GARRISON ARTILLERY v. MANUKAU.

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 4, 24 May 1940, Page 4

GARRISON ARTILLERY v. MANUKAU.

The same team was fielded as last week except that Stitt replaced Vallilley in the forwards, Gable hooking. Vallilley was unable to play following his head injury last week, but will be available on Wednesday for the Combined Service Possibles Probables match. Garrison kicked off and Manukau forced play out at the twenty-five line, where after pressing hard for some time Blue cleared at half-way. A free kick to Manukau for scrum infringement set the backs in action, Vallis running fast downfield to be forced out on Garrison twenty-five.. Manukau again forced play into our territory where a free kick was awarded against them for playing a man without the ball. Against a strong wind the ball went high in the air and was brought back to Garrison goal line where dangerous play was relieved by Blue line-kickihg from practically under the posts. From the line out the ball crossed the goal line for a Garrison player to force, inches ahead of an oncoming Manukau player. Garrison were still on the . defence after the kick until Harding bullocked his way through the , enemy pack before being forced out nearly at half-way. A free kick awarded to Manukau just

inside the half-way line narrowly missed, falling just under the crossbar. The first really exciting piece of play followed when the ball was given to our backs practically on our goal line for them to throw the ball about and cross the line wide out. After much applause and cheering it transpired that the ball had gone out of play at the Manukau twenty-five line, and a line-out therefore was given. Once again Manukau turned defence

into attack and play went back well down in our territory. Following a free kick to Garrison the Manukau backs gained possession and scored from a passing rush in the corner. The kick missed, the board reading: ' Manukau, 3; Garrison, 0. After open play from the kick off

our backs gained the ball and after brilliant passing rushes were attack-1 ing strongly about three yards from the line. Despite strong defence tactics Blue saved several times and a try appeared imminent until Manukau got in a clearing kick for the first half to end in the centre of the field, —O.

It should be mentioned here that Manukau had been playing with a strong following wind and with the sun behind them. From the kick-off Garrison commenced attacking and a free kick against Manukau for holding enabled Blue to even the score with a difficult angle kick.

Wallis again got the ball and making a great run downfield was brought down by the opposing full-back a few yards from the line. At this stage a free kick against Garrison eased pressure and the ball finally found the line nearly at the half line. An infringement by a Manukau forward just after the Ine-out was taken about five yards infield and well outside the twenty-five yard line, Blue putting the ball cleanly between the uprights, making the score 6—

Manukau were finding the adverse conditions harrassing, although the sun had disappeared altogether and they had to contend only with the wind. Playing brilliantly, Garrison backs were continually on the attack, penetrating Manukau defence at all points. Three or four near tries were saved by the opposing full-back, whose tackling was deadly. However, even he could not stop the attack indefinitely and Harding picked up-the ball to bullock his way through the pack and score between the posts, Blue converting easily, and making the score 11—3.

From the kick out a dribbling rush by Garrison ended in a sacks-on-the-mill scrum, the referee ordering, a set scrum to go down, Garrison hooking the ball, putting it out at the twentyfive line. Another infringement by Manukau practicaly at half-way and well on the side of the field, gave Blue the opportunity to add another three points with a beautiful kick. 14—3.

Another sacks-on-the-mill scrum followed a free kick to Manukau for offside play, a set scrum being ordered, the ball going out to the backs 'who once more launched the attack. Manukau backs made a desperate effort to rally and the forwards, backing up, carried the ball to Garrison goal-line where a penalty goal was kicked from right under the posts. 14—6.

The game started to Ven ' • this stage and, play went f 1 end of the field to the other, pl I again using forcing tactics J to score a good try, Blue f a jJ convert by a narrow margin. J I Manukau started attacking agait ' I after several minutes on our gJ the ball was kicked back to half! where Manukau backs gathered passing downfield for Smith to J a brilliant and well-deserved try kick missed, and with less than! j minutes to go the score was Ift

The Garrison forwards seem t have quietened down for a while Manukau were pressing home advantage hard, two certain trie ing saved in the nick' of time, opening by Wallis, however, gad Phee an opportunity, which has not slow to take, scoring betweei

posts. Blue converted and the whistle went with the score: Gai Artillery, 22; Manukau 9. Mr. C. Murdoch was referee.