SOLID, EVEN GAME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19979, 3 July 1939, Page 11

SOLID, EVEN GAME

HONOURS TO OLD BOYS ISSUE ALWAYS IN DOUBT EX-STUDENTS PACK WELL Old Boys .. 13pts. H. 5.0.8 8 Beaten in the forwards, Old Boys were lucky that they had penetrative ability in the backs, at it was by backline thrusts that'-they carried the day against. H. 5.0.8. in the principal game on ' the Oval' on Saturday. The game was hot proddetive of good football, but the issue was in doubt until the end, and this factor kept the interest at a high pitch throughout. The losers had the better of the forward play, but the white rearguard carried too many guns for the opposition, especially in the second hall', when their combination was very strong. Old Boys quickly attacked and Littler placed them in a handy position with a well-judged penalty kick, but a penalty against Read for playing the man saved for the old students. Morrison changed the venue of the .play 'with a good run and a kick to the corner flag, but Old Boys were countering well by skilful use of the side-line. Efforts to set their backs going, however, were being frustrated by the maroon pack. A Morrison Try j H. 5.0.8. twice went close to scoring,' firstly when Francis sent a bad pass .infield when nearly over, and later when Harris lost possession right on the line. The maroons were first to score, when Harris placed the side on attack with a good cross-kick. Old Boys knocked on and, from the scrum, Morrison crossed in typical fashion for an unconverted try.—H.S.O.B. 3, Old Boys 0. • <■ . Old Boys’, first try came as a result of a brilliant cut-in by, Murray Sharp, who reached the line and sent the ball on to Read. The latter lost possession, but Sharp' came again to score a try which was converted by Littler. —Old Boys 5, H. 5.0.8. 3. Led by Kiitia, the maroon pack set up a series of hot attacks, Kutia figuring in a Solid upfield dash. Continuing to press, the maroons took play to the white line, where, from a scrum, Morrison sent Dick Short over for a try in the corner, Gardner kicking a brilliant goal to make the score at halftime—H.S.O.B. 8, Old Boys 5. Play slowed up a lot in the second spell, but the'white backs were on

top and this carried the side through. From a scrum, Littler sent Haisman away, the latter penetrating deep into maroon territory before sending the ball on to Woods. Up came Swann j on the wing, to dive over for a try; wide out, Littler adding the trimmings with a great kick.—Old Boys 10, H. 5.0.8. 8. Score from Interception Old Boys opened up play again and a try seemed imminent, but an interception by R. Short changed the venue of play and Morrison and Kutia were prominent in a maroon offensive thrust. Back came Old Boys, but Sharp held on to the bail too long, with two men outside him, and a good chance went astray. An interception by Woods placed the whites on attack, the centre running 30yds. before sending Read over in the corner, making the score Old Boys 13, H. 5.0.8. 8. Old 'Boys were callel upon for desperate defence in the closing stages of the game, the maroons putting their all into a dying effort for victory, but the whites held on long enough to win, there being no further score. Mr. ft. R. Waite was the referee.