Football

Cromwell Argus, 27 May 1929, Page 5

Football

Owing to special attractions in Dunedin during Show Week, Saturday next is au off-day with football etches in the country, At Pembroke, Matakanui and Wanaka played a drawn game. Matakanui scored an unconverted try, and Wanaka kicked a penalty goal in the closing stages of the game. Under ideal .playing conditions Rugby enthusiasts were treated to an interesting afternoons Kugby on Saturdav when teams of both grades from Alexandra and Cromwell met. The B teams were late in starting and played short spoils, but they were off the field -20 minutes before the seniors lined out at 3.30. It is time punctu ality was more closely observed. Cromwell B 8. Alexandra B 5These, with little exception, were just what B grade should represent. Scrums and a succession of penalties for breaches of the off-side rule marked the opening stages. Twice Cromwell (Blue*) lost an attacking position through this fault. First Blues and then Alexandra (Greens) took up an attacking position. W. Olds found Greens backs out of position with a well-judged kick and then the same player potted and missed. After a passage 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 the best of it. Greens did 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 missed. Next Greens passed from the centre and kicked through. The Blues backs missed badly, and a Green player got over well out. The try was converted. Bad fielding was again the Green's weakness. Near the finish Olds and Radford broke away. and were almost over. Time sounded with Blues in the lead.—B-5. Mr A. Dewar was referee. Alexandra. 15, Cromwell 6Cromwell (Blues), kicked off and an exchange of kicks, followed Dy several penalties, left play in neutral territory. From a hard kick Greens were forced. Following the drop out Greens kicked down the centre, and continued in a passing rush, which saw the ball dropped in a promising position. Blues came back with a passing movement and had Greens on defence. Play swayed back to midreld. Then from numerous penalties Nicolson (Blues), and Hannay i, Greens), had something of a placeKicking competition from long shots, rinally Nicolson landed one from an angle well out and gave Cromwell a lead of three points. Next the Blues were driven back in loose play, and Campbell and Hannay came in with a short reverse pass, and Campbell got across well out, Hannay convertingAlexandra 5, Cromwell 3. Blues failed in fielding, and twice Hannay was nearly dver. Greens were pressing hard and finally from a ruck Marslin. dived over for a try in a good position, but Hannay failed to convert. — Alexandra. 8, Cromwell 3. After brief exchanges in midfield loose play settled near Blues quarter. R. Campbell fielded and after side-stepping three high tackles raced into a gap and potted a fine goal.—Alexandra 12, Cromwell 3. A penalty brought trouble for Greens and they were driven back on defence. Blues were hard at it under Greens goal but over-eagerness ended in a penalty. and half-time sounded. 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 tame into the picture, and Campbell savfd by marking, and immediately after Hesson got his side out of a tight corner. Nicolson potted very wide and Greens forced. Blues were going well in a passing rush which stopped with a knock-on. Then they ~:re penalised and Greens forwards dribbled on but lost the ball over the line. Cockerill intercepted a Green passing rush in the centre and raced away to transfer to Nicolson, who carried it to success near the corner, but the kick failed.—Alexandra 12, Cromwell 6. Again Nicolson and Hannay had shots from penalties without success. Following a bout of passing by Greens, in which Ryan was prominent, Nicolson dashed back up the line, and Greens were hard on defence. Blues were right on the line, but the inevitable penalty lost any chance. Play was swinging up and down the fie4d. Cockerill and NicolBon broke away In passing, but Bob Campbell countered it with « 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. The spell had been more even. [The whistle sounded in Alexandra's favor— '. a win to the best team. Mr Cox was J referee.