FOURTH VICTORY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 11

FOURTH VICTORY

OLD BOYB AGAIN FRANKTON JUST BEATEN Old Boys must be considered lucky In winning their fourth game in succession on Saturday when they Just defeated Frankton by 14 points to 5 In the main game at Ruffby Park. The display was disappointing from the spectators’ point of view, but the Frankton side played the right game, keeping the ball away from Old Boys’ backs. Right throughout the first half there was only one team in the picture and that team was Frankton. In the second session Old Boys were able to show slightly better combination but they were nothing like the team of the previous week. Old Boys’ fitness was a telling factor towards the end. The display of the inside backs for Old Roys, who are representing Waikato to-day, was disappointing to most spectators, but it must be realised that they were completely hemmed in by opposition players and had no chances. The way they stood up to the battering was encouraging. Old Boys’ forwards, though working hard, let the team down time and again by allowing Frankton's great workers to run through them. There were too many gaps. The teams were : Old Boys.—-Slow, Carroll, Finlay, Rochford, Paterson, Parsons. Broad: Holloway, Waite, McLean, Jones, Egan, Bary, Reese, BremerFrankton.—Ward, Griffiths, Everest, Davies, Cassels, James, Wilkins; Phillips, Finlayson, Gray, Moltzen, Dick, Bowler, Mclntosh, Elliott. Frankton’s Early Advantage Frankton had all the better of the early stages of the play but there was nothing cohesive about any of the movements. J. Gray, Frankton's forward, was injured and had to leave the field, but this did not deter the Frankton pack and, with one man short, they kept Old Boys penned up in their twenty-five until well after Newcombe had come on in place of Gray.

The side was given a chance to take the lead early when a free kick was awarded, but Phillips just missed from wide out and a little later Ward was also unsuccessful from a wide angle. On both occasions Old Boys did not force down and brought the ball back and started passing movements, but deadly tackling met them and they gained nothing. Finlay was the first to become prominent with a fine dash hut he was unsupported. A little later Old Boys’ backs had a clear run, Broad scooping up the ball from a ruck before Frankton’s forwards could get to him or his pass. The backline swung into action, Paterson dummying well and Finlay making a great break to streak over the line hut he was recalled for a knock-on. Two further penalties to Frankton saw them force their way Into Old Boys’ territory again, Ward gaining great lumps of ground each time with his kicks. Reese, Bary and McLean brought Old Boys back again but Slow missed a shot at goal from fairly well out. Neither team had settled down properly and there were few thrills and little bright play though the game was fast enough and always y exciting. Frankton were undoubtedly bustling Old Boys very badly. Their forwards and inside backs were parked right on top of Old Boys’ inside backs and gave them no room or time at all. Frankton Score First ~ Thpy were the first to score when Jim Everest, following.up a good kick by Ward, kicked through a gap, dribbled nicely again and raced everyone for the ball to score a fine try which

Ward converted. Frankton 5, Old Boys 0.

Old Boys had not settled down, the backs being severely handicapped by the fast breaking of the Frankton forDespite the fact that they only had 14 men. Frankton continued to hold the advantage. The game was hard and exciting, but with Old Boys' combination badly upset by Frankton’s great forwards there was only one team in it. Old Boys looked like it for the first time when the backs worked and Finlay broke clear, but Ward stemmed the advance. Frankton. then took a leaf out of Old Boys' book and the backs operated smartly, Everest cutting through very nicely but Finlay tackled strongly. It was Finlay again who brought Old Boys into an attacking position hut a free kick relieved Frankton and half-time was called. Slow Kicks Penalty Frankton again were the first to attack and Finlay it was who again made the break that gave Old Boys relief. With little of the ball, the Uld Boys backs could not produce their form of the previous week. Frankton were on Old Boys’ line for five minutes and they just failed to get over on several occasions. Bremer and McLean at last brought Old Boys Into attacking territory, and Slow kicked a great penalty goal. lOld 'Boys 3, Frankton The game was still fast, with overeagerness spoiling many of the movements. Old Boys then staged a typical try. Finlay making the break near the half-way mark and Paterson having little difficulty in finishing the try off- Old Boys 8, Frankton 5. With so little between them the game was very exciting. Frankton had two attempts to kick goals from penalties but both Ward and Phillips failed. The Lead Increased The Frankton players were being applauded for tine tackling. Another fine penalty by Slow put Uld Boys further in the lead. Old Boys 11, Frankton 5. The game was willing towards the end, with the hot pace maintained. After many attempts Old Boys scored again, Bary crossing the line after McLean and Egan had carried the ball down. Slow failed to convert. Old Boys 14, Frankton 5. This was the final score.

Mr H. Kirk, of Morrinsville, was the referee.