EVEN FORWARD GAME.

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 139, 15 June 1931, Page 14

EVEN FORWARD GAME.

Old Boys defeated Oriental at Wakefield .Park':.", by" "5". "points to 3,. after an extremely even game. Both sides fielded solid forwards, and the game resolved' itself into.'a battle between the two packs. In the first spell Old Boys scored a converted1 try," and in the second Oriental got over, but the kick missed. * The ground- was on the soft side, but the ball was never difficult to handle, and in view of this the back play was disappointing. ' However, the forward struggle, was always full of interest, and there were many exciting incidents. Both sides were below full strength. Lochore, the Oriental full-back, was still on the bank, and other players missing were Brown and' M'Millan. Old Boys were without Rushbrook and Dv Chateau. As a result.'Lamason played second fiveeighths, and Claridge wing-forward. ■■- The teams were as follows:— Old Boys: Masters; Gill, Cromie, Wyhe; Lamasoa, Baldwin; Wisori; Claridge,Bydder, T. Reynolds, Clark, Hand, Williams, J. Reynolds, Wright. Oriental: Coupland; Reid, Davies, Kelley; Dawson, Mill; Chambers; Wilkinson; Ramsey, Biggar, Pringle, Ward, Hill, M'Millan, Cave. • Old Boys had the advantage of a diagonal wind in the first spell, in which Oriental, by good forward work, had the better of the opening stages. Once Old Boys found their feet, however, the play was even. Both sides went within a few yards of scoring on several occasions, but the passing by the backs was poor. Just before the end of the-first spell a good forward rush put Old Boys on attack and Wylie, after following ; up a high kick, gathered in the ball ar)d forced his way across near the corner flag. Lamason converted with a splendid kick. Old Boys, 5; Oriental, 0. , . The forward battle was continued inthe second half. The play was always hard, but 'clean. Masters helped his side considerably by good line-kicking. Pringle failed to goal from a free kick, but a pretty passing movement, in -which Chambers, Mill, and Reid were prominent, ended in Mill scoring after the ball had been kicked over the line. Ramsey's kick was not successful. Old-Boys, 5; Oriental, 3. Oriental were all but over a few minutes later, but after the siege was lifted the game ended without further incident. Mr. T. A. Fletcher ably controlled the game.