“Truth" and Fullers' Combined v. The Bookmakers.

NZ Truth, Issue 117, 14 September 1907, Page 3

“Truth" and Fullers' Combined v. The Bookmakers.

■ _ . - ,jf ... - ■ ■ : a natoi*"--^*'-' - ' ■

I '(By "Spearmint. 'V . /

t>uring the week the main, topic of conversation m football, '"'circles has ■been the match which was played at Miramar last Sunday between the above teams. Fully $D 0 people were present, and throughout 'the game excitement was intense. It is a lone; time since the Miramar road was so busy, and all the morning cabs and vehicles of all lcinds' were bearing spectators* to witness the match! Shortly after eleven o'clock the teams took the field as follows : f'Truth" & Fuller's (Colors Green). Full-back : Christopher. . Three-quarters : 'Johnston, Smythe, Mathews.-Five-eighths : Beck and Smythe.Half : A. Harris. Wing : Thompson. '. Forwards' : McColl, Moore. Outrun. Harris, McMah-on.; : Gray, G-at'reli: "Bootmakers (Colors, .White)'.- - - Full-back : Pelham. * . • ' Three-quarters : ST. Walker, A. Law, I. Cowan. : Five-eighths : : W. Law, H. Maiitindale.- --: Half : H. Byrne. Wing : J. Martindale. forwards' H. Scott, R. Law, • W. Millar, - Stelling, Johnston*. Toomer, Hamilton.. McColl skippered - the greens and H. Martindale the Bookmakers. It was decided that, owing to the palpable lack of condition of many of the players that two spells of thirty minutes should be played. The greens started against the sun and wind when McColl kicked off and Byrne returned to touch. From the line-out the Tommies started a ■dribbling rush, but McColl saved by a clever mark. A speedy follow-up spoilt Cowan's return, and the first scrum was formed, but it ended all m favor of the S. P. merchants, who, with the aid of their 16-stone lock, Millar, pushed "Truth" rio-ht over. Byrne next secured possession, and initiated a passing rush, which Johnston aaid Mathews nipped m tbs 'bud by grounding A. Law before he could , pass. . Beck secured the oval, and kicked well un the field, where Millar, marked, and taking the kick himself, had a shot at goal. No score resulted. Soon, after .this kick out from the 25yds, ' Cowan put m a good run, but Mathews sent him up m the air, and the green forwards swooped down the line with the ball at their toe. Law and Pelham were unable to stop their onslaught, and Wongey Gray scored a try. The kick at goal was futile. Cowan dropped out, and Johnston put m a good run clean through the opposing backs, but when he encountered Martindale, he essayed a pot at goal, which struck the bar, and Pelham forced. Millar and Toom,er were both compelled to retire at this stage of the game, and substitutes filled their plaoes. Give and take play followed, and then half-time was called, with the score Truth 3, Bookmakers 0. When the sides changed over, everybody expected "Truth" to overrun the "Rooks," as they had' the wind with them, but the unexpected "happened. This spell was all m favor of the Bookmakers, and the preens .were busily d&fon'd'in'g most oi the time. H ; Martindale put m a great run, and,' when tackled, passed to his brother, who dropped over the line. No goal resulted. There was no further scores, and one of the most exciting games ever played at Miramar ended 'm a draw. The whites had the advantage m iweight, but the green backs were too good, and saved their side time and again by passing rushes m their own 25's. In scrum worik and on jthe line-out, the advantage was with the whites, and m the latter department Scott shone out conspicuously. For the Bookmakers, Martindale, Law, Byrne, and Cowan m the backs, and Scott, Law, and Millar m the forwards were most m evidence. The greens all played well, and it can he truly said 'that there were no passengers. McColl and Moore were towers of strength m the- forwards, and all the backs played well, especially Johnston, whose pace stood him m good stead. So proud were -the greens at making a draw of the game, and recognising; the skipper's, part . m the result, „they gave three cheers • for

him at the conclusion of the 'day. The teams dined together at Maranui, and a pleasant (afternoon was put m on the beach.