NELSON'S POTTED GOAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 200, 25 August 1931, Page 4

NELSON'S POTTED GOAL

DEFEAT OF CHRIST'S COLLEGE j Nelson and Christ’s College played j a very even game, and the blues gained • victory by a putted goal. ■ Ricuarus was the aero of the hour ■ after he had neatly piloted the bail , over the bar. Tais was a match which gave Nelson a major share ot posses sion. They put down a three-four scrum from which they seemed to get the ball at wid. Most of the time, however, their inside backs, with one exception, showed littlo ability to penetrate. Richards owing to Karsten ueing unable to take the field, was moved up from the custodiausbup to the second five-eigath position where he was the most useful man Nelson fielded, ile was the exception among non-penetiative backs. In fact the trend of the back play throughout the whole tournament left apprehension as to where New Zealand will find good inside back* of the calibre fielded in past years. The ineffective drawing ot the defence was very evident, not only in the Nelson team, but in the four bides engaged in this year’s contest. Nelson’s win was popular. The match resolved itself into a Hissle very similar to that waged between Nemon and Wellington on Saturday. Chrlt’s College backs had to keep a watchful eye on the opposing blues who repeatedly got possession from the tight. In several respects it was a match of lost chances and a fair estimate would rule the two teams as equal. The Scoring Nelson attacked as the result of 11 e kick off, but the blue and white forwards smashed into the blue backs in possession. The Christ’s College right wing three-quarter, Gresson, fielded a ball nicely and defied the defence in a strong run. Coming to Fuller on the Nelson last line of defence he punted over his hea<’ and enabled the defenders to force. A free kick to Nelson following the drop-out, put them on the attack, play travelling to the right corner Hag. A. ball kicked through from the ruck, and a fast follow up, brought Christ’s College out of danger, the play centering in midfield. Fuller, Nelson’s custodian, missed the bounce badly, and Sedgley, following up fast, had a bouncing ball to field in-goal to score. The eli.sive leather beat him, however, and Richards forced as the attacker over ran his object' e. Another burst of attacking play by Christ’s College had Nelson penned clown on the line, the defenders gaining relief from a free kick, which Richards used to find touch near halfway. Christ’s College gained honours from the line-out by smashing into the Nelson five-eighth line in possession. A long run of attacking play by Christ’s College was rewarded, when Morten got possession from a ruck scrum, and sent and Spence away, the centre scoring in the corner. Arthur’s kick failed. —Christ’s College 3, Nelson 0. The blue backs kept handling repeatedly, Richards, at second five-eighths, showing initiative in both attack and defence. Campbell broke clear outside Christ’s twenty-five, and had the pace to get to Montcath, the last line of the blue and white defence. A splendid tackle kept him out. Twice Nelson sent their right winger, Rowe, off for the line, but the defence was equal to the position on each occasion. A free kick to Christ’s College allowed Montcath to put the ball into touch five yards from the corner flag. A scrum followed the line-out and from this Nelson gained possession, McArthur clearing. The half-time whistle blew as the ball landed, the scores being throe to nil in favour of Christ’s College. The first exciting move in the second spell camo when Watson gave Stewart possession at the twenty-five flag. The winger made a great run and fell to Monteah. Three times McArthur sent his backs off. The first move was inclined to lose ground, but rhe second let Watson almost reach the line. A third passing rush in the Nelson backs let Spence intercept, and the attack was cleared. Christ’s resumed the offensive again only to find the handling letting them down. Harding was playing well in the Chrisf College van, and ho repeatedly challenged the Nelson insile backs. Smith had a shot at goal from a penalty. Fuller’s clearing kick being fielded by Sedgley. He ran infield and sent Flower, McKenzie and Spence away in a changedirection attack. The blue and white centre was collared with the ball and so ended a promising i. ve which had every prospect of catching Nelson out of position. A kick upfield by Fuller sent Field away in pursuit, the bounce beating Monteath and giving the oncoming attacker possession cleanly. He made a great challenge, but the defence had rallied well. Nelson kept giving their backs possession. Their forwards played up strenuously, and when down on the opposition’s line McArthur got the ball a . ay to Richards, who potted a goal and put Nelson a point in the lead.—Nelson 4, Chrst’s College •.

Christ’s College livened the pace from this out, and a sweeping rush by the forwards, with Harding in the lead, transferred the scene of action to Nelson’s twenty-five. The attacking bac l handled to Gresson’s wing, the challenging runner, when at top speed, putting a foot out when in a scoring position. A minute later Christ’s College were penalise ’ but Smith could not goal from an cpsv position. The blue forwards showed a revival of form in the forwards and the three-men front row of the scrum was regularly giving the backs possession. At McArthur got his chance, and he made a splendid opening round the blind side of the scrum. He was tackled splendidly. but got the ba I ', back to bounce

nicely in front of Watson who was in support. A quick gather-in and transfer to Rowe brought the dearly won reward, a fine tr scored well out. Stace’s kick failed. —Nelson 7, Christ’s College 3. The game ended shortly after, the scores remaining at seven to three. Mr R. C. Hamilton was refer \ The teams were:— Christ’s College (blue and white): A. Monteath (captain), Sedgley, B L. Spence, T. Gresson, H. F. Flower, C. N. MacKenzie, T. B. Morten, C. C. G. Webb (wing-forward), R. O. Kimberley, A. R. Ormond, A. A. Roberts, B. P. Smith, T. H. Holderncss, A ,H. Harding, I). A. Arthur. Nelson College (dark blue and light blue): Full-back, Fuller; three-quarters, N. J. Rowe, W. Dee, .7. G. Stewart; five-eighths, F. A. Richards, R. T. Watson; half, D. McArthur; forwards, J. A. Alabin, L. S. Latter, P. J. Louisson, I. O. Stace, G. T. Campbell (captan), M. McCaul, B. Della Bosca; wingforward, C. O. Field.