SATURDAY'S GAMES

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 124, 29 May 1922, Page 4

SATURDAY'S GAMES

'VARSITY BEAT BERHAMPORE

MARIST Witt CLOSE MATCH WITH ATHLETIC.

'Varsity 15, Berhampore 5. Poneke 14, Selwyn 0.

Oriental 14, Old Boys 8. Marist 3, Athletic 0.

Petone 25, Wellington 0,

Football was played under Antarctic conditdons on Saturday, with a cold southerly blowing up squalls of rain. The games developed generally according to expectations, and some fine football was seen for all the weather. 'Varsity defeated Berhampore in a splendid game at Athletic Park, the 'Varsity backs being in great form, especially | Aitken and Jackson. Marist beat Ath- j lefcic by an unconverted try at Newtown Park, Oriental disposed of Old Boys at Kilbirnie in a game well indicated by the score 14-8. Poneke and Petone respectively defeated Selwya and Wellington at Duppa-street and Petone respectively. 'Varsity, Poneke and Petone are now leading with 8 points, Marist, Oriental, Berhampore 6 points, Old Boys and Athletic 4, Selwyn and Wellington 0. . ' ' The new kick-into-tbnch rule wes in-, troduced into Wellington football on Saturday. The day, with cross winds in most cases, was hardly suitable for a fair try-out of skill fh touch-finding on the new lines, but the new rule undoubtedly encouraged centring instead of line-finding, with the result of a rhore spectacular and faster game. The pace in several cases was rather too hot to last. The general opinion is that so far the " revised version" is an improvement. Following are detailed accounts of the games:— 'VARSITY'S FINE PLAY. \ . For the first exhibition of play under; the' new kick-into-touch rule, the Wellington Rugby Union acted very wisely in setting down the Berhampore-Uniyer-sity fixture for Athletic Park. Both teams were very much in t^ie running for the chahipibnship, brie having accounted for Poneke, and the other for Petone, and both having played the style of game that delights the Rugby crowd. From their meeting a good, fast, open game was anticipated, but the weather did not look doton favourably oil the event, and those football supporters whose enthusiasm could not be defeated by the elements had to face a strong, bleak southerly and rain showers to view the principal game on Saturday afternoon. In order that the spectators might receive as much comfort as possible, the officials at the Park decided to have the match played east and west on No. 2 ground, the southern fence thus affording shelter to the main portion of the crowd, which, all told, numbered 3800. Under the prevailing conditions, the best that University and Berhampore could give was hardly to be expected, and, moreover, the effects of the new rule, advantageous or otherwise, could not be (shown in the manner desirable for passing judgment.' The game turned out, however, to be one of the best of the season, and some of its incidents were of & brilliancy rarely seen nowadays in senior football. Those incidents were the spectacular dashes by the fast. and resourceful 'Varsity backs, two of whom, Aitken and Jackson, played at the top of their form. 'Varsity's first two tries, which,. incidentally, gave them the lead in thi first spell, were in themselves ample reward for those who braved the elements. Siddells, fielding the ball near the halfway) initiated the first movement, which, although confined to a narrow area near the touch-lino, completely beat Berhatnpor'e's defence.' From Siddells the ball went to Aitken, to Jackson, to Thomas, back to Aitken, and finally by means of an overhead pass to Siddells. The second outstanding incident was a beautiful passing bout right across the field. Jackson on the left wing started it, arid Murray, Siddells, Aitken, and Malfroy joined in, accepting and transferring the leather with excellent judgment; then Aitken came round to accept a pass from Malfroy; Siddells also •came again, and finally Jackson scored in right corner. Not for many a day has such a fine try been scored on the Park. Aitken and Jackson were later seen in some splendid movements, - the former being quick to make use of openings, particularly when on defence, and once the two "fliers" broke away they took a power of stopping. Those flashes by the 'Varsity backs won the game, and in no small degree they cam'e about through weak .spots and lack of finish in the Berhampore back division. Both packs of forwards had plenty to do during tne game, Berhampore playing very well. Time and again they drove 'Varsity back to their own twentyrfive, artd often when success appeared to be near at hand good efforts were spoilt by an infringement. On attack Berhampore were frequently penalised, no doubt due to over-eagerness on their part. The backs did plenty of passing, but it was slow in comparison with that of their opponents, and it rarely went far enough to give thp wing three-quarters a cliaiice. It was apparent during the game that players were not sure of their ground regarding the new rule, but that was whan players had no time to hesitate in kicking the ball; There is no question, however, that the rule was in no sinall degree responsible for keeping the game at good speed. On such a day, under the old rule, fat greater use would have been made of the'touch-line. The teams were as follow:—'Varsity: Mackay, Jackson, Aitken, Malfroy, Murray, Siddells, Trapski, M. L. Smith, Burns, Pope, Thomas, M'Rae, Bryden, Scott, Dightiin. Berhampore: Brook, Hickling, Howard, Haynes, Hester, Walters, Matheson, Beck, Watson, Scott, Malin. Whiterod, Mouatt, StaiK den, M'fierfon. Berhampore won the toss. From the start play was evenly distributed, until Berhampore pressed hard on 'Varsity's line. Passing was tried among the backs to no avail, and 'Varsity cleared, and quickly changed defence into attack. Siddells several times tried to cut in, but met with no success, until he scored the first try, as stated above. The kick was lost, as the kicker placed the ball on the ground after a "nocharge" had been awarded. Changes on the scenes of subsequent play were frequent. Eventually Mouatt charged down a free-kick to 'Varsity, near the latter's line, and in the ensuing struggle Whiterod scored. Watson landed a nice goal. 5-3. It was not long before 'Varsity resumed the lead, a brilliant passing bout ending in Jackson scoring. The kick failed. 6-5. The Blues gave 'Varsity a lively time towards the close of the spell. In the second half 'Varsity swooped down on their opponents twice in quick succession. Smith, with five opponents hanging to him, first got across, and then Siddells dashed over with two opponents clinging, on. Thomas failed witli each kick. 12-5. The remainder of play was fairly evenly divided, except for three fine dashes in which Aitken and Jackson were the leading lights. One of them, from an interception by Aitken in his own twen-ty-five, ending in Jacßson running across in great style. Bryden failed to goal. '

15-5. The Berhampore forwards continued to work harcl after this, but received little support. A keenly-contest-ed and attractive game ended: 'Varsity 15, Berhampore 5. During the game Walson and Dighton suffered slight injuries, and they were replaced by Bell and Malone. Mr. T. A. Fletcher, controlled the game in a capable ( manner.