Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3554, 1 August 1905, Page 3

Football.

AWAHOU (8) v. OLD BOYS (0)

A HARD -FOUGHT G AME

P,v “Tkue Spout

The COM test for the Simpson Cup -, on Saturday last was certainly hard fought nut, and on the firm displayed during the game, the host team were awarded tho of victory. Needless to say, opinion is strong that the result would have been changed under Jones’ interpretation of the rules, but tho fact remains that Awahou are likely to hold the Simpson Cup and wear tho Austin medals, and they ewe this distinction to many things, sonm of them being the dash and determination shown,by their vanguard (both in following up and k oping the bail at their toe ), the safe, handling of the leather end fine kicking of their backs, tho manner in which too whole team pounced on to the blue backs, tho alertness of tho victorious ■ whig • forwards (who repeatedly “beat” tho referee pointless by catapulting tho hall through the scrum to their half in a manner that would have made the English Vile of last season shudder), and, generally speaking, to the coaching abilities of “Snip” Alien, who evidently instructed tho blacks to play the right game to win 1 tho day. There was no “ beg pardons ” about the nature of the play, and Awahou especially set their minds to work and made tho pace a “ cracker.” When they caught or attacked a man they made sure of their object, with the result that four Old Hoys were “ knockcd-out ” during the first half. Still, there was nothing rough it was eligible, hard play. Jimmy Desmond received a nasty kick on the eye, whilst Fred Shadbolf, Ern. Ball and Syd. Wright all received bumps which seemed to knock the stamina out of them for the, remainder of the game. I have heard all sorts of things about tho referee since the conclusion of tho game. However, my opinion of his rn ings are that Awahou got decidedly tho best of them.—an extremely unfortunate happening for Old Boys, and equally fortunate for Awahou team (who are in no way to blame for tho referee’s version of Rugby rulings). The first spell ended in ft draw, and with ends changed, tho chances scorned to favour neither side.- The Awahou vanguard wore now lighting like lions, and repeatedly madeomdanghts on the blue goal-line which nothing hutjimpregnablo bulwarks could keep from invasion. Old Boys backs wepo not infallible, but on the oilier band were faulty, and, as a result, play centred in front of the id no goal posts, ami black wore awarded a freekick, f r aileg d laving on tho ball Fred Robinson kicked a goat, but the ball struck a blue maids band, and the goal wars not allowed. Then from the 25 kick blue shifted play down to tho black lino, but it was only momentarily, for the blacks

worked like sleuth-hounds and rushed tho ball right back to blue quarters Play was not there long when tne cheers from Awahou supporters proclaimed that blacks Imd scored (a try awarded Jeffries for obstruction by a blue p'aycr). Awahou failed to convert, but from I'm recommencement of hostilities, they returned to their cask with tho vim and vigour of a Maxim repeater, and fairly done what they liked with Old Boys (whose courage dropped to va-ro af or the try was awardciHor obstruction). Ibey wore useless, and Bill Bobinson snapped up smartly from a loose scrum, and dived over the blue line without tho slightest opposition. Fred Robinson landed a beautiful goal. From this out, Old Boys never seriously threatened to stay defeat, while Awahou were showing distinct signs of improved condition. - For the winners, the merit was in tho dashing forwards, a|l of whom fie orvo mention. Jimmy ■Too, Bill Robinson, Lon Carter, Williams, .fillotfc, JoJlries, J. and W. Coley, e.ll worked hard in that order, whilst Meder deserves special mention for his footwork. It v/as clever ! Charlie, George and If red Robinson, and Pressing a 1! took the bail cleanly in the backs, whilst Bpiers and Reide were never seriously tested Taken as a team, Awahou showed great improvement all round, a fact that hall practice and coaching is responsible for. 1 would strongly advise both wing-forwards not to attempt to delude a Jones, a Harper, a Nash, a Foote, or a Manning, in tbo’manner they worked the oracle on Saturday last—that of unfairly putting the ball into the serum. H those tactics are adopted in the Hankins Shield final, free-kicks will bo frequently given against you. For Old Boys, Jimmy Desmond was tho “ star ” forward, with Marshall, Bert. Dunn, Tom Curtis, Geo. Coley and Hooker next best. Of the backs, Jimmy Dunn and Tuck. Robinson shared honours. The latter has a bad habit of “ clutching tho ball. Norman Barker did bis share -no more! Bert Bhadbolt played well in the three-quarter lino, but* both Ball and Fred Shadbolt were suffering from bad knocks Tho fact of tho matter is blue! backs only got the ball from tho scrum on throe occasions,- and were practi cully on the defence the whole time If they could have got the ball amongst their rearguard^more, the result may have been different. Ait was, their defence was not what : t should have,been, mainly because Awahou gave them little time. Why Ken Furrie was standing on the line is best known to the blue selectors Ho should certainly have been included in the team, and tho backshould have been placed different to be effective. Mr Hyland had charge of the whistle, and Messrs Frew and Jenks held tbs line-flags.