WELLINGTON BEAT UNIVERSITY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 42, 18 August 1930, Page 14

WELLINGTON BEAT UNIVERSITY

;: T KEEN CONTEST Fear games at Athletic Park have been Snore>' stirring in their concluding stages than that between University and Wellington on Saturday. Although Univer*ity_ had: finished up in lowest place on the senior A grade championship ladder, there was still the chance o£ avoiding relegation to the senior B_ grade, but they had to teat a team which had put up an exceptional record in the B grade, Wellington having won all their matches at a high average rate of scoring. Both sides were well tuned for the occasion, Wellington intent upon regaining their former status and University just as keen to remain in the grade in which they were champions for the two seasons preceding that nowdrawing to a close. The match attracted considerable interest, and there -were nearly six thousand spectators at the 3?ark, where playing conditions were ideal. In each team there was a late change, Mackenzie being nnable to play for University owing: to a cold, and Hill being an *fcsente«! from the Wellington team owing tttoe death <)f his* brother. .Wellington's

rearguard, which had been a great force in the B grade, was looked upon as University's chief danger, and successful tactics were employed in preventing it from functioning to the same extent as previously, but it was not an easy matter. The Kilby-Johnson-Page combination immediately behind the scrum, was full of activity, and it struck hard and often at the opposing defence. Thrust after thrust was attempted, but University offered solid resistance. Other methods employed to reach' an objective that was by no means easy included strong rushes by the Wellington'forwards, who played up splendid-ly-against a pack which gave a surprisingly good display. It was largely through the untiring efforts and determination of their forwards that University not only countered persistent advances but'also 'made frequent retaliation which made Wellington's position precarious. The game see-sawed in a manner which kept interest stirred, and right to an exciting finish the issue was in doubt. University started off with a try. Wellington evened up with a penalty goal. Then came a lucky addition of four points to Wellington's ' account per medium of a "dropkick" which, apparently, was not successful, 'although the referee, slow in giving his decision,' awarded a goal. University added a penalty before half-time, and in the second spell took the lead with another. A try placed Wellington a point ahead until a further penalty goal gave University a credit balance of two points. Finally the scales weighed in Wellington s favour by a point when another try .was added. It was, a ' hard-fought, exciting game, and, although the award _of the "potted goal" was unfortunate for University in that it made all the difference to the result, Wellington would have been unlucky to lose. '.■■--■•'. The teams werer-JWelhngton: Stall; Pryde, Riddell, Oliver; Page, ' J°»nson; Kilby; Gaudin; Ferguson, Nicol, MLean, Howatson, Carlyon, Thornton, Stanley. University: Black; Mackay, Ramson, ttislop; Irwin. Mulvihill; Logan; Aim; Beau- ] mont, Blakeney, Cormack, Blacker, X>iederich, Maeaskill, Hart. . Early in tfie game the Wellington backs made numerals advances, the forwards battling hard for the ball, which was whipped out smartly to tTie rearguard by Kdby. University's smothering tactics, however, were effective. As the Umversity forwards settled down and succeeded in gaining a fair amount o£ ball, the Umver,sity backs were able to engage in counter attacks, and one movement, in which speed and good-handling counted for a great deal, was carried to success. Ramson drew Wo opponents and sent Mackay on a likely mission, although he had a long, way to go. Mackay had the pace on, and m his long run he evaded tackles by Oliver, StilV and M'Lean, ending up with a fine try. The effort was loudly applauded. Ramson's good attempt to convert was unsuccessful. 3-0. Both, sets of forwards worked with. i will, and the backs wer* giving plenty of opportunities, those ot Wellington having the greater share of the ball.' Wellington's inside backs, howeVer, were well marked,-and the passing bouts invariably^ broke down at Riddell.] Efforts on the Mnd side were also closeiy watched. Riddell was, having a hard time of it, and in later play^was affected by an injury. Johnson and Page continued to drive hard at the defence, but where this" penetration had been^easier in' the B grade it was far more difficult ag^nst. University, whose general play was an improvement upon that which wasresnonsible for them occupying lowest place in the A grade. Wellington Bucceeded^m evening up with University as the result of a good/penalty goal'by . Kdby. JS. Penalty kicks were frequent; in. fact, there were over thirty during the game. As the play progressed both sides still threw the balf ab6ut, while the forwards had some stern tussles. ; Another of Kilo/a attempts to goal failed by inches, &c ball striking the cross-bar, but when Pryde had a "pot" the score was improved, although the kick did not appear to be successful. 7-3 Lively exchanges were frequent alter this, and ere long University, whose backs had been functioning well, gained three more points when Ramson landed a penalty goal. 7-6. More keen play ensued, but there was no further scoring before half-time; Early in the second spell Wellington set/off in a manner which suggested that the strain would be too great for University. The students, however, were equal to holding "the !B champions, and, after beating off numerous attacks, they themselves brought.pressure to bear, and took the lead when Ramson kicked another penalty goal. -Just prior to this University had narrowly missed scoring from a fast follow-up of a kick by Mackay. 9-7 For a long time University beat ott persistent attacks by Wellington, whose backs were becoming exceedingly dangerous. In the end Page's series of determined efforts to cut through had the desired result when this fine player "sold a dummy" to the opposing full-back and scored a splendid try, which Kilby was unable to convert. 10-9. The lead was not held for long. University set up a hot attack, and this was being beaten ott when a penalty kick was awarded, Kamson again goaling. 12-10. Exciting play followed, and time was drawing near when a good movement by the Wellington backs temporarily .checked at one point, resulted in Johnson Bending Pryde over near the corner. The try was not converted. University then kept the ball in play as long as'possible, but without result, and_ the game ended in Wellington's favour by a point. During the second spell Riddell and Still 'Of Wellington, retired hurt, and were replaced by Hutchinson and Browne.. Mulvihill (University) was also hnrV and his place was taken by Griffin._ The final score was:—Wellington ■ 13, University 12. Mr. J. B;-Watson was the referee.