WANDERERS’ FIRST WIN OF SEASON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22694, 20 July 1948, Page 6

WANDERERS’ FIRST WIN OF SEASON

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

(By “Forward”)

The highlight of Saturday's games in 1 ' the competitions of the P.B. Football Association was the encounter between Wanderers and Eastern Union seniors. In 90 minutes of exciting play Wanderers gained their first victory of the season. Thistle held R.S.A. to a goalless draw on the other ground. Final Results Seniors.—Wanderers 2 v. Eastern Union 1; R.S.A. nil v. Thistle nil. Juniors.—R.S.A. 2 v. Thistle nil; Wanderers nil v. Rovers nil. Wanderers Superior Wanderers achieved their first victory over a weak Eastern Union eleven, whose defence was minus the services of Branson, Mulrooney and Clements. Wanderers gave an improved display however and the exchanges were vei'y even. A picture goal was netted by J. Watt after good penetration by the left wing pair, T. Edwards and R. Huxtable had paved the way. After a melee in the goal area Edwards scored with a fast ground shot, which R. Johnstone, the Eastern Union custodian had no chance of stopping. J. Watt and A. Twaddle, the rep. pair selected for the right wing, kept good combination. D. Roe gave his usual good performance in goal, the halves, M. Libeau, D. Waugh and R. Brown were also prominent. The Eastern Union forwards had some golden opportunities but could not improve on the single goal netted by H. Underdown who was the outstanding unit. B. Fletcher, a junior rep. half, gave a good display in tackling and feeding his forwards. D. Elliot proved a good defensive back. Mr. C. Evans was the referee. Thistle’s Third Draw -* With the Thistle vanguard showing a big improvement, R.S.A. seniors were fortunate to escape defeat. Neither team could score. Thistle and R.S.A. remain as . the two leading teams. R. Barbour piloted his forwards on frequent attacks against Thistle, but* lacked support. In the strong defence D. Miller and H. Easton gave their usual reliable performances with first time clearances.

The R.S.A. halves were equally efficient in attack and uefence. H. McCallum was prominent and was well supported by R. Murray. R. Sheffield gave his usual display in goal saving some hard shots.

A. McCallum and K. Ford proved a safe pair of backs. The Thistle forward line were weak in the absence of A. Easton, a prolific goal scorer. J. Watt' and L. Wilkinson made the outstanding pair. In the hafves J. Crawford and J. Easton showed good understanding and ball control. The draw was a good indication of play. Mr. W. Allan was tne referee. Leading Juniors Draw The two leading junior teams, Wanderers and Rovers, provided another keen match marked by strong defence neither side scoring. Wanderers had the stronger forward line but could not complete the movements. McKenzie was called on to save some fine shots. Morrow and Cudd were prominent Wanderers’ forwards as Leslie and Brown were in the halves. The Rovers forwards could not settle down to a good combination. Fletcher was solid in the half line and R. Stone gave a display of sound tackling. Mr. W. Underdown was the referee. In the second junior match R.S.A. accounted for Thistle, 2-nil. Christenson and Morton were outstanding forwards and scored the goals. Jamieson and Waugh were sound in defence. Moffit was notable m the Thistle forward line. McNaught saved some good shots, but had no chance with the two which succeeded. Mr. J. Crawford was the referee. Schoolboy Reps. With a view to the selection of the schoolboy reps, to take part in Napier tourney during the August holidays the selectors, Messrs S. Barker and A. Twaddle, have nominated the following 14 to go into training: C. Allan, D. Webber, C. Redstone, H. Johns, E. Hickman, P. Faulkner, D. Morton, I. Duncan, E. Harrison, B. Tennant, R. Sharp, J. Rule, D. Woodney, C. Clayton.