OLD BOYS' TOURNAMENT.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12753, 28 March 1910, Page 4

OLD BOYS' TOURNAMENT.

. THE DEVENISH SHIELD. • . NELSON WINS FIRST MATCH. PLAYS CHRISTCHURCH TO-DAY. Saturday was brilliantly fine for the first match for the Devenish Shield, ivhich is competed for annually by the various Old Boys' Clubs. Nelson were to have played Christchurcb, but owing to the latter being unable to .get here until yesterday : morning ■ they played Wellington. .Wellington had a very good forward team, but thenbacks were very weak. On the other hand Nelson had a good all round team, every man playing a good game, with the result that Wellington were beaten by 23' points to mil. There was a very fair attendance of the public, with- a goodly number of ladies. Wellington won the toss and played with the wind and sun in their favour. Vercoe kicked off and from the first line out the Wellington fonvards , a broke away in fine style, but a Nelson backsaved. Play was -very fast for some time, neither side holding much advantage until the Wellington full back •nulled, and Nelson looked dangerous. Wellington's four big forwards soon broke away again, but Vercoe saved smartly. From a penalty Wellington had an unsuccessful shot at goal. From the lino out. Nelson backs got away and several times went very near to scoring, Ross eventually marking in front of the goal. Vercoe took the kick and landed a beauty. Nelson 3, Wellington 0. Both teams were playing well now, and play was up and down field until half time soundwl, with the score Nelson 3to nil. The Nelson team was altered somewhat for the second spell, Marshall coming from the pack to wing forward, Batchelor taking his place, and Ross Batchelor' s at half. From the kickoif Nelson forwards took command and from a scramble Ross obtained, and the ball passed through the hands of Edmondson,. Sandel, Newton and Vercoe, the latter running <round -and scoring a smart try -near the /corner. He took fche kick himself and pbr~c! .—other good goal: Nelson' B, Wellington 0. From this.to the call of time Nelson seemed to have the-upper hand, the backs giving a good. exhibition of passing, and the forwards more than held their.own. From a line'out Richmond passed back, and the ball pa&sedthrough the Nelson backs. Newton being grassed near the line by the Wellington full backi The Nelson forwards romped over the opposition, and from a loose scramble Akers obtained and got over near the corner. Yercoe took the kick and registered another good goal: Nelson 13, Wellington 0. Shortly after Richmond .received and nearly got over, and being well supported by other Nelson forwards had Wellington ; iied up, and from a poor kick by a Wellington player Pettit "caught and scored near the posts. Vercoe converted: Nelson 18, Wellington 0. From the kick off Nelson again attacked and following a kick by Vercoe Newton looked dangerous, and Marshall was' nearly over. The Wellington forwards broke away and a pretty piece of passing by them carried play to the-Nel-son 25, but a forward pass spoilt what ■looked like a certain try. Nelson backs however, got going again, and Ruahrari was pushed out in the Wellington 25. Nelson continued the attack and Wellington forced. A scrum followed the kick out, and the Nelson forwards hooked smartly to Ross, who passed to Edmondson, on to Sandel, who in turn •passed to- Rarahurij who scored near the posts. Vercoe kicked another good goal : Nelson 23; Wellington 0. Nelson continued to attack narrowly missed Scoring several tames. Vercoe had a pot at goal but was unsuccessful, and continuing to attack Akers nearly scored. The Wellington forwards broke ,away and when time was sounded with the score, Nelson 23, Wellington 0, play was hovering in the Nelson 25. Mr Broad refereed very satisfactorily. •" The Nelson forwards played a rattling good game, especially in tue second spell. Every man played splendidly, and if the Nelson Old Boys could get suolfa'pack in the field for the championship matches they would take a lot o.'fbeating. The backs played wt.ll also, and gave a good exhibition cf passing rushes. Vercoe especiiily was a tower of strength to his side, Lia fielding being good, and his place kicking worth going far to see. The Wellington College Old Boys played well during tho first half, but went to pieces in the second. Their four big forwards were very good. The backs, however, were very woak, Uid did not show to any advahti h :2 rlciuug the whole game.