WIN FOR STRATFORD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 127, 11 May 1936, Page 2

WIN FOR STRATFORD.

VICTORIA PARK MATCH Old Boys Defeated But Not Disgraced. FIRST SPELL EVEN. ■ ■ ■ Stratford defeated United Old Boys in the senior competition game at Victoria Park on Saturday by 22 points to nil. Played in. perfect weather with a slight breeze blowing, the match provided the rather meagre attendance of spectators with bright football in the first spell, but ’after the interval the Stratford forwards took charge and play tightened up. Although Stratford did all the attacking itx the second spell, in which play was almost entirely confined to the Old Boys’ end of the paddock, the final score flattered the victors. Sixteen of their 22 points were secured from kicks and their two tries were both snap efforts scored well on in the second spell. Old Boys’ experiment of bringing Adlam up from full-back to second five-eighths proved. justified, and with McCready in the centre three-quarter position the back, line showed to immensely greater advantage than it did in last Saturday’s game against Tukapa.

The Old Boy«' pack stood up to the redoubtable Stratford forwards well up to the interval, and they saw that their back line got plenty of the ball. Had the backs' handling and passing been a little surer, Old Boys might easily have put on points in the first spell. As it was, their movements, although bright at times, lacked finish and the wing three-quarters did not get many chances, although Cochrane was twice within inches of the. Stratford line. With Sangster back in his old place behind the scrum and McGrath in the second five-eights position, the Stratford line showed better combination than they did in the Inglewood match the previous Saturday, but suffered from the forwards’ reluctance to let the ball out. When they did get away in passing movements the defence always proved adequate. Neither line was crossed up to halftime, the oply score coming from a ’free-kick. Both forward packs made play extremely willing. Heath was the outstanding forward in the Old Boys’ pack, but he was well -supported, and up to the interval there was little to choose between the two packs, although Stratford’s loose rushes, generally with Smith in the van, occasionally had Old Boys in trouble. On resumption, however, Stratford’s greater greater weight and experience began to tell, and Old Boys were unable to keep Stratford out of their territory, so that the score began to mount. Bright football was conspicuous by its absence in the second spell. Stratford forwards preferred to do most of the work themselves, and their backs very seldom came into action. The Old Boys’ line was kept busy kicking out of trouble. . The teams were:— The teams were:— Stratford: Berg; Bowler, Hayman, Ross; 'McGrath; Collins; Sangster; Butcher; Smith, Garlick, Young, Ford, Hinton, Latham.

United * Old Boys: L. Lash; Young, McCready, Cochrane; Adlam, A. Lash; W. Lash; Taylor; Kofoed, Thomson, Murphy, Heath, O’Keefe, Walker, Goodman. The Play Described. From a scrum in the first minute Old Boys ’pack heeled the ball out, hut a dropped pass spoiled the movemepfr and no territory was gained. A free-kick down the centre of the field, enabled Old Boys to advance into Stratford territory. McCready fur-

ther increased this advantage. Stratford backs then got going and Hayman and Bowler took the ball well into Old Boys’ territory. Stratford pack pressed this advantage, but Old Boys eventually fought back to midfield. After a season of willing tight work near the side-line a well-judged kick by Sangster took play hack towards Old Boys’ twentyfive. Stratford were shortly afterwards awarded a free-kick, but Ross failed in his attempt to goal it. From a scrum in midfield Lash got the ball out, but Stratford forwards got possession and Old Boys were pressed hard for a spell. A good linekick by the full-back, L. Lash, eventually got them out of trouble, and Old Boys’ forwards took charge, forcing play into Stratford territory. McCready tried for the line with a long kick, but Berg took the ball cleanly and his return kick bounced into touch in Old Boys’ territory. Smith then led the Stratford pack in a rush, but Adlam saved the situation by finding touch with a free-kick. Stratford forwards continued to press hard. Old Boys’ pack fought back with a will, but were gradually losing groupd until Adlam made a good run down the centre of the field to be stopped close to the twenty-five line.

A free-kick was awarded Old Boys, and Thomson tried a long shot at goaling it, but although the ball went straight between the posts it failed to make the altitude.

Stratford forwards charged down a long pass, but Adlam and McCready saved the day. The ball went out to Stratford backs, but Haymann was stopped and Walker, gaining possession, picked up-fleld. Cochrane followed up fast and was just forced out in the corner. • After some hard scrummaging near the Stratford line the ball was heeled out to Old Boys. Adlam threw a long pass to Cochrane, cutting out McCready, but he failed to take it with a kick into touch.

Stratford forwards wheeled a scrum in m.ldfield, and with the ball at their toes took play well into Old Boys’ territory. McGrath opened the account shortly afterwards by goaling a mark. Stratford 3; Old Boys 0.

Old Boys had rather the better of the play that followed, although Stratford made several excursions into their territory. Lash, Adlam and McCready figured in a passing movement. Cochrane failed to get hold of McCready’s pass, but regained possession from a melee shortly afterwards and nearly got over in the corner. M. Lash tried with a free-kick but the ball fell short. Shortly before half-fime Ross, gaining possession in Old. Boys’ twentyfive, made a short run down the sideline which culminated in his losing the ball to Cochrane, who sidestepped one man and looked like breaking clear away for a runaway try. Sangster just managed to attach himself to one arm. The whistle went with both goallines still intact. Second 'Half. Stratford forwards took charge on resumption and Old Boys were forced back on defence. Following up a high lack by McGrath, they took play close >o Old Boys’ line. From a scrum in this quarter the ball was heeled out to Sangster, who tried t'o force his way over but was smothered. McCrocdy eventually j brought play back to half way with r line kick. Stratford backline got going shortly afterwards but Bowler was well tackled. Old Boys were still penned in their own territory and were in sore straits until an attempted field gcal by McGrath went over the dead ball line and a twenty-five kick eased the position. ■'Old Boys had a. slight territorial advantage for a while but Stratford forwards following up an attempt at goal from a free kick, got on top of Cochrane and forced him to kick into touch within Old Boys’ twentyfive. Old Boys backs saved the situation temporarily but Stratford were 1 soon knocking on the door. Sang-c

ster tried working the blind and Bowler got past Young but was well dumped by L. Lash. After a season of midfield play Ftoqs.' was successful <• in a fnce kick from ten yards inside the half-way mank, Stratford 6, Old Boys 0. McGrath added another three in tjhe same manner shortly afterwards. Stratford’S' rugged forward attack gradually forced Old Boys back towards their line, where Hinton found a weak spot in the defence and tumbled over to score the first try of the match. Ross converted, Stratford 14, Old Boys 0., Collins, McGrath and Haymann made a strong bid for the Old Boys’ goal line. Cochrane | gained possession and kicked up field but Berg took it( nicely and returned the kick. A kick into touch finally got Old Boys out of trouble and a free kick awarded them brought play back to midfield. Stratford forwards charged down the ball as it came out of the scrum to Lash at half back and forced play into Old Boys’ territory. After some hard fighting in this quarter Ross gained possession near the line and shot across. He converted his own try. Stnatford 19,v 0! d Boys 0.

Shortly afterwards Ross goaled with another penalty and the match ended with the score:— Stafford 22, Old Boys 0. Mr C. Pellowe was the referee.