NO DECISION BOUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 786, 5 October 1929, Page 15

NO DECISION BOUT

UNFINISHED FOOTBALL MATCH FINAL HEAT NEXT WEEK With 15 minutes to go till noside was called, the Barmen’s fullback yesterday, with a powerful boot, put the oval well out of bounds, where it defied all efforts of a search party and the League football match was brought to a sudden conclusion. At the time of the “lost ball” incident Barmen were leading . the Trotting Ti'ainers by 5 to 3, but the latter were “pacing” in such good style that it is difficult to say just how the heat would have finished. When the ball was recovered the majority of the leading thirteen had donned their street regalia again, so after a consultation referee R. C. Ward declared it a “no-decision” bout, and all wagers were consequently called off. BARMEN GET THE LEAD WTiile play did not reach the standard of the previous encounter, there were many thrilling incidents and the spectators enjoyed the keen struggle, with its flashes of bright football. The Barmen were quickest into their stride and attacked early, but offside play spoiled a good chance. Finally, working the blind side of the scrum and the judge, Speight sent McEwan away for a try, which Morton converted with a fine kick, giving Barmen a five lengths’ lead. When the Trotters warmed up to their work they made a determined dash for the opposite line, and eventually Wragge, weathering the storm of opposition, crossed and reduced the hop merchants’ lead by three points. Renewing the attack, Claude Fairman, after a vigorous effort, put the ball over the line, but the try was disallowed. Then Uncle Bert sent Nightingale across, but the latter was ruled offside. WELL-DIRECTED “POT” With the opening of the second half the light-harness enthusiasts, forced the Barmen into their malt yard and from a desperate sortie Fairman again got over, but a scrum was allotted. Keeping up the pressure Andy Bryce made backers of the pump pullers feel sick, when his lightning pot soared goalward to fall by inches under, instead of over, the bar. "Gloaming” Hudson urged his men on and the Barmen attacked but failed to penetrate the Epsom defence, and the Trotters were again in their opponents’ territory when Johnny Walker sent the ball, for a time, beyond recall and the game ended as already stated. Arrangements were made to play the game over again next Wednesday, after which the trotting lads will turn their attention to the serious side of their work in view of approaching fixtures.