STAR DEFEATED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 30 April 1934, Page 6

STAR DEFEATED

OLD BOA r 'S BACKS AVIN 'MATCH,

BLACK 'FORWARDS OUTRUN

Now Plymouth Old Boys defeated Star at New Plymouth by 14 —11 in a game which, particularly in the final spell, was full or surprises. Play ranged from one end of the field the other almost from minute to minute and the backs of both sides time after time set going movements from apparently hopeless positions. . Old Boys triumphed by reason of being a more settled combination. None of their three tries was scored from a concerted back movement; two at least purely opportunist, won chiefly by chance and speed. .Star fielded a rearranged back v team and when this did not prove successful further shuffling in the middle of the game did not help matters much. The iStar pack, on the other hand, more than held their own and at times completely monopolised play.

' The teams were: — oicl Boys (white). —Cliff ord-Jones-; Medley, Thomson, Ford, Fookes (capt.), B. (Mace, Olson; Biggar, Mac Lean, Luxton, Blakeney, J. IMace, Evans, ißircn, 'Star (black and gold). —(Dingle; Aubrey, J. Kinsella, Wilkins, Carter (.capt.), Clegg, C. 'Kinsella; Beer, Morris, (McLeod, .Price, Whittaker, Frethey, Sampson, Eva. IStar commenced with a somewhat re arranged back line, Clegg, iC. Kinsella, J. Kinsella and 'Carter filling tho inside positions from the half-back m that order. 'The new back line made ai fumbling start, but one movement within a few minutes of the opening whistle only broke down when Aubrey was thrown feet short of the line. Old (Boys forced and spirited dashes by the white forwards resulted in play swinging to the other end of the field. Dingle made a spectacular save at the loot of the white pack. ,Cliff ord-Jones fared badly when he was charged by Wilkins' in kicking clear and was out tor some minutes. So far there had been little 'back play, but brilliant, individual '"saves” had made the game interesting. Star’s battering forward rushes had several times taken them close to scoring, but somehow Old Boys managed to hold on. Dingley’s boot failed him twice in penalties. Uitloici,Tones left the field, Thomson dropping back and Nash coming on at centre. Old Boys’ first try was in the besttraditions of the club’s spectacular play. In his own twenty-five lord obtained possession, slipped past Aubrey and left the Star team standing. Dingley made a valiant attempt to catch him, but misjudged the winger s pace. Kinsella, who had apparently waited to see what all the fuss was about, tackled Ford as he latter touched down. Thomson could not eon-

vert. Star’s first .blood was even more spectacular. Cartel* mapped tip a stray pass, bounded through the defence 'like a. jack in the box, and although he was touched by at least five Old Boys, capped off his dodgy run by scoring under the posts. ‘lt was the greatest surprise in a game destined to be full of surprises. Kinsella gave Star two extra points. Ford produced another stirring fun, but was felled just short of the line. The pace of play slowed and at half-time there was no addition to the : score. Old Boys opened the 'second spell with back runs,- the chief feature of which was the inordinate number of lob passes. 'Still 'Star were more than a trifle lucky that at least one try was not scored against them. Old Boys’ open tactics were rewarded when (Medley, although well . tackled by Dingle, sent, infield to a line of white, forwards. Blakeney. .was the last of about six to . handle,- and: touched down in a bandy position. Ford could not convert. Old Boys next xnovernent was a farce of mishandling. A bright thrust by Olson and Medley had the* Star defence rattled, but the usually steady Old Boys . scoring men were apparently equally surprised, for nothing came bf a golden chance. For ten minutes the Old BoyS team, back and forward, entirely dominated the play. iStar had not yet shot their bolt, and in a desperate recovery, completely turned the tables. Now it was Old Boys defending. The result of persistent attack came paradoxically from an individual effort. Outside the Old Boys twenty-five Olegg slipped round a scrum and raced away with Frethey in support. Frethey only had to run to score. Kinsella missed from an easy position. From 40 yards out and near the side line 'Thomson sent,a kick between the posts, putting Old Boys a, point in the lead. None of the spectators could have realised what was to follow -frliep Carter game clear bf the .scrum with .the ball. Birch sent on to iFookes who kicked in the corner. Nash was the first to touch down and Thomson converted in fine style. Although six points down, Star resumed play with a rattle and Wil k ins was soon speeding for the comer. Be scored a really fine try, but Eva’s kick struck the post. (Clegg figured in a bright movement and Star hopes ran high, but the erstwhile half set off in the wrong direction, and the run broke down for lack Of support. Old Boys kicked out as time sounded. Mr V. Frost was referee.