OLD BOYS IMPROVE AND BEAT KIA TOA

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1937, Page 3

OLD BOYS IMPROVE AND BEAT KIA TOA

Old Boys had the better of the game in every department against Kia Toa, and the Maoris, not having their best personnel to hand, were a frayed team at the finish. To their success Old Boys can largely attribute their close packing and smart breaking up, depriving Kia Toa of any opportunity of playing their characteristically open game. The superiority of the white pack in the scrums was; also very noticeable, and very rarely indeed was the ball hooked cleanly to the Maori half.

Readjustments in/ the inside backs worked, well for Old Boys, especially the placing ,of Collins at second fiveeighths. Here Collins was very much more, home, .and his spoiling work was quite a feature. / Undoubtedly the best back on the ground was Alison, who is consolidating the high reputation he won as leader of the High

school team. He straightened up

many attacks, drew his man nicely and paved the way for the two

best tries of the day.

Perhaps his only mistake was favouring in passing, on one or two occasions neglecting the fast moving Carr, who had already proved himself early in the game to be a determined scoring man. Symes, bn the other wing, played a steady game and was never afraid to go down in the teeth of the hottest attack. Good Half-Back.

Skelton’s kicking for goal and for the line did not come up to expectations. Although Suffering from a cold and from the effects of an injury sustained during the game. Smith was a rattling good half-back, and the way he squeezed over for the first try, was worthy of this player at his best. Bradley and Boreham are both in the pink of condition, but were inclined to be over exuberant at times. Knew handled and ran like a back at times. Head and shoulders above the rest of the forwards were J. Rika (Kia Toa) and Jones (Old Boys). Their passing, handling and the way they kept up with the play arid opened up to their backs were highly corrimendable. Sam Alison again turned on some gymnastic tricks, and has only to keep fit to be a candidate for representative honours this season.

C. White had bellows to mend early in the game, and Unloaded wildly at times. Except on defence, where their tackling was good, Kia Toa backs had little to do. The half-back, Edmonds came through a gruelling afternoon with flying coolurs. The back lind functioned better when the Williams brothers moved into fiveeighths for the second spell. Teams:— 1

Kia Toa: J. Williams, Patterson,! N. Williams, Patterson, C. and G. Moore. Edmonds, White, J. and P, Rika, S. Alison, Whittaker, Allan, Tikena and Brown.,,;' '• ‘ , ’ , ,

Old Boys: Skelton, Symes, W. Ali50nvB - tor, Saul, Collins, Smith, McMasters, Scarborough,. Jones, Borehami; Bradley, Calvert, Whiteman and Knew. 1 \ . .

Smith Dives Over.

Great amusement was caused when Smith,; securing from a scrum near the line, sold a beautiful dummy and was streaking for the line when caught by G. Moore, who shook the _ B °y player like a rabbit, causing him to disgorge the ball. A moment afterwards, from a similar ,movement, Smith had his revenge, however, diving between the wing and. the fullback for a good try. Alison missed.

The whites were besieging their opponents for most of the first, spell, and just before it closed Saul sent a long pass across to Carr, who gritted his teeth and flew over. A good try. Alison again failed, and it was 6—o. _ Kia Toa forwards and backs combined in a thrilling handling bout, with White, J. Rika and N. Williams in the van but just whe'n a- score appeared likely, Skelton came across with a flying tackle. The Old Boys full-back missed two gift penalty shots at goal. Alison doing similarly. The next Old Boys’ try emanated from chain passing. Alison beat his man and handed on to Carr, who showed a clean pair of heels. Alison

failed with the kick. Just before the end a couple of Old Boy forwards took upon themselves the role of backs. Knew opened up nicely, and Scarborough went tearing across. This time Alison converted, making the final; Old Boys 14 Kia Toa 0 Mr E. Harrison refereed.