AUCKLAND BEATS WAIRARAPA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 17

AUCKLAND BEATS WAIRARAPA

HIGH SCORES IN GAME AT. MASTERTON - (FUU iJBSOCUXZOK TKLTOBAVj MASTERTON. September 14. Sixty-one points were scored at tta* Rugby match at Memorial Park this afternoon, when the touring Auckland team beat Wairarapa by 38 points to 23. A high wind, at times reaching gale force, was a considerable handicap, and spoiled the match from the spectators’ point of view.' Auckland gave the impression that it was not going at its best, and it was only weak Wairarapa tackling and poor positional play that carried the visitors to victory.

Auckland held a decided weight advantage in the forwards, but Wairarapa’s virile, bustling tactics more than counter-balanced this. The visiting backs were a definitely faster and more polished combination, and on the general run of play it was surprising that they did not score more points. Their handling, however, was inclined to be erratic.

With the wind, behind it, Wairarapa had all the bettor of the opening half and at the interval held a lead of 17 points to 14. Auckland soon took the lead on the Resumption, but struck a bad patch, and for fully 20 minutes Wairarapa played all over the visitors. Near the close of the half, however, the Wairarapa forwards tailed off badly, and Auckland quickly ran into a commanding lead. It was poor football, enlivened by only occasional flashes of bright play. Tries for Auckland were scored by Donaldson (2), Brown (2), Pearman. Martin, Drake, Brady, Fleet, and Lange. McLean converted one, and Clarke three. For Wairarapa scorers were: Percy (3), P. Henson (2>, and Brown. Percy, kicked a penalty goal, and O’Callaghan converted one try.