LEESTON v. SOUTHBRIDGE.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume X, Issue 928, 22 July 1891, Page 3

LEESTON v. SOUTHBRIDGE.

These old time adversaries met again on Satnrday to try conclusions, and once more <he Leeston team bore off the victory. both sides meant business, and the teams were just about as strong as could he put into the field. But while Southbridge was especially strong m the forwards, Leeston was good all round, and if m the scrum the visitors had to yield, they amply made up for any ground lost there by the superiority j of their work m the open. Leeston kicked off against the sun, and carried the ball at once down to the Routhbridge end, whore after a series of scrums, th« home team was forced down, From the kick out, a rush took the ball ► to the other end and the usual series of scrums ensued. Luna made a goo I dribbling rnn, but was collared by Dob bin, and shortly after Leeston was forced down. The play was then again m the Southbridge quarters fora time, but the ball was gradually worked up the field, and Southbridge was awarded & kick foi off side play. D. West took the kick, at a very awkward angle and a long shot, but though he made a good at tempt, it fell short of tue goal. A

series of c'o3e scrunmiflgos then took pliice on the Leostou lines, but, ju9t n ( lialf time Ilennio got away, and B':<ir<" the first try for Lce3ton, which llo^y easily converted into a goal. Shortly after rosuming piny, by n brilliant piece of play L'wwion agnin scored. Graham made n Spl<*ndi'l run and nt a critical moment, i asse I In Lunii who again passed to Graham; he sent t,he bnll to Hoi Icy who got over. Billagh took the kick, but it was almost impossible, and the score was not increased. The play was for a time on the Leoston lino, Sonthbridgfo working hard m the scrums, but failing to make any use of their advantage. For a pick up out of scrum Leeston got a kick which again sent the hall down the field, until McLeod with a good run brought it back, and Lee9ton was forced down. Shortly afterwards D. West had an opportunity for a pot at goal, but he failed to take advantage of it Brai'y got a mark, but, he was too far from the goal, and no score resulted. An extraordinary piece of play followed. Butler got a try, and Graham took the kick. To those who were m position to see, it was plainly evident that no goal resulted, though the kick was a oapital ono. The Southbridge umpire said it wns no goal, Leeston's umpire could not say one way or the other. The Referee, without being referred to, said '' I give it a goal." After the conclusion ot the play, however claim for the score wag withdrawn. The pay then became somewhat more oppn, some goud passing by the visitors being done, and again Leeston added to the ?core by a good run by Graham, who passed to .Donald, and the latter got over. The kick by Graham was wide. For the rest of the game Southbridge worked hard, but were overmatched at all points, and it must be universally admitted that the best team won. The score at the conclusion of the match was Leeston, 6 ; Southbridge, 0 ; the second goal being disallowed. Donald captained the victors ; McMillan the home team. Bennie and Tracy acted as umpires, arid Moir ac referee. For the winners, Donald, Graham, Holley, Ballagh, Hertnie and Lunn played up well ; for Southbiidge, Dobbin, the Wests, McMillans, Walker Price and McLeod were conspicuous, and W. Smith did splendid work m the scrums.