N.S.W. BEAT WAIRARAPA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 281, 22 August 1921, Page 6

N.S.W. BEAT WAIRARAPA

A RUNAWAY VICTORY VISITORS’ BRILLIANCY FINAL SCORE 35 TO 5 By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Masterton, August 20. It is safe to say that few if any of the football enthusiasts who witnessed, tho match between New' South Wales and Wairarapa at Solway to-day expected to see the visitors display such brilliancy iu all departments of the game. The match was cleanly fought, and was a revelation from start to finish. As one ex-representative player put it, it was "tho best exhibition of football seen in the Wairarapa for a very long- time.” Certainly the local team did not play up to anything approaching expectations—in fact, they played shocking football—but even if usual form had been struck and the services of J. Donald had been available, it is doubtful whether the final result would have been altered by more than a few points. To-day’s match was looked upon by the visitors as an unofficial test, because on paper Wairarapa appeared to be the strongest country team this season. Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui, Bush and Manawatu were all beaten by the local combination, the score against the last-named team being up in the thirties. Some people considered that even Canterbury were lucky to gain a victory. There was, therefore, some justification for the visitors thinking that they had a tough proposition to tackle; their opinion at the end of the game, with, 'the final scone 34 to 5, was vastly different. With tba exception of one or two mon in the forwards, the size of the Australians is not remarkable. But there is not oiie member of tho team who- does not give the impression that ho is wiry and full of vim. and resource. This/was quickly demonstrated after the commencement of play, for the forwards immediately showed their superiority in dribbling, and kept the play open; the backs showed a surprising turn of spool, yet were always ready to beat their opponents by side-stopping, dodging and the employment of every legitimate form ol strategy. Their tackling was vigorous and always sure, and their passing nippy. Their passes were all short, and as tho ball was never hugged when running it ■was always got rid. of 'with a minimum of delay when the man was tackled. The forwards passed as well as the backs. After two or three days of warm, sunny weather, the ground, though a trifle soft, was conducive to fast, open and spectacular football. The visitors made tho pace hot throughout the game, and left, tho local men standing. A feature ot their game was wonderful passing. V alter or Mingay (scrum and fly-half respectively) would obtain possession, and in a flash a passing rush would be started among the four three-quarters, the ball being thrown along the line, , and if necessary passed back again. This movement was operated time and -again, and tho lamentable spectacle was often witnessed of the Australians racing for the touch-line with a train of Wairarapa men, including the full-back, following some yards behind. Sometimes a passing movement would be started among the forwards, Bond and Smith being especially prominent on these occasions, lhe result was always the same—a try for New South Wales. The visitors were adiflits at following up, and their speed, backed by sound judgment sa vo thcm a great advantage in this respect. In scrunis the Australians got the ball on all but one occasion, so that the capabilities of the breakaways could not be judged. The visitors employed the 3—2—3 formation, which enables toe breakaways to leave the scrum quickly if necessary. In line-outs tbte New South Wales men were always vastly superior, both in tight and in loose etuft, thp ball quickly passing from the ruck to. the backs, who never failed to make the best US Nothliug (New South Wales full-back) was not often called upon to- defend his goal, but whenever he was pressed his defence was sound, and his kicking su- ? Mingay’s place-kicking accounted for no small portion cf the score. With hardly any serious opposition in to-day’s game, it was difficult to judge how the visitors would shape against a metropolitan team. Undoubtedly they took risks to-day that they would not have taken if playing against a first-class team. For instance, Nothliug (full-back) frequently adopted the most unorthodox method of starting a passing rush near his own goal-line; then he was often second or third man in a passing movement. Had his side been badly pressed, one of his passes might have been intercepted and a score brought off. To sum up, the backs compare favourably with New Zealand’s best, but tho forwards, as will be seen from the list given below, are not heavy enough fol an All Black pack. With perhaps the exception of Bacon in the forwards, there was no one in the Wairarapa team worth mentioning. Another forward, Desmond, would have played a better game if he had not got off-side so much. The wing-forward, Dixon, wa.s always overshadowed bj. the speedy Smith on the opposite side. However, tho game was so fasti and open that the i'orwaida had very little tight work to do, and were kept racing up and down tho field after a ball that seemed to be for ever out of their reach. Wairarapa, who were playing with tho sun slightly in their eyes during tho first spell, followed the ball from the kick-off right into their opponents’ twenty-five, Bacon being in tho van, but play was immediately returned to Wairarapa’s side of half-way, and there it remained for a good portion of the game. The only other notable play by the local men was in the second half, when by forward movements and. line-outs Wairarapa gained ground bit by bit until they were within a few. yards of thort opponents’ twenty-five. Suddenly Bnoon secured from tho ruck, and, dashing through, scored amid great applause. Torrance converted, and tho score was then 24—5. For some minutes afterwards the local men heartened up, but it was only a flash in the pen. Tho most brilliant try of the day was undoubtedly that scored by Wallace (New South Wales’s right-wing). Nothling (full-back) passed to Wallace in their own twenty-five; the latter swerved in, gave a dummy pass, and, sidestepping his way through the whole field, placed a.wonderful try between the posts. .In this case and generally throughout ths game, Wairarapa were simply helpless to stop their opponents. Every one of the visitors’ movements was done so unexpectedly and so speedily that the local men looked as though paralysed into inactivity. They made very few goixi tackles throughout the whole day. A feature of the Australians’ game was the way in which forwards and backs combined in passing rushes. On one occasion Dunn (forward) passed to Mingay (back), who threw to Wogan. Stanley next received tho ball, and, cutting in, scored in the corner. But perhaps the most brilliant combination of backs and forwards was when Bond (forward) passed to Wogan (back), who threw on to Stanley. Bond and Wogan camo quickly round the back and took up their plaoes on the other side of Stanley, from whom tho ball wont on to Bond, then to Wogan, then to Pym. The rush was stopped’ by off-side play, but it was nevertheless a great effort. . Such tactics, combined with accurate reverse and overhead passing, were typical of the play. Wairarapa spoilt many chances by not following up, Dixon and Ebsmond and Bacon being the only local players who attempted it. The last try clearly demonstrated tho

visitors’ superiority in line-outs. The ball went out near the Wairarapa touchline. It was quickly thrown in again by New South Wales, and before the local men realised what was on foot, Landon secured, and,' dodging through, got over. Tho teams were as follow:— WAIRARAPA. Full-back: H. Matson. Three-quarters' If. Careen, E. B. Booth (injured and replaced by H. Reid in second spell), Randal Booth. Five-eighths: F. Booth, A. Torrance. Half: E. Rose. Wing-forward: S. Dixon. Forwards: J. Feast, J. M’Arley, G. James, C. Bacon, W. Knowles, W. Strachey, A. Desmond. new south wales. Full-back: O. E. Nothling, 12st. 101 b. Three-quarters: Wallace list. 131 b., Stanley lOst. 101 b., Wogan 12st. 51b., Carr (owing to injury replaced by J. Pym, list.). Fly-half: N. Mingay, Ost. ilb. Scrum-half: A. S. B. Walker, list. 101 b. (captain). Forwards: T. S. D. Davis list. 111 b., J. H. Bond list., T. Smith list. 61b., C. L Fox 12st. 31b., R. Elliott 13st., A. M. Thorn list. 101 b., V. A. Dunn 12st. 81b., D. B. Landon 13st. 71b.

anotheraccrunt By Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton, August 20, New South Wales met Wairarapa in splendid weather conditions. Tho attendance was 3000. Tho game was one of the most one-sided expositions seen for a considerable time. The visitors showed superiority in every branch of the game, givin" a thoroughly scientific exhibition throughout and winning by- 34 points to 5. Although tho scores are a very fair indication of the merits of the Yearns the 'game was not lacking in interest. 1 lie field was somewhat heavy; otherwise the conditions were ideal Wairarapa won the toss. Within a tew minutes of tho opening the superior tactics of the visitors’ forwards were clearly demonstrated, Fox, by a clever run, crossing the line. The attonipt at goal was unsuccessful. The combination and fast play of the visitors was much admired. Their passing rushes showed excellent judgment and generalship. LCarr received an injury to his leg, and had to retire from tho field, being replaced by J. Pym. New South Wales attacked continually, and play continued for a considerable time in the vicinity of the home goal, tho visitors never throughout tho spell being seriously press ed Amidst much excitement M allace, obtaining the leather from Pym after smart passing, crossed, D. B. Loudon converting. Now South Wales 8, Wairarapa 0. Shortly afterwards, Wairarapa had an unsuccessful attempt at goal from a penalty. Desultory play followed for some time. Wairarapa was on the defensive, but tho -backs were decidedly weak, and Wallace, after another nippy run, was just prevented in time from scoring. Just at the close of the spell Mingay kicked a penalty, bringing tb» score to 11. . ~ . Fast play occurred on resumption, and within a few minutes Stanley secured a try, which Mingay converted. This was the easiest score of the day, Stanley dodgin" the Wairarapa backs apparently without difficulty. A pretty passing rush by tho visitors again brought play round the Wairarapa goal. Wallace again crossed, and Miigay converted, bringing the total to 21. A few minutes later Mingay obtained the ball, easily outdistanced his opponents and secured another try. which was not converted. Naw South Male? 24, Wairarapa nil. Suddenly play was transferred to the other end of the field, and Wairarapa secured their only try. This was converted At this stage the wonderful kicking of Nothling (the visitors’ full-back) called forth much applause. Mingay yet again obtained the ball and crossed the line. Loudon converted. bringing the visitors score to -9. Just before the call of time Loudon secured the ball from a throw-out, and neatly placed it over the line New South Wales 35. Wairarapa 5. The visitors declared that the ground was the best they had played on during their tour. VISITORS ENTERTAINED Br Telegraph—Special Correipoadent. Masterton, August 20. In tho evening the local Rugby 'Union tendered a dinner to the teams at the Hotel Midland. Mr. It. J. Southgate (patron) was in the chair and also present were: Tho Mayor (Mr. O. N. CPragnell), Mr. G. Waterson (president of the union), and Mr. E. M'Kenzie (secretary). Mr. Howe represented the N.Z.K.U., and Mr. Simpson was referee in tho match. . Mr. Pragnell welcomed the visitors to Mastertoil, and congratulated them on the fine exhibition they had given. Ho said that he would very much like to see them meet tho Springboks again. He hoped the authorities might arrange a match later on. Mr. Boswald (manager of the Aew South Wales team) said that they stood for clean play, and every game was gortn" to be contested in that spirit. Rugby football had occupied a sorry position in Australia until recently, but this year had seen the turning.point, and the game wa.s coming into its own again. His team would like to meet the Springboks again. The members were very sorry they were not meeting the first New Zealand test team. He congratulated the New Zealand Rugby Union on the arrangements it had made for the teanus tour, and thanked Mr. Simpson for ms fair control of the game. Mr G H. Perry (vice-president ot tpo local’union) said that the day’s game was a revelation in clean, fast and speU tacular football. He would go a long way to see such another match He would like to see the team meet he Springboks again, because he felt sure that the previous result would be reversed.

OTHER MATCHES S. CANTERBURY V. CANTERBURY. By Tclegroph —Press Association. Christchurch. August 20. Canterbury defeated South Canterbury by M points to 8. Ford scored two tries for Canterbury and Dailey and Elba one each, one being converted. R. Stewart scored a try for South Canterbury, and It was converted; Scott kicked a penaltygoal. MARLBOROUGH BEAT WAIRARAPA B. Blenheim, August 20. Wairarapa B met Marlborough to-day under excellent playing conditions. The home, team was superior throughout, winnina l>v 23 points to 5. In tho first spell, Marlborough gained 14 points to the visitors 5. It was not a striking exhibition of Rugby. Tho combination of tho Marlborough backs and the effectiveness of the Marlborough forwards in the loose were features of tho game. BULLER V. TNANGAHUA. Westport, August 20. A return match Buller v. Inanahua was played at Westport to-day on a heavy ground. It, was won by Buller by 37 points io 3. Features of the gnmo wero fine passing bouts by the Buller backs, and strenuous forward play. Tries wore scored for Buller by Grogan LI). Svonson (2), Mumm. Whittaker, Griffiths, O’Neill, and Barlase. Casoy converting three and Rchpilick two tries. R. Powley scored for Inangahua.

NORTH V. SOUTH HAWKE’S BAY. Napier, August 20. Northern Hawke’s Bay beat Southern Hawke's Bay by 24 points to nil.