NEIL GOES IN But what a dismal beginning it was! Pearse, who had taken Gillam's place at right half-back, misjudged the long, low kick, just managed to tip the ball with one outstretched hand as it went over his head, and so had to turn and chase it back to the goal-line.

But Mason had seen the danger and was before him.

Seizing the bouncing pigskin, he was able to reach the ten-yard line ere the Robinson right end bore him to earth.

A moment later the ball went to the other side as a penalty for holding, and it was Robinson's first down on Erskine's twelve yards.

Neil, watching intently from the bench, groaned loudly.