BERHAMPORE BEAT OLD BOYS.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1924, Page 4

BERHAMPORE BEAT OLD BOYS.

Berhampore managed to defeat Old Boys on a, muddy ground at Kilbirnio by two points—s to 3—after an excellent game under the circumstances. There was no wind to give either side much advantage in either spell. Berhampore had siightly the better of play throughout the game as a whole, but the margin of difference was little enough— not more than the two points indicated in the result, and any luck in a brilliant, exciting.rally by Old Boys in the last few minutes drawing the spectators" wholesale over the barrier wire in contravention of the municipal bylaws might have altered the complexion "of the game altogether. Under the conditions after a morning's rain it might naturally, have been expected that there would not be much back play, but there was, and of a very good quality, if lacking the fin;il scoring touch. Attacks by both sides found a,, strong and very active defence when it came to the last push, and the only score in the iirst, speil was a penalty goal kick by Malcolm fvom a. fairly difficult angle. Xhia was a Ec.C|Uct to some pretty passing rushes by the Blue backs, in which Lewis was twice thrown out into touch at tho corner flag. Tin.* Old Buys' forwards, who shouif in the loose, had broken away, and an infringement in tho SCTUiu on tho Berhanxpovo twenty-five lino led to .Malcolm's successful kick. Old Boys had much ado keeping their line intact the rest of-Lho spell, but they managed it. 3-0.

Behind at the resumption, Berbamporc played all th.ey knew in tho second- spell to get ahead, but it was long before they succeeded. In a very "alJand defence, Bedell and Faber among the Old Boys' backs were conspicuous. Then play found Lang well ouL on the wing near the Whites' twenty-five line without a chance oE getting 'in on his own or opening up that sido. With fine judgment lie cross-kicked to the other -wing with jusl the right bootpower and Howard, gaining possession, slipped the ball to Matheson, who cut m through a defence out of place, and scored m a good position. Lang converted nicely, and Berhampore were ahead. Old Boys seemed to get a second wind, and for about a quarter of an hour ran all over Berhampore in a most dashing manner, but the splendid efforts of Old Boys in real Rugby were doomed to failure. A fine game, ended in a'win for Berhampore by 5 points to 3—a. fair criterion of the play. Mr. C. B. Watson handled the whistle well.