FOOTBALL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3130, 14 August 1922, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

(By Drop-kick). Vincent 7, v. Maniototo 3The above county match played at Cromwell on Saturday afternoon, attracted a fair crowd—£24 being taken at the gate. The weather was ideal for football and the ground was in good order. The surprise of the day was the fine showing of the Vincent forwards. They started off well and astonished everybody by finishing even belter than their opponents. Maniototo relied on their forwards and Vincent on their backs, but the game proved that it should have been the other way round. There is no doubt that the Vincent forwards won tha game, while the visitors backs must be credited with giving the better showing. Their passing was good, and they looked dangerous on many occasions, but generally broke down at the critical time. The home team's efforts at the passing game were disappointing, and there was an apparent lack of understanding between the players. Another surprise was the amount of offside play indulged in by the Maniototo forwards. They were frequently penalised but persisted in infringing till the end. It was no uncommon sight to see one or two of them actually waiting offside, and there certainly seems to be some truth in the assertion of some of their supporters that there were too many shiners ” amongst them. The game, however, was a good one—fast, willing, but clean, with frequent bursts of brilliancy. Vincent had the honor of winning, but on the day’s play there was nothing between the teams, which lined out as follows— Maniototo (Red) Full-back. M. Churchill ; three-quarters V. Bleach, P". Donnelly, L. Bleach ; five-eights George and L. Churchill ; forwards Clark, Wilson, Moran, Popham, C. Dougherty, Kippenberg, J. Morgan and E. Naylor (capt.) Vincent (green) Full-black K. Campbell ; three-quarters Harris, Jenkins and Olsen ; five-eights, W. Betts (capt ), Stewart ; half J. Haig ; forwards, C Attfield, M. Kennelly, J. Tohill, R. McFelin, P. Hosking, J. McDonald and A Marslin (wing). There was a sensational opening. The Reds kicked off and trom a scramble in mid-field Stewart secured and made a fine opening, sending on to Jim McDonald who gave a nice pass to Olsen, the speedy wing flying over at the corner to score a pretty try. Jenkins failed with the kick. Vincent 3, Maniototo o. Olsen tsok the kick out well and returned to the centre, where there was a scrum. Churchill put in a nice run and punted to Campbell who was close to the line. He took the ball all right, but instead of marking, attempted to kick, with the result that Bleach scored at the corner. Maniototo were only about five minutes drawing level. Naylor failed with the kick. Vincent 3, Maniototo 3.

The Red forwards were playing offside and the Greens had two free kicks one after the other, and from a loose rush Marslin nearly scored, Attfield headed a good rush which looked dangerous, but Coulson pulled them up, and George got in a good kick. The Reds made several nice passing rushes, Bleach on one occasion missing a certain score by failing to take a pass. Exciting lootball followed, each side attacking in turn. Olsen put in a nice run, and Jenkins stopped a hot rush well. The next incident of note was a good attempt to pot a goal by Betts, but he should have passed out to Harris who had a clear run in. The spell ended shortly afterwards. The Greens hopped off well in the second spell, a loose rush nearly succeeding, Marslin making a great effort To score. Kipponberg hulled aside several opponents and made a lot of ground before being pulled down. Clouston took a mark in a good position, but his attempt to kick a goal went wide. Shortly after this Harris made a great run Gathering up the ball he streaked up the line, and was almost over when in evading the full back he lost the ball. Even play followed for sometime, the Reds making some fine passing rushes. Kippenberg wall off-side, dumped Betts, but got away with it. The Green forwards were still going strong and McFelin and Attfield headed a rush which was stopped near the line. The Reds improved their positien, but at this stage their full back, who had played a good game, got a pump on the head and had to retire. Hall came on in his place. Campbell by following up his own kick and smothering the return again put the Greens in an attacking position. From the ensuing play Betts secured and promptly potted a goal. The effort was loudly cheered. Vincent 7, Maniototo 3. This reverse livened up the visitors, and both backs and forwards made desperate eflorts to score. The Greens succeeded in keeping them oat, and were soon themselves attacking. Near the close Haig, from a long way out made a good attempt to pot, the ball falling short. Play was in the visitors balf when the game, splendidly controlled by Mr D. A. Cahill ended. For the visitors, of a fast lot of backs who all played well, the two five-eights were the pick, George playing a fine game. Of the forward 1- , Clark, Morgan and Popham were the pick. Naylor did not show out prominently, but was always about, and he did a lot of useful work for his side. Stewart was the best of the home teams backs. He was very safe ; kicked and ran well, while he made some nice openings, Olsen on the wing played well, but he must curb a tendency to speculate. The forwards all played well, and it would be uafair to individualise, but a special word of praise is due to McF«lin and Jack Tohill. Artie Marslin played a fine game as wing.

I The visitors were entertained at a dinner at McDonald’s Hotel at night, Mr Noble (president of the Sub-union) presiding. An enjoyable couple of hours were spent, the customary toasts being honoured. Mr Rutherford, president of the Maniototo Union was present, and congratulated Vincent on their win. The referee (Mr Cahill) was toasted, the visitors paying him a well-deserved compliment. As a curtain-raiser to the county match a B-grade trial was played. The Greens (mostly composed of members ot the Alexandra Club) won by six points (2) tries to nil. A B-grade county match against Maniototo is to be played at Alexandra on Saturday week.