MEN'S A GRADE DRAW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19985, 10 July 1939, Page 10

MEN'S A GRADE DRAW

CALEDONIAN’S EARLY LEAD FORESTERS' STRONG FINISH Caledonian 2 goals Foresters A . . 2 Again Foresters A put in a strong finish, to draw wi'h Y.M.C.A., 2—all. the game being fast throughout, but not graced with too much success in combined effort. Some attempt at combined play was made, but the defence on either side was too strong for much success to be achieved. In the Caledonian backs, Corbett and Hills played with a good understanding of each other’s play, and the pair gave one of their best performances to date. Livingstone shaped well in goal, and one of the scores against Jiitn came only after he had made a good save, but with insufficient time to clear. The half line, restored to its former strength, worked quietly, and while never spectacular, proved one of the strongest lines in "the team, Douglas being back to something of his old form. Slade did his best to keep the Caledonian forward, line working well together, and while not always successful there were occasions when the short passing that characterised the Caledonian team of past seasons was accomplished. J. Harrison returned to better form, and played a useful game. Good Foresters’ Defence

Foresters’ defence again held the team together. Taylor, goalkeeper, stood up well to the Caledonian forwards, making a few particularly good saves. Although Stacey’s speculation failed occasionally, the full-backs were generally sound, Huston seldom playing better with a good display of anticipation and clever stickwork. F.le was again troublesome to the Caledonian attack, and Lc Bas was rignt up to form.

In the Foresters’ forwards, Watchman sometimes tried to do a little too much on his own, but the others lacked initiative, although Wheatley re 1 timed to something approaching the brilliant form he showed on his first appearance in Gisborne. D. Scholium gave an attractive display on tne left wing. The scoring was opened by Caledonian about half-way through the first spell. J. Crothers sent a backhand pass across the goal mouth, Slade coming in to put on the final touches. Foresters retaliated within a minute. Watchman taking the ball from the 25 line right into the goal.

It was not long before Caledonian rel gained the lead, however, Slade gaining possession at the 25 and beating the full-backs to flick the ball into the net. Half-time came soon afterwards. The Equallier Within two minutes of the changeover Swan secured the ball at halfway from a clearing hit from his own end. He was held up, but Wheatley, following close behind, took the ball up the right sideline, and placed 'his centre nicely for Watchman to race in. Anticipating the move, Livingstone left his goal to meet Watchman, and succeeded in smothering the shot, the ball rolling loose towards the goal mouth. Before it could be cleared, Graham came up and netted, equalising.

The standard of play improved from then on, the forwards warming up to their work, but the full-backs and the goalkeepers were equal to their tasks, and the game ended without further score.

FORESTERS B IMPROVE WAITFH US NARROW WIN Waitulii .. . . 11 goals Foresters B . . 1 Playing a good defensive game with a better understanding of each other's play, Foresters B ran Waituhi to a close finish. There was no score at half-time, and Foresters secured the lead early in the second .spell, only to be defeated by a strong finish by the Maori team, who put on three goals, P. Smiler scoring two and Teka one. Piesse scored from a scramble for Foresters. Y.M.C.A.'S SEVEN GOALS WAEREXGA - A - IT IK A’S LOSS Y.M.C.A. 7 goals Wacrenga-a-hika (I Y.M.C.A. had no difficulty in defeating Waerenga-a-hika College Old Boys by 7 goals to nil. K. Harrison scored three goals, Jones two, and Swan one.