FIRST GRADE.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 40, 21 May 1935, Page 4

FIRST GRADE.

Lincoln v. Leeston,

After a hard-fought struggle Lincoln won its match against Leeston to the tune of 14 points to nil. The game was much more closely contested than the score would indicate. At the interval neither side had scored and the final result was hard to forecast. Lincoln, however, showed more ability in the second spell, and good combination among the backs was responsible for two good tries in quick succession, while C. Watkins had his kicking boots on and compiled eight of his side's total of 14 points. Both sides were evenly matched, and the Leeston pack more than held its own with its heavier opponents and played with rare determination and tenacity. Miller, Eddy, Rookes and G. McClure were always in the thick of the fray, while for Lincoln C. Watkins, A. Knight, E. Watkins and Melhopt often caught the eye. There was a lot of poor handling amongst the backs on both sides, and many movements broke down owing to this cause. However, the tackling on both sides was very solid, the young Leeston j backs going down to their men in great style. In this department Lemon, Gibb McLachlan, Skilling and J. Legg were prominent, although all the backs showed plenty of resource on the day. For Lincoln, Lindsay, Lamberton, Bennett and Templeton were often conspicuous for good work.

Lincoln kicked off and Miller fielded. A line-out followed from, which Greaves led a dribbling- rush to the twenty-five, but an infringement let Leeston back, Lemon finding touch nicely in the Lincoln quarter. Lincoln came back to the fray again with a series of loose rushes, but bad handling lost the side a likely chance when in a good scoring position. Bennett intercepted a pass and sent out to Lindsay, who handed on to Lamberton, but the last-named went too far before sending out and was dropped by Rodgers. Skilling was responsible for a heady move when he intercepted smartly and ran

through a gap, going right to the line before being stopped. From a scrum on the line, the Leeston packmen strove desperately to surge over but an infringement nullified their gain, and two good kicks by Knight and Jordan respectively took the scene of action to mid-field, where a series of rucks and line-outs followed, until Lindsay sent Jordan away for a jaunt which looked like being productive, but the five-eighth threw Lamberton a bad pass and lost a very promising chance. Gordon McLachlan and Rodgers broke away in a nice dash, the latter shortkicking to a gap, and things looked dangerous for Lincoln until the Red forwards over-ran the ball and play went into touch. Skilling' cleared nicely on two occasions whenv the home side was hard put on defence. Bennett tried to sell a dummy, but was taken in possession by W. Legg.

At this time Lincoln was staging a terrific onslaught on the Leeston line and the home side was putting up a desperate defence which held until G. McLachlan cleared upfield, and following a hefty boot by Lemon Leeston once more came into the firing line. Jordan mis-kicked and Rookes and Jones led a raking rush that carried them right to the corner, but although they strove valiantly they could not get over, and a drop-out ensued. Leeston was awarded a free kick for a. scrum infringement, and J. Legg found touch well down, half-time being called with no score.

After the interval, Leeston staged an attack which carried play into the opposing twenty-five, where Rookes was prominent in several rushes. After a-heavy bombardment which tested the Lincoln defence, Bennett drove the attackers out, but G. McClure and Rodgers came in again with a dashing loose rush. A scrum was ordered, however, and from this Lincoln heeled and a swift sortie by Lamberton and Templeton saw play go right to the home side's corner. Lemon touched down after a melee on the line, and for a period play centred between half-way and the Leeston twenty-five. From a lineout Greaves broke away, attended by Templeton, and a good rush saw the last-named touch down in the corner. C. Watkins goaled with a magnificent kick- from the touchline.

Lincoln now infused more vim and fire into the' play, and more cohesion, putting the Reds on the run with a series of telling back rushes. Lemon saved nicely on several occasions, but the pressure told. E. Watkins broke away in the loose and handed out to Templeton, who raced over for his second try. C. Watkins failed to goal.

Leeston staged a counter-move-ment, the ball going along the line of backs to Gibb McLachlah, who found touch through a gap, and a f|v moments after Rodgers and R. McClure did yeoman service in a movement which gained much territory. Lincoln came into the fray again. Melhopt, Knight and Jordan threw the leather about and play hovered dangerously near the Leeston line, but stout defence by Gibb McLachlan, Rodgers and W. Legg kept the fort intact until Lemon sent a touch-finder to half-way. The Lincoln backs were seen in a dashing foray and Templeton was almost over. Lindsay cut through a moment later, but sent out a bad lob when in a likely position. A penalty a few minutes later gave Lincoln three more points, C. Watkins piloting a good one over from wide out.

Lincoln kept hot on the attack. J. Bennett broke right away and in a good thrust Jordan appeared to go over wide out, but a drop-out was ordered, and for an infringement at the twenty-five the home side was penalised, giving C. Watkins three more to his total and bringing the score up to 14.

A period of dogged forward play followed near mid-field, but a good rush by Melhopt compelled Lemon to force, and time was called with the score unaltered.

Mr L. Ebert was the referee,

College v. Waihora.

In a very even and determined struggle Waihora defeated College by nine points to six. The game was fairly fast and open, with Waihora forwards slightly in the ascendancy in the loose, but the College forwards rucked hard in the tight, giving their backs plenty of opportunities. There was little difference between the respective backs on the day's play.

Waihora won the toss and played with the sun, quickly taking play to the College twenty-five, where the College forwards rallied strongly. Owing to offside play Waihora was given an easy chance, but Suckling missed the kick. Waihora again carried play to the twenty-five, and from a ruck on the line Morton flashed over on the blind side for a good try. Suckling missed the kick.

College now took a hand and Carswell put his side on attack with a good kick. From a scrum a Waihora forward was offside and Blair lined. A line-out ensued and College, gain-

ing possession, forced. Greenall dropped-out from the twenty-five and gained a good 30 yards. College hooked from a scrum and the forwards took the ball away at their toe. Rucking followed; Harbood received, worked Armstrong on the line who kicked into touch. Soqn after Waihora was penalised for hanging on to the ball, but Greenall's kick at goal failed. Play came back to College territory, but an infringement gave College relief. Greenall punted high and the College forwards, led by Blair, followed up fast and bustled the Blacks. Some fine short-passing among the College forwards brought play to the Waihora line. Harbord let Hay away on the blind side, but he was unable to get through the defence. Half-time was sounded soon after with College attacking vigorously and the score: Waihora 3, College 0.

The second half was characterised by brilliant forward play on both sides. Waihora pressed early until Blair relieved with a good kick. From the line-out Robinson and H. Deans carried the ball to the twenty-five. Ryan, who was* outstanding in lineout play, relieved from a dangerous position and started a good rush in which Anderson and Kimber Were also prominent. From a ruck Morten worked the blind side and Wills gained ground for his side. McLean was badly offside, and Hudson kicked an easy goal.

From play in mid-field, GreenaJl came in from the wing and joined in a penetrating movement which had Waihora on defence. Deang, at centre, short-punted and, coming through fast, gathered the ball again. He sent on to Greenall, to McLean, who beat Wills and ran strongly to score after a fine movement. Greenall missed a long kick at goal.

From the kick-off College mishandled and Waihora forwards, led by Ryan and Thompson, had the Whites in trouble, but Kimber kicked too hard and Carswell forced down. Waihora attacked again, but Carswell sent play back to mid-field with a good kick. College was penalised and K. Allen put his side in a good position with a fine line-kick. Arps and Hudson dribbled through, but again allowed College to force down. From the drop-out Robinson and H.

Deans, two tireless workers, led the College forwards in an excellent rush but Ayrton went down on the ball well and stopped the attack. Waihora heeled from the loose scrum and Morten let Wills away on the blind side. The wing kicked through to the twenty-five line. College, always allowing- itself to be penalised in dangerous positions, again defended on its goal-line. From the lineout Wills made a determined run but was thrown out in the corner. Ascrum infringement gave College a free kick, and Blair cleared well from a dangerous position. College now staged a most brilliant movement." From a scrum Harbord sent to Hay, who cut clean through and passed in to his forwards. Wallace sent oh to Blair, who ran strongly and passed in-field to Greenall, to Deans, to McLean. The last-named threw a long pass to" Blunden, who ran over to score and finished off the movement that was the feature of the game. Wallace failed narrowly to convert from an easy position.

Waihora attacked strongly, but Blair, backing up well, relieved with a good kick. College forwards rallied again, but offside play spoiled an opportunity. Thompson put his forwards on attack after a high punt and the Waihora forwards were near the line. D. Allen was nearly over, but a scrum was ordered. The College scrum screwed and the Whites, led by Blair and, Wilkie, took play to half-way. The Waihora backs went away, Sanders kicking through and following up well. He sent on to Ryan, to Wills, who was pushed out near the line. Almost immediately after the same winger received from Ryan in the line-out and dived over for a god try. Suckling failed to convert.

College made a final determined effort, the forwards working as one. Blair broke away, supported by Greenall, but there was no opening and time was called soon after with the final score after an excellent game of: Waihora 9, College 6.

Mr H. Mills was the referee.