CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 229, 26 August 1940, Page 10

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL.

SPLENDID EXHIBITION. The winning margin registered by Old Boys in the final of the senior championship was hut the conversion of a try, each side scoring one try. Both teams were superbly fit and the spectators were treated to possibly the best exhibition seen in club matches at t'he Showgrounds this season. At the outset it seemed that each team was afraid of the other’s play, and Old Boys at first did not seek to throw the ball about. When thev did try they appeared nervous and this led to the breaking down of promising movements. On one occasion their backs swept away for what appeared to lie a certain try, but the final pass failed when the man in possession appeared to lie able to go on his own to the line. In t'he same way, the United backs did not get going until later in the game, there being delays in the five-eighths. Both sides sought the side-line frequently, preferring to gain ground by that means and advance in a series of slow and hard-fought forward battles. There was not one of the forwards on either side who did not pull his weight, and once the ball left the tight the outside men were quickly away in pursuit. This stylo of play brought the defence of both teams repeatedly into play and both full-backs played well. Mabey (United) early in the game several times failed to find the line in his usual strong kicking manner, but later settled down and found touch with long, accurate kicks. Clark (Old Boys)'was tested on many occasions and he, too, proved solid and dependable both in tackling and line-kicking. He took no less than seven penalty kicks at goal and in no case was he successful, although two went very close. For United. Ryder had one attempt and Ward two, also unsuccessful, at penalty goals. In the first half, once the play settled down, Old Boys had much the hotter of the game territoriallv. United’s periods of attack in the Old Boys half being more in the nature of sallies than sustained action. In the second spell, however, when they were playing into the sunlight, they gave a much better account of themselves and had Old Boys struggling hard in their twenty five on occasions. The first half closed without a score being registered, but when the second opened United were obviously settling down to a more determined style ot play. Their try ca.ne from a passing rush in which the ball went through the whole back-line with very little ground gained until Temperton received it on tho wing. Temperton, who put up a very good display, ran hard until he w r as threatened and then short punted. Yule, at centre three-quarter, was with him on the inside and gathered in the kick. He then went a short distance until threatened himself and passed to Temperton on the outside, first having drawn the opposition. The result was that Temperton had a relatively clear run-in and he did not take any chances in attempting to go round to the goal-posts. Ward’s kick failed to find its mark. Old Boys immediately settled down to rectify tho leeway in points and some time passed before they scored, although they battered the United line. In a loose forward scramble Shand, the second five-eighths, picked the hall up and put in a short dash td score near the posts. Clark converted. United then carried the name to the other end of the field and held the advantage until Byder could not suppress an urge to hgye a quick attempt at a field goal when United had the play inside the Old Bovs twenty-five and near the uosts. United, then lost possession and for them the game was over, there being only a few minutes to go to its close. Tim T>°st of the United nack were Ward Dustin and Birchall, and in the Old Boys forwards O. Annoar. Campbell and O'Dca did excellent work. Tl'c teams were: Chi Boys.—Clark, Buick, Howell, MeNeile, tehand, Lang, Scott, Webber, G. Aiinear, Kay, J. Anncar, Chapman, O’Dea, Campbell, Culler. United. —Mabey, Temperton, Yule, Campbell, Ryder, Hill, Bradley, Arnott, Pike, Birchall, Rowlands, Adamson, Dustin, Ward, Luxmoore, Pike had to leave the field with an injury to a leg and McKeaney took his place. ’ The referee was Mr B. P. Trow. TROPHY PRESENTED. Before the senior teams left the oval, the Hankins Shield, first played for in 1896. when it was won by the Feeding Club, was presented by the union’s president, Mr A, M. Ongley (whoso

name, by the way, appears on the shield for the years 1906, 1907 and 1909 as captain of the Feilding team, winners in those years). Mr Ongley congratulated both teams on their displays, and said that members of the union had wondered if there would be teams left to play in the final this season. In another year’s time a large'proportion of the players would bo playing their Rugby in places far away, and ho hoped "that they would in future times recall the final at the close of the 1940 season. Tho shield was received bv Mr B. O’Dea, on behalf of the Old Boys’ side, and cheers were exchanged. The winners of the championship in recent years are as follow: 1934, Old Boys; i 935, Feilding Old Boys; 1936, Feilding Old Boys; 1937, Kia Toa; 1938. Kia Toa; 1939, University; 1940, Oid Boys.