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NZ Truth, Issue 1174, 31 May 1928, Page 14

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Leaders Downed In Breezy Game

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Masterton Rep.) There are new leaders m the senior Wairarapa Rugby championship at the end of the first round) Carterton's defeat of the redoubtable Old Boys by 15 points to 11 on Saturday, at Carterton, placing them one point m the lead of their opponents. TF, m the second round, Carterton pursue their bullocking tactics of Saturday, however, it will not bring them popularity with their victories, if such fall their way. Wild kicking m the scrums, covert "stoushing" and illegal tackling, which Old Boys began to reciprocate m a measure, were part of the tactics employed. Even taking into account the nature of the play, which was largely a struggle between the forwards, m whom lay Carterton's main strength, it can conscientiously be stated that the game was not among the cleanest that have been witnessed m the Wairarapa, and the fault of this can be laid at Carterton's door. In decided contrast was the match the previous Saturday at Masterton between Old Boys and Greytown, the latter equal contenders then with Carterton for the suppression of the championship leaders. BIG GUNS GO OFF In the second spell Old Boys' backs never had a chance. They threw the ball about m the first spell, which ended 8 -nil m their favor, Faulknor scoring and converting and Yates securing a try. After that, however, Old Boys had their backs to the wall. The heavy Carterton forwards, particularly W. Invine and Fairbrother, had it all over the Old Boys pack, who were, most of the time, fighting m their own twentyfive. They were playing a losing game. Time and again Carterton. hooked the ball from the scrum and pressed their foes harder against the line. By way of variety, five minutes after the oranges, i they worked their five-eighths line, and ! Hart,. Denby and Kingi handled the

leather for the last-named to score, C. Irvine goaling. Old Boys' rearguard were ramping for the ball, but it seldom came to them and they found love's labor lost. On the occasions when they did get it, their old dash was missing and they could accomplish little. In addition they were well marked. Indeed, the tackling by both sides was, on the whole, deadly. Cooke was off form, and as he was the mainstay of , the backs, this had its effect. He fumbled his passes on several occasions, although otherwise he played with some of his old coolness and was responsible for some good linekicking. More hammering by Carterton resulted m Cox crossing for C. Irvine to convert. This was' followed by a try by Fairbrother. C. Irvine sent the ball over for the third time, clinching the sound game he had played at full-back. Old Boys had now no hope of saving the game, but with a desperate effort a few minutes before the final whistle, Cooke gained considerable territory with a long kick; and from the play ensuing on the line-out, Faulknor got over for his second try, thus reducing the margin against them to four points. Bill Irvine, if relentless, was a tower of strength to the Carterton pack, but his boot was out and he failed with several penalty kicks. ■ DENBY DELIVERS * \ 1 An outstanding game was played 'by Denby, the' Carterton five-eighths. He was continually on the ball and made some good openings, and Carterton's first try was largely due to him. Hard luck attended him m a pot at goal, the ball striking the upright. His fault was that he was inclined on occasions to v rely too much on his own initiative. Smith,- the Old Boys five-eighths, saved his side on several occasions and again proved of considerable value. Lawson, Old Boys' 'rover, came near to bringing off a score following a brilliant interception from Hart, who was giving of his best at half. Lawson had a good chance, but failed to recover his short punt through the opposing backs falling to like bees. There was little got past Cormack, full-back for Old Boys, and his linekicking was sure. United had their first win against "Gladstone, whom they defeated by 22 points to 8, while Greytown, fielding a strong team, piled up 29 points against Red Star's 11. The Wairarapa team to represent Wairarapa against: Hawke's Bay at Napier on June 4, has been announced as follows: — Full-back, Roache, (Gladstone) ; three-quarters: R. Jury (Greytown), C. Stringfellow (Greytown), W. Yates (Old Boys); five-eighths: A. E. Cooke (Old Boys),feß. Cundy (United); half: Hiroti (Greytown) ; captain and wing-forward: J. Donald (United); hookers: Q. Donald (United), W. Irvine (Carterton); lock: ; . K. Fairbrother (Carterton) ; supports : K. Reid (Carterton), W. Reside (Gladstone); breakaways: M. Parker (Greytown), S. Willoughby (Red Star).' This selection is largely as expected. Jim Donald cannot have much longer to go so far as representative play is concerned, as he is on. the decline, and his inclusion is not likely to meet with general approval. : Quentin Donald and Bill Irvine, the. two 1924 AH Blacks, were two certainties for hookers. Greytown have four sound players, included and Red Star is well represented m is. Willoughby. It is pleasing to see that W. Yates (Old Boys) has beenselected, as. he has come on well/and is deserving of his place. However, Denby (Carterton') could well have been considered m favor of R. Cundy, at five-eighths. - Smith. Old Boys' five-eighths, although his name is riot included, must soon he knocking at the door also. , ■