ARMY MATCHES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 128, 30 April 1940, Page 8

ARMY MATCHES.

TRENTHAM BEATS BURNHAM. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. Packed stands and packed embankments at Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon saw the first Army Rugby matches of the present war under perfect conditions. A crowd estimated at 10,000 enjoyed fast and thrilling play provided 'by four teams of remarkably fit and vigorous soldier footballers. In the opening match the South Island Air Force team beat the North Island Air Force 9 All the players in this match came from the It.N.Z.A.F. station at AVigram. In the second match, the main one of the afternoon, the Trehtham Army team beat the Burnham Army team 12—9. It was the greater dash and more compact scrummaging of the Trentliam forwards tliat gave their side the victo.-y. The Trentliam backs were also quick to grasp opportunities and slightly superior in concerted work. A stirring scene before the game started was a parade of men of the, Second Echelon. They were greeted 1 with ringing cheers from all parts of the ground. Another stirring spectacle occurred during the interval when non-commissioned officers of the Third Echelon marched round the ground. Gaps were deliberately left in the ranks so that any young man who wished to join could climb over the fence and do so. A call for recruits was announced over the loudspeaker and immediately four strode across from the eastern stand. They were followed bv six more from the eastern embankment and within 10 minutes there were 22 recruits.