Institute v. Old Boys.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8105, 4 June 1906, Page 6

Institute v. Old Boys.

Although it was nearly 3.30 p.m. when l arrived on tlie ground, fully expecting to find the iirst spell approaching its termination, imagine my astonishment when I discovered that T was in time to see the " kick-off " in this match; the other match had been in progress onlv a few minutes. The spectators exhibited no desire lo watch the proceedings in theFulmerston-Kla Toa contest; as goon as the game commenced on the oval they rushed the fence, lolly believing they were going to witness a ' , d'jn<**dong" match, and their anticipation:- were fully fulfilled. Nothing of consequence was demonstrated during tlie first ten minutes* play which was only a preliminary ".wind-opener," but at this stage of the game, greens (Institute) commenced to attack in a strong and determined manner. Old Boys having to exercise considerable skill m preventing a score. The leather was, however, transferred to greens* territory a few* minutes later, where, from a acrum Old Bjys' "hookers" predominated and. sent the ball out to Ongley. Stalker, who, was granted a " roving " commission, caught Ongley at his funny business ami was upon liim in an instant. Heating his man for possession he made a splendid opening and away went Stalker with the ball at his toe. One by one he bewildered each opponent who attempted to cheek Ins career and he never stopped till he reached the goailinc, where Penman and Ilreugh (who both closely attended him on his victorious dribble) fell on the leather and scored amidst the enthusiastic cheering of the crowd. It was a grand exhibition of footwork. Hands was unsuccessful with an eisy shot.—lnstitute 3, Old Boys u. For a few minutes after the kick out Old Boy«s pressed dangerously close to green#' line rmd a score appeared not at ail improbable, but again Stalker, to use a common phrase, *' got it on to Ongley," and after taking the ball half tbo length of the field at his toe, scored a magnificent try all on his own. Hands made a good attempt to convert—you know, one of those grandstand kicks ! Institute 0, Old Boys 0. During the remainder of the spell greens continued to aggress, and although strenuous efforts were made to cross the line, the whittle sounded with no alteration to the score oi; 6—o,

"The shades of night were falling fast" when the play wa.« resumed. Old Boys changed the position* of two of their players—Skeliey was brought up from full back to live-eighth, and O'Connell wan retired to full back. Tlw innovation was a wise one and no doubt was responsibly for the ultimate result of the match. The Old Boys' forwards pursued their old-time policy of keeping the play "tight." and it was in thi* way they made great efforts to reduce the Institute lead. From the first of these tight onslaught* Hepburn scored first blood for the reds, femith, like most kiekkt* —"alleged " kiiekbts, I should nay—made a feeble e!Jort.— Institute O, Old Boy* -1. Within two mia u tea of re -com mono lag Old Boy#, with a do ten urn alum on tbo couaten&uco of the players which I think stupefied their opponent'*, removed the «c»ae of operation!* into the , quarter wftcro 'wild -defence in to fru»« t»ie attempts to #core» flowovciythal' <!efemxt wi»«, at that time ■ at any rat®, nott-exbtcm, and Hall was allowed to wriggle tad mmw nod »er*p© liiriray fetiweea m w wveo oypoaoate #=ad -

<«»*» jlbii IliiW!.-.. klrskfd the ball—»j tbatVall Old'Boi* 6# • . ! vte&tti, 10 i fflMi •• tborotilgyy exhibited, R- ; t» see'the forward# drag-; |pog Ab-wit tho'field; .Ihio' atisuftt In the i*m# boat,' hutf oi ooui'se they h«d chaucdi to regain «l;rt>o#h ftCkl breath after it abort sprint. Old ''Boys; were tiring, but nol to ibo oil tool exhibited by theli'TftntagonBtaFker broke away insnm after ilio llok-oifil '.iaA when b©; :*ppo*r«d j; ii'. within,; ■ aeoror, bo lUp-pm. and Ijbxt tin ckeepcbtial opporttisnity. It; ttmi biUI luck. Back came the ball at flic toh of tbc Old Boy# forward*, and., (bey | dida't Hop, although guilty of some infringement#. Bill they were if«H it» Institute's 2?'*; There a. • lie mm was ordered, and Ongley, getting rid of list- :bali quickly to Skcliey, he found t lip : Institute backs logging on the other .side of tho field, and un*l selfishly ho handed the ball to O'Ntnll, who crossed the line m an easy trot. Smith took the kick atid landed she ball over —(he line ."—lnstitute 0, Oid Boys i».

The ball was found l*v a party called '• Search !" and was «ot in motion again Nobody oould hoc io what direction i, •went, but the players waited breathlessly, listening for the sound of tho bounce, £(• as to dirtsct them where to go. O'Coriucll, I think, got to the spot first, and,-getting possession, kicked in the direction of Institute's goabltnc. '* Search " was again requisitioned ! Found I '• Sounowhoi'c about here," ifiaid (x voice in taply to a <juery as to tho pbice whore th«i ball weru out. Everyone agreed-—tln-;ro was no argument, tho players didn't have the breath to waste. "In she goes," was the next announceus cut whujh broke the monotony of the proceedings, followed by violent collisions of imman forms, tho crashing of heads, acd sounds of heavy weights falling to mother oarth. Exclamations of " there it goes," " collar him," " Brum's got ifc," " keep it in," and so forth arouncd the spectators to tho fact that Homtthing was going on. Then there was a lull, "I'm over!" shouted Ongley. Smith failed with the kick. Institute 6 S Old Boys 12.

"Five moro tniiuit??," proclaimed the referee. " I'm not going to bo called witness oci any inquest," remarked sai individual as he bolted past me in tbo direction of the gat"Mo, too," I said, as I went after him. I was told afterwards there was no further scorc—and no fatalities. While the light lasted it was a firstclasa game to watch—fast, willing, and evenly contested. It waa only the superior condition of Old Boys, combined with no small measure of lock, that won them the game. O'Neil!, O'Connbll, and Lowis did not impress me as /being "senior" backs. I haves told lime his classification-a school team—land the two " O's " should likewise ti)pply for a transfer to a similar combination. Onglcy was responsible, in the first placo, for tbo two tries scored against Old Boys in the first spoil, and he is somewhat redeemed of the responsibility of the feeble and awful attempts made by his other backs to stop Stalker's rushes. Tbc forwards played a solid game throughout, and had they possessed better backa ft bigger ecorc would h.we been regiatcrcd. Stalker stood out on his own in the Institute raukt«. llis footwork on the two occasions referred to, was pretty, to say the least. Wouldn't he make an ideal wing-forward, Mr Selector ? Seott. played the worst garae I have seen bim play: J. iikelly, at fullback, was of little use; Boon and Hands were prominent—sometimes ; Hands kicked well throughout. As to the forwards, Brough and Buiek were alwas there ; they were the oulv two in the teata. Overtop was next but had no form and neither 5 had the remainder. If they possess feel, why didn't they use them and their heads;, too ? Kuf sed ! Kev. (J. C. Harper controlled the the game.