FIJIANS WIN AGAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20042, 14 September 1939, Page 16

FIJIANS WIN AGAIN

ASHBURTON GO DOWN KEEN CONTEST IN MUD (Per Pross Association.) ASHBURTON, this day. Playing in extremely unpleasant conditions, heavy rain and a cold southerly, the Fijians, maintained their unbroken record in New Zealand by defeating Ashburton by 10 points to four.

Play was ragged at the outset, the Fijians apparently not : being able to find their feet in the mud, Ashburton also having difficulty in handling the ball. Passing was erratic for a time.

The visiting forwards excelled in quick, sharp rushes, while the backs combined in enterprising movements. Had the ground been dry, the visitors probably would have given a better display.

As in other matches of the tour, the forwards did not gain the ball from the scrum as much as the opposing side, but quick breaking movements and solid defence counteracted this disadvantage. All the points were scored in the first half, when the visitors were definitely on top. Kelly’s Field Goal In the second spell Ashburton improved considerably and were within an ace of scoring several times. Play in this half was mostly in Fijian territory, but the home team was unable to pierce the defence.

Ashburton were first to open their account when, from a scrum near the Fijians’ goal line, Kelly, the first five-

'eighth, secured, the ball and kicked a neat field goal.

The Fijian backs, by a bright movement, got into a handy position, for Vorege to score after Nagatalevu had made a run. The try was not converted. Shortly afterwards the Fijian backs again carried play to tile Ashburton 25, where Ralawa made a sparkling run before passing to Bola, who scored an unconverted try. The visitors added to their score a few minutes later when Korovulavula, the full-back, who played excellently throughout, secured the ball well outside his own 25 and put over a fine field goal. Bola and Vorege were outstanding.