HARD FORWARD WORK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 13 (Supplement)

HARD FORWARD WORK.

KIA TOA BEAT FEILDING. THREE POINTS MARGIN. Following after the United-Massey College game, the match between Kia Toa and Feilding appeared somewhat drab by comparison, the issue being contested for the main part by the frontal divisions. Kia Toa held a decided adviTtitage in the hooking department, but the work of their rearguard proved very faulty, their efforts not meeting with any reward, a try scored by a frontal division member and a penalty goal to a penalty goal being the. scoring recorded. The Feilding forwards offered strong opposition to the local team, lmt there was a general lack of finish about both rearguards. , The teams which filed out were as under: — Kia Toa (blue).— McKay, Strange, Griffin, Hills, Wasley, Biel, O’Keefe, Croll, Boldt, Burgess, McKenzie, Williams’, Findlay, Hebberley, Gleeson. Feilding (yellow).—Pike, Mclntosh, Kelly, Elliott, K. Fitzgerald, Shrimpton Dewe, McKay, McAssey, Hight, Adsett, Brock, Heard, J. Fitzgerald, Glassford. , . ~ Feilding had the advantage ot the wind in the opening spell and, although the yellows spelled danger when C. Hight led his forwards down into the corner, the homesters worked back to the centre line where McKenzie secured to go through the ruck out in the open. Handing off his wouldbe tacklers be went right down to the twenty-five line where lie handed on to Williams. The tall forward carried on further prior to being tackled on the line where, in the ensuing melee, Mason seized the leather to go over. Wasley failed to add tiie extra points. Kia Toa 3, Feilding 0. The visitors attained an attacking position where Adsett essayed a long shot at goal from the side line, but the ball fell short for Wasley to line out The yellow forwards burst away but' with McKay beaten, the hand on ’went astray.. The referee was penalising each side at close intervals and Adsett was furnished with an opportunity from in front ot the goal, but it was apparently his day off, for he again failed. The game was, for the maffi part, waged by the forwards but the blues were securing the laigei pei-eenta-m of the ball and were commanding the activities in the open, although Seir backs were kicking to the line for the main part. A pretty movement

was, however, launched when O’Keefe worked the blind side to send Strange away, and the winger was over the line when he was swept into touch-in-goal. Tlie Feilding forwards were putting plenty of vim into their work j indeed, on one occasion a blue back attempted to mix it with a yellow forward and a bout of fisticuffs passed unnoticed. From the position attained in cne solid rush, the blues were penalised and on this occasion Adsett landed a good goal. Feilding 3, Kia Toa 3.

Employing their forwards, Feilding, whose packmen were quite holding their own in the heavy work, returned to the attack and K. Fitzgerald, who was filling the unusual role of fiveeighth, made a bold bid to penetrate, but without success. Aided by a nice line kick by O’Keefe, the blues reached yellow territory, but a great line kick by Adsett sent them hurrying back, and a free kick carried the visitors further. Putting the ball in the scrum incorrectly cost Gleeson a penalty, but Adsett’s kicking form again slumped, an easy shot going wide. The territorial advantage was, however, maintained and K. Fitzgerald made another cut through, but his wide pass wingwards went unaccepted. With the centre of activities in front of Kia Toa’s goal, a free kick brought relief, McKay finding touch at the centre flag. The blues worked further when Slirimpton was caught in possession, but with the ball working into touch the interval was sounded. A NARROW VICTORY. A strong dasli by Griffin marked the re-entry upon activities and for the ensuing few minutes, Kia Toa set the pace, Strange making two great bursts, but the visitors escaped with a force. However, offside by McKay when attempting to' follow the ball through the scrum promised to give the blues three points, but O’Keefe failed with an easy shot.

McKenzie set sail for the line, but after throwing off several of his wouldbe tacklers ho was halted, although he sent on to Gleeson, who was in turn smothered. A free kick brought relief to the hard pressed yellows, but Elliott came away in possession to run half the length of the field. While he might well have gone on his own, he electel to send infield to McKay, whq dropped the pass when a certain score promised. The yellows were fighting hard in the corner when a free kick enabled the blues to transfer the scene of play and, with Pike endeavouring to come across field to open up, the vellows were .in difficulties, but Hebberley’s kick went over the lino for Pike to force.

Kia Toa were doing everything but scoring, although Griffin made a determined effort to cross, the winger being pushed into touch just short of his objective. Immediately following another movement saw Hills halted just short of the line and, although Gleeson was handy, lie was held up and the yellow forwards fought their way clear. However, the blues were quickly back and Higlit was penalised when he came through the heart of a melee in possession, giving Wasley an opportunity to goal which he made full use of. Kia Toa 6, Feilding 3. A loose rush along, the. left wing for Feilding carried them upfield, but time was being, lost .through only one ball being in use. .Matters were looking dangerous , for, the , visitors when K. Fitzgerald .burst through.the onrushing blue forwards and the ball was thrown about somewhat wildly, but Fitzgerald came into action again to carry on. Shrimpton displayed a great burst of speed, but bis supports failed to find an opening. Adsett had an opportunity to snatch the game of of the fire from a penalty but his kick fell short, although the clearance was prevented. However, the danger was averted and the homesters returned to the attack, McKenzie missing the touch down by inches. Kia Toa threw away another scoring opportunity when the ball went along the line only for the hand on to Strange to go wide and time found the score unaltered. Kia Toa C, Feildin rT 3. Mr L. Berry refereed.