BRIGHTER RUGBY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12951, 16 May 1935, Page 5

BRIGHTER RUGBY.

ATHLETIC BEAT BALLANCE 11—3. TWO SERIOUS INJURIES. , In perfect weather yesterday the i Athletic and Ballance senior teams r met on the Showgrounds in the presence of the largest crowd seen there todate and the exhibition ot football, for so early in the season, was particularly bright. Athletio won out by 11 points to 3, the game being played at a fast clip from beginning to end. It was not till the last spell that the town team asserted a slight superiority, the Ballance fifteen putting up a splendid all-round showing, completely justifying their elevation to senior status. They missed the steadying influence of Percy Humphrey in the rearguard, whereas Athletic fielded their strongest side to date, the first appearance of Mc-Sherry (who dislocated a shoulder at practice) making a world of difference to the back line. Both sides threw the ball about briskly and many good attacking movements were enjoyed. The forwards were fairly well matched, Ballance heeling, however, from the preponderance of set scrums. There were practically no weak links in either chain but players who caught the eye most were perhaps MeSherry, Russell Mills, Cooper, Claude Harvey, Vile and Bruce Taylor in the town team, and Malcolm Harris, Wolland. Johnny Corkill (till injured), Gordon Harris, Davis, Bremner and Atkinson in the Ballance side. TWO PLAYERS HURT. The game was played in a fine sporting spirit yet two unfortunate accidents of a serious nature occurred. Early after the commencement of the match Alec Mills, the Athletic and Bush rep. centre, had the knuckle on his right thumb badly dislocated, the bone protruding right through the flesh, and it could not be re-set until an anaesthetic was administered in the Pahiatua Public Hospital last night. Soon after the second spell opened Johnny Corkill, the promising young Ballance half-back, was tackled and in falling fractured a leg just above the knee. He sat on a stretcher for the rest of the game to see it out and was conveyed to the Public Hospital afterwards for an X-ray this morning. Alec Mills will be out of action for three weeks or so, which is bad luck for Athletic and the Bush rep. team, while Corkill will no doubt be on the bank for the remainder of the season. HOW THE SCORES CAME. The teams lined out as under:— Athletic- (green and black) : G. Hodgson, R. Mills, A. Mills, B. Alurch; J. H. MeSherry (1), S. Cooper (2) : J. Mahungay B. Olsen, Bruce Tailor. N. Morgan, T. Murphy, Claude Eft-rvey, H. Vile, COlin Harvey and R. Day. 1 Ballance (yellow and black) : D. Wolland; E. Holdaway, S. Holdaway, N. House; M. Harris (1), G. Harris (2); J. Corkill, G. Atkinson, B. Hancock, C. Dinan ; C. Davis, Watt, G. Day, J. Bremner and M. Jensen. Ballance kicked off fro-m the south and stax-ted a passing bout, Alec Mills grabbing Gordon Harris as he tried to break through. Jensen carried on till dragged down and an infringement gave greens a chance to work to the Ballance 25. Claude Harvey passed to Mahunga at the end of a line-out and the hacks opened but Cooper hung on and a likely chance went begging. Russell Mills crosskicked dangerously and the greens chased it over the goal-line but the hall went out behind a second before they- got to it. Vile set his backs moving but the Ballance defence held. J. Corkill kicked down to Alee Mills who was caught in possession, his team mates packing round. Corkill kicked through and was up to take the ball in his stride. He had the defence at sixes and sevens and slung a pass in to- Malcolm Harris who hurled himself at the goal-line and dived over in the arms of a tackle for a great try. Corkill's kick failed to rise -. Ballance 3 Athletic 0 This roused the greens and the forwards made an onslaught into the visitors’ 25 where yellows had to defend desperately and Tom Murphy broke through, Malcolm Harris; diverting the rush smartly. On their own 25 the town backs opened and gained forty yards. Cooper centred and March tore up but had so much pace on that he knocked it on. Keen following up by the .Ballance boys sent the. greens back to defend, Hodgson clearing with a. brilliant punt which bounced out fifty yards upfield on the visitors’ 25. Johnny Corkill made a run but selfishness robbed his side of a possible try. Play swung back and the green backs opened. Alec Mills stooped to pick up a low pass and an opponent must have knocked b.is hand, dislocating the thumb, which will put him out of the game for three weeks Harrison went on in the forwards and Colin Harvey dropped into the backs. Athletic pressed hotly and there was a scrum in the yellow 25. The sphere came out on the. blind side and C laude Harvey kicked ahead into the corner. Russell Mills was after it and the hall bounced nicely into his arms for the winger to drop over and score wide out Russell Mills’ shot at goal just failed: Ballance 3 Athletic 3 In his own 25 Malcolm Harris cut through strongly and drew the de-

fence. MeSherry and Russell Mills closed on him near the side-line and Harris lost possession but Holdaway picked up and broke through Hodgson’s tackle only to be pushed out a few yards from the line. Athletic worked clear. MeSherry set his backs moving and Cooper cut clean through brilliantly, running diagonally to the full-back and handing to Taylor who was backing up well. The latter’s pass to Murch on the wing was a fraction low and Murch failed to get hold of it otherwise a certain try would have been added to round off a clever move The interval came with the score still: Ballance 3 Athletic 3

Corkill was grabbed in possession on resuming and Harvey and Olsen dribbled for the line. In the excitement of the moment Olsen collared Johnny Corkill and in falling Corkill seriously injured his right leg above the knee. He was taken off on a stretcher. Bremner came out of the pack to play half lor Ballance and they carried on with a forward short. Play went on with Athletic pressing. They were aw T arded a free kick, George Hodgson missing the shot at goal from an angle. Yellows swept to the opposite end, catching Hodg,son in possession and Malcolm Harris made a good run on the blind side, his pass out, however, going astray. The Ballance backs started a passing rush and Gordon Harris shook off Cooper and cut through passing to Spence Holdaway, who dashed for the line, only just being held up by Hodgson. Mahunga worked the blind w r ith MeSherry who sent Russell Mills off. The latter was held up and Mahunga secured again, handing out to Claude Harvey who battered his way to the goal-line, only to lose possession in falling and see Ballance force. Greens stuck to it and the vanguard broke through. Herb Vile secured and clapping cxn the pace, literally forced his way across in The arms of a tackier for a brilliant try which Russell Mills had no difficulty in converting. Athletic 8 Ballance 3 Dinan came on at this stage to make up the full complement for Ballance. Bruce Taylor led a footrush, Wolland diverting it smartly. Near half-way Mc-Sherry worked the blind side to feed Russell Mills and the big winger set off at top. He brushed through two tackles and swerved to break past the tackle of full-back Wolland and touch down for a brilliant solo try. His effort at conversion went very close: Athletic 11 Ballance 3 The town players were warming to it now and some pretty passing rushes were seen. Cooper, Murphv and Colin Harvey dribbled through to> the line, and M. Harris cleared. Gordon Harris and Bowse gained ground for yellows. MeSherry cut through and passed in to Vile on to lay lor who punted, ahead and the sphere rolled out near the visitors* line. Olsen made a good dribbling run in the loose but Davis and Bremner retaliated with a footrush which cleared well for Ballance. Time came with the score still: Athletic 11 Ballance 3 Mr W. Da wry refereed. ATHLETIC THIRDS WIN. _ Athletic journeyed to Eonim yesterday and defeated the country fifteen by 19 points to nil. Konini, with the sun behind them in the first half, held the greens well but in the second half Athletic piled on the score. The majority of Konini players are very young but played well against a much more experienced team. At half-time the score was s—O in Athletic’s favour, from a try by “Snowy” Kershaw and converted by Vibert. In the second half Noel Gosford crossed twice, V. Wilton and E. Lucas also gaining one try each. Vibert managed to convert one of these, the game ending 19—0. Greens are now getting into their strido but lack the finish so essential to good football and some good solid -practice would vastly improve their combination. Mr M. Crane refereed the game. MAN G A TAIN OKA JUNIORS. The Mangatainoka junior team to play United, at Konini, on Saturday at 2 o’clock, sharp is as follows: Kerriscn, Eoster (2). Vaughan, Matthews, Cavanagh (2), Wright, Scott, Aanensen, Eckert, EJlmers, Robertson, Dick, Hannah and Gardiner. Players are to meet at the Mangatainoka store at 1 o'clock sharp. Last Saturday the Mangatainoka juniors defeated Hukanui 3—o <d try by the* captain, A. Dick). Mr Bond refereed and there was a much improved attendance ext spectators.