FOOTBALL MATCHES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 25 June 1917, Page 4

FOOTBALL MATCHES

PIRATES V. OLD BOYS. A WIN FOR PIRATES. Those who braved the elements on Saturday afternoon and wended their way to the Recreation Ground, to witness Pirates and Old Boys again try conclusions, were rewarded by seeing a keen and : exciting afternoon’s sport. The heavy rain which fell in the morning- had made the ground somewhat "sticky, and"'the ball, becoming greasy very quickly and difficult to handle, it was soon evident that the play was going to be confined to the opposing forward divisions. The Old Boys’ vanguard seemed to revel in the heavy going, and at the conclusion of the first spell their side had a good margin of points in their favour. They maintained their advantage during the first half of the second spell, but the superior condition and youthfulness of the Pirate team asserted itself towards the end of the game, and by their game and determined efforts they literally pulled the game out of the fire in the last ten minutes of play. For the Old B’oys, Wilson played a sterling game, being responsible for most of the points scored by his side. Ongley was in good form at goal-kicking, and Munro played "his usual safe game. It is hard to single out any of the Pirate team for special mention, but we cannot pass without a word of praise for the efforts of Takarangi and MeSweeney, the latter especially, who mixed it in the rough stuff like a Trojan and who was responsible for two well-deserved tries.

The following were the teams: Old Boys.—Woodhead, Welsh, Munro, Collerton, Pini, Ongley, Saunders, Salmon, Kelly, Campbell, ’Walsh, Barry, Johnston, Ngatai, Wilson. Pirates —Eaton, Pini, Maher, Chase, Connolly, Takarangi, Feasey, Fitzsimmons, Waller, G. Murphy, Windsor, McDermott, McSweeney, W. Murphy. Pirates opened proceedings, Windsor kicking off from the bath end. Chase secured possession from some scrambling play in the centre, and kicked well down the field, the Pirate forwards following up well. From a line out near the OlcT Boys’ line McSweeney picked up from the ruck and worked his way over, drawing first blood to Pirates. His kick at goal was unsuccessful. Pii’ates 3, Old Boys 0.

The Old Boys’ forwards were using their weight to advantage and kept the opposing vanguard busy. From a scrum in Pirates’ 25 Saunders secured and after passing a couple of men sent the ball on to Jim Pini, in a good position, the latter diving over with three men hanging to him. Ongley kicked a good goal. Old Boys 5, Pirates 3. Up and down play between the forwards resulted in the leather going out near the Old Boys’ line. From the throw-in the ball came to McSweeney, and he managed to scramble over, securing his second try. Maher failed' to convert. Pirates 6, Old Boys 5. The Old Boys’ front rankers were not to be denied, and were pressing Pirates hard in some loose play when Maher relieved with a good mark. An exchange of kicks up and down the field ended in Old Boys getting the ball at their toes and with Wilson in front they were looking dangerous, but were penalised for knocking on.

Chase with a good kick sent the ball to half-way, but the Red forwards again asserted themselves, and a good dribbling rush from the half-way line ended in Wilson securing a try. pngley was again successful witirthe kick. Old Boys 10, Pirates 6. From the kick into play Collertdfi. •got possession wide out and put in a good run down the line, but he lost the ball when a try looked almost certain, the oval going out on touch, and the half-time whistle blew. On resuming, some good footwork by th£ Reds’ front division took the ball to Pirates’ 25, but Eaton' saved, kicking out. The Black forwards now had a turn at attack, Waller being prominent, gaining a lot of ground. The Old Boys’ vanguard soon had matters their own way again, however, and from a line-out in Pirate territory Wilson snatched up the ball and with a determined effort worked his way over, scoring his second try. Ongley failed with the kick. Old Boys’ 13, Pirates 6. Shortly after another Old Boys, rush compelled Pirates to ford*. Connolly picked up from the loose and, seeing an opening, made off, and after gained a lot of ground passed to Pini on the wing, who knocked on, spoiling a good chance. Pirates were now brightening up and were attacking strongly in Old Boys’ territory, where Barry got his side out of a tight corner with a good kick to half-way, finding the line. From the throw-in Takarapgi secured and dashed away, but he put too much toe into his kick and Colerton forced. From this juncture the Old Boys’ condition seemed to give out and Pirates were having matters a good deal their own way, Connolly gathered in the ball from a scrum in Red territory and finished up a good dodgy run by scoring a nice try. Takarangi failed to convert. Old Boys 13, Pirates 9.

From the kick into play Takarangi secured and made a fine run down the field, passing to Pini, the latter going on and scoring on the corner. Takarangi failed with the kick. / Old Boys’ 13, Pirates 12. I }■' i f . ( The Pirates were now straining evto .get their nose in front, and Colerton relieved in a dangerous position by getting .down to a Pirate forward charge,., taking a good mark on his knees, with the opposing pack on top of him. Pirates kept up tons pressure, and from a line-out on J atd Boys’ line the ball went to Takarangi who ran in under the posts unopposed, putting Pirates in the lead by two>points. Pini was unsuccessful with the kick. Pirates 15, Old Boys 13. Shortly after Windsor got over* from some scrambling play on the Red line, but the try was disallowed, and the final whistle blew without any further score being pbsted. Mr. Kelsall refereed in his usual' impartial manner. 5 - r -