Delamore's Day In All Black Trial

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1948, Page 9

Delamore's Day In All Black Trial

MASTERTON, Sept. 3. c The dashing play of G. W. Delamore, Wellingtou's brilliant first five-eightlis, was a feature of the All Black trial game in which Wellington beat the combined Wairarapa-Bush team by 19 poihts to 11 before a erowd of 5000 at Solway Sh'owgrounds, Masterton, this afternoon. The road to Wellington 's sueeess was paved by the solid work of the forwards, particularly in the first spell. It was a fast, open, gtand game with spectaeular passing rushes" on bojth sides. B. Couch, not eligible •for the African tour, was the outstanding Wairarapa back, handling well and eng'ineering some fine moves. The hajf time score was Wellington 9, Waira-rapa-Bush 3. Iu the second spell Wellington added ten points to Wairarapa 's eight, , indicating a closer run of play when a reshuffle of Wairarapa 's front row and other chfinges, saw the home forwards turning the tables on Wellington. It was Delamore's day. He partieipated in King's try, kicked a penalty and converted O 'Donnell 's try, and made a great run for Ward's' try and converted that. However, Couch was not outshone by Delamore. He gained two of Wairarapa 's tries by fast following up and liis dumihies 'and swerves were finely executed. M. J. Doyle, Wellington 's fullback, was impressive. He played a solid, all round good game botli on defence and attack. D. H. O 'Donnell was well suited by the reasonably firrn ground and scored * a* well deserved try. Wliite and Wills stood out for solid toil in the Wellington paclc and no fault eould be found with the hoolcing of the front row men, especially in the iirst spell. The Wellington back line was impressive from Delamore outwards. Hourigan showed an abundance of speed. In the combined side A. Nola, at half, vvent exceeding well. His runs up the blind" sidy of th'e scrum were, bright features of the game. Blake and Matthews, neither eligible for the, tour, were the outstanding Wairarapa packmen although Henderson and Kight were associated in some entefprising loose rushes. J. Motofi;, a youngster with a promising c-areer, went well at centre, greatiy strengthening the backs in the second spell. He and Humphrey and Muller combined well. Humphrey, at wing three-quarters, was brilliant.