FURTHER TRIAL MATCHES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 90, 16 April 1923, Page 10

FURTHER TRIAL MATCHES

VARSITY AND MARIST IN FORM

ATHLETIC CHANGES TEAM FOR

WORSE,

All the conditions favoured football on Saturday when the trial matches, preliminary to the opening of the championship, were continued.

In spite of counter-attractions there were good attendances both at Athletic Park and at Petone. At the Park there was a full afternoon of footoall, with two sets of games played simultaneously, four for the afternoon. Poneke played Petone at Petone and beat the local team badly. Following were the results of the afternoon's games:— Poneke 10 Petone 3 'Varsity 5 Oriental 3 Marist 5 Athletic 0 Berhampore ... 10 Selwyn 0 Old Boys 8 Wellington ... 0 'VARSITY BEAT ORIENTAL. Patrons of the Athletic Park on Saturday were treated to some interesting football, four games being set down for decision. The chief match of the afternoon was that between 'Varsity and Oriental on No. 1 ground, which", was characterised by some dashing play on the part of the Varsity backs, who altogether outshone their opponents. The Oriental forwards were in good nick, but the rear division did not do so well as on the previous Saturday against Petone. 'Varsity won by S points to 3, but Oriental were the first to score—an unconverted try. Following were ihe teams: — 'Varsity.—Sutherland, Jackson, Riggs, Malfroy, Mackay_, Marks, Smart, M'Kenzie. Scott, Aitken, Thomas, MartinSmith, Bryden, M'Crae, Hunt. Oriental.—Gilchrist, Hume, Cowdell, Wilsos, C. Smith, Dufty, Jones, Hickey, Butler, Hearle, Moffitt, Brown, Watts, Simmonds, Bennett.

Oriental kicked off against the sun, and at once set up an attack. 'Varsity backs were out to make the game open, and when they got possession things went with a swing. Mackayl did some good individual work, following which Malfroy and Riggs came away in a great run up-field. They were well supported, and the movement ended in the Ories forcing down. A long kick from the 'Varsity end was regarded in a somewhat casual manner by Gilchrist, and Malfroy was at his heels almost before he realised the danger, and returned the ball to midfield. The Greens were intent on forcing the pace, and the whole of their rearguard swooped down in a mass into the Oriental twenty-five. Malfroy carried on th© effort, and made for the corner, but lost the ball just before he reached' the line. Oriental were compelled to force, however. Riggs initiated another attack, and the ball eventually was brought up-field by Scott, who was collared when on the point of touching down. Oriental were finding it somewhat difficult to get going, as their opponents were hemming them in the whole of the time, making .for some close, hard work between the battling forwards. Jackson started off on a solo effort, but did not get very far, and in the following play the ball came across to Malfroy, who transferred, to M'Kenzie a few yards from the Oriental line. M'Kenzie hung on instead of returning to Malfroy, who was waiting, and Oriental were' successful in averting a score. The spell ended without either side having scored. -.-■■■ Oriental's defence was tried and not found Wanting, although the Whites passed through some trying moments for some time afVfer the opening of the second spell. Play hung about halfway for a while, and was of a varying nature until the Oriental pack broke through the opposition in a. great rush and brought the ball right on to the 'Varsity line. At length Jones grabbed the ball from a scrum well out and made a successful dash, touching down close by. the posts. Hickey failed with the kick. Oriental 3, 'Varsity 0. Shortly afterwards Oriental were penalised, and Thomas tried to equalise with a free kick from near half-way. The attempt was a very fine one, the ball just passing underneath the cross-bar. The Greens were again knocking at Oriental's door, and there was plenty of exciting work on the line until the ball came out towards midfield, where Jackson lost it. Malfroy was handy, however, gathered it in, and managed to beat the strong opposition. Thomas converted, making the score: 'Varsity 5, Oriental 3, at which it stood when the bell sounded time. Mr. R. Herron was referee,