UNIVERSITY V. MELROSESELWYN

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 129, 3 June 1935, Page 5

UNIVERSITY V. MELROSESELWYN

By rattling on 18 points in almost as many minutes during the second spell of their game against Melrose-Selwyn, played at Kelbui'n Park, University dispelled any doubts as to their superiority and left the fleld with an overwhelming victory of 29 points to 5 to their credit.- It was a game featured by brilliant individual efforts on the part of the students, although there was, for the most part, a sad lack of cohesion. Many likely tries were lost through faulty handling, weak passing,

and an absence of penetration. University gave early indications that they were the better combination and had their forwards received the support they deserved in the first spell there may have been an even greater difference in the final result. The combined team gave a very weak display in the opening stages, but a remarkable recovery after the interval enabled them to reduce the deficit, and for a while it appeared that they had good chances of squaring the account. Subsequent events, however, quickly lessened any hopes that Melrose-Selwyn may have entertained and certainly exceeded even the most sanguinary desires of University supporters. The students increased their lead with scores from the most unexpected quarters and in a manner that excited the keenest enthusiasm. Melrose-Selwyn were completely outclassed in the final stages, but are to be commended for their valiant defence. The teams were:— University.—Tricklebank; O'Regan, Wild, McElwain; Overtoun, Paul; Rae; Wilson, Lima, Gibbons, Barker, Blacker, Armour, Russell; Hanson. Melrose-Selwyn.—McElwain; Connor, McAuley, Capper; Bartlett, Hale; Marshment; Still, Moynihan, Holmes, Jenner, Baynes, Gooch, Granger, Hunter. University lost no time after the kickoff in taking play to Melrose-Selwyn territory, where it remained for most of the spell. From practically every set scrum the ball was heeled by the University hookers, but Rae was unable to make the fullest use of the advantage and many of his passes were either delayed Or misdirected. On those occasions when he did start his backs moving the leather seldom reached the three-quarters,- and the spoiling tactics j of the Melrose-Selwyn inside backs ruined a number of promising movements. After Tricklebank (University) had missed with a difficult penalty and McElwain had come close to scoring, Wilson dived over from a scramble on- Melrose-Selwyn's line. Rae converted. Overtoun made a good opening for the students, and when outpaced by Hunter he found no support and a likely try was lost. Before the end of the spell both Wild and Tricklebank added tries for University, that scored by: Tricklebank being the climax to an excellent movement in which all the backs handled. University 11, Mel-rose-Selwyn 0. On resumption the combined team took a turn on attack and their forwards kept Hale well occupied behind the scrum. They were rewarded when Hale secured from' a melee to "dummy" his way over for Melrose-Selwyn's only try. He converted his own try. For the remainder of the session University had matters much to their own liking. Rae (Uni versity). was irresistible at half-back, and scored under the posts after completely beating all the opposing forwards. McElwain was the most outstanding player in the University back division, and on two occasions he raced along the touch-line to score. His second : try was a really spectacular effort in which he ran the whole length of the field to finish up under the posts! Just before time was called Tricklebank broke away and Russell followed up fast to add the final try. Rae converted to make the score University 29, Melrose-Selwyn 5. The referee was Mr. T. Cole.