HARD TUSSLE AT LEVIN

Chronicle (Levin), 13 May 1946, Page 8

HARD TUSSLE AT LEVIN

ATHLETIC AND FOXTON DRAW The senior game at the Levin Domain between Athletic and Foxton provided the large crowd with two extremes of football, the one of dull monotony, when the ball was put out time and time again, and the other of bright open rugby, with the ball thrown about in spectacular passing rushes. The Athletic backs had some very good runs, but most of them ended in the wing being dragged down a few feet from | the line. D, O'Donnell was always prominent in the Athletic pack and he played with the disadvantage of ; a poisoned hand. For Foxton, Betty, played an excellent game in the forv/ards and saved several possible scoring movements by Athletic. The score of three all was indicative of the type of game witnessed, although Athletic should have won. The teams were as follows:— Athletic: Skilton, Stevens, Hudson, Batten, Henson, Galloway, Blenkhorn, Gordon, D- O'Donnell, Lomas, Morris, Denton, Corbishley, P. O'Donnell "and Murphy. Foxton: McNiel, Winiata, Holden, Tei Wiata, Evans, Fee, Riripi, J. and K. Betty, Brown, Preston, Graham, Jarvis, Smith and Carmont. The First Half Foxton kicked off and quickly followed up, but the ball was caught on the full and kicked back down the lme. This kicking was continued untii at last Athletic managed to put it out. From the line out the DTa.il went into a ruck, but for an infringement Foxton were awarded a penalty. Some close play followed until Blenkhorn cleared with a good line kick. More raggect play ensued until a penalty enabled Athletic to gain some territory. Galloway 's kick fell a few feet snoro, and O'Donnell, > who had followed up, got the ball out to Stevens, who was forced out a few feet from the line. Athletic were forcing the pace and shortly afterwards Galloway further improved the position with a good line kick. From the lineoug the ball was rucked about until Blenkhorn sent his backs way. For the first time in the game the crowd rose to its toes as the ball passed right along.to Batten, who made a good run but was dragged down close to the line. Following a set scrum a penalty was awarded to Athletic and a good kick by Galloway failed by a few inches and Foxton touched down. A penalty was awarded to Foxton soon after the twenty-five kick and it took the game well into Athletic's territory. The Athletic backs snapped up the ball and started another passing rush. The movement had the crowd again tense until the ball was kicked through tbo hard, enabling Foxton to force. Holden, a Foxton player, had to leave at this stage beeause of injuries and Taylor replaeed him. After somcstraggiing play Blenkhorn sent the ball away to ■ Stevens. He kicked through nicely and followed. up, only to have the ball marked. A .serum was soon set dQivn 'inS Athl&tfe were awafdef a penalty for lifting'. skiltbn -tbok: the kick from near the twentyfive, but the ball screwed off his boot. Foxton then forced the pace, but a series of rucks, scrums and line-outs made play' uninteresting till half-time. No points had been secured by either side.

The Second Half The second half was very ragged, with both- sides playing hard football. After approximately 15 rriinutes of indifferent play, the ball came back to Blenkhorn, who passed out to Galloway and he in turn dived in and out, trying to force his way through. Not succeeding in this, he threw a long pass to Batten. who gathered the ball in and scored a-few yards out. The kick failed. Athletic 3, Foxton 0. Foxton came back determined to do something, and soon after they did. For an infringement, Foxton were awarded a penalty between half-way and the twenty-five and ten yards out. The crowd remained breathless while McNiel placed the ball, paced back and kicked. The flags went up signifying success and the crowd appiauded the Foxton man, as the kick had been a very difficult oue. Athletic 3, Foxton 3. Both sides were now equally determined to gain the upper hand, Skilton, the Athletie full-baek, came off for injuries, Both sides were also awarded further penalties, but neither side did any good, and the whistle blew with Athletic still forcing the pace and the final score Athletic 3, Foxton 3. Mr. J. p. McFarlane capably controlled the game.