MONOPOLY OF BALL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20027, 28 August 1939, Page 11

MONOPOLY OF BALL

WELLINGTON SUPERIORITY CANTERBURY GOES DOWN (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In a fast and spectacular game which was productive of some of the best football seen at Athletic Park this season, Wellington beat the touring Canterbury team by 14 points to 9. The ground was heavy following rain, but the afternoon was brilliantly fine and there was practically no wind. There was an attendance of 15,000.

As in tile game between Wellington and Otago the previous Saturday, the deciding factor was possession of the ball. Wellington’s superiority in the set scrums was very marked, and the backs had a feast of the ball. They went better than against Otago, Ibu't it appeared they could have made more of their opportunities. Individually and as a combination the Canterbury backs were slightly superior. They utilised their less numerous opportunities to the full and showed great enterprise. The Wellington backs were given wonderful service by Tindill and all handled and passed well, but the good tackling of the Canterbury line frequently brought the movements to a standstill. Nevertheless, two good tries were scored. McAuliffe, the Canterbury captain, though not so good as Tindill, got the ball away nicely and was always sound on defence. The five-eighths, Allen and Burgess, were sound, but it

was the three-quarter line which produced the fireworks. Hunter and Cartwright gave outstanding displays. Both left the impression that they must be very strong contenders for places in the All Black side for South Africa. Great Face ... Cartwright showed great pace and scored p spectacular try from an opening made by Hunter. He was also very sound on defence. ‘ The Canterbury forwards all toiled hard. Walter and McPhail were outstanding in the loose and Campbell, who replaced Herman, did useful work in the tight. Hearn, though outhooked by’Lambourn, played a good all-round game. Tindill, Thompson and Taylor were the best of the Wellington backs. Tindill was right on his game and gave a masterly exhibition of halfback play. Thompson had an interesting duel with Allen and, on the day, shaded him. His ability to pick up seemingly impossible passes again was a feature of his play. Thomas, the second five-eighth, played soundly and showed more enterprise than against Otago. Veitch and Hunter had an interesting" duel, with honours about even. Sherratt, who was opposed to Roberts, again impressed, scoring a good try With a strong run.and paving the way for another. Cooper, the Wellington captain, did a tremendous amount of work and led the pack ably. Wales again showed his value as loose forward and was a constant source of worry to the Canterbury backs. Cassidy and Todd did valuable .work in the loose and. id the line* ou's. Sherratt, Veitch and Tmdill scored for Wellington. Taylor converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. Cartwright and Hunter scored for Canterbury and Cartwright kicked a penalty goal.