’Karamea Dashes Old Boys’ Hopes

Northern Advocate, 5 July 1939, Page 2

’Karamea Dashes Old Boys’ Hopes

Maungakaramea made a ably good showing against Old Boys in the match at Maungakaramea and not only came near to dashing the almost certain hopes of the visitors for a win but very nearly stole a victory.

Contrary to usual practice, Maungakaramea did not wait until the second half to got down to their best efforts, but went away from the first whistle and it was only a forward pass which stopped the scoring account being opened within a minute or two of the beginning of play. Three shots at goal were all unsuccessful and, in-» stead of being at least nine points up within a quarter of an hour, the home team had to hammer away at the White goal-line | for a long spell before Shipman took advantage of a mistake to dive over for M. Morrcsey to convert.

Desperate Efforts. Old Boys drew even shortly afterwards, Knew scoring for Masters to convert, 'and half-time found honours even. An unconverted try by N. Boyd again gave Maungakaramea the lead, which was held until the closing stages during which Old Boys made desperate efforts to score. The game had only a few minutes to go when Alison made the scores equ'al and, although both sides made every effort to (add to their tally, the game finished all. equai’e.

Need For Padding- Goal-Posts

• Some weeks ago the need for padding of the goal-posts at Maungakaramea was emphasised in these columns. Teams playing on the ground have been lucky in avoiding trouble through coming into contact with the bare posts, nothing having been done to make them as safe as possible. On Saturday, however, in a hot 'assault which gave Old Boys the equalising try in the first half, McNeill came off worst in conflict with one of the goal-posts and required attention before he could continue. This should be sufficient warning to the Maungakaramea Club to pad the posts before a really serious accident occurs.

Hard-Working: Forwards.

Old Boys’ forwards have been responsible for some triumphs in recent games, but on Saturday they found the hard-working Maungakaramea pack difficult to best in scrums, line-outs, in the tight and in the loose. It was not the fault of the home forwards that victory did not go their way, although 'actually their off-side play was responsible for Alison’s successful shot which tied the score. Best Backs. Grant was the best of Old Boys’ backs. When the ball failed to come to him through the inside men, he dived in to take what opportunities he could and, during the last quarter, he made desperate efforts to break through. His strong running beat many would-be facklers, but there was always someone there to spoil his chances.

Masters played coolly and handled cleanly. The high punting of the home forwards did not give him a chance to clear on several occasions and he w'as found in possession, but his exhibition left little to be desired. Campbell, at centre, showed more improvment and was responsible for several good attacking movements. Forward, Stalwarts, Whiteman, Smallwood and Bradley were the most prominent of the Old Boys’ forwards. M. Morresey was in excellent form in the Maungakaramea vanguard and possibly played as well as ever he has done. He was always on the ball and his following up ahead of the remainder of ,his pack resulted in Old Boys being given much of its defensive work. P. Morresey obtained more than his share of the ball, lifting, however, finding him penalised several times. Russek, a Waikiekie junior, was a decided acquisition to the forwards, especially in the loose, and he well desorvs to hold his place.

Mediocre Football. None oJ‘ the backs pl'ayed better than mediocre football in attack, although they were always there when wanted in defence and brought off some good saves. B. Morresey followed up the example of his brothers, with the exception that his good work was mostly on defence. Jack Nash had few chances on the wing, Morrison, at centre, made several efforts which were unsuccessful. Leech, another junior, did. well in the circumstances in (lie other wing berth, and Jim Nash was fairly reliable at lull-back. It, was the inside men, Boyd and Shipman, because they did not gel the bail out quickly enough, who were the weak links. Both were inclined kick too much and invariably the ball went straight into Masters’ safe hands. Early in the game Boyd made a nice cut-through which deserved ‘a bettor fate, but for the remainder of the game penerntlon was entirely lacking.