FAST AND OPEN

Evening Post, Issue 19, 23 July 1934, Page 4

FAST AND OPEN

After playing a dashing game in Hie first spell,- in which they ran up a lead of Jen points, Wellington College Old Boys, although they were kept on the defensive during the greater portion of the second half, held their advantage and defeated Eastbourne by 16 points to 0. The game, which was played on the Hutt Recreation Ground, was fast and open throughout, and at times was spectacular and exciting. Although the heavy nature of the ground was not conducive to open play, the backs on both sides made the most use oC every opportunity, and thp forwards gave them plenty, ot the- ball. It was early evident that Old Boys' backs were a superior combination, whilst the bustling tactics employed by their forwards kept Eastbourne busy. 0^ defence, it was in the sot serums tha.t Eastbourne, more particularly.; invthe second- spell, showed up to advantage,; and .it was unfortunate that their backs did not do better. This may be, accounted for, however,' by the fact that; the Old Boys 3 forwards continually broke away fast 'aid consequently .smothered the attempts of the opposing backs to get the ball. away. Time and again this would occur, and it seemed that Eastbourne would have made much better use of their chances iad their inside backs used the stab-punt more frequently than they did. Eastbourne showed a marked improvement in the second spell, and it was not. until, towards the close of the game.that.the ezfrcollegians• again gained the ascendancy, only to find the defence was quite''equal to' 'the occasion The teams were:— : w -BastbourneV^isp;' Fleming, Foley, Fuller; Bank, Diamond; G. Sadler; Robertson, Clayton;, J. Dellabarca, N.-Delia-1 barca, Sleep, Griffiths, OTarrell, Bedkober. Wellington College Old Boys.—Masters: I Leonard, Dustin, Hollis; Wright, Hill; J. Sadler, Jones,.M. Wright, Bydder, Grenfell, Reynolds, Hewitt, McNeile, Lamason. ■Within:' the first ten minutes, the Old Boys' backs swung into action, and after the ball.had travelled right through to Leonard, the last-named passed infield for >ttiH to cross in the corner. Old Boys returned to the attack, but a fine run by ±"lank put Eastbourne^in a strong position. Grenfell, Bydder, and M. Wright were prominent in. a rush made by the Old Boys' forwards, but a certain try was lost as a result of the ball being kicked behind. At this stage ■Fuller. ' w.as particularly noticeable for his • heady defensive work and strong line-kicking. After some penetoating onslaughts by the forwards McNeile dived over in the corner for Old Boys, and Lamason converted with a fine kick. From the tack-oft play was immediately returned to Eastbourne territory. where Bydder tollowed up to force down under the posts, Lamason again adding the extras. Shortly before half-time Fuller kicked a splendid penalty from the side-line, and although Eastbourne made-a-desperate'bid to make up the deficit the Old Boys' defence held, i'lay jb the second spell was. of a much more even nature, with Eastbourne having the slight advantage. Fuller kicked a turtner penalty for Eastbourne, and just before time was called Sadler worked the blind side for A. Wright to "dummy" his wax over to. give Old Boys. a convincing win. Tte final score was Wellington Collegei OH Boys 16, Eastbourne 6. Sir, J. A. Wilson was the referee.