Burlesque Rugby Match

Chronicle (Levin), 27 September 1949, Page 2

Burlesque Rugby Match

(Contribute'd) Faced wirh ov&rwhelming opposition when they paraded at the Otaki racQCOurse at the weekend to take part in a friendly rugby match,' Rahui juniors had xime for iittle eise 'but holding up rushes. In this sphere their tackling was "extra," and they may have been aided , at times by the mass of players who opposed them. Neverthe.ess, they showed up in a yery favourab e light when visiting their opponents' territory on several occasions. Tneir upponen'.s were stated to be a side representing Manawatu jockeys, but onlookers could hava been excused if they were of the opinion that one or two of them woui'd have been quite at home riding elephancs, such was their avoirdupois. There were some thrilling movements whicli certainly provided p.enty of entertainment for the spectators. Led out by Biil Connor, rnoking vhe part, resplendent in a real Ail Black jersey, the Jockeys looked a most formidab.e side. Although many rumours had reached Rahui of the calibre of the opposition, the numbers certainly "rocked them." Star forward for Jockeys was Barney Lumsden, who threw the bail everywhere buu in the right place. Star back was W1, Johnson and some of his hand work in the scums and tight was most unorthodox. Little infericr to these rwo were Garth Ivil and Walter McEwan. If the former had been .ocated earlier, the win recorded wouid probably have gone tne o-her way. As break-away, McEwan was really good, often

breakmg wen aneaa oi tne scrum. C.em Bowry and Ray Auckram were always in a scoring position, the only drawback from their point of view being that the ball seldom reached where they were patiently waiting, resting on their xaurels. Biil Hodges was another forward who worked hard, many times coming out of a ruck carrying lots of weight in the shape of two cr tirree opponems c.inging to him iike leeches. Joe Fox, Dick Hoone, Boo Brunell, Tom Gray and Larry and Gub. Enoka sent young Mita Johnson raeing often, but just as often the gaal line was just beyond him. Jack McLeod, W. Wilson, Tom Cook, Whata Davis, Geo. Brunell, Jack Dakin, Bu'ly Taratoa, and Bob. Hakaraia and Bill_ Connor made a formidable defensive^ack, and often Brune.l aiid "Connor* arrived in time to force, thereby saviiig many further scores. All uhe p ayers mentioned, numbering 28, wore Jockeys jerseys, and from . the foregoing it should be apprecialed that the task facing their opponents was herculean. Ray Giddens scored for Rahui and by converting his own try and latsr adding a penal.y goal scored a 1 the points for the victors. A third kick by this player hit the upright. Jockeys' score came from two tries. by Wiiiie Johnson. _ Mr. Ces Pussell carried 'Ihe whistle. Comment later was that he "carried" it all right. A collection was taken to assist towards the provision of a memorial to to M. Ridgway, the apprentice who received fatal* injuries at the Carterton races a fortnight ear'ier. The sum of £3 11s was contributed.