FOOTBALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 22 August 1910, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Saturday's football was played under very imp.-rfei:t weather conditions. A rut her strong S.W. wind ■blow across Hie Park, ami a sharp shower of rain- interfered somewiia: with tlii' play; but. no twit list n.'idiug this, then- was a very fair attendance of* spectator:-; present.

REP. MATCH. NELSON (24) V. MCRCHISON (0)A This much-looked-for contest was also 'played at the Park. Aft it tlu Nelson-College match there was a contrast 'between the two games. Thv rep. 'was hardly up to expectations. The Miirchison team was a fairly irood one individually; but they lacked the combination that is necessary to win rnp. games. But they pul up a very creditable performance again t a heavier and more skilled set of players. They are good men. willing workers, and keen sports. When thev have lvad further training Nelson may o.Ypeet many ~ hard tuss| o with the men front Miirchi«on. The game was jdayed in four 20-mi-iiiite spells, i-hivllv on account of the strong wind. Miirchison started nil' well, ;ind although Nelson 'began to pile up tire score, the visitors" wen getting off some very nice i ndi vidua' play. In the latter part of Ihe game Miirchison a.ppeared "to show signs of weakness, and this, with the bW of two prominent 'backs through in ;iury. left them little chance of stemming t he©onslaughls of tLv Nelson men. who wer,. attacking hard iiio-.t of the time, and in the la t 20 minutes the visitors were hopelessly ■beaten, and Nelson were passing :1k hall aihout mack as they pleased. Nelson's score was made im of sever tries and a iienalty goal, Bunker kicked the penalty, and Whiting. McKay (2), Kinzett. Bennett. and Chapman (2> -cored tries. Mr Lo .San refereed.

SENIOR r , •-".'

NEL.SON (3) V. COLLEC. E (3)

The first of the two matches -e. Juivu for decision was between Nelson and 'College, which commenced a: -*l~>. The resu-t of this game wa: one of those surprises that sometime: thaplpe.n ,in regard to football matches. In the first spell Xel.oi. had the 'wind. in th'eir favour, whici gave them the best of the play, unit they went near scoring on severa occasions. .Shortly after the star; Nelson k-ad College in a tight corner; but oil* side gave College a free kick

which cleared their line for tL'e tinu being. Saunders then had a half way penalty shot at 'goal, -which wafruitiess., a force down being tlu result. Shortly after the kick mi College got off -ome very pretty ipass ing play, which" carried the play we! into Nelson territory, when Sana ders sent the ball to touch' at a sati distance. Some lively serums tliei took place, and College repeatedlj heeled out; -but the 'weight of tin Nelson- forwards was beginning tc toll. Nelson continued the attack and Scully, Iby a clever piece of play touched down the first try, whici Saunders failed to convert. Pvon: the 25 out College forced Nelsoi. batik to their own ground, and tlu excellent jjassiug of the C-ollegt backs gave Nel on a busy time. Kich mond had an unsuccessful penalty Nelson again, attacked, and mad. strenuous efforts to cross; but th. College tackling was too sudden. A. brisk play, and College soon got ous, for he repeatedly .broke cleai through 1 the Nelson vanguard; bu; Nelson kept up the -earch for further score, and force down* wen fiequent on account of the strong wind that was bowing. Collegi made a rush for the Nelson line; but too much boot gave F. Hunter ;

mark. The kick found touch, whei half-time sounded.

Th'e second spell opened witl ] ibrick play, and College soom ijo; within easy range., where Meuli made a bold effort to score; "but Mcree. saved. College still kept going strong, and were throwing the "bal about in great style, and on one oecaion Meuli got clean 'over, but stepped into touch-in-goal, which, spoilt a certain score. The scene of paly now shifted to various parts of the field, when .Saunders intercepted, and ran down to College ground. H< centred; ibut Tully saved the situa tiou with a fine line kick. College tl.vn came right out, and made a determined effort to score, and Muir was successful in touching down a clean try, which Duigan failed to .convert. The score was now three all, and the solid defence set up by Nelson prevented College from in creasing their score, and good tackling by F. Hunter, Mercer, and Gil bert right on their line saved disaster several times. Towards th" finish the wind nearly dropped, and the play became more even, altl.'ougl the 'last fe'w minutes saw the whole of the play in Nelson 20, and College looked like scoriae any moment, and ■when time was called Nel on were ir trouibled waters. Mr Batchelor refereed.