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NZ Truth, Issue 1186, 23 August 1928, Page 14

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I Double Bid For The G. and C. Cup (From ; "N.Z. Truth's" Palmerston North Rep.) , Poor football was forthcoming m the G. and C. Cup competition . series on Saturday last, the ab- ' sence of the better and the injured players again /robbing, the competition of a lot of interest. ; THE shockingly bad football that has been produced m the Manawatu In the past few Saturdays casts a; shadow, of doubt on the wisdom of the Manawatu Rugby Council's decision, to play an extra round for the Cup, instead of keeping to the donors' idea of playing a "sudden, death" competition. Kia Toa, the season's champions, went under for. the second time this season, their victors being a weakened Athletic team, who, m the Hanklns' Shield competition, occupied the second lowest rung on the ladder. -. Kia Toa were again , hard put " to it to field a full fifteen and found 'it necessary to ring m some players who were not on the active list. X Athletic were little . better, but nevertheless they gave a sounder, display than did their opponents whose penchant for. offside play enabled Fearnley to place another win to his side's credit by kicking' two- penalty goals. ' .•'••■' The Kia Toa men were palpably at sea, and though, on. occasions, they gave glimpses of something, like their form, they could only finish off their movements properly • once, Morgan swerving in-field after receiving the leather right on the side-line and. scoring a good try, which was not converted.' , .. ■ ' ..■ Very Fond Of It . Fearnley, the Athletic custodian, has played better games, and was 'not as reliable as he generally is. He niade a certainty of Griffin, however, the Kia Toa three-quarter meeting mother earth every time he approached Fearnley m possession. His two penalty goals were both good attempts and added to his already not inconsiderable individual total number of points. There was nothing brilliant about the three-quarter, line, all three failed to handle the ball with any degree of certainty. ' ,' R. Kells, wing -forward, was m fine fettle and kept up with . the play throughout and harassed the. Kia Toa inners without compunction. „ ■'••..• Bill Morgan again had two games m the afternoon, but Kia Toa junior's hard struggle with West End Old Boys m the curtain-raiser left him a.tired man. The try he scored* was a pretty piece of work which showed that lie knew the way to go about his business; • At Feilding, a much weakened. Old Boys side went under to Feilding Old Boys, 3-21. . . The Old Boys forwards, assisted by the strong sun, kept their opponents quiet m the first half, and. when they left the field for their breather they enjoyed a 3-0 lead, but after play had been resumed, : the boot was on the other foot. Last season's champions (Feilding) and this year's champions (Kia Toa) will meet m the deciding game for the G. and C. Cup. Felding is the only team that has not been beaten m this' competition and if they beat Kia Toa m the next game the Cup will be theirs for' the season, but if Kia Toa, who will then be able to field their full team, should win, a play-off will, of course, be necessary.'... „ .....•'■ ■-■• ,