ATHLETIC DEFEATED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 June 1932, Page 2

ATHLETIC DEFEATED.

FOXTON FIRE BRIGADE VICTORIOUS. IN A HARD CLEAN GAME. Prouses’ Paddock saw a very exciting game on Saturday between Poxton Fire Brigade and Athletic, the former winning by 5 points to 3. The game resolved itself into a forward one and .both paekg had a strenuous time. The Foxtom. forwards were superior to the Athletic pack and in the concluding stages of the game, were playing a great game. The first spell was decidedly in favour of Athletic, who had the advantage of the wand and play was for the greater part of this spell in Foxton’s territory. However, Athletic only, managed to secure three points, due no doubt to the stubborn defence of the visitors. . Foxton in the latter half, played a ..vastly improved game and held the advantage. The try that Anderson scored for Foxton was a gift from Athletic, though Anderson must be given credit for quickly seizing an opening. It was balanced by that player’s action in kicking across field into Taylor’s hands for the latter to score for Athletic. The teams lined out as follows; Foxton Fire Brigade (White). —Fullback, Stevenson; three-quarters, Bennett, Hirini, Anderson; five-eighths, Bills, Dunn, half, Chrysta.il. forwards, Eoare, .Sinclair, Alexander, Newton, Gregory, T. and J. Devonshire and Broad. Athletic (Blue). —Full-back, R, Galloway; three-quarters,, L. Bishop, L. Williams, D. Taylor; five-eighths, L. Drysdale, J. Hogg; half, O. Curtis; forwards, J. Denton, E. Hogg, H. Fre-w, J. O’Donnell, G. Bignal, B. Bishop, A. Bateman and J. Trotter. Athletic with the wind, kicked off, . and a free kick to the Blues, saw B. Bishop fail from half-way. A little later he again missed and Foxton forced. Play hovered in midfield, until Taylor, with a good run, carried play to near Foxton’s line. Foxton cleared to half-way, but Athletic with a rush, again saw play near the visitors’ line. Athletic were pressing hard. Foxton were putting up a stubborn defence

and a 'free kick to them, saw play at the 25, where B. Bishop from a penalty, kicked wide end Foxton forced.

Following the kick Athletic rushed upheld and Trotter looked liked scoring, hut the bounce of the hall beat him and a 5 yds scrum took place from which Foxton cleared to mid-field. Blues returned and L. Williams found .touch near the corner. In trying to clear, Anderson kicked across field and Taylor going at top speed, took the hall nicely in his stride and scored a splendid try wide out. L. Bishop failed with the kick. Athletic 3, Foxton 0.

Foxton attacked and carried play to Athletic’s lino, •where a free kick to ml C UOS) returned play to half-way. Ihe Blues working their way upheld, ended with a. scrum on Foxton’s line, laylor made a good sprint for the corner but was pushed into touch. Strenuous play took place on Foxton’s line. A penalty kick to the Blues, saw B. rshop kick avide. Athletic kept up •the pressure and play practically rein am d in Foxton’s territroy until halftime sounded with no further score. t P^ l i resuin l ) 'lion Foxton quickly placed Athletic on the defensive but Taylor with a good sprint returned play to fhe opposite end, where from the ensuing play, Taylor and Hirini were both hurt; Taylor having to leave the field, Tapp going on. L? WiUto,„ B ™ ing to wing and Tapp playing centre. T oxton returned to the attack and plav was near Blue’s line where from the tight, B. Bishop broke through to half- , wa y. From a penalty Hirini just fail--1 ed to convert, and Galloway knockino--on, saw play right in front of Athletic’s goal. A free kick, however, relieved only temporarily as Foxton with a rush saw danger on the Blue’s line. Blues forwards, however, broke away to mid-field. Foxton were now having the better of play, and Athletic Sad a strenuous 'time in defending their line. Blues worked downfield but Stevenson ■with a good kick sent them hack to Athletic’s 35. Trotter and Bishop with the hall at toe, relieved to near White’s 25, and thence the Blue hacks carried play to near Foxton’s line. Foxton relieved with >a free kick to their 25. 'Curtis made a great hid for the line, just falling short. Play veered across field and Athletic were trying hard to score. Stevenson relieved with a good line kick to White’s 25. Fumbling by B. Bishop, saw Anderson quickly gather in the ball and with the Blue’s fullback badly out of position, set sail for the line, with a clear field in front of him and showing a, clean pair of heels, scored a splendid try from his own 25.- J. Devonshire with a good kick added the extra points. Foxton Fire Brigade 5, Atheltic 3. •Spurred by this reverse Athletic launched an attack to near White’s line but only temporarily as Whites retaliated and returned play to Athletic’s line where the Blues forced.

Fox ton were now superior to the local team and were fully determined not to let Athletic away. Strenuous play was witnessed on Athletic’s lime, but ■a free kick to Blues relieved and in the ensuing tight play. Blues gradually worked their way into White’s territory when time. sounded. Mr D. Cole was a strict referee. For the visitors, Stevenson and Hirini were very safe; both these players /being a tower of strength to their side. ■Sinclair was perhaps the most prominent of the hard-working forwards.