Wairarapa-Bush Test Australians

Chronicle (Levin), 29 August 1949, Page 3

Wairarapa-Bush Test Australians

MASTERTON, August 28._ Subjeeted to the sternest test of its tour to date, the visiting Australian Rugby (team narrowly beat the combined Wairarapa-Bush team at the Solway Showgrounds on. Saturday afternoon, by 21 points to 14. Out-hookecl in the set scrums and playing towards the end with 14 players, the eombined side yievertheless won territorial honours gained by fieree forward rushes. Rugby at its brightest and best, the gaine was played at a cracking pace' on a perfect turf and in warm sunshine before 6000 people who saw one of the most spectacular matches played in the Wairarapa for many years. The eombined side went out with the objeet of emulating the WairarapaBush combination which in 1936 beat the touring Australian team. Australia went out determined to avoid that fate and the outcome was a' grand game notable for herce forward onslaughts and sweeping back movements which carried play from end to end in rapid succession. Australia was able to stand the pace longer than the eombined team and well into the second si-iell the Wallaby backs were able to penetrate the WairarapaBush defence which was weakened by the centre, P. O 'Brien, going off injured. K. Parker, who prior to the game had repiaced P. J. Small at the back of the scrum, went out to the wing. Australia 's points came from tries by Allan, Garner (2) aird Brockkoff. Causey kicked a penalty and converted a try and Allan converted two tries. For Wairarapa-Bush, Mahupuka kicked j two penalties and converted a try while j Desmond and Mattliews each gained a try. The half-time score was Waira-rapa-Bush 11, Australia 11.^ In both spells Australia had a distinct advantage in the set scrums, Cottrell outhooking Matthews to the extent of 22 to 9. The lineouts were even in the lirst spell but in the second spell Australia shaded Wairarapa 13 to 11. Well served by Cottrell, R. Causey, Ihe Wallaby half, fed his backs smoothly and efficieiitly and the whole Jme operated with coliesion. R. Garner, dashing wing three-quarters who scored two tries, showed remarkable pace. The Wairarapa-Bush defence, however, was sound, particularly while K. Parker was at the back of the Wairarapa-Bush scrum using suceessful sniothering tactics. Hourigan, Combined half, got the ball away smartlv to B. Couch who was capably supported by B. Desmond and otlier Combined backs, notably C. J. Humplirey and Pinfold, wingers. A. Mahupuka, Wairarapa-Bush fullback, proved valuable to the home side, being sound on dcfenec and gaining ground with long line kicks. Wairarapa-Bush operted aggressivcly and after four minutes of attack, A. Mahupuka kifeked a penalty for Wai-rarapa-Bush. After bright back plav Australia equalised when Ihe captain, 'L1. Allan, scored in the corner. Solomon 's kiclc missed. Wairarapa-Bush, who had the territorial hdvantage for some tiine, were awarded a penalty for obstruction after Humphrey. had .se.Cipingly ^.cored in thq corner. Mahupiilsa 's kick wept wide. Pressing Australia hard, Wairarapa scored an opportiinlst try under Australia ;s posts wheii B. Desfffond, witli

backs and forwards in support, beat Solomon for the force down after an awkward bounce. Mahupuka converted — Wairarapa-Bush 8, Australia 3. Both sides threw "the ball about and there were many bright movements. After 34 minutes of play R. Garner' ' picked up the ball after an infield kick ' and using his speed, beat his opposite, 0. J- Humplirey, to score a line try. R. Causey converted-^-Wairarapa 8, Australia 8. An infringement by Australia gave Wairarapa a penalty 15 yards out and, Mahupuka converted — Wairarapa 11, Australia 8. • 1 Australia retaliated when Causey kicked a penalty from well out to equalise at 11-all, the half-time score. Wairarapa hammered the Australian defence early in the second spell until Kingi Matthews, Maori All Black, scored after a fierce forward rush. Mahupuka missed" the kick, making the score Wairarapa-Bush 14, Australia 11. Australia replied when Emery kicked for the line after a scrum. Following up fast, Gamer beat Mahupuka for the bounce and niade -a spectaeular run for 40 yards to score under the Combined posts. Allan converted, carrying the score to Australia 16, Wairarapa-Bush 14. F. O'Brien, Wairarapa ;s centre, went offi hurt about 12 minutes before time and Wairarapa played one man short. There was a tense moment when Mahupuka narrowly missed a penalty for Wairarapa. Wairarapa fought desperately to regain the lead and a pot at goal by Desmond went wide. Australia set the seal on success, however, when all the backs handled for Garner and Brockhoff to slash the Wairarapa defence for the latter to score. Allan converted, making ihe final score Australia 21, Wairarapa-Bush 14. Mr. F. Parkinson, Manawatu, was tilY& ' refered". " '