BILL AND ARB AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 18043, 10 August 1922, Page 1

BILL AND ARB AGAIN

THEY ATTEND THE REP. MATCH. BUT GET “ FED UP.” [By Bi.ue Peter.] To the downright club partisan thexe is something missing in rep. football that is present m flag matrixes. Two of the most consistent attendants at club games that I know—Bill and ’Erb—find it difficult to raise any enthusiasm within themselves unless their pet club furnishes one of tlx© competing teams. The two were at Carisbrook yesterday, both being victims to the wave of trade depression that has brought about so much unemployment. They had pledged each other.“good luck” in a long beer or two at the adjacent hotel before coming to the ground, and this interlude, though pleasant, had resulted in a later arrival than they had anticipated, and consequent inability to obtain a seat, except in the grand stand. “ Not goin’ ter give the Rugby Union no extra bob,” says Bill; “ ’drathe.r stand.”

“One an‘ a penny.” corrects 'Erb, lighting his fag, tilting his hat at the pi'opor angle, and looking around longingly for a post to lean against. “Nice tiling ter charge us them prices,” ho adds, “ why, it’s ns blokes that keeps the game goin’.” “ Funny thing ter me where all tho inoney goes,” remarks Bill. “ I reckon somebody’s makiri a nice bit.” “Ar, the union’s too ’igh an’ mighty,” snarls ’Erb. “ ’Member poor old Bob that was warned off all grounds jist because ’o swore at the referee. They don't make plarstcr saints of ’em up north. lf_ ’o don’t please the crowd they gits to ’im. Servo 'im light, too. Ought ter bo fair.” “ Nice mesa ’Any ’Anris and Stuart’s made of tlxe Otaga team,” spits Bill. “ Why didn’t they put the ’ole bloomin’ University fifteen in while they was about it? Workixx’ blokes don't ’’are much chance.”

Someone in the rear 'asks whether Billy Duncan, Soimtag, and M'Naughton work. Bill ignores the question, and is continuing his criticism of tho ruling body, the selectors, and all authority, when the Otago team enter the field. “Good oT Billy,” cries ’Erb. “Best forward in Noo Zealand,” lie challenges; “alut any beg-pardons with Billy; puts in the ’arc! stuff.” “ George Owles oughter bin iu tho team,” he adds; “played a whale av a.game last Saturday.” “Yes,” agrees Bill; “cl’ Sasauof’d shake 'em. up.” When Canterbury scored first try ’Erb was contemptuous of the defence. He pulled hard at his fag. “ Lovely letter backs,” he said, “ gtooart couldn’t stop a beer.”

Tho quick-and-likely changes of the game aroused the. pair a little, but very little. The club spirit wasn’t present, and, further, there were too many stoodents in the team. Certainly among the forwards were some of tho very best players, and ’Erb’s andi Bill’s interest was centred there. “Good old Billy,” “’Og it in, Charlie,” they shout, and are disappointed that, these hefty forwards did not score the tries. “Look at Murray," spits Bill, “Owlosd av got through there easy. Take a bit of heatin’ Sasanof would. ” At the interval the pair were palpably bored. Canterbury were leading; Stewart had scored the tries. There was a gram of comfort—or, rather, food fop sarcasmin the fact that Sinclair had missed quite a lot of shots. “ ’Any ’Arris ought ter git ’is ’eadi read,” is Bill’s comment; “ dimno ’ow ’e left out Knight.”

“Or Owks,” says ’Erb. The pair adjourned to the south-west corner of the ground, and on their return a protuberance which had been noticeable in tho region of Bill’s right hip had disappeared. But yon may break or may shatter the beer bottle,.Bill, yet the smell of the contents will cling to you still. Bill and ’Erb were both morose. “Rotten Kamel” says tho former; “backs V chuckin’ the ball all over the shop. Why don’t they keep it in the .forwards?” A little man at the rear speaks, .“lootball’s going to blazes,” says be. ? Bill turns on him a heavy eye. “Games all right,” ho affirms, “but the management’s rotten.” “ Oh, I dunno,” says the little man ; I don’t think football’s what it used to he. Onr team hasn’t won a, match this season. “Who’s your team?” asks ’Erb. “Union,” says the little man, somewhat apologetically, and a laugh K°^ 3 r r 9 Bill becomes reminiscent, “ It Ivaikorai d only took properly ter Fea in the first match they'd,’ave’won easy,” he sighs. “’oo it “in Billy!” shouts ’Erb, as the game is- resumed. “Why,” ho says, “ ’Arty must ’ve got tired ; *o am t play ■ in’. Who’ve they got in?” It transpired that Wilsortehad come Into tho team to replace the injured 1 Hatty. “Should ’ave ’ad Dow emergency, 1 ’ remarks ’Erb. “Nice rofereein',” reflects Bui. Lnpes. Vs lettin’ ’em pass forward and knock on all day.” “Ar, wot can yer expect,' says ’Erb; “Ve a brother ter the bloke that refereed for the University against Ivaikorai; ought ter plant ’im one.” “That’s right,” says Bill. Otago’s third score, bringing them level, was obtained bv Knox, but Duncan bad a big band in it,"and Bill and ’Erb cheered quite brightly. “ Pity George Owles ain’t in tho team,” complains the former; “ Otago’d be well in the lead by this time.” ,

Canterbury are sticking to it, and there is a lot of rather wild passing on the part ef Otago. This annoys our two friends, and they adjourn. When they come back a swelling that had disfigured Bill’s contour aft had been allayed. The operation had not made him any more agreeable, however. Tho two turn to domestic discussion. “My brother’s copped a bosker job up In Auckland,” says Bill. “ ’E’s got something under ’is ’at. ’as Steve.” “ Doesn’t take after brother Bill, then,” says a voice from just behind. Bill wheels. “Who said that?” ho demands ; and again “ ’Oo said that?” His eyes glare or are less dull, and lie sways a' little—from excitement, perhaps. ’Erb backs him up, from a safe dietance. “Plant ’im one under the jaw, Bill,” he says, eagerly. “Go on, plant Mm one.”

I more away as .a policeman approaches, and soon T eee Bill and ’Erb going off together. a little unsteady and obviously fed up with football and with life generally. There is still an hour to go before 6 o’clock, however.