AN UPHILL STRUGGLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 145, 22 June 1931, Page 4

AN UPHILL STRUGGLE

TECH. OLD BOYS SNATCH A WIN. KATANA LOSE EAKLY LEAD. Not until within five minutes of the final whistle did Technical Old Boys snatch victory in their match at Katana against the Katana fifteen, and there were some tense moments before the is sue was placed beyond doubt. All the points to the credit of the winners were scored by their . centre threequarter, Dennis, who notched a try and converted it, following up that per-

formauce with a neat field goal. This placed the visitors three points in the I lead, Tamou and Meremere having scored tries for Katana without their efforts being improved on. Played on a rather greasy ground, the match was one which kept a comparatively largo crowd of spectators keyed up to concert pitch from the initial kick-off until the final whistle went. It was cleanly contested in a fine sporting spirit, play being often hard but never actually rough. I The teams were as fellows:— i Technical Old Boys. —O’Keeffe; Benz, Dennis, Briscoe; Koberts, Beid; Peek; L. Stewart; Tasker, Bassett, Fowler, Whyte, Atchison, Signal, Marshall. latana.—Taiaroa; Paki, Meremere, Wall; P. Potaka, R. Potaka; Tamou; Pairama; Whale, Bawhiti, Bennett, Tele, Henare, Uruangina, Hauparoa. Winning the toss, Technical Old Boys elected to play “downfield,” but there was no advantage so far as the breeze was concerned. Play was fairly even in the opening stages, with Technical Old Boys having just a little the better of the game. A passing rush was stopped through a knock on, and again this infringement pulled Technical Old Boys up a couple of minutes later when they were right in front of the Katana goal. The defence held, however, and the home team managed to work back to half-way. i From here another attack was launched i by Technical Old Boys and they swept down on the Katana line, only for offside to prevent what appeared likely to , be the opening try. Katana had a turn ; on attack and looked dangerous for a ■ time, but just in time O’Keefe cleared to half-way, where a free kick was ■ awarded Technical Old Boys and eni abled them to invade Katana territory. ; Back came the Katana forwards, and when they elected to take a scrum back . for an infringement they were within | [ striking distance of the Technical Old j Boys* line. The defenders obtained pos-I . session and kicked through to half-way.

At this stage the visitors had the upper hand but Ratana defended stoutly. A free kick enabled Technical 0.8. to adopt up and under tactics but Paki marked in tho face of the fast-follow-ing forwards. His kick was charged down but the Ratana forwards packed round and tho danger was averted. The visitors were still attacking but an infringement in the. Ratana twenty-five enabled the defenders to clear. From tight play at half-way Technical Old Boys got right through but Ratana forced. A scrum saw tho lighter Tech, pack pushed back and play settled down at half-way. A sudden Ratana attack saw Technical Old Boys force. Tho pressure was maintained and from a scrum near tho line tho ball was siting out to S. Paki, who ran 20 yards, drew his man and transferred to Pairama. The latter passed to Tamou, who flung himself over to score a fine try. Potaka failed to improve the score.—Ratana •!; Technical Old Boys 0. Shortly after, when attacking strongly. Technical Old Boys were awarded a free kick within fairly easy distance, but failed to profit thereby.* Then the visiting forwards dribbled down to the corner but were repulsed and Ratana had a turn on attack. It was not for long, however, and Briscoe had a splendid run down the sideline, only to shortpunt into the defenders’ hands, (live and take play followed until the whistle went for half-time. In the second spell Technical Old Boys, with a leeway of three points to make up, were also handicapped by having to play “uphill.” Ratana had the Lest of matters for some time, though Marshall and Whyte came away in a promising rush which was spoiled by a knock on when within striking distance. Ratana retaliated, tho back* handling well in a passing bout which was only held up by Briscoe’s determin ed tackling. Ratana maintained tin pressure, however, and it was not long before Mcremere scored in tho corner Again the kick was a wash-out.—Ra tana 6; Technical Old Boys 0, Stung by tho reverse. Technical Ob Boys attacked strongly and more that once they were nearly over but the de fence held. Mcremere was injured anc went off for a while but soon returned From a free kick Technical were ur and under but tight play followed or lliu line and finally Ratana secured pos s'---.dt>n from a scrum and cleared

half way. Here Dennis figured in a line run down the line only to be pulled down by Paki with the prospect of a great try just ahead. The visitors were not to be denied, however, in spite uf the fact that Katana invaded their territory. From a line-out in the Katana twenty-five Dennis obtained posscssior and eluded several would-be tacklers to dash over beside the posts. He con verted his own try with a neat kick.--Katana 6; Technical Old Boys 5. Heartened by the score, Technical Old Boys attacked again and play became willing. Again and again Technical Old Boys attacked, and finally from a line-out ten yards from the Katana line the ball was slung at the feet of Dennis, who side-stepped a defender and coolly potted a goal. In spite of the strenuous efforts of Katana to regain the leau the end came a few minutes later with Technical Old Boys the winners:— TECHNICAL OLD BOYS .... !) ' KATANA 6 Mr W. 11. Bowe was the referee.

HOW THE SENIORS STAND. SECOND MATCH, SECOND ROUND. TECHNICAL 0.8 10 PIRATES 10 KAIERAU I> OLD BOYS 8 RATANA 3 MARIST 2