Albion from, the knock-out competition convincingly by defeating it by 21 points to 0. The game, which was played as a curtainfaiser to the Possibles y. Probables match, did not produce football of a high standard. Play for the most part was ragged, and would have been uninteresting without the keen tussle among the two sets of forwards and the several bright exhibitions by the Linwood backs later in the game. Both teams were largely disorganised by having players in the trial match and the rearguards took some time to settle down. The Albion backs were given very little of the ball, but they were never enterprising and the forwards were probably wise in keeping the play among themselves. W. Sweeney, at full-back for Albion, played a sound same, and C. Davis, at half-back, made the most of the few opportunities he got. B. Buckley, who was moved up to centre-threequarters, was solid on defence. The Green backs were not given many opportunities early in the game, but during the second spell they played bright football, and were too clever for the Albion rearguard, who had some solid defensive work to do. The inside men were reliable and gave their speedy three-quarters line —C. Williams, N. McClelland, and S. Loader—many opportunities. N. Priest, at full-back, was always safe. The Black forwards, playing two short, had a strenuous game. Although beaten in the scrums they worked solidly in the loose, and kept the Linwood backs subdued. T. Russell and S. Taylor were outstanding, but there were no passengers. > For the first few minutes of the game play was very ragged. The Linwood forwards were beating the depleted Albion pack for the ball in the scrums and were smothering all back movements; but they starved their own backs. The Albion backs saw plenty of the ball, and with neat line-kicks maintained an attacking position. Time and again they were nearly over, but lost control, and Linwood was able to force down. A nice movement by the Linwood backs, in which Loader figured prominently, took play down to the Albion twenty-five line before it was stopped. From a melee in this position R. Price took the ball at his feet and dribbled across the line. M. Gunderson failed to convert. Linwood 3, Albion 0. From the kick-off Albion rushed play downfield, and Linwood had an anxious time until McClelland cleared with a good kick to the line. The Linwood forwards gave their backs the ball from the line-out and, when the movement broke down, carried on themselves for K. Armour to cross in a handy position. D. Quaid converted, and the half-time score was: Linwood 8, Albion 0.

At the beginning of the second half the Linwood forwards, in a determined rush, swept play down into Albion territorv where Sweeney failed to field the ball and a line-out was formed m a handv position. Quaid was given the ball, and the Linwood backs swung into action in a spectacular movement. McClelland crossed on the corner but lost the ball, and Williams, who was backing up well, scored. Gunderson converted with a magnificent kick. Linwood .13, Albion 0. A period of dull play, controlled mostly by the forwards, followed. Neither pack would give its backs ihe ball, and when the inside backs did get the ball they were smothered by fastbreaking forwards. The Linwood pack carried play clown to the Black twentyfive line, where they heeled back to Quaid. The ball flashed along the line and Williams dashed over wide out. It was a great piece of play. Gunderson- converted a difficult kick. Linwood 13, Albion 0. In their own twenty-five the Linwood backs opened up the play. The ball travelled along to McClelland, who dummied past Bucklev, but was well taken by Sweeney. He sent out a long pass to Loader, who transferred to D. Robb on the twenty-five line. Robb ran in i unopposed and scored under the posts. Quaid's kick hit the bar, and the final score was: Linwood 21, Albion 0. The referee was Mr C. G. Crawford. Second Grade. At St.. Albans Bark, Linwood 3 drew with Training College 3. Referee: Mr A. S. Woodsford. At Sunnyside, Sunnyside 20, beat | Sydenham .'J. Referee: Mr E. A. EmpAt St. Albans Park, Merivale 25, beat Christchurch 16. Referee: Mr J. Edmonds. At North Park, Albion 9, beat Old Boys 8. Referee: Mr J. McCormack. At Kaiapoi, Kaiapoi 6, beat Technical Old Boys 3. Referee: Mr J. C. Salt. At Rangiora, North Canterbury 16, beat University 3. Referee: Mr K. Perrin. THIRD GRADE. (Section A.) .Linwood 25, Christchurch 6. • Svdenham 8, Bromley 6. I* Athletic 12, Old Collegians 0. Merivale 9. Aranui 3. THIRD GRADE. (Section B.) West Old Boys 24, Albion 9. Old Boys 36, St. Andrew's Old Boys 10. Training College 17, St. Bede's 0. FOURTH GRADE. (Section A.) Marshland 14, 'Varsity C. Paparua 21, Technical Old Boys 3. Riccarton 22, Sydenham 0. FOURTH GRADE. (Section B.) Richmond 21, Papanui 3. Linwood 3, Sumner 0. Christchurch 13, Athletic 13. Old Boys 20, Kaiapoi 3. Merivale 24, Old Collegians 3. FIFTH GRADE. (Section A.) Old Boys 23, Aranui 0. Beckenham 18, Technical Old Boys 3. Linwood 7. Christchurch 6. Merivale 44, Spreydon 0. North Canterbury beat Athletic by default. FIFTH GRADE. (Section, B.) Christ's College 18, Y.M.C.A. 3. West Old Boys 8, Technical Old Boys 8. 'Varsity 6, Beckenham 0. Old Collegians 8, Christchurch 8. St. Andrew's Old Boys 13, Merivale 3. I St. Andrew's 15, Boys' High School 13. j UNDER SEVENTEEN GRADE. Athletic 6, Christchurch 0. West Old Boys 8, Merivale 3. j Technical Old Eoys 11, North Canterbury 3. Sumner 6, Belfast 0. UNDER SIXTEEN GRADE. Linwood 9, Technical Old Boys 3. Sydenham 23, West Old Boys 6. UNDER SIXTEEN GRADE. (Under 9st.) Athletic 4, Technical Old Boys A 0. Sydenham 40, West Old Boys 0. THE SEDDON SHIELD. TO TUB ritKSS.; GREYMOUTH, July 30. The following .team has been selected to defend the Seddon Shield on August 5, against Motueka-Golden Bay, at Greymouth. G. Gilbert (United), C. Schroder (Excelsior), A. Fong (Star), L. Martyn (Cobden), J. Taafe (Cobden), W. Hughes (Excelsior), B. Scandrett (Star). B. Kelly (Excelsior), J. Kirkland fßoss), M. Kelly (Excelsior), L. Hughes (Excelsior), M. Scandrett (Blakctown), M. Thompson (United), R. King (Excelsior), E. Jones (United). Emergencies: Forwards, M. Jamieson (United). W. Ogier (Star); backs, J. Beban (Star), M. Davidson (Excelsior). NORTH OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIP. t (PEKSS ASSOCIATION- TEF.EGfIAM.) OAMARU, July 29. Excelsior beat Athletic by 11 points to 3 in the play-off for the Citizens' Shield before the largest crowd seen at the Show Grounds this season. The teams held 14 trophy points each, and the play-off aroused the greatest interest in the competition for years. The game was keenly fought out, and was productive of much bright Rugby. WAIKATO BEATS THAMES VALLEY. (PR2.S3 ASSOCIATION - TELEGRAM.) TE AROHA, July 29. Waikato defeated Thames Valley by 14 points to 3. The weather was fine, and there was a crowd of 2000. The game was a hard, forward battle, with flashes of back play by Waikato. The visiting backs were superior, and Thames Valley played close up to maintain an even footing. The scoring for Waikato was done by Leeson, Aitken, and Broderick. Davies kicked a penalty goal and converted a try. Gloyn scored for Thames Valley. Mr H. Vause (Turua) was the referee. SOUTHLAND V. OTAGO. (press association TELEGRAM.) INVERCARGILL, July 29. The Southland Rugby selectors announce the following team to play Otago at Invercargill next Saturday:— G. Porter, A. McKay, N. A. Mitchell, J. H. Gcddes, R. Sharp, D. G. Grant (captain), G. Thomas, C. George, J. Mattingly, R. S. Donnelly, G. B. Purdue, W. Southern, T. S. Gait, R. Berry, and T. Metcalfe. Reserves: R. Smith, R. Sutherland, L. George, C. Pawson. These 19 players also go on tour. J Murphy and E. E. Fowle, who are not available for the Otago game, will make the total 21. The selection of another player to complete the party has not yet been made. Woods' Great Peppermint Core. First aM for Coughs, Colds, Influenza.

REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES.

CANTERBURY TEAMS [ SELECTED. j i ' The following representative team has been selected by Mr J. T. Bur- I rows, sole selector, to represent Can- ! terbury against Ashburton at Lan- j caster Park on Wednesday. Ash- ' burton has challenged for the Ran*urly Shield:— Full-back, N. Mussen (Ellesmere). Three-quarters, W. J. Brown (Sydenham*, C. J. Oliver (Merivale), N. Dunshea (Linwood). Five-eighths, K. S. Mortlock (Old Boys), R. Hazelhurst (Sydenham;. Half-back, G. F. Stevens (Linwood). Forwards—Front row, A. I. Cottrell (Christchurch), J. Wade (Christchurch), A. Bowes (Old Boys). Middle row, A. H. Andrews (University), A. M. Hartnell (University), G. J. Howell (Albion), and J. E. Manchester (Christchurch), Back row, R. K. King (Sydenham). Emergencies—Backs, C. H. McPhail (Old Boys) and N. Bouterey (Christchurch). Forwards, F. J. Foley (Old Boys), P. G. Roberts 'University), and G. Suckling (Merivale). G. F. Hart (Christchurch) was not available for selection. He is absent on the West Coast on business. He will not be available for the northern tour either, but it is expected that he will make the trip from Nelson to Wellington to play for Canterbury against Wellington in the first match of Canterbury's northern tour. Canterbury v. Marlborough. The following B team has been selected to play Marlborough also on Wednesday at Lancaster Park:— Full-back, G. T. Nolan (Old Boys). Three-quarters, J. Hattersley (Sydenham), J. Pawson (Christchurch), J. Jacobs (Old Boys). Five-eighths, S. G. Hendry (Merivale). A. P. Cobden (Old Boys). Half-back, L. Brown (Sydenham). Forwards—Front row, E. Watkins (Ellesmere), A. J. Bourne (Merivale), K. Lowry cOld Boys). Middle row—H. Milliken (Malvern), J. J. Busch (North Canterbury), W. Coll (Athletic), C. M. Wilson (Peninsula). Back row, J. G. Rankin (Old Boys). Emergencies—Backs, C. Innes (Malvern), F. T. J. French (Sydenham), Forwards, H. Mooney (Albion), F. Thompson (Linwood). The A team to meet Ashburton will meet at Mr C. Buckett's gymnasium to-night at 7 o'clock. The B team will meet at the night training ground, Hagley Park, at 7.30 o'clock. If it is raining it will attend at the gymnasium. The Northern Tour. The players to make the northern tour will be selected early this week, when enquiries as to availability are complete. The players selected will leave by the ferry steamer for Wellington on Thursday. Canterbury will play Wellington at Wellington next Saturday. The team will travel to Palmerston North on Monday, August 7, and play Manawatu there on Wednesday, August 9. The next match is against Wairarapa at Carterton on August 12, and the team will return from Wellington by the ferry steamer on August 12. A special bus will convey the team to Wellington from Carterton in order that Saturday night's ferrv steamer may be used to avoid remaining in the North Island for the week-end. Marlborough's Strong Side. The Marlborough team has been selected as follows:—Full-back. R. Wilson. Three-quarters, J. Mac Donald (captain), F. Oldham, H. Phillips. Five-eighths. A. Robinson and D. Lane, Half-back, F. Phillips. Forwards. L. E. Patchett, J. Best, R. Wooley, J. Tapley, M. Mac Donald, J. Drake. R. Hippolite, and D. Hammond. Emergencies—Backs, W. Haswell, D. Thompson, and C. Mellish. Forwards, C. Lovell, R. C. Dobson, and N. Casey. The three-quarters, J. Mac Donald, who is captain of the side, was » member of the Maori All Black team which toured in France. England, and Wales in 1926-27. H. Phillips, on the other wing for Wednesday's match, was one of the stars of the same tour, playing in both tests against France. Th<? Maori side won both matches. R. Wilson has shown great promise as a full-back. The other backs are young and enterprising. There are some very fast men in the pack, and with a leavening of experience they should form a formidable combination. Patchett ran third in the 440 yards New Zealand championship at Lancaster Park in February last. ASHBURTON TEAM. The Ashburton representative team to play Canterbury has been selected by the selectors, Messrs H. D. Johnston, J. W. Smith, and N. Robilliard, as follows: — Full-back, I. Behrnes (Rakaia): Three-quarters. G. Stephen (Methven), D. Tainui (Mayfield), G. Robilliard (Old Boys). Five-eighths, A. Bradford (Old Boys). F. Polhill (Mayfield). Half-back, L. Murdoch (Mayfield). Forwards. A. Doig (Rakaia), B. Doig (Rakaia), K. Doig (Rakaia), C. Thomas (Allenton). O. Whiting (Mayfield), G. Dalton (Methven), E. Burgess, and J. Mulhern. Emergencies: Backs. K. McCormick (Allenton). C. Davison (Rakaia); forwards, A, Dolan (Methven), J. Lawler (Rakaia), R. Rose (Old Boys), A. Young (Methven). SOUTHBRIDGE SHIELD. ELLESMERE BEATS PENINSULA. In a match for the Southbridge Shield, played at Lincoln on Saturday, before a large crowd of spectators, Ellesmere (holders) defeated a team from the Banks Peninsula SubUnion by 13 points to 0. In a match several weeks ago, which was not a shield fixture, Peninsula gained a victory over Ellesmere in the last few minutes of the game, and it was anticipated that last Saturday's contest would be a very close one. There was no score in the first half, but the odds were slightly in favour of Ellesmere, who had to contend with a fairly strong wind. Peninsula weakened in the second half, and the Ellesmere team made the most of the opportunities presented, the forwards shining out in the scrums and line-outs, and giving the backs a good share of the ball. Ellesmere sent the ball into play and an early passing bout was attempted, but Macartney overran the ball, which was sent out at half-way. Mason snapped up the ball from a ruck and with the aid of the wind sent it right to the Ellesmere corner flag. From the line-out the ball was sent back to Periwhiti, who was well grassed in attempting to dive over and play again went back to half-way. Another Ellesmere back attack ended through overrunning. Blomquist, who was the outstanding man in the Peninsula pack, broke away, well supported by Eves, and a scramble ensued on the goalline, where Francis gave relief by a kick to the twenty-five. Peninsula continued to press, the backs working with great determination. Mason chose to kick when in a good position, the ball going over for Sanders to force down. A promising back movement by Ellesmere. resulting from an opening given by Poison and Bowdcn, ended through faulty handling. Ellesmere came again, Sanders, Poison, and Pitcairn shining out, but the ball was lost on the line, when a try seemed almost certain. Further attempts by Ellesmere to score failed. A promising movement by the Peninsula backs, led by Hawkins, Periwhiti. and Robinson was checked' by Poison, who brought Robinson down in front of the goal. Although several further at-

tacks were made by both sides, halftime came without a score. Ellesmere 0, Peninsula 0. At the opening of the second half Ellesmere played with great dash, and after Fincham lost the ball on the line Morten sent the backs away from a scrum. Sanders beat his man in good style, transferred to Macartney, food style, transferred to Macartney, who cut in smartly before handing on to Poison, who scored near the goal. Francis converted. Ellesmere 5, Peninsula 0. Another Ellesmere onslaught ended when Morten was grassed on the line. Cutting in between Eves and Robinson, Poison secured the ball and ran round behind the posts for another try. Again Francis converted. Ellesmere 10, Peninsula 0. . Ellesmere continued to worry, the forwards and backs combining splendidly. Another score looked likely from a dash by Morten and Poison, supported by Pitcairn, who was pushed out at the corner flag. Peninsula infringed in front of the posts and Francis had no difficulty in adding another three points. Further efforts to score by both sides came to naught, and the game ended: Ellesmere 13, Peninsula 0. Mr F. J. Miller was referee. The visiting team and' officials of the Peninsula Sub-Union were subsequently entertained to dinner by the Ellesmere Sub-Union.