RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7566, 12 May 1919, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE OPENING GAMES

JLD BOYS DEFEAT MARIST

BROS

The Wanganui Rugby football seascn opened on Saturday in glorious weather. The attendance at the "Rec" was good, principal interest being' centred in the senior game, Old Boys and Marist Bros., which ended in a win for the former by 6j points to 3. I As an exhibition of Rugby it was i irankly disappointing, and was a scramble relieved by occasional good bits of individual play. Neither side showed any combination—tho winning factor in Rugby—but allowance must «be made for a first game, and it is certain both teams will greatly improve as the season gees on. It was by no means a dull game, both sides put up a very strenuous figttt, and in the closing stages the fluctuating fortunes of the respective sides vere followed by the spectators with j keen interest and occasional excitement. The teams took the field as under: ' Old Boys.—Backs: Rowe, Mitchell, Ross, Strachan , Dames, Palmer, Svenson. Forwards: Anderson, Bennett, Alabaster, Earles, Weekes, Parker, Fleming, Green. Marist Bros.—Backs: Reed, Mutu, Summers; Quirk, Corliss, Greener, Tuffln. Forwards. Briggs, Haydon, Hogan, Connop, Molan, Quink, OSuannessey, Carroll.

THE PLAY,

Old Boys (blue) kicked off, and Marist Bros, (blue and black) promptly invaded their opponents' hclf. Play .was fast and scrambling, Marist making it a forward game, bvenson made a couple of efforts to open the game up but Dames' handling was very faulty. Rush ' and counter-rush was the order of the day, and it quickly proved that in Reed and Rowe the respective sides were well served at full back. Palmer led the blues well into the Marist half where the defenders conceded a penalty, but the shot went astray and Marist forced.

Following the resumption of play the Marist forwards came away with the ball and carried ;t over the blues' lh.e, but Rowe managed to force. Marist kept up the pressure and Rowe earned applause by a clever save after side stepping through a bunch of charging I opponents—the brightest gleam in a drab display up to this stage. Marist, after a resultless penalty shot, kept up a sustained attack on the blues' line, and Corliss an.! Quirk in turn were almost over, the good quality of a portion of the latter's jersey plus a strong handgi.j. by a blue on it saving a certain three points. Half-time came without score.

Soon after the resumption of play Old Boys drew first blood with a very spectacular try by Dames. Marist were on the attack 'when Svenson kicked down the field. Reed, the Marist custodian,, was handicapped with an injured leg, and before he could retrieve the ball, Dainea, following fast, kicked past him. The blue five-eighth steadied himself cleverly, picked up cleanly; and- then rai in. between the posts unopposed to the accompaniment of cheers from the Old Boys' supporters. No goal followed and the score read: Old Boys ........... 3 Maris Bros. .. ; 0 The blues came again and kept Marist hard on the defence, From the ruck Palmer wriggled through cleverly and right on the line passed to Parker, who dived across. He failed with the shot. Old Boys .......... 6 Marist Bros . .. o Urged on by their suppotrers Marist made a big effort to pull the game out of the fire, and their backs commenced to throw the ball about. From a scrum Tuffin passed to Greener, who cut a couple of the blues out and sent to Corliss. The latter did not get che ball away cleanly, but Summers recovered it, and with a good burst of speed scc-.J fairly wide out. The points were not added , and the score was Old Boys 6 Marist Bros • • 3 The game was fast and*exciting in the latter stages. On one occasion from a cross kick by venson an in- i fringement alone stopped Old Boys from scoring. The blues, however, had to fight hard to maintain their lead, and they, owed a lot to Palmer, who was the best back on the ground.' Both sides resorted to the high kick and follow up tactics. The end came without alteration in the scores. Mr. Williams was a mo3t capable referee.

OTHER RESULTS

JUXIOES

Old Boys 13 v. Technical College 3. Aramoho 25 v. Marist Bros. 0.8. 0, Kaierau 10 v. Pirates 0.

THIRD GRADE. , Old Boys 3 v. Pirates 0.

FOURTH GRADE

Queen's Park Old Boy* 2o v. Technical C. 0. • "