OLD BOYS WIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 247, 16 September 1935, Page 8

OLD BOYS WIN.

A KEEN CONTEST. On an extremely hard ground, which was not conducive to the players going down on the ball with any degree of willingness, Old Boys and St. Patrick’s met in the subsidiary series. The game had an important bearing on the minor competition, and it was unfortunate ior the greens that casualties depleted their usual playing strength when their representative members were away. The blacks’ rearguard movements were the more fruitful, although the greens lost some golden opportunities, fortune running against them at the critical moment. Old Boys registered four tries, but not one was given the major points, whereas St. Patrick’s had to be content with a penalty goal. The teams were:—" St. Patrick’s (green).—Quigan, Dawick, M. Gillespie, McKewen, Hallamore, Spelman, Edlin, Sears, Madgwick, Ferguson, McKay, Goffe, Fitzpatrick, Simmonds, J. Findlay. Old Boys (black). —Betteridge, Bradley,. Olliver, Hadfield, Turnbull, Plank, Evans, O’Dea, Baiy, Wilson, Yortt, Thomas. Lovelock, Louisson, Wilson. Old Boys kicked off towards the northern goal with the light breeze and sun at their backs, but it was the greens who were the first to display any enterprise, although the light dry bail was difficult to handle with any certainty. A free kick against the greens saw Betteridge line well done, and from a succeeding serum, Evans whipped out a pass to Plank to Turnbull, who cut through. Out went the ball to Lovelock who, when down to Quigan, sent on the leather to Yortt, who dashed over wide out. The kick passed outside the uprights. A period of give and take play followed, the greens being unfortunate enough to lose the services of Madgwick with a foot injury, Quigg replacing him. The blacks turned an opportunity to profit when the ball came out from a loose scrum. Although the movement broke down, the blacks recovered and Olliver handed the leather on to Hadfield for the' winger to race over wide out. Betteridge again made a good attempt to goal, but failed. The green forwards were working well, but their rearguard were caught napping when Dawiclt failed to find touch, Turnbull accepting to cut through and give an infield pass to Olliver, who raced round behind the posts. His kick struck the cross-bar to rebound. The greens were unfortunate when they went to the line in a fast forward rush, Edlin failing to i>rasp the ball, while right on the interval Findlay went half the length of the field in company with Simmonds only to be beaten by Hadfield. The greens went straight to the- attack on resumption, over-hard kicking costing them territory on two occasions. Operating their rearguard, the blacks transferred and after a couple of excellent attempts had broken down with the opposition beaten, a passing bout saw Olliver hand on to Bradley and then come round to accept and dash over. Betteridge failed from wide out. 'l'lie greens finally opened their overdue account when Edlin turned a penalty profit. St. Patrick’s were en-

eouraged by their success and twice they had the defence beaten only for matters to run adversely. Gillespie broke away and he sent on to McKewen, but the latter’s infield pass went forward and the blacks escaped. Spelman retired after a heavy fall, Moriarty going on. The greens hammered away, but Betteridge was very safe, and the game ended without alteration.

Old Boys 12, St. Patrick’s 3. Mr A. Weston was the referee