LEAGUE CODE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 287, 31 August 1931, Page 10

LEAGUE CODE

Games at Stadium PETONE & CITY DRAW Newtown Beats Old Boys By far the most exciting games so far in the League competitions were played on Saturday, -at the Stadium. Newtown defeated a brilliant Old Boys team, and Petone played out a draw with City. In both games the tackling was deadly. Passing was bright, and the running was determined, speedy, and judicious. The only fault was that there was too much ■ kicking, particularly in the Petone-City game. Newtown Defeats Old Boys. Old Boys, aided by a Might breeze, early made an attack on Newtown's goal, but good work by Tier relieved and play returned to midfield. It waa noticeable that Newtown was securing from most of the scrums, but quick work by W. Robins effectively broke up promising movements. Thompson got the ball away, but Holland, coming through quickly, kicked, and in a race for the ball Ward succeeded in touched down. Davies converted. 014 Boya 6, Neiwtown 0. Newtown attacked from the kick-off, but relief came to Old Boys when Molsley gathered up, passed to.McDonald, whose burst changed the position. Dutch, McKowen and Peach relieved with a splendid passing bout, and the ball was handed out to Hall, whose dash carried him over, although tackled on the line by Shevnan. Tier failed with the kick. Old Boys 5, Newtown 3. 1 ! Until half-time there was even play, in which fast attacking movements were combated by effective tackling. The second spell started with a hot siege of the Old Boys goal, but Newtown was held. A' "pot” by Tier sailed over the dead line and on .the twenty-five kick the Old Boys got going in a good attack. Newtown had to force. From the drop-put Old Boys were penalised, and Tier's kick equalised the score. Newtown 5, Old Boys 5. Newtown was now putting in some great efforts, which gradually wore down the defence. Injuries were frequent, Bayliss, Fraser, Peach and Shevnan all being attended to. Eventually, from a scrum near the line, Newtown secured and •Ward bullocked his way over. Tier’s kick failed. Newtown 8, Old Boys 5. A lightning change took place In the next few minutes. Holland intercepted a pass from Harris and kicked upfield, whera Ward's superior pace beat the opposition and allowed him to score well out. Davies's kick failed. Newtown 8, Old Boys B.‘ Both teams now struggled desperately for supremacy and play veered from end to end in thrilling fashion. Play was in old Boys's half and a Newtown crosskick went over the line, with three Old Boys players handy, but, looking round to see what action the referee was going to take, Dutch (Newtown) took no chance and touched down to secure victory. Tier failed to convert. The game ended sh<ytly after with the score: Newtown 11, Old Boys 8. ’ Mr. R. Salisbury was referee. Petone and City Draw. City kicked off from the south end,, to be immediately placed on defence by a strong Petone attack. A certain score Was lost to Petone when laatl had his kick charged down. Good combination was being shown by the Petone backs and City had to do some har'd defending. A dash by McCaskill started a movement which was capped by a timely pass to Dent, who scored near the flag. McCaskill converted with an excellent kick. Petone S, City 9. Keeping the ball at their feet, the City forwards took play to Petone’s twentyfive, but Fisher sent them back with a lengthy line kick. Allen and Joyce headed another invasion into Petone’s twentyfive, where there was some tight play for a while. Until half-time, play was even, and mostly among the forwards. City started the second spell with determination, and some good passing move ments were initiated. City eventually piled up on Petone’s lino, where Horsfall was awarded a try. Leggat’s kick missed. Petone 5, City 3. Not long before fulltime sounded City secured from a scrumand the ball went to Crerar. In a flash he “potted” a neat goal, equalising the score. Petone S, City 6. Mr. M. O’Grady was referee. Newtown now leads with 18 points, Petono is second with 16, and Old Boys and City each have 15. Petone have to meet Newtown to finish the round. CHRISTCHURCH GAME). By Telegraph—Press Association Christchurch, August 30. Addington 14 beat Linwood 6 in a match for the Thacker Shield.