Old Boys Stage A Surprise Win

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1940, Page 2

Old Boys Stage A Surprise Win

Old Boys staged an unexpected victory at the Park on Saturday when they beat City, 6—5. On paper, City were the better team and football fans were betting on at least a 10-point win for City. City had the older and more experienced players, and individually they generally shone. But, as a team, they broke down. Having the weight of -their opponents, it was expected that the City forwards would push Old Boys off the field and be able to give their backs the ball just when they wanted it. This was not so. Old Boys packed well and got the ball in the majority- of the scrums, although the fast-breaking City vanguard tended to break into the fiveeighths before they could get the ball clear.

Old Boys’ Teamwork. The youthful Old Boys pack kept on the ball right through the game and. generally hunting as a pack, largely kept control of the leather. At times they wefre inclined to kick too far and so spoil good rushes. The City forwards were, on the other hand, each looking for the opening that seldom came, and so did not get in the team Work of their opponents. In the backs, Old Boys did not get in £b many passing movements that j were a feature of their match against j Maungakaramea on the previous Sat- j urday. , j The City forwards, breaking through, ! spoilt these passes. j Nevertheless, Old Boys played a; better team game, while City players were inclined to forget that’they had team-mates and Were often caught in possession too often, especially the five-eighths. The City three-quarter line did not j get many opportunities to show their, football, due largely to being starved j of the ball by the inside backs. Five-Eighths Hold-Up, At half, Green did what he could to get the ball out and he played a fine j game, but the leather was hung-up in j the five-eighths line. ; ! A young; recruit, tq City. Clothier, 1 played a sound game as full-back,, while his youthful opponent,' good, Old Boys’ last line of defence, also gave a good account of himself. The Old Boys’ three-quarter line saw the ball more, than did their opjuments and' generally gained ground I movements. I SBithough rather drab at times, the j provided plenty of interest for; B|Hhcr small number of spectators. > 'vAfheii» .during the dyfitig stages,! only one point between-.the j Jgj||l the barrackers of both sides '; H|Bntost active. I' Foiuts to Old Boys.. \ \ first points came to Oid Boys, ' X scored, and ihese were : §§|§My points secured in the first ;