MATCHES DESCRIBED STRENUOUS ENCOUNTER

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 124, 29 May 1933, Page 13

MATCHES DESCRIBED

STRENUOUS ENCOUNTER

If Wellington College Old Boys were unlucky in their previous match, they were not to be denied against Hutt at Athletic Park'on Saturday in what must have been for them one of the hardest games they have experienced. Conditions were bad, the weather bleak, with driving rain squalls from the south. Old Boys had.the initial advantage, and immediately took Hutt by surprise in scoring a try (converted) ;in the first minute of the game. A penalty goal was added nine minutes later. Hutt, back to normal strength (they had some senior B players against Wellington), saw to it that Old Boys' fast battery was not to be let loose completely, and heavy work fore and alt was applied. This did not altogether keep tlie aggressors' in check, but it served to'keep tlie line intact. Old Boys, kicking judiciouslyi and 'engaging mostly in fast loose rushes with the backs now and again making attempts at' passing, tested the Hutt defeneeito-thfcfull, and it held out successfully. :,Tlren''came Hutt's. turn to go with the wind/ and it waa then that Old Boy's had a, very- trying ordeal.' Attack after attack, was launched by the solid Hutt forces, the forwards going great guns and the backs supporting ably, and each advance co strong as to take some stopping. In some cases the attackers lost touch with the ball just as a try seemed imminent, but mostly the defenders broke in sharply with effective spoiling work, and often burst through to cause a Hutt retreat. Once Hutt drove hard and sure for a try (converted), but otherwise. they were turned back. It was not attractive football, but it was stirring and exciting to the end; though during the last quarter of an hour it was almost impossible to distinguish the players, let alone see the ball. Old Boys made some final rallies and Hutt came with some last desperate rushes ill the semi-darkness, but no further scoring was recorded. The teams were:—Wellington College: Old Boys: Masters; A. Wright; Dustin, Hollis; Atkins, Baldwin; Sadler; Lamason, T. Reynolds, Bydcleiy Grenfell, J. Reynolds, McNeile, M. Wright, Williams. Hutt: Nees; Ball, Stevenson, Hanson; Killeen, Lilburne; Spencer; daggers, Coulstoi), ■Wilson, Peck, Saulbrey, Hooker, Barry, Trerichard..- ..... 1 A., Wright started Old Boys on their first rush from a cross-kick by Lilburne, and they went right through with the ball at toe, Atkins finally getting a try, which Masters converted. The ecore was improved later by a penalty goal by Masters, who was injured soon afterwards and carried from the field. No further scoring was done in the first spell, and the only successful effort in the ' second epell was carried out by Lilburne and Killeen on being set moving by Spencer. Killeen made straight for the posts and gained a try, which Lilburne converted. The remainder of the game was strenuously " contested, as indicated, without an alteration to the account, the final ecore being: Old Boys 8, Hutt 5. Mr. D. Calciiiai was the referee.