Institute v. Palmerston.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7844, 23 May 1904, Page 7

Institute v. Palmerston.

There was a largo attendance at the Showground last Saturday to wifnesa the game between the aboye moritioned teams. _ On the spin of tho coin Institute gained the ndvantago and elected to play with the wind at tbeir backs. From the kick off Palmerston rushed the play close to the green's goal line, but their sojourn there was only momentarily, for .the Institute backs by judioious kicking, removed the play to the half-way,' where the forwards took a prominent part and pressed Palmerston very hatd. The blacks defended splendidly at this juncture, forcing their oppouents back over the twenty-fives where Stalker made an oppning, transferred to J. Baker, who made a dashing run, passed out to a forward, who got over,',buT,thetry wbs disallowed owing to the ball being knocked on. Shortly after this tho Institute forwards came away with afes-. rush, carrying ib.3 bal over the line, and Archie MeMina beating Tyrel, scored. V. Scot1, taking the kick, placed a pretty "goal. Institute 5, Palmersfcjii, nil. There was no, further score during the rest of the spell, although (he play was of an exciting nature and extremely fast, the Institute forwards playing a dashing game in the loose and the backs were working well together, and the way they were finding the line with their kicks greatly helped their forwards.

On changing ends Palmerston had the wind in their favor, and it 'was e;eDernlly predicted that they would overtake the score registered against them and they started off well, and getting - within easy . range of the Institute goal, secured a free kick, c which F. Hewitt placed between the posts. Institute 5, Palmerston 3. This seemed to have the desired effect on the greens, for no sooner was the ball set in motion than they rushed it well into Palmerston quarters, and after a scries of scrums W. Adams scored from a forward rush. From a difficult angle Smith failed to increase the score. Institute 8, Palmerston 3.. At this stage of the game the Institute forwards were playing a splendid game, smoothering the Palmerston backs time! after time, and the blacks were hemmed in most of the time. The greens' forwads broke away with the ball, and rushing it right up the goal lino, Kirton got over, but a scrum was ordered five yards out, from which the ball WBS forced over.the, line ; J. Baker falling on it secured the third try for Institute. Scott failed to. place a goal. Institute 11, Palmerston 3. The Palmerston men worked hard to avoid defeat, but it was of no avail, for the Institute team were playing too fcound a game, and judging on the day's play the best team won.

For the winneia Stalker gave the spectators an idea as to how- a baok should play, which was fully appreciated. Scott also showed improyed form. Jack Baker was as good as ever, while Penman and Button were very useful. Of the forwards, Archie McMinn was a tower of strength and was ably backed up by Sweeney, Boon, Karton, Adams and Jones.

. The losers' backs were faulty in tak--IDg the ball, and did not play up to their feputaion. Woods was the pick. The .forwards " grafted " hard enough and had slightly tbc best of their opponents in the scrums, but on the loose they were not m it. Hogan, Wingate, Scanlan, and McAra were the pick.