JUNIORS SUCCESSFUL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 June 1939, Page 9

JUNIORS SUCCESSFUL

19 TO 11 AGAINST MARLBOROUGH NELSON BACKS SUPERIOR In a Junior Representative match played at Trafalgar Park on Saturday, Nelson defeated Marlborough by 19 points to 11. The game was hard, both packs of forwards being fairly evenly matched. The Nelson backs were much superior. The fast breaking Nelson forwards bustled the Marlborough backs into making mistakes, and they frequently took their passes standing flat footed.

McDowell, the Nelson captain, played a good game, and he was ably supported by Connolly, Large and Powrie. Bowers at half was at first rather erratic with his passes, but later improved and played a fine game. Hall and Don frequently made penetrating runs and scored good tries.

The best of the Marlborough forwards were, McDonald and Fitz-Ger-ald, while O’Halloran and Robinson were very hard workers. Marlborough were unfortunate in losing their half. O’Dwyer, in the first few minutes of the game and this somewhat disorganised them. Forsyth was the best of the Marlborough backs. The following were the teams:— MARLBOROUGH Full back: Johnson. Threequarters: Stretch. N. Gleeson, Adams. Five eighths: Forsyth (captain), Butt. Halfback: O’Dwyer. Forwards: E. Wratt, Fitz-Gerald, Collins, Robinson, McDonald. O’Halloran, Davidson, Register. NELSON Full back: Kearns. Threequarters: D. McKenzie. Ricketts, Don. Five eighths: B. Hall, Robinson. Half back: F. Bowers. Forwards: Mayers, R. Connolly, PyeSmith, Large, Snook. Powrie, McDowell (captain). PLAY DESCRIBED Stretch kicked off against a slight southerly breeze, and the Nelson forwards carried play to the Marlborough twenty-five, where offside play gave Nelson a penalty, McDowell missing the shot at goal. O’Dwye rwas injured and was replaced by Robinson. An attack t>y Nelson took play to Marlborough’s line, Marlborough forcing. Powrie and Large broke through, a free kick being awarded to Marlborough. Johnson failed to find the line, and Kearns with a long kick, found touch at the twenty-five. From a scrum near the twenty-five, the ball went to Hall, who dribbled through to score well out. Mayers missed with the kick. Nelson 3, Marlborough 0.

Bowers kicked a high one downfield, the full back being caught in possession and Marlborough forced. The Nelson backs took play inside Marlborough’s twenty-five where from a scrum Bowers worked the blind side nicely, passing out to Don who dived over near the corner. McDowell failed to convert. Nelson 6, Marlborough 0. From a free kick Marlborough attacked, and Forsyth snapped up a loose pass and made a determined run, but was forced out at the corner. A period of ragged play followed, during which Nelson caused Marlborough many anxious moments. McDowell missed with a penalty from well out, Marlborough forced.

From a loose ruck Bowers sent the ball to Robinson, who passed to Don. the winger running strongly down the side line to be grounded short of the line. From the line out Bowers set his backs ir action but Hall threw away a try by retaining possession too long. Nelson con 4i nued to attack and nearly Scored wher Ricketts followed a rolling ball over the goal line, and was beaten for the ball by Johnson. Davidson took play into Nelson territory and Marlborough had Nelson penned down on. their line until half time. BRIGHT PLAY IN SECOND HALF The game brightened up somewhat in the second half, Marlborough taking play to Nelson’s line, where offside play by Nelson under the posts gave Marlborough a penalty which Davidson put over. Marlborough 3, Nelson 6. Forsyth put Marlborough on attack by cutting through and stab kicking, but Kearns found touch. O’Halloran took play to ten yards from Nelson's line the ball going to Forsyth who battled his way over for a try. Davidson. with a good kick, converted. Marlborough 8, Nelson 6. A period of spirited play followed. Nelson pressing hard. Bowers started a good back movement but a penalty kick

1o Marlborough brought them relief. Nelson forwards continued to press and Bowers picked up from a loose ruck and forced his way over near the posts. Mayers converted. Nelson 11, Marlborough 8.

A back movement by Nelson brolce i down and Stretch speculated down- j field, Ricketts going down on the ball. Marlborough threw the ball around and | nearly got over. Nelson forwards took the play downfield to inside Marlborough’s twenty-five. Bowers secured from a loose ruck, threw a perfect pass out to Ricketts, who went over in the corner for a try. McDowell missed with the kick. Nelson 14, Marlborough 8. Don kicked through to Johnson who failed to find the line. Hall fielded the ball and passed to Ricketts who was forced out a few yards short of his objective. Forsyth broke through and kicked well downfield, Kearns saving. Marlborough again pressed and were awarded a penalty kick which D*avidson put over. Marlborough 11, Nelson 14 Nelson staged a back movement which broke down, and from a scrum in Marlborough territory Bowers sent the ball to Hall who beat the opposition to score near the posts. Mayers converted. Nelson 19, Marlborough 11. The final whistle sounded with Marlborough attacking. The final score was* Nelson 19, Marlborough 11. Mr L. Gragg (Blenheim) was the referee.

SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Results of championship matche: played in Nelson on Saturday were:— JUNIOR Rival 5. College 3. THIRD GRADE Nelson 6, Waimea 0. Rivals 11, College B 8. College A 35, Old Boys 3. FOURTH GRADE Nelson 6, College C 0. College A 34, Rival 0. College B 14, Waimea 13. GOLDEN BAY RESULTS SATURDAY’S MATCHES Results of Golden Bay Rugby on Saturday were as follows: Colling Wood 14, Golden Bay 11. Tarakohe 26, Pirates 3. .