RUGBY FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 15 June 1925, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NELSON DEFEATS MARL ' ‘ BOROUGH

HOME FORWARDS EXCEL The first interprovincial match of the season was played oil Saturday afternoon in clear bright, weather, before a big attendance of interested spectators. The Nelson representatives gave a highly satisfactory display, and although the scoring was only three points ahead for Nelson at the finish, the home team had far more of the territorial play and tested the visitors’ defence severely at times. The pack won golden opinions from the crowd, and Challies and Letts have never shown to better advantage, both appearing to possess the '‘test” temperament. Clover, who is only eighteen, made a promising debut as- a rep. fullback, playing like a. seasoned veteran. Guy and T. Thompson also justified their selection as five-eights, playing in unison. As for the threequarter line, it would be hard to find a. speedier trie, and they are as solid in defence as they arc dangerous in attack. Mahoney stood up to the buffeting that falls to the lot of the halfback without wincing, hut , he lias shown better form. Recent injuries must be taken into account, how- j ever. 'J'he best feature of the. play : was the clean and sporting spirit ex- , hibited' by the members of both teams, i there being no ‘’pointing” or playing tile man, the ball being the oh- : jective throughout. Marlborough teams 1 have always proved favourites with j the Nelson crowds, and their reputation i for playing a clean hard game was sus- j tabled on Saturday. '“Daddy” Phillips provided the fireworks for the visitors, but he was kept, under strict surveillance by the. Blues, and the same is J true of Payne, cn the. opposite wing. I Red pack heeled out cleaner than J Nelson, and Clark and Hounsell are j neat and effective in the front rank. 1 they were well tested, certainly, as ' there were 14 scrums in the first spell, .and twenty or so in the second. AH the Red forwards played well in the loose with Satherley the bright particular star. Walker, who replaced Hundleby early in the. game, was often a thorn in Nelson's side. The I Nelson Pipe Band, led by Drum Major j «T. Finglands, played some inspiriting j strains, and evidently inspired the j home team to do or die. With the ! fine weather that prevailed a large i number of spectators were able to en- i jov a place in the sun. and view the ' match from the touchline, where the hustling secretary, Mr Fred Hare, had provided seating accommodation, an innovation that was much appreciated.

THE PLAY Nelson (light- and dark blue) won the toss and defended the Northern goal. Marlborough (red) kicked off, facing the slanting and at times disconcerting rays of the sun. Snodgrass was the- first Blue to secure and smartly followed up a powerful punt. A scrum ensued on Reds’ side of halfway. Reds heeled out from the first of the many scrums, but gained no ground, a lineout ensuing near the 25. Challies was at once noticeable for dashing play, which was sustained. Snodgrass made a good shot from a penalty at midway. Reds again heeled, but Satherley infringed by offside, and Snodgrass had another futile kick. Play continued on Marlborough's side, with Isherwood playing alertly behind the Red pack. Mahoney secured from a scrum and passed to Guy, who was held up by Washington. Offside in Red 25 gave Snodgrass another chance, which was again ‘Buckley’s, a forcedown resulting. Payne marked a punt and play hung for. a while on Blues’ side of the line. From a Red throw-out there was to much swerve on, and a couple of scrums followed, but Nelson held their ground. Reds then got away, led by Satherley, and were only checked bv Glover. Phillips in possession was pushed in touch. After a scrum and a line-out in Blue- 25, Toone dribbled to halfwav: Isherwood whipped the ball to Hartill, to' Phillips, but “Daddy” fumbled. From a. line out, Barrett and Neiman took the ball to halfway, then Beck to Guy ,to Reed, to Snodgrass, who lost a, try by knocking on when near the line. Mahoney to Guy to Thompson to Reed, who missed. Nelson were playing grandly and delighting the crowd. Snodgrass sent to Thompson, who failed to take it in his stride. Thompson to the fore, and Glover sent to Reed, who tried a. pot that failed. Phillips scooted for the line, and White shot across and Nelson breather again. Thompson to Guy, whose kick was fielded by Mr Chrostie and sent- nicely to touch. A couple of scrums were carried bv Reds, but the Blue fonvards were amongst the Red backs before any damage was done. Betts broke through. Beck picked up anfl passed, but tile taker was offside. Glover fielded one of Phillips’ long kicks, and another from Isherwood went into Kinzett’s arms. Guy accepted the latter’s pass and Reds were pushed back. The defenders heeled out from a scrum and the ball was sent up field to Glover, who for once failed to find touch. Mahoney sent out to Reed, who wriggled through to Marlborough 25. Mahoney, Thompson, Guy to White, who missed, but the rush 'continued, Challies secured, passed to Everett, to Betts, who; scored amidst applause. Snodgrass failed at goal. Nelson 3; Marlborough 0. Play had only been going a few minutes when Hundleby, Marlborough skipper, sustained a wrench, and retired, his place being taken by A. (Walker. A rush by Kartell was stopped by Snodgrass. Phillips centred, Snodgrass snapped up and sent to lieed, who kicked up field., where Aldridge sent to Glover, who found touch. Thompson returned a kick from Payne to Phillips, who made a great touch kick . Nelson started several dangerous movements, which were cheeked by Walker, McChrostie, and Hartell. Guy essayed a pot and Reed missed a couple oj penalties. Offside by Blues, then Satherley, Fawcett, Gill, and Mowatt led the visitors to Blue quarters. Isherwood to Hartell, an exchange of kicks, and Isherwood to Gill, and White eased the pressure on Nelson goal with a powerful kick, and followed up at- a great pace and caught the fullback in possession. After a scrum Challies, Thompson. Guy, and Reed participated in a brilliant movement, the latter- racing behind the posts, but failed to touch down correctly, and the referee gave no try. The incident was another instance demonstrating that Nelson referees are well up in the laws of the game. Inspired by this unexpected escape, Marlborough commenced a. strong rush, which was finally spoilt, by offside. Glover sent- tlie ball to halfway, and Marlborough again hammered away at Nelson goal line, but. Glover’s motto- was “keep off the grass.” A strong Marborough rush was stopped by White, and half-time sounded with the score unaltered. Nelson 3; Marlborough P. On resuming Blues went to Reds’ 25,

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where the latter heeled out from a scrum, but could not clear. Guy to Reed to- Snodgrass, to Reed, who centred. Betts secured, to Neiman, hack to Betts, who got over the line for a well deserved try. Snodgrass’s kick swerved outside tlie upright. Nelson 6; Marlborough 0 Payne, got away, but was soon surrounded.. poison fy'oax tv sebum, Mahoney to Thompson, to - Guy, to Reed, who centred. Reds heeled/ out to Isherwood, to Hartell, to Walker, to Phillips, who went over like a shot amidst tremendous applause. Payno converted. Marlborough 5; Nelson 6 After a scrum at midway. Reds broke away, Washington, Dick, and ; Mowatt being prominent, in a strong ; charge an,| (Hover had another ordel, : but was successful in forcing. Satherly broke through, but the defence was sound. Suodgrass intercepted a pass at halfway and made a hullocking run, i but was overpowered near the line. : Nelson were next to score, Toone picking j up from a rush and going over, Reed ■ converting. Nelson 11 ; Marlborough 5 ! MeChrrstic was the next man to 1 threaten the'Blue line, hut was brought down. 1 hen a Red attack was spoilthv Satherley knocking on when a try was imminent. Mahoney found rotten with a good kick at midway. (Hover initiated an attack and Nelson pressed. McChrostie picked up mil of the ruck and nearly got away. Mahoney to Thompson, hot the next man dropped it. After keen and even play a It b pass to Phillip's spoilt a possible chance for a try, as most of tin Blues arrived as soon. a>- the ball. Walker led a strong attack, and Glover forced in the nick of time. Beck, in attempting a. tackle, sustained an injury to his shoulder and had to leave the field, Woolf replacing him. Walker gained ground from a mark. After more even play Snodgrass made a powerful dash but the odds were too much. The light was now noj, so good, and the visitors’ numbers were ltgd to define. A Red was brought down by (Hover when going for the line, and Snodgrass paid the same attention to Phillips. In a collision Gill received a bad bump in ( the ribs and bad to be replaced, Barry coming on. On resuming, Isherwood whipped the ball to Hartell. to Walker, to Phillips, who again raced over for a lovely try, which was loudly cheered. Payne missed Nelson 11 : Marlborough 8

It was movements like this that Nelson had to look out for, and there is no doubt, that the Blues were very hard to catch napping. Although time was drawing- near, Marlborough still had a sporting chance, and excitement was rife. Nelson looked like -scoring from a- rush, but Aldridge was equal to the occasion. Reds made one last effort, but- Blues found relief from a penalty. The whistle sounded with play in neutral ground. Marlborough: Aldridge: Phillips, McChrostie, Payne ; Hundleby, Hartell; Isherwood'; Gill: Clark, Hounsell, G. Washington, Dick,, Mowatt. Satherley, Fawcett. Reserves, Walke rand Barry. Nelson: Glover; Snodgrass. Reed. White: Thompson, Guy; Mahoney; Beck. Betts, Neiman. Everett. Barrett, Challies, Toone, Kinzett. Reserves, Woolf and Brownlie. Mr Bert Edwards handled a sporting game in capital style. Mr George Johnson again rendered valuable assistance to injured players with first aid. As a curtain-raiser, tlie Pc lor us In the Davis Cup second round 110 - j team fixture was staged. The visitors were no match for Nelson, who won easily by 27 to nil.

FRENCH TEAM IN 1927

WELLINGTON. This Dnv

Flic French authorities have notified that- they cannot, send a Rugby team next year, but will consider the invitation for 1927, when they will be able to send a, fully representative side.