TECH.’S FINE EFFORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 169, 21 July 1941, Page 7

TECH.’S FINE EFFORT

BEAT ARMY IN LAST TEN MINUTES COACH SCORES WINNING TRY FAST, OPEN GAME Tech. Old Boys beat Army on Saturday by 8 points to 5 in a game which can be described as hard, fast and willing. It was anyone's game up till Ambrose's spectacular try, and Army deserved to be congratulated on a fine effore. The teams were:—

Tech. Old Boys (blue and white): Grant; Ambrose, Briscoe, Bergerson; Grogan, Wakarau; J. McPhail; A. Cairncross; Wright, Adamson, Owen, Kjoss; O'Keeffe, T. Cairncross, Goldsbury. Army (blue).—Nowell; O'Byrne, Shepherd, Kuklinski; Meuli, Whittle; Eynon; Brewer; Ward, Coates, McBeth, King; Hunter, Hammond, Newland.

Tech, faced a glaring sun in the first spell and early play was confined to midfield. Eventually Army forwards dribbled the ball right down to the Tech, line, but Ambrose cleared with a nice kick. A speculator by a Tech, forward found touch at the blue corner flag. Gradually the blues gained ground, confining play to Tech, territory for a spell. Tech, opened up with some of their all-in back movements, and tried* time after time to pene.rate the Army defence, the blues gaining respite by a force. Linekicking saw Army reach Tech, twenty-five, Ambrose relieving. Willing play for a few minutes saw a Tech, forward come to blows with an opponent, but the incident passed unnoticed. Persisting with the open game, both teams threatened at times, the game swinging from one end of the field to the other, with no individual player shining until Meuli intercepted and raced down midfield in a solo effort. With only the Tech, full-back to pass, he elected to punt, just missing a try by inches. Hard, but clean, forward play followed without advantage to either side until, from an Army centring kick, a melee took place in Tech, twenty-five. First one Army player tried to barge his way over and then another, unti finally Eynon dived over. O'Byrne goaled.—Army 5; Tech. Old Boys 0. Stung by this reverse, Tech, launched a desperate attack on the blue line, Army being awarded a' couple of frees which brought relief.! Half-time came with Tech, still on I the attack. I

Twice Tech, had its back line in action, each time the movement breaking down at Wakarau. A high kick brought danger to Army, Nowell being unable to field owing to the strong sun. Tech, forwards surged round him under the posts, but he held on till relieved. Tech, continued

to force matters, Grogan, Wakarau and McPhail taking turns to penetrate the defence, but the Army defence was solid. Jr inally Kuiinski found the line with a nice kick, ana Army were on attack. The blues were seen in a couple of bright back movements. Tech, were standing close up and spoiled these attacks. Whittle and Eynon combined in a fine dash down the line, but Grant saved magnificently. Back came Tech, to the attack. The blue ana whites were almost over on a couple of occasions, penalties bringing relief. More hard, willing play followed, Army gradually forcing tneir way to the Tech. line. Scrummages following were ail in Tech.'s favour, ana they worked their way to nudfiela. Nowell attempted to Kick a penaky from ten yarns inside half-way, but just failed. Ambrose made three attempts to dash down the line, but never had room to work, and Bergerson attempted to drop a goal. Keeping the pressure up, Tech, forced matters under the posts. Three Tech, players secured in succession ana tried to barge over, but it was left to T, Cairncross to finish off the movement. Grant converted.—Tech. Ola Boys 5, Army 5. Both teams were playing the open game at a hard pace, with Tech, getting the better of exchanges. Ambrose, who had been playing a great game throughout, secured uttui 30 yards out and made a fine solo dash down the line, evading at least five men to score in the corner. The kick missed. —Tech. Old Boys 8; Army' 5. The game ended a couple of minutes later, without further incident. Ambrose, the coach of the Tech, team, and who was responsible for the winning try, was carried off the field shoulder high by enthusiastic supporters, Mr. W. Broadhead was referee.