TARANAKI ON TOP

Evening Post, Issue 29, 3 August 1936, Page 6

TARANAKI ON TOP

DEFEAT OF WAIRARAPA TOURISTS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, August 2.

Taranaki beat the touring Wairarapa Rugby team by 37 to 16 in a-represeri-tative match oh a heavy ground. Three showers fell during the game and the ball was greasy, but the handling by Taranaki was surprisingly good;. ; and most of its eight tries were scored from, spectacular. back movements. Taranaki'had much the better of the game in all departments, but When it led 34 to 6, it allowed the defence to slacken and Wairarapa individualists improved the score. Wairarapa lacked the combination of Taranaki and were outpaced and outplayed.

Fitzgerald, the Wairarapa captain, was the team's best back, and Hume and Denbee played fair games. Laing was Wairarapa's outstanding forward and Hart, Grantham, and McGregor played tirelessly. J. Sullivan on attack and defence played a spectacular game as the Taranaki centre-threequ'ar-ter, and led the scoring. All the backs played well, backed by Collins; whogave an impeccable display of fullback play. His long, well-directed line kicks and goal-kicking left his international record unblemished. The forwards played exceedingly well as a pack and always dominated play. Tries-were scored for Wairarapa by Hart, Grantham, and Holland, Fitzgerald converting .two and kicking a penalty goal. For Taranaki Sullivan scored three tries and Ford, Fowler, Smith, Runkere, and O'Dodwa one each. Collins converted five tries and kicked one penalty goal.