THE LEAGUE GAME.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12889, 21 July 1913, Page 3

THE LEAGUE GAME.

EASTERN DEFEATS CITY. EASTERN WINS/THE CLP. l Oii Cook's Gardens on Saturday tneio took place the game which de"citied who were to hold the League Ui.ampion.snip for the next year Eastern and City met, and-sEastcrn won. i ™ I f tcn was played-in drizzling rain, and the ground was accordingly in a very slippery state. The tnee.mg between Eastern and City in die cup final wh.-, expected to prove an exciting contest. So it would have been had the elements been favourable, but even under the existing circumstances the game was of such a nature that the attention of the spectators was held ricrht through. Neither team could show at its best, but they made the game willing, and oh occasions there was fine individual play. An exchange qf lucks and even play marked the opening stages of the game. , City were the first to show out in a big effort to score. From a scrum, the ball went to Callaghan^Gibson, King, and on to Brown, but Williams speculated and returned,the ball to neutral around. City swept down again in a ■ loose rush, from which Gibson, with the ball at his toe, broke away, got past Williams, and, racing for the line, managed to fall on the ball. Callaghan missed an easy shot—€ity ■3, Eastern 0. JPwice Gibson tried to repeat the trick. Williams proved to be equal to the occasion the first time, but in the second effort Gibson kicked over the ' full back's head, and had Siddells not raced back and forced he would assuredly havo scored again Eastern now < began to assert themselves Fast following up a high kick, Ruscoe was rushing down on Utiku when .the latter took the ball well and dodged the big fellow. City were relieved, the ball going to Gibson, who cut down the line. Coleman got him, but thy ball had been passed to Julian. Julian, however, lost tho oval, Siddells kicking out at his own quarter-line. Eastern forced their way down, and then from near halfway Siddells had a shot at goal, and by a fine effort made the score City 3, Eastern 2. From a scrum in City's territory, Siddells made a big effort to get over the line, but King stood in the way. For the rest of the spell Eastern had the better of things. Siddells had two shots at the goal, but missed. On resuming, Eastern at once got busy. Thomas broke awny, but was collared. Siddells got in a 'good run. but Gibson got him, then marked and relieved. Turu, Ruscoe and Thomas did | good work in turns for Eastern in attacking, while Williams effected a good save and got in a, useful run as well. A vigorous attack by Eastern resulted in Frank Collis scoring. Siddells kicked p. beautiful goal—Eastern 7, City 3. Eastern kept up the pressure, and from a free-kick near half-way Siddells added two more points, making the score —Eastern 9. City 3. Spurred on, City took play to Eastern's quarters, where for infringements two free kicks were awarded. The first was an easy one. but Callaghan missed. . Csa.lla.ghan was "off" place-kicking on Saturday. The next free kick was entrusted to Mitchell, and tho ball was safely piloted over— 9-5. Fast and exciting play followed, after this. Turu marked'before City's goal, and Siddells made the score 11-5. Thoro was no more scoring, though City kept up a strong attack right to tho end of tho spell. Mitchell attempted to kick, another goal, but a good effort just failed. Mr. O'Farrell refereed in his usual efficient manner.