ATHELETIC'S NARROW MARGIN OVER WANDERERS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 May 1949, Page 4

ATHELETIC'S NARROW MARGIN OVER WANDERERS

The pubiic was treated" to' a rea' •hrill in football at the Levin Park Domain when Wanderers, hitherto unbeaten, w^re accounte'd for by Athietic by 17 points to 16. Fast and rugged piay marked the game and on the whole it was fought out among the forwards. There is no doubt that the star of the day was W. Galloway, who gained 11 of the 17 poihts for Athietic. There fvas good forward work on the part of Wanderers, more especially in the secon-d ha'f. Fietcher disappolnted at first fiveeighths and on many occasions spoilt promising movements by the Athietic backs. He improved in the second half. however, but the Athietic forwards had lost canfidence in their back line and rarely gave them any opportunities. Gwynn and Broughton played well for Wanderers. Athietic kicked . off and piay centre'd about the half -way mark. From a scrum the Ath etic forwards cleamy hooked the bal!, bui Fletcher, standing flatfooted.ofailed to get rid of the ball in time and was quickly grassed. Wanderers. .hen continued their attack and' forcing hard into Athietic territory, iooked certain to score but an inffingement by the defending team gave_ Wanderers a penalty, and Philiips ably kicked his team into the lead. Athietic Were ovei4ahxious in getting the ball to their backs and faulty passing again spoilt their movements. At this point Athietic were given a penalty right in front of the post, but Galloway's kick hit the upright and bounced back. Great defence work by Broughton saved Wanderei's from what seemed a dangerous movement bv Athietic forwards, in which Powell, Lyver and Doy-.e we?e all prominent. On receiving the ball, Galloway kicked for the ihside corner, where a scrum took nlace in which the ball was passed to Galloway, who had followed up, and he sfiored. This pieee of work was applauded by the spectators. The kick fn.iled.

From a scrum Cameron got his backs in motion and Galloway, cn receiving the ball from Lancaster, potted a good goal, taking Athietic •into the lead, 6-3. Ath' etic again made- the piay and this was probably the only time that good passing was witnessed. They shoWed fine work when the ball travelled to Lind, who scored in the corner. Very rugged piay followed on the Athietic twenty-five, but a good save by Parsons saw Atld'edc take the upper hand and, during a ruek on the defenders' twenty-five, an Athietic forward was ordered off. A great improvement was noticed ih the Wanderers forwards during she second half ahd forcing piay on ;he Athietic twenty-five, looked dangerous, but Fletcher saved with r good line kick. Taking the initiative, the Athietic forwards Wentaway in a ' dribbling rUSh and kicked past Broughton. GamerOn, grasping the opportunity, passed to Smith, who rushed for the corner arld scored an impressive try. Galloway converted in good style, taking the score to 14-3. The game traversed the fie'd many times before a Scrum Was ordered and Galloway, on receiving the ball, potted a great field goal about 30 to 35 yards from the post oh an angle. Although Athietic gaihed eight points in a very short time, they Largely came from lucky opportunities, as Wanderers proved in the remaining part of the game. With a great renewed effort, Wanderers pressed hard. Gwyhn made a great break and passed to Hughes, who scored. Phi lins converted to make the scorb 17-8 ih Athletic's fa'vohr. Great combination by the Wanderers forwards and backs saw theih' pressihg oh Athletic's twenty- 1

five and Neylon then went over on 1 the blind side. Phillips's kick failed, ihis work by Wariderers contihued and Athietic seemed unable .0 stem the Wanderers' attack. .Viniata, playing well, grasped the j a 1 and foreed his Way through to score. Philiips converted. 17-16. i'ime sounded as Wanderers, who had the advantage, were forcing piay ih Athietic territory. Mr. McMillaii controlled the game,