BANKS EMERGE VICTORS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 19 August 1939, Page 9

BANKS EMERGE VICTORS

ANNUAL MATCH WITH PUBLIC ! SERVICES free and easy rugby at park | In the annual match between Banks ! cncl Public Services at Trafalgar Park i for the Vincent Cup, Banks ! emerged the winners by 5 points to 3. < Heavy rain had made the ground treacherous. There was a fairly large crowd to witness this combat de force. The teams were:— Services—Simson (Stamp Duties), Costello (Customs), Apperley (Public Trust). Mclntyre (State Fire), Lewis (Lands and Survey), Skyring (Public Trust). Preece (State Advaces), Hazledon (Social Security), O’Boyle (Public Works). Stewart (Public Works), O'Keefe (Public Trust). Ferguson (Slate Advances), Roberts (Government Life). Davy (State Advances), Richards (Land and Deeds). Banks. Wade, Reeves. Johnston, • Wills. Common. Hay, Laing. Mac Gibbon (back row), Mabin, Scott. Hill. Dobbie, Fantham, West, Salisbury. PLAY DESCRIBED Public Services kicked off. and the game of the year had commenced. Soon the clean jerseys and shorts were soiled in the flying mud. In turn each side attacked valiantly, but to no avail. By sterling play Public Services rattled the Banks' who had to force several times. On and on the struggle went and still no score, until at last the welcome halftime whistle sounded. The second spell opened willingly, Public Services attacking. A scintillating run by Davy for Public Service and a grubber kick downfield gave Hazledon who was following up fast a chance which he seized with both hands, and dived across to score. Roberts failed to negotiate the uprights with the leather, due no doubt to some extent to the missiles hurled at him and the ball by the opposition. Stung by this reverse Banks rallied j their forces and strove hard to make i up the deficit, only to be repulsed, and Public Services were awarded a free kick which Roberts failed to pilot over the crossbar. Play was held up at this stage to render first aid to the referee’s whistle. Banks attacked again and were awarded a penalty in a handy position. Laing’s kick, which was a good one, hit the post, and Mabin following up fast caught the opposition napping and pounced on the ball to

score the equalising points. Laing piloted the leather safely between the uprights to put Banks ahead. Excitement ran high as Public Services strove to reduce the lead, but all their efforts were in vain and Banks staved them off until the final whistle, with the score reading: Banks 5, Public Services 3. Mr N. S. Tankersley officiated as whistle-blower.