RUGBY GREAT GAME BY OLD BOYS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22934, 3 July 1944, Page 3

RUGBY GREAT GAME BY OLD BOYS

One-Point Win Over Zingari Makikihi Beats Star Old Boys played a great game at Fraser Park on Saturday to beat Zingari by 6 points .to 5 in a match which, until the second halt, looked like becoming a walk-over for Zingan. The other game in the South Canterbury Rugby Union’s senior competition was played on Manchester Park, Waimate, and resulted in a wm for Makikihi over Star by 3 points to 0. Brains Beat Brawn The brains and speed of Old Boys beat the brawn and strength of Zingari on No. 1 ground at Fraser Park on Saturday. Old Boys kicked off with a strong wind and the sun behind them, but did not impress m the first half. Apart from the halfback, A. Morrison, and the first fiveeighth, W. Pratt, the handling of the Old Boys backs was poor. In spite of their advantage in weight and strength, the Zingari forwards were continually beaten in the scrums and Ime-outs. Plav ranged up and down the length of the’ field’,. but Old Boys, each time Zingari threatened to go over, saved with good kicks which were assisted by the wind. W. Edgeler, the Zingari half-back, made a great impression, getting the ball out to his backs at every opportunity and on three occasions dummying his way through the Olil Boys backs with ease. The Blues were on the atttack when D. Brookland raced down the line and handed to P. Hasselberg, who scored. E. Hornbrook’s kick fell short. Halftime sounded with the score: Old Boys 3, Zingari nil. On the resumption of play Zingari, with the wind behind them, bore down on the Blues but a free-kick to the latter saved them. Edgeler dummied through, gaining a big piece of territory, but Old Boys forced. From the 25 kick Hornbrook and Pratt went right through the Red-and-Yellow pack with the ball at toe, and from a melee on the Zingari line Hornbrook went over. His kick was wide. Two Old Boys players went off as casualties within a minute. Zingari kicked and followed up, S. Hobbs leading his forwards in a number of charges down the field. He proved himself a fine forward and went over the line with two Old Boys men hanging on. One of them beat him to force. J. Bryant, the Zingari full-back, was also a conspicuous player and he- should be given a chance at first five-eighth. His handling and kicking were a treat to watch. Edgeler fooled the Blues again and went over for a well-deserved try. S. McWhirter converted. Zingari made determined attempts to increase their score, but each time they came close to the Old Boys line they infringed and the penalties gave Old Boys relief. The Blues held Zingari off until the final whistle, which found Zingari deep in Old Boys territory with the score: Old Boys 6, Zingari 5. Mr L. K. Murray was referee. Last Minute Win Makikihi defeated Star by three points to nil in a match at Waimate. Playing conditions were not the best, as the ground was on the greasy side and difficulties existed in the soft going as well as handling the ball. The only score of the game was secured just before the final whistle. The Makikihi backs from the outset tried to open up the game, but lack of practice and combination caused (.he failure of many promising movements. Poor handling also contributed to negative results. Both sides attacked when opportunity presented itself, and the play, especially in the final spell, was keen and interesting. Several determined attempts to score were made by Star in the early stages of the game, but the Makikihi defence held. There was not a great deal of difference between the two packs, and Ivey was prominent in Star's attacks. Star placed a young fourth-grade player at half-back, and he gave a good account of himself. Collins, on st least three occasions, almost succeeded in opening Makikihi’s scoring. Barlow was prominent in Makikihi’s defence.

Both sides gained territorial advantage in turn, and play became more exciting toward the close with intensification by both teams of efforts to score. Bryce, Fox., Murray and Cagney were always in the thick of the Makikihi attack. Star forwards were playing a sterling game, and they stormed the Makikihi line repeatedly. Morton, who had been injured earlier but continued, made a grand attempt to score, but it was not. until a little later that Collins topped off a passing rush to secure the only try of the game. Both sides were ‘playing hard football when time was called. Mi- D. Mackay was referee. Results- of lower grade matches played on Saturday were: Third Grade Celtic 20 v. Zingari nil. Fourth Grade Zingari 3. Celtic nil. School A 3, School B 3. Fifth Grade School A 18 v. Star nil.