HAD BETTER OF HARD GAME

Evening Star, Issue 21749, 18 June 1934, Page 4

HAD BETTER OF HARD GAME

PIRATES NARROWLY DEFEAT UNION Straggly though hard play, in which there' was much uncertain handling and more ineffective tackling, characterised the Pirates-Union match, won by the former by 6 to 0. at Logan Park. There was little of interest except ■ some splendid line kicking by Union’s full-back. The teams were:—“Pirates; J. M. Taylor, D. Kelly, W. Manning, A. Thompson, C. Davidson, H. Martin, C. K. Saxton, J. Henry, J. Bannatyne, H. Manning, D. M. Stuart, Newman, Valentine. Moffat, and C. B. Stuart. Union : R. Silver, I. Smith, R. Garden, F. Stewart, L. Werner, T. Burgess, G. Simon, W. Flawn, J. Gnrside, V. and M. Gensik. W. Peart, Miller, Winslow, and J. Collier.

Silver kicked off for Union, and immediately a fast pace was set. From two serums Saxton sent the Pirates backs away, but these movements wore early frustrated by Silver. Simon came round the off-side of another scrum at halfway, and gave Union a fine opportunity, Smith finishing off a smart passing bout bv kicking out a few yards from the line. Headed by Bannatyne and Saxton, Pirates came away, and in a race for the ball Silver just got there to force. The game was temporarily licit! up, and V. Gensik had to retire. Morgan substituted. Slinging the ball about, and keeping up a cracker pace, Pirates’ backs were showing to advan-, tage. From a scrum at halfway Saxton threw out to Martin, who passed on to Davidson, who ran through at full speed, and shot out to Manning. The ball was transferred to Thompson, who raced for the line, being grassed a foot or two from it. Silver found touch just short of halfway. _ Despite the fact that Pirates got the ball from almost every scrum, they could not get through, Union breaking in on the passing, and oven keeping the Blacks on the defensive for a spell. At last they broke away with chain passing, but Martin kicked into Silver's hands. On this occasion, and only a moment later, Union’s full-back checked Pirates, booting to touch at their twenty-five. Thompson gained possession, after Union had heeled .out from a midfield scrum, and ran right through »tho .Maroon forwards, but he was brought-down,■■ and Union returned strongly. Stewart started a likely movement, hut for a time the game was nothing but a scramble within the Pirates’ twenty-five. D. M. Stuart came round the scrum and relieved his side, but Smith cut in and lobbed over his opponents’ beads. His follow-up was too slow, and Taylor kicked to touch. , . Pirates now entered Union’s territory for the first time in 20min, and fought all they knew to get through. Silver marked, and booted to Taylor at halfway, and this man ran to the twenty-five, where lie fed his backs, but Silver seemed, and ran across to kick into touch about halfway on the opposite side of the field. Union again pressed, and had their opportunities, but lacked the combination to finish on their play. Union were still knocking at the door when half-time was called, with no score.

Early in the second spell Pirates had the Maroons in a very tight corner, when Silver picked up behind the line and ran almost to the twenty-five, where lie was tackled before he got his kick in. Davidson came away from the scrum at top speed, but passed blindly when within an ace of getting ■ home. Play swung across field, where Saxton smartly deceived the defence, and passed to Bannatyne almost on the lino. However, the latter was forced out, knocking* over the corner flag. 1m mediately afterward Saxton showed another pretty ’ piece of play, and just failed to go across on his own account. Burgess and Garside got away, but had uo support, and Pirates returned stronger than ever. Martin sold a good dummy about 10yds out, and gave to Saxton, whose pass infield went astray. A lively scramble ensued within Union’s twenty-five, and at one stage Silver was caught in possession, and had to force. Union were again forced on to their line, and in a scramble Bannatyne got over to score the first points of the day, 'Taylor’s attempt did not rise. Pirates 3-0. Union’s pack was sent away, but once the hall was again m Pirates’ hands the Blacks were able to go through, the Maroons’ tackling being anything but effective. Thompson was prominent throughout the movement, and deserved to score after a determined struggle to reach the line. Again Tavlor’s kick did uot rise. Pirates, e-o“.

Pollowing another brief spell, in which Pirates were swooping down on their adversaries, Silver, unable to kick, ran through to put Union on attack. Union rallied, and for lOmin had the better of the game. Eventually, from a scrum near halfway, Pirates’ backs got away and, with only Silver to beat. Manning sent out a poor pass to Thompson, and a certain try was lost. Union were given no chanee to get through again, and just on the call of time Bannatyne lost the ball as be was about to ground it. Pinal : Pirates 0 Union ... . 0 Mr L. E. Macassey was referee.