North Head

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 3, 17 May 1940, Page 4

North Head

♦ ■ football news. Results of Saturday’s Matches ✓ (Contributed by L/Bdr. H. Kinder) ■ _ •' . With two victories, one draw, and one defeat, the Garrison Artillery Club presented an improved showing in the matches played on Saturday afternoon.

Following at the tabled results: - Seniors. —Garrison v. Suburbs at Eden Park, won 15—6. Juniors.— Garrison v. Achilles at Devonport, draw 6—6.

3rd Int.— Garrison v. North Shore at Devonport, lost 23 —9. 3rd Open. — Garrison v. Takapuna at Takapuna, won 14—0. Although not a competition game, the senior match was watched with no little interest as Garrison was placed in the Senior B division last week and Suburbs in the Senior A. In the preliminary matches played on the last two Saturdays, Garrison, as was explained last week, had one loss and one draw, whereas Suburbs had two losses. After watching the game on Saturday which was arranged as a friendly encounter, both teams having a bye in their respective grades, the method followed by the A.R.U. in selecting the A and B divisions seems, to say the least a trifle obscure. The result of this match must surely upset their calculations and at the same time support our prophesy that our team will take some stopping when it gets really going. As a team it played 100 per cent, better football than it did last week, and from the kick off the decision was never in doubt. Once again Blue shone as fullback, scoring six points from two penalties with Wallis, McPhee and Wagstaffe also excelling. Bailey at half played a very scientific game ,while in the forwards Gable, Vallilley-and Cook were at all times promnient. Vallilley hooked the ball from all but two scrums, and, in fact, in the last two games has only lost three scrums. Unfortunately Vallilley is suffering from slight concussion brought on by a kick in the head about two minutes from the end of the game and will in all probability be unable to play for at least a couple of weeks. The team went out as follows: ■" Blue (M) ; McPhee (M), Wallis (NH), Miller (M) ; Wagstaffe IM), Aldridge (T) ; Bailey (M) ; Gable I (Capt., NH), Vallilley (NH), Horrocks (M) ; Overton (Mt.V.), Baigent (T), Anderson (T), Harding (T) ; Cook (NH). Reserves: Still (NH), Bickerton (T), Nutsford (T), Holmes (M).

Garrison kicked off against a fairly stiff breeze, and with the sun behind them, play going into Suburbs territory where a free kick was awarded against them, the ball going out three yards from the goal line. Another free kick, this time to Suburbs saved

the situation for them and took play to the twenty-five. A third free kick, awarded to Garrison went high into the air, where the wind caught it and took it far across field for the opposing winger to take it practically on the side line and run downfield to score just inside the flag. The kick missed, making the score 3—o. After, tight play in the centre of the field Suburbs backs came into play and with a passing rush a try apI peared certain until Blue saved with a long kick to twenty-five . From the line out the ball went from Wallis, who cut out several players before

passing, to Bailey, to McPhee who

scored a few yards from the flag. A difficult kick at right angles to the wind narrowly missed, leaving the score 3 all.

The backs by this time were playing a perfect game, keeping the ball in enemy territory practically all the time. After a series of passing rushes followed by a line out, Vallilley dashed over to score again. The kick failed and .half time sounded with Garrison in the lead 6 —3. z , S

The second half opened with close forward play in Suburbs territory where a free kick was awarded Garrison for obstruction. Blue took the kick five yards from the side line, and just inside half way, the ball going straight between the posts to increase the lead to 9—3. From a scrum shortly- after, Wallis got the ball tak-

ing it to the centre of the field before caught. Suburbs gained possession and scored wide out, the kick missing, and the score reading 9 — 6. ■V- I Spurred on by this last z try Suburbs appeared to rally for a while, and a second try was averted only by a knock-on. They 'were unable to maintain the pace, however, and a punt infield by Miller carried play into safe ground again.. Garrison forwards once more started their rush tactics and play was dangerous for Suburbs until they got in a clearing kick for a temporary respite. A good line kick by Wagstaffe put Garrison strongly on the attack again five yards from the goal line. After a Garrison infringements, Suburbs cleared with a kick; to half-way, and, following a line out their forwards dribbled the ball downfield almost to our goal line. Things were looking pretty dangerous until Miller got in a spectacular kick sending the ball practically one twenty-five to the opposite goal line. A free kick after a scrum gave Blue the chance to add a further three points to the score making it —3.

With only a few* minutes to go, Suburbs were one more on the attack when Vallilley short punted for the backs to gather in the ball and rush downfield. In one of the most brilliant and spectacular passing rushes it would be possible to see, the ball travelled diagonally from one corner I of the field to the other, for Vallilley to score on the corner flag. So fast was this passing movement that it was impossible to see exactly how many handled the ball, but Wallis, Bailey, Horrocks, Cook and Vallilley were in it not to mention others, and most of them had possession at least twice. The kick missed and the final - whistle went, Garrison 15, Suburbs 1 6.

It should be mentioned in ing, that under the existing'?. Rules, provision is made f Or J best teams in the ‘B’ division J promoted to the ‘A’ division aft* first round, and the points' good them are carried into the ‘A’ fl I If Garrison can maintain - thed sent' standard of play and p ro , sively improve as they should , seems every reason to-hope thatmay be promoted to finish the in the senior division. Hopes 'of mately winning the compete should not therefore be entirely merely because they have stark the lower grade.