A BLACK VICTORY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 109, 11 May 1931, Page 4

A BLACK VICTORY

WANGANUI AND OLD BOYS A FIELD GOAL. In the Wanganui and Old Boys verso* Pirates encounter the final score of 9 to 4 in favour of the blacks hardly represents the trend of play through out tho match. Pirates had to contest every inch ot ground to gain their lead, and it was a weakness in Old Boys’ defence, close in to the scrum, that let the points pile up. With a re-arranged rearguard. Pit ates were certainly b more fannidable team than that which opposed Kaierau

the week previous C-er allowing foi that, however, one came away from th.., ground with a feeling of disappointmeni in the efforts of the black pack. Old Boys clearly demonstrated that tho will be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses. Their footwork in the tight was mote to the point than

that of the blacks, but tho team, as a whole, lacked the finishing power of the victors. On the day’s play Pirates earned no more than a three-point lead The match opened with a great deal of kicking which ultimately put Old Boys in the black twenty-five. Pirates were struggling to use, their forwards at footwork A rnc.\ e of this nature was blocked by a neat pick-up by O’Brien. Old Boys opened their back.*- . out, only to see Shaw n.nll the pass. Cotterill and Friend challenged Blyth. ’ but were returned to half-way with a i kick to touch. The black van asserted itself and Plank made a dangerous cut- ' in when Duncan sent the line awav. , Francis challenged the goal in a drib- • bling rush, kicking too hard, and en- ■ abling Blyth to dear weakly. Old Boys i stood and watched Duncan run up and ’ take the ball from the throw-in, pass , to Williams who had only to fall over ' the line to score. Gibbons failed with tho pick.—Pirates 3, Old Boys 0. Duncan. Plank, Gibbons* and Lowe , handled, Lowe kicking upfield, leaving a duel to ensue between Watson and , Williams for possession. The ball found tT'uch, closing a dangerous gap for Old , Boys. Gibbons had two unsuccessful shots at goal, and plaj went back to halfway In footwork tho rods wers superior and Pirates elected to give their backs work to do. Tn this they were successful in that Plank was ineffectively marked. Good hooking gn\ p Duncan possession. He passed to Plank, who transferred to Gibbons, to Duncan, who scored. Tho kick failed.—Pirates 0, Old Boys 0. This was the score at half-time. The Second Spell. Old Boys opened the second spell with action by tho backs, tho ball coming from the tight to Adams, to O’Brien, to Shaw, to Gibson. The centre made a nice opening but Watson failed to take, the pass. Play swung across tho other side of the field and an intended clearing kick found Blyth. He transferred to Shaw and a neat drop kick gave Old Boys a field goal.01 d Boys 4. Pirates C Very disheartening play followed, neither team showing to advantage. Old | Boys were using their backs to fair i effect at this stage. Blyth was up in | the thick of it, having moved into tho five-eighth lino. O’Brien going back to the custodianship. The ball camo eleir of the tight to Powell who passed to Bullock-Douglas, fhe winger made good attempt, being taken at tho corner flag. An infringment cost Old Boys hard-earned ground. Shaw tried again to land a field goal. Bullock-Douglas following suit from the return. Both attempts were close but not effective. A mulled ball, let the. black van deeo into red territory, and Dunean let Williams away twice. Soui.d defence kept him at bay. A free kick got Old Boys out of difficulty for the time, but in the succeeding .stages they seemed tn lose life in Hie face of fast attacking by the Pirate backs Uuncan *>nd Plank were a dangerous pair behind the black pack. Their reward came at last when the ball came clear from Duncan, passing through the, whole chain, for Williams to score. Gibbons’ kick missed.—Pirates 9, Old Boys 4. Bullock-Douglas made two hard efforts, getting down the lino at full speed. Poor backing up and a knockon lost the side reward. Tn the last few minutes of the match Powell had a shot at goal from a penalty. The bail appeared to go over, but, in any case, the points would have been lost as •> too-eagcr forward wns well in front. Tho game ended shortly after with the scoes unaltered: PIRATES m WANGANUI & OLE- BOYS .. 4 Mr N. Reid was referee. ’l'hc teams were;— Pirates (black): Smart. Williams, Lowe. Renz, Gibbons, Plank, Duncan, Browr.. Tonics, Stanley, Edwards, Go*tcrill. Francis, Ennis, Friend. Wanganui and )ld Boys (red and black.) Blyth. Watson, Gibson, Bul-lock-Douglas, Shaw, O’Brien, Adams. Wills, Moffat, Me.Lean, Powell, Bird. Brooker, Watson, Neilson. (Players who were in a position to sue state that as the result of Powell’s kick the ball did not cross the bar. Th' 1 referue said that he di! not need E look as there was a player in front).