ATHLETIC AND OLD BOYS.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 142, 20 June 1927, Page 6

ATHLETIC AND OLD BOYS.

Considering the state of the weather, ground,, and ball, the display' given by Athletic and Old Boys at Athletic Park was quite fair, and with' the issue always in doubt a close interest was maintained throughout. On both sides the baclvs endeavoured to rise' above the conditions, and on quite a number of occasions they handled a greasy, heavy ball in a manner which did them credit on the day. Fumbling, 1 of course, was frequent, and was to be expected, but when the backs did move in passing bouts an acceptable change was offered from the general run of loose play. The" forwards were better suited to the conditions, and. as a wet-day set Athletic showed marked ;•' superiority. As a result ■ Old. Boys were tested severely on defence, and it was a meritorious performance on their part to allow only two tries, iboth the result of Bmart work by Athletics half-back ■ (Warwick), to be scored. Old Boys did not accommodate themselves to the conditions as well as Athletic, but although the latter showed better control and more concerted action they were extended to win by 6 points to 3. Among the .Athletic backs was Hammond, a player from Taranaki. The teams were:— Athletic.—Keerian; Ronberg, Hammond, Suteliffe; Svenson, L. Cookson; Warwick; Pope; Adam, Osborne, ' Tyree,' Webber. Edgar, Olliver, Fraser. Old Boys.--Malcolm;. Bedell, Grenfell, K. Lamasoii; Rushbrook,Wixon; Sadler, J. Lamason; Bray, Claridge, Hand, Emerson, Jones, M'Phefson, Selwood.

Having lost the toss, Athletic had. to face the wind and rain, and -with Old Boys bringing pressure to bear they were soon: defending hard. Claridge just missed scoring from a follow-up, and after the pressure, was relieved for a time Athletic (again: narrowly saved a score against them. Old Boys made bccasronal passing rashes, but there was generally a slip and a set-back. ■■■ Eventually Athletic drove hard, only to find a bar to their objective. Back again on the aggressive, Old Boys, per medium o£ a mark by J. Lamason, succeeded in opening them account. Lamason goaled splendidly. 3-0. To further advances Athletic made reply, the backs -supporting the van with gome passing bouts. Finally Athletic were held up near the line, but from a scrum Warwick beat the opposition to score the easiest-of tries, which Svenson could not convert. 3-3. Old Boys rallied and Ath-

loljti t'titlitintcd, but the advances bore no I Milt, till* fipdl umliiig without further

Util Ito.VH had tailed lo make the most of tl\olr I'lirlj with tho wind, and it seemed llmt Atlildtic'x chances were now good. 'I'll*! |>lny for ii long time was confined to Old JUi.vtt" Unritory. but rush nftov rush by Allilutii! wax without result. Tho lino w»n olotwly guarded, mid when cleared Ilioui wiih an iimoimt of effectual Hpoiling worl. which held up Atlilolic's progress. Tlut play was mostly loose, with occasional (liwliou of bright individual effort on cither niilo. A win to Athletic was by no niuiina assured, and tho prospects wore les-Kc-iMid whou Old Boys had v turn on atluck. Nothing, however, happened in the way of flooring, and there was no result from further rushes by Athletic, until at IciiKth Warwick dived through, from a looko Bcrnmblo to score his second try. .Svciison was unable to supply tho extras. 0-3. Further pressure and a "pot" did not alter the figures, and in a final rally Old Boys made their best drivo of the Rpell. They were soon repelled, and Athletic held a territorial advantage to the end without any further scoring. Athletic were the better team on the day. Tho final score was: Athletic C, Old Boys 3. Mr. J. Moffitt controlled the game efficiently.