REDS AND BLACKS DRAW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 4

REDS AND BLACKS DRAW

AN EXCITING STRUGGLE. Though the nature of the ground and of the ball favoured teams that relied greatly upon play in the forwards, Old Boys were able to make a better showing at handling than Pirates. That, coupled with an ability to display more resource on attack in the backs, enabled the reds to draw. Anticipations were that Pirates would be successful in dominating the play in the van and for the greater part of the match that did happen. Towards the end, however, the reds were contesting every inch of the ground and, if anything, were feeding their backs more often. Duncan’s hookers gave him possession fairly regularly but either inability to handle or a lack of penetration, robbed the Pirate backs of any credit due to them. The outstanding feature of the match was really the impressive qualities of the re-arranged Old Boys hacks. The strongest players were brought in, or put out. to liven up the sting and bring reliability to the fiveeighth and centre positions. Blyth went to first five-eighths where his ruggedness on defeuce kept Plank merely a link in a chain. Gibson took the second five-eighth position where bis clean handling, sure defence and correct knowledge of how to draw his man brought the first step in penetration. Bullock-Douglas played as centre and there his ability to beat his man was responsible for Old Boys 1 very clean try. Adams, playing at half, fed thia chain well considering the nature of the day and the forwards opposing him. Curtayne proved himself a game player on one wing and Bpriggens* pace on the other side, was always a factor which the blacks had to watch. In contrast to Old Boys, the Pirates’ back line did not show to advantage with a wet ball. They were served by better hookers and a better half than the other side, but the slippery leather and the quick closing Ola Boys’ defence frustrated clean passing to the wings time after time.

There was a display of feeling from the crowd on occasions at the decisions of the referee (Mr J. Richardson). From the stand it certainly looked as though the try awarded Francis should not have been allowed, but that, Plank should have been given a try later on. Mr Richardson’s explanation in the first case was that Gibson, the Old Boys’ second five-eighths, had kicked the ball, but instead of it travelling as he wanted it, it went over his head into the possession of Francis. As an Old Boys’ player was the last to handle, the Pirate player could not be off-side. In the second instance, Mr Richardson ruled that the ball was not deadened. In consequence, the fair decision was to rule a twenty-five yard drop-out. Pirates found touch with the kickoff and play was dangerously close to Old Boys’ line. From what appeared to be an off-side position, Francis was » warded a try. Smart’s kick failed. — Pirates 3; Old Boys 0. Twice, in quick succession, Francis vas off-side. Old Boys’ backs opened »ut, Adams, Blyth, Gibson, BullockDouglas, and Spriggens, handling. The ringer cross kicked and the reds, with .hree players to operate for a score in the opposite corner, spoilt their own chances by letting two men go foi the ball at on>ee. The black backs opened out, Wakeling kicking through to the goal. It looked as though Plank and Smart were up to a score, but the referee ruled in favour of the defenders. The blacks were pressing very heavily at this stage, and were awarded a penalty in front of the goal. Smart failed to profit. A few minutes later Old Boys had a chance, but Powell failed to raise the wet ball high enough. The reds, using their breakto spoil Duncan at the base of

the scrum, hud the play in the black twenty-live. Blyth broKe through and was tackled near the line. A Pirate clearing kick went out to Spriggeus’ wing. Bullock-Douglas and he could not get to the bounce before the bah went into touch. Changing the scene as the result of line-kicking by Lowe from penalties, Pirates challenged with their backs, working Williams' wing. Attempting the short punt, the winger gave fcJpriggens possession and the line was found. Adams got the ball away •cleanly in his own twenty-live

after a run w’hich cut out the first fiveeighth. Blyth, Gibson, Bullock-Doug-las and Spriggens handled in a neat rush which finished on the black side of half-way when the ball was grubberkicked to Lowe. Although the attack closed with him it was unable to carrj on. Duncan sent his backs away shortly after, but the spoiling was effec-

tive enough to block a clean movement to Williams. He speculated and the effort came off, in that Reid could not gather in and a black forward attack had the play right on the red line. A force got Old Boys out of a moment of danger and the scores were unaltered at half-time.

A greasy ball being kicked through hard by the blacks brought Old Boys trouble at the opening of the second spell. Plank was challenged by a man off-side, but Smart could not profit. Adams camo round the blind ana .centred. Wills carried on and Old Boys were on the attack when Curtayne found touch. Old Boys battled hard and were rewarded by a try which came from a splendid rearguard movement. Adams, getting possession from a scrum, ran a little before sending Blyth and the line away. Gibson cut through and Bullock-Douglas beat his man to send Spriggens over. The kick failed. — Old Boys 3; Pirates 3. Williams’ kicking gained considerable ground for the blanks, but from the line-outs the reds seemed to get the greater share of possession. It was noticeable at this stage, too, that the Pirate forwards were up against a force every bit their equal, Adams being given the ball fairly often. He repeatedly found touch cleverly as the blacks surged round him. Play did not bring forth any further bright movements and the game ended a draw:

Old Boys Pirates 3 Mr J. Richardson was the referee. The teams were: —

Old Boys (red): Reid, Curtayne, Bul-lock-Douglas, Spriggens: Gibson Blyth, Adams, Wills, McLean, Hard ing. Powell, Brooker. Moffett. Neilson Watson.

Pirates (black): Lowe; Williams, Smart, Potbury; Wakeling, Plank: Duncan: Brown: Heald, Tonks; Agnew. Cotterill, Francis; Ennis, Friend.