THE CURTAIN-RAISER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 231, 29 August 1938, Page 9

THE CURTAIN-RAISER

WEIR HOUSE v. MASSEY COLLEGE For the curtain raiser to the main match teams from Weir House (the hostel of Victoria University College, Wellington) and the Massey College Hostel were matched. The. visiting side won by 11 points to 3, after the home team had led 3—o at half-time. Weir House. —Hermans, A. McLeod, Mcllwaine, Brock, Harptir, Jarrett, Ongley, Bannister, Parker, Ryan, Gordon, Mahood, Creed, Corkill, Langley. Massey College Hostel. —Nilsson, Little, Thurston, Begg, Blackley, Pierce, Smith, Mills, McKee, Barnford, Wallace, Seeley, Gilray, Green, Oliver. Massey College had the advantage of a strong wind in the'first half but were unable to pu6li this home in the early stages. Pierce kicked deep to lead the way for a prolonged attack. A penalty kick by Thurston, taken in front of the posts, failed and the visitors transferred play to the other half, Ongley being prominent.. Massey College returned t-6 the attack, and from a five yards) scrum Green scored. Thurston failed with the kick. Halftime came without any alteration to the score, Massey College maintaining the offensive.

Early in the second half Hermans placed Massey College on the defensive with a long penalty kick from beyond half-way. The College forwards were more than holding their own and carried play back to the Weir House half. Mcllwaine and then Harpur broke away. Massey College survived a scrummage on the line and Weir House had several attempts to throw .a passing ru6li through the defence, but all were smothered. The College players had to force down Jcom a kick through. Both half-backs, Smith and Ongley, were qeen in attempts to open up the play. Brock broke right away from the loose about his own twentyfive and, when challenged about midfield, transferred nicely to McLeod, who raced the opposition to score in the corner. Hermans missed narrowly with .a long kick across the wind. Thurston followed a kick hard and Wallace very nearly finished the attack with a score. Tile visitors returned to the attack and Jarrett and McLeod ma-do & fast run. McLeod was forced out of play .and from the following line-ont a resulting ruck saw Mahood score. Hermans converted. A little later Paiker troubled Nilsson with a fast follow-up and immediately afterward MAUwaine made a typical avenger’s run on the other side to score in the corner. The kick, by Hermans, fell short. Tlie game ended without alteration: Weir House 11, Massey College Hostel 3.

The referee ivas Mr R. Young.