NOTES ON THE GAMES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 10

NOTES ON THE GAMES

OLD BOYS LOSE ANOTHER POINT

Old Bovs, who were expected to take a hand in the final of the championship are losing ground rapidly. I hey were defeated by St. Patrick s last Saturday week, and on Saturday they could only make a draw of it with Feilding A. They have played one match “norc than Feilding Old Boys, and me now two points behind the competition leaders. Their play on Saturday against Feilding A was marked by almost a succession of bad passes. The openings were there and taken adrantage of up to a certain point, then thev failed through a wild pass, a forward pass or a knock-on ; and there were several offenders in this direction. On the other hand, Tedding A did not attempt much in the way or passing rushes, but tried to keep the play amongst the forwards, and in this department they held.their own with tliy blacks. . . , . , There were some bright individual players. Betteridge, as custodian for Old Boys, played a sound game Imt was not up to his brilliancy or the previous week. L. Brad'cy and Thompson on the wings, suffered from the had passes sent to them, but when they got the hall they were hard to stop The weakness in the rearguard was in the inside hacks, whose passes were not up to standard. Behind the scrum, It. Bradley, of the junior team, in which he played centre three-quarter, gave a high-class exhibition. He sent the ball out from the scrum in good style and cut through with a jiuky run now and then to put his side on the offensive. His defensive play also reached a high standard. , r Irvine, the usual half-hack, is suffering from a fractured bone in his hand and will he on the side-line for a few weeks yet. , Some of the Old Boys forwards were laggards, and did not rush back to help the side when it was in difficulty. O’Dea was a demon for work all the afternoon, and Henry was always in the thick of the fray, while Thomas plaved his usual sound game. For Feilding A, Brown made , few mistakes at full-hack, taking tlm_ ball ni-ely and using a good boot at times. W. and O. McCoilrindnle, cn the wings, and W. Dowg at centre, let little pass them. The McCorkindales are very fast, sound runners, but they did not get enough of the ball to show off their attacking abilities. Sutherland and Nicol combined well, and R. Dewe, at half, gave a satisfactory display. One of Feilding A’s best forwards was Waldin, who was up with the play throughout. Montgomery played a good game, and Spilman was always noticeable.

KIA TOA’S SUCCESS. Though the heavy ground favoured their type of play, Kia Toa thoroughly deserved their win over St. Patrick’s, because they were not by any means at full strength, being without the services of three of their backs, Wasley and the Simpson brothers, who are incapacitated. Thorne deputised behind the scrum for Kia Toa and gave a good account of himself, even though he was fond of mixing it with the forwards. Thorburn was solid, and Thomas, a newcomer from Waverley, went well as first five-eighth. Berryman, formerly of Te Kawau, was centre, and Lucas on the wing. Barnao made some characteristic dashes and went very close to scoring once or twice.

Carr played very soundly as full back, and made some nice clearances, besides being resourceful in changing defence into attack by getting his backs moving. His exposition of fullback play was first-class under the difficult conditions which prevailed. Though working hard in the tight, McKenzie did not show up in the loose until the second spell when, right at the peak of his form, lip led his forwards in real All Black style, repeatedly bursting out of the ruck with the' ball. His example inspired the other forwards to tigerish play,

and St. Patrick's could not hold them at the finish. Williams and Crawford were very prominent, the latter getting through a lot of work both in attack and dele nee.

D. Brinsden, as first five-eighth, was naturally the spearhead of the St. Patrick’s attack, and he made several brilliant runs, even though well watched. Cutting out the opposition cleanly, lie paved the way for one try and made some nice openings. However, lie was unable to exploit his tricky side-step oil the slippery ground. R. Gillespie went well with him, and M. Gillespie shaped nicely on the wing. Dawick had few chances to show his speed, but made the most of them. ■L. Findlay was easily the best forward in the loose, hut Powell and Sears were prominent, the latter playing a dogged game from start to finish.

Mr A. Ward controlled the match very efficiently, but had occasion to warn a spectator who sought to offer him advice from the sideline. THE FEILDING MATCH. A safe man, Campbell, as full-hack, was dependable and fast and defended Massey College’s goal line in a creditaide manner. His game was a good one. Early, on the wing, scored a try, the result of a penetration of the opposition detencc, in the corner. Payne, on tho other wing, wins in good form, and neatly intereepted a paws meant for Bramwell, to improve Massey College’s position with a speedy sprint. Others among the College backs who handled well were Orgias, Slierratt, Wisliurt, and Blytli.

Wilson, as usual, was always safoas guardian for Feilding Old Boys, while Waugh and Amudio. on the wings, played particularly well. Bramwell generally played well but missed several passes which spoilt Ins otherwise • good game. Thurston played a fast game, dodging in between the opposition men and evading tackles on several occasions . Dewe and Fade both gave of their best and played good games. In the forwards, the two I'inlays were, as usual, hard workers. Ewart and Mitchell also attracted attention.