HUTT V. ATHLETIC

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 29, 3 August 1925, Page 9

HUTT V. ATHLETIC

Playing under perfect weather conditions at the Recreation Ground, Athletic defeated Hutt by the small margin of 5 points. The game was most interesting to watch, being fast and open. Athletic was fully entitled to the win, although tho village team put up a most creditable performance. Athletic showed more precision in handling and passing, while their opponents tried to bullock their way through. The Hutt team played better in the last quarter of an hour, and came very near to evening the score, when their forwards were superior to their backs, tho latter being good only on defence. Fisher played a sound defensive game, taking several difficult marks. Hickling and M'Dougal played well, but were too erratic. Baumber proved quits a tough proposition to Porter, the Athletic wing-forward, the former having plenty of pace and being very quick off the mark. In the Hutt pack M'lntosh and Crotty were the most outstanding players. In the Athletic team, Warwick did the most effective work, constantly feeding his backs. The two fiveeighths, ' Svensori and G. Gibson, showed combination and finish. Button had plenty of chances, but failed to take advantage of them not running straight being his fault. Speaking generally, the Athletic backs played well, their movements being united, fast, and accurate. Porter played his usual consistent game, though at times his tactics, rather obstructive, did not meet with approval. Nevertheless, he was by far the best forward on the ground. Duncan was most useful in the line-outs, regularly securing and getting the ball out to Warwick. He was unfortunately sent off -early in the second spell, his services quite obviously being greatly missed by his colleagues. Macaulay, Fraser; find Spencer all had their share in doing good work in the loose. Adam and Osborae also were valuable assets in.their hooking. The teams were as follow:—

Athletic — Cookson; De Malmanche, B. Gibson, Sutton; Svenson, G. Gibson; Warwick; Porter; Osborne, Adam, Spencer, Duncan, Macaulay, Fraeer, Parke.

Hutt—Cudbyj Woods, M'Kay, Mun-. roe; Hickling, M'Dougal; Fisher; Baumber: Faucett, Silva, M'lntosh, Whiterod, Crotty, Daily, Dawson. Athletic elected to play against the sun, and from the kick-off made themselves aggressive. They were soon in. the Hutt twenty-five, and wore looking dangerous when M'Dougal relieved for Hutt with a pood mark. Hutt came to the attack and almost scored in a brilliant passing rush initiated by M'Dougal. The ball/ after passing from the centre's hands^ went astray, leaving Woods, the Hutt winger, unmarked but powerless. Athletic retaliated with a movement in which Gibson, Sutton, and Svenson participated, the ■ last named scoring far. opt. Porter failed to convert. Athletic 3, Hutt 0. The same player later endeavoured to force his way through the Hutt pack .near the goal-line, but he was well stopped. Keeping up the attack, Athletic were nearly over again, but Hutt forced down. Still another attempt to cross the line wan ma-dj by the Blues, but Fisher saved with a difficult mark. A period of fast give-and-take piny followed, until halftime saw the score still at 3-nil in Athletics favour. Early in the second spell Duncan was sent off.. The game was for n, while of a ragged nature, but it improved when Baumber ran half the length of the field, but spoilt a chance by handing on too long. A few minutes later. Svenson' scored for Athletic from a. movement initiated by Warwick. Ho converted his own try. Athletic 8, Hutt 0.. Fisher secured from the loose, and transferred to Hicklin<r, who brilliantly ran throuirh the majority of the Athletic team, incidentally workine the dummy twice. Cudby failed with the kick. With "Hutt attacking hard the game continued, till the final bell rang with the score: Athletic 8,. Hutt 3.