LE QUESNOY BANNER

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4598, 18 September 1934, Page 5

LE QUESNOY BANNER

CAPTURED BY DRUIDS. By 18 points to 8 the Le Quesnoy Banner was lost by the Oddfellows to the Druids and Foresters on Saturday last at Rugby Park. The game was a fairly good one. Oddfellows had to fill in at the last moment and went on the field with a team that was in personnel much weaker than their red-robed opponents, but during the second half played up well. One noticeable feature of the lineouts was that “Merve” Wilson had to mark Bill Eketone, no small feat. McKenzie, “Yorky” Taylor, the old-timer Jim Higgins, and Peterson and Hartwell were prominent in the forwards. In the rear division Anderson, a young Pio Pio junior, gave a very heady account of himself. With the Oddfellows hooking and Hall’s (another junior’s) fine work at half-back, Oddfellows backs looked at times more impressive than the Druids’ back line —until they met the deadly tackling of Bob Barlow. Marks and White were other prominent Oddfellows. Of their opponents Corin, the Foresters’ sole representative, played well, Bob Barlow was the man of the day, and Griffin and Brainsby performed good work. Gault, trying his hand as a winger, was nothing if not impetuous.

McLeod, with a fine free kick from halfway, nearly notched three points for the Oddfellows in the first few "minutes of the game. Play continued ii\ midfield, then the Druids settled down to the attack that they maintained for most of the spell. J. BarbAv twisted down to the corner—the "ball was kicked out for his brother to collect beautifully and send Griffin over for a try. Bob Barlow missed the kick. The second score came when Bob Barlow snaked right through the Oddfellows, then sent the ball on to McKenzie, who finished up the good work by twisting a way over. McLeod charged the kick. 6 —o.

Druids appeared certain to score when Brainsby and Griffin came galloping up from the latter’s kick over Hallett’s head. A scrum was the result of the mad scramble over the line, and from it McKenzie notched his second try. Griffin's fine kick just missed. The last score of the half was an example of B. Barlow’s wizardry. He ran clean through the Oddfellows, forwards and backs, and crossed. Again the kick was rushed. 12—0.

For a short period the Druids carried their attack to the second spell, Marks’ speed being called upon to prevent B. Barlow notching another score. With good work by Anderson and Peterson and the rest of the forwards Oddfellows took up the offensive. McLeod made no mistake when he was given a penalty shot within easy goaling distance. 12 —3. Keeping on the ball, Oddfellows forced the pace. Eddie Walker was on the point of crossing, while Hartwell had a great race with Higgins and Corin when the ball was kicked behind. Great excitement reigned when Peterson broke away from his 25> sending the ball on to Marks as he passed halfway, only to have an offside ruled as the ball was handed on. Marks and McLeod both were nearly over as Oddfellows pressed hard. Their reward came when Hall worked the blind for White to charge over. McLeod’s conversion was an exceptionally fine kick. 12 —8. “Another five points” was the cry from the sideline, but the “lemonaders” had had their burst. With Gault charging through Druids took up the assault, and the ball went to the outfield for B. Barlow to snake a way over and leave a trail of recumbent forms behind him. Griffin missed the kick. Bob Barlow did the trick again just before time, making the score: 18—8.