FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

■"WAIRARAPA V. POVERTY HAY I BV TELEGRAM—I’ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GISBORNE, June 0. One of the most spectacular representative matches witnessed at Gisborne was provided by the meeting of Poverty Bay and Wairarapa to-day. the visitors winning by a last-minute converted try. The weather was line, but tlie ground was sodden and very slippery, and was not conducive to open play. Nevertheless the game was fast and spectacular.

After several attempts to open up the game, Ileroti set Wairarapa bucks ill action, the visitors giving a great display, which ended in Stringfellow scoring wide out, near the corner. Candy’s kick failed.

Poverty Bay forwards kept the visitors busy defending their line for some time, bill penally kicks enabled Wairarapa to resume the offensive and n wildly-drccted kick by the Poverty Bay centre in Ids own 25 saw J. Donald send the visitors’ rear guard racing away. Cooke’s run penetrated the opposition, and lie transferred to Stringfellow. who gave it to Booth and the last-named scored in the corner. (Tind.v again missed. A ininuto later Booth featured a good run down to the corner, being grassed by the Poverty Bay full-back over the corner Hag- The visiting backs swarmed all over the home opposition, and from a scrum in the Poverty Bay 25, Donald whipped the hall out in Cooke, and ii. went to Stringfellow and then to Hart, who had a clear run in. Ciuul.v’s kick missed. A little later, Wnirorapa wore awardmi n penalty in front of the goal. Gundy adding three points.

Just before half time Poverty Bay were awarded a penalty in front of the Wairarapa goal for obstruction and Morrison kicked a goal. 12—3.

On the resumption of play. Poverty Bay forwards adopted smashing, short loose rush tactics, virtually paralysing the vistiors, who were overwhelmed. A line dribbling rush. led by Horsfall, resulted in Thomas crossing in tlio corner. Caulton failed to convert. A few minutes later Thomas again scored for Poverty Hay, but Morrison failed to convert.

Following a long kick Caulton badly bustled Cooke, and Poverty Bay followed up to Wairarapa’s corner, where Carrington picked up the ball near the line and sent it to Langlnnds, who scored near tlie post. Morrison converted.

Poverty Bay forwards were irresistible in the loose and once more tlioy swept the Wairarapa line, where Cundy, in attempting to clear, kicked to Turnbull, who dived over to score. Poverty Bay 17: Wairarapa 12. Tlie home pack, however, were unable to stand the pace they had set. and once more the Wairarapa backs swung into action. Cooke making an excellent run. He was tackled near the corner. The Wairarapa backs were not to be denied and a brilliant run saw Stringfellow score near the corner. A no charge kick was allowed, hut Cundy missed. Wairarapa 15 : Poverty Bav 17.

The concluding stages were full of excitement and incident, but AA airara pa backs again raced away. C’ooke penetrating deep into the bay 25 before being tackled, but Stringfelow dribbled over and touched down. The game ended shortly after.

Wairarapa 20: Poverty Bay 1/