RUGBY FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 22 June 1937, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIMEA V. OLD BOYS A DRAWN GAME Once again history repeated itself at Richmond when Waimea, with a scratch team, held Old Boys to a draw. Not even the Waimea supporters would have predicted such a result, but the bustling tactics of the Waimea forwards and the poor display by the Old Boy backs led to this surprising result. In its concluding stages the game became very exciting as both sides made desperate efforts to score the winning points. King made a fine last-minute effort when he came up at top speed from full-back taking a pass from Costello and racing up the touchline, only to be finely tackled by Lovell when u few feet r rom the line, the latter receiving an ear injury which required hospital treatment. The teams were as follows: —Waimea: Fowler: Moore, Craig, O’Connor; Todd, M. Lusty; Brooks; Brown, G. Lusty, Phipps, Lovell, McHarg, McKenzie, Challies, Irvine.

Old Boys: King; Morris, R. Busch, Rowe; Taylor, J. Busch; Costello; Craighead, Cannington, Richards, Niven, Mabin, Dobbie, Burnett, McKay. Waimea kicked off against the strong wind and were soon in difficulties. Busch kicking high to the Waimea 25. where Todd attempted a mark which was disallowed. Waimea forwards headed by Brown rushed play past halfway the ball going to King who kicked over the Waimea line, d force down resulting. Costello sent his backs away but R. Busch kicked to touch in goal. Old boy backs kept up the pressure, R. Busch dodging through in characteristic stlye but his pass went astray.

Again Old Boy backs got going but R. Busch dropped his pass. Mabin dribbled through cleverly but was beaten for the touch down, a force resulting. Waimea forwards led by Lovell and Challies took play to Old Boys’ 25 where Brooks secured from a scrum and found the line near the corner. Brooks received from the line out, and cutting in smartly, nearly scored. Waimea kept up the attack, but M. Lusty dropped a pass and let Old Boys through. A high kick took play to the Waimea 25 where Fowler slipped as he ran to take the ball and a score looked certain, but Brooks raced back and affected a clever save. Old Boys scored their only try when King came up into the three-quarters for a pass, raced down the liiie, and sent the ball in to Costello who dashed across the line to complete a clever movement. King’s kick from near the touchline just missed. Old Boys 3, Waimea nil. Old Boys kept up a hot attack but solid defence by Waimea kept their line clear.

Costello sent his backs away but King was finely tackled by O’Connor. Burnett kicked through, and regaining possession ran to the line where he sent the ball in to another forward who knocked on and lost a certain score.. Play remained near halfway till Richards led the Old Boys forwards to the Waimea line where a fierce tussle ensued till Lovell broke away only to be tackled by King near half way and the spell ended. On resuming Waimea made good use of the wind, Todd kicking high to R. Busch who fumbled but Morris, lying handy, picked up and found the line. Waimea continued to press till R. Busch secured, and cutting through an opening, set sail for the line but Brooks got him, and Fowler returned play to the Old Boys’ 25. Todd punted high and J. Busch’s fumbling put his side in a tight corner till Cannington broke clear and passed to Richards who was well tackled by Fcwler.

Morris made a good run and when tackled by O’Connor sent to R. Busch who cut in smartly and short punted to touch in the Waimea 25. O’Connor at this stage had to go off owing to a knock behind the ear, his place being taken by Gomez. R. Busch made another determnned attempt to score when he raced for the corner, only to be tackled into touch by Fowler a yard from the line. Hard scrambling play followed till Brooks marked outside the 25, and attempted a drop kick which missed the uprights. Old Boys had another narrow escape when Brooks just missed a “pot.” M. Lusty dropped a pass and let Taylor through and Old Boys pressed hard but M. Lusty got his side out of trouble.

R. Busch secured and raced up the line but Gomez got him. Hard play followed near the Waimea line. Costello secured from a scrum and dashed over, but lost the ball, and Waimea cleared. The equalising score came when Rowe was offside in front of the posts near the 25, and Brooks kicked a neat goal. Waimea 3, Old Boys 3. The game ended with a great run up the line by King who was well tackled by Lovell. Mr A. Croucher was the referee. RICHMOND SCHOOL V. REST Prior to the senior game Richmond School played a combined country school team, an interesting game resulting. In the first half Richmond, playing with the wind, put on 8 points, Formosa and Windelborn scoring tries O" of which Formosa converted. In the second half the combined team also scored eight points, making the game a draw. McCarthy scored an unconverted try and just before time McDowell went over, Smith converting with a fine kick from a few yards in from the touchline. The country schools have some good footballers this season and the town v. country match should be a keen contest.