WANGANUI (0) PIRATES (8)

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12258, 5 July 1909, Page 8

WANGANUI (0) PIRATES (8)

Heavy rain marred gocd football on Saturday, the game degenerating into n scramble in tho mud, there being verylittle scientific work introduced. The attendance was very poor, the bad weather making it impossible for one to get to tho grounds comfortably. From a spectator's point of view, the gauio. was not of an exciting nature, the wet ball making it difficult for.the playei-s to handle tho leather ivith any degree of accuracy. Wanganui were without the services of Lambert, whose absence made a great deal of difference to their pack. Pirates, if anything, were much the stronger, seeing that Mitchell, Irwin, and Seeling were in the tram, making it more like last year's victorious team. Pirates won the toss, Southcombo kicking off for Wanganui against a strong wind to Irwin, who failed to take cleanly, the ball going out near Pirates' 2a. From the throw-in, the oval was booted on to Corby, who also mulled, but Coe saved a. try by forcing. Pirates then, retaliated with a ■ strong rush, which was stopped by Bignell, who kicked ont in the nick of time, although his kick, was very poor. Another hard Pirate rush was again stoplied by Bignell, whose k':ck gained more ground for the Blacks than it did for his own side. From the-'throw-in Aiken secured, and broke away, but Abbott took cleanly and kicked cut in Wanganui's 2-5. Pirates then by a scries of close throw-ins began to fores their wav gradually up towards Wan garni i's line. Beckett was then noticeable for good rush, stepping, although- being -forced tr> carry the ball out several times. Two or three scrums then followed in midfield, neither side having much advantage. Pirates, however, had tho better of the last one, kicking upfield to Wanganui's 25. A hard Pirate rush saw the ball beat Bignell, who recovered, however, but was tackled by Prideaux and Abbott, before he could kick. Several scrums again followed, about half-way, Pirates gaining the advantage, placing them in a better attacking position A scrum in front of the t>osts saw Mitchell head a straggling rush, and score near tho uprights. Coe kicked a go-cd goal. Pirates 5, Wanganui nil.

Southcombe kicked to Mitchell; who returned with a long kick to Campion, who returned to Corby, who mulled, and Campion, following v- hard, kicked out near Pirates' 25. A rush by Pirates Diistin in tlje Jeid, saw BigneJl mni'k, saving the position."'; From the resultant kick, Aiken and1 -Cummins headed a rush for the Pirato' line,' but Dow stopped further hostilities' by fielding cleverly and kicking. Not;to be denied however, the same two- were responsible for another di-ibblihg"'rush towards the Pirate line ,but Cummins over-ran the ball, and got off-side; a free kick being awarded to Pirates L. Campion took Abbott's kick well and returned to half way. Aiken again was noticeable in thn van of another Red and Black rush, but Coe speculated up field to Atkinson, who passed to C; Campion, who tcok a bad pries wellj and kicked out, even as ho was tackled. A counter Pirate rush saw a good chance : lost through Mitchell dropping, Aiken, Atkinson and Brown heading a rush into Pirate's territory. Beckett marked, Southcombo having a shot. Gcod work by Southcombe and Campion was spoilt through Aiken being off-side, Abbott having a frre kick. L. Campion missed, but his brother, fielding, caved what looked a certain score for Pirate?. Coo "and Pricleaux then led a further rush to Wangatmi's lino, but Bignell saved, kicking out in his own 25. A good rush by Langridge taw the latter kick too hard, Smith paving by kicking cut near half-way. Ross, however, broke awny again, Seeling .stopping that tco. Langridge again got away", but was unsupported, Smith caving with a long kick up field. Soeling stopped a strong Wanganui rush, Pr<deaux replying with a long kick up field. Wanganui then came back with a dribbling rush, Northover being prominent. Ccc failed to stop Beckett, but the Pirate player managed to get round Beckett, and, after a pretty run, put the ball out at half-way. Coe shortly afterwards made a desprrate attempt to get over, but Bignell forced in time. Corby was then noticeable for an atteilipt to score, but was he'd up on the line.

The first spell ended leaving Piratas with a five point lead, but with a heavy wind to face in the second, and it seemed nrobablo that Wanganui would run on several points before the game was over. The Blacks had had the better of the play, if anything, in the firstspell, but it seemed that they would have to play much better if they desired to keep Wanganui from scoring. The Red and Barks were confidently expected by their supporters to put up a, good fight, and would ultimately prove the winners. However, it seemed that they played the wrong kind of game, r.s Pirates made the game open, even in their.own 25, whilo Wanganui kept the ball close right through, which undoubtedly was a mistaken policy. Seeling kicked off for Pirates, Beckett taking and kicking cut. A. Wanganui dribbling rush was well stopped by Mitchell, but from the throw-in Atkinson and Ross broke away, but a""scrum was ordered through the former knocking mi in attempting to field the ball. Abbott then cleverly e>topr>ed a Red and Black rush, kicking to half-way. The resultant throw-in saw Mitchell aawl Ccc break away, and they were almost over, but a scrum was ordered five yards out. From in front of the posts', Aiken dashed away, clearing the Wanganui lines. From another scrum* about midfield, Corby mado a hard try to geftover, but was grassed by Campion in the nick of ;fcime. The foimer passed on.to. Abbott, 'who ran -round the opposite'way to which Corby had come, eluding as ho. d:d so th? tackles of several Wanganui

players, and carried out in the_ danger zone of Wanganui. Aiken and Cummins were again responsible for clearing the Red and Black lines. Shortly'after on© of tho prettiest pieces of play seen in Wanganui for tome t:mo was witnessed. From a scrum within ten yards of Waiigunui's jroal, Dow got possession and passed tr» Mitchell, who gathered in a most difficult pass, raced downfield, Completely fool(Kl the Campions and South combo as to what he intended to do, both of whom were waiting for him to pass to Abbott. The Black fiveeighth, however, ran straight on, and when on the point of being tackled by Bignell, sent the. ball on to Abbott, who raced over unopposed and scored behind the p~sts. Coe's shot missed. Pirates 9, Wanganui nil. No further scoring was done, the gamo simply becoming a scramble, Wanganui making it as tight as possible when open play was the better game, and Pirates left the field level with Kaierau for tho championship.