EASTBOURNE BEAT HUTT.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1931, Page 5

EASTBOURNE BEAT HUTT.

Devastating loose rushes had Hutt in difficulties at Athletic Park and they helped to pave the way for. a meritorious win by Eastbourne. It was a game in which a hot pace was set and maintained Eastbourne early showing their danger as a quick-footed combination, and Hutt later making desperate efforts to overcome that danger. For speedy action the game left little to be desired, except in the fact that the exceptional pace— and the strong wind—accounted for a good deal of fumbling, but more otten than not the mistakes of one side were seized upon by the other side to keep up a run of rapid exchanges, some of which had the crowd of about four thousand spectators highly excited. While .the forwards played a fine part with then- loose rushes, the backs, too, were used freely as a combined attacking force, and. their movements, even with their faults, contributed liberally to the entertaining fare. Dashing attack meant that the defensive powers of either side were put to a solid test and the stout resistance and spoilin" work were also features of a strenuous-ly-contested game. Eastbourne are notedfor having a keen eye to interceptions, and, while this cost them a try, it often led to an expected turn of events. Playing a rattling game against the wind in the first spell, Eastbourne lost some glorious opportunities of scoring through Dinniss failing to hold the leather when there" was little hope of stopping •: himThis player, however, made amends, and his value on the wing was indicated in the manner in which he scored a try in the second spell. It was no fault oi Lilburne's that Hutt were unable to avert defeat. The amount of valuable work put in by Lilburne gave the impression that without him Hutt would have been in a bad way. Hutt missed Peck in the pack and Ball in the rearguard, these players being unable to take the field, and Eastbourne ■were minus the services of Armstrong. Eastbourne won by five points, represented by Fuller's goal-kicking, and there was no fluke about their victory. The teams were:—Eastbourne: Clark; Dinniss, Foley, Fuller; Fleming, Taylor; Coman; Price; Butterworth, Drummond, Reid, Sleep, Gibbons, N. Dellabarca, J. Dellabarca. Hutt: Jarman; Stevenson, Hansen, Pomare; Killeen, Lilburne; Feeney; Wilson; Jaggers, Coulston, Skilton, Roberts, Barry, Saulbrey, Wood. Although the toss gave Hutt the advantage of wind'and sun, Eastbourne launched an attack right away, and this broke down just as the finishing touch ■was about to be made near the Hutt line. Hutt retaliated, and then Eastbourne again became dangerous when Dinniss commenced to side-step his way through the opposition. This promised well for Eastbourne, but there was an unaccountable stoppage for a scrummage. More advances with Price and Dinniss" conspicuous, made Hutt's position none too good. Whqn Hutt returned to opposition territory there was another surprise in an in: terception by Folcy, who was joined by Comnn in a bid for ,the. Hutt line, J. Dellabarca and Drummond supporting Hutt saved with a force-down. The championship leaders set about their work more eagerly, but still found penetration a difficult matter. Attempts \o goal (a penalty kick by Lilburne and a "pot" by Killeen) were unsuccessful, as were passing bouts until Lilburne made a big hole in the defence and ran Hansen into position for a try, which Pomare was unable to convert. 3-0. Eastbourne's activities were just as keen as ever, and they gave Hutt a lively time of it. Some fine openings were made for Dinniss, but the passes were missed by the wing. Welljudged kicks by Lilburne and good work by the hookers were to Hutt's advantage, although further attacks in the first spell brought no result. The magnitude of Hutt's task was realised after the interval, and, although the championship leaders rose to it, there was still the same driving force by Eastbourne, whose rushes were more stinging, perhaps, with the assistance of the wind. Early in the second spell a penalty kick to Eastbourne enabled Fuller to equalise the scores. 3-3. To this Hutt made spirited reply, and in the course of a series of onslaughts Stevenson appeared to score. He had two opponents clinging to him, however, and the referee ruled against a try. Hard battling by both sides had no result for some time, although Eastbourne's chances brightened when Fuller ran right across the field in making a clearance . and sent Dinniss away with Foley in support. Hutt saved, and they, too, headed promisingly in a passing bout, Hansen putting in good work. Back again in Hutt quarters Eastbourne made a thrust on the blind side, and this time succeeded, Dinniss fide-stepping his way over and touching down. Fuller converted with a fine kick. 8-3. The play, of the give-and-take order, proceeded at a fast clip, but all the efforts made no difference to the score, although they provided plenty of excitement for the spectators. Eastbourne carried off the honours of a thoroughly entertaining game, the final score being: Eastbourne, 8; Hutt, '3. Mr. T. A. Fletcher was the referee.