THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1938, Page 2

THE RUGBY GAME

WAIRARAPA COMPETITION MATCHES MASTERTON AND RED STAR WIN. CARTERTON BEAT OLD BOYS. The weather was fine and the grounds in first-class order on Saturday for the continuation of the Wairarapa Rugby Union’s competition matches. A feature of the senior grade was the fine effort of the young Masterton team, which downed the crack Greytown combination 8/3. Masterton have now won all three games in a row. Red Stars had too much speed and combination for Martinborough, winning 20/8, while Carterton produced something in the nature of a surprise by defeating Old Boys, last year’s championship winners, 10/3. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Masterton 8; Greytown 3. Carterton 10; Old Boys 3. Red Stars 20; Martinborough 8. AN EASY WIN. BRIGHT PLAY AT THE PARK. In what was the fastest and brightest game of the season so far, Red Stars defeated Martinborough 20-8 at Memorial Park. Play early resolved itself into a keen struggle between two fine packs of forwards, although both sets of backs, particularly Stars, occasionally came to light with some bright movements. Martinborough put up a game fight, but nevertheless Stars, by virtue of their superior speed and tactics, scored a clear-cut win. Peterson, who is playing at the top of his form, opened Stars account with a try which Stewart converted. Then Wilton landed a penalty goal for Martinborough. Play continued at a fast pace with both teams taking turns at attack. Stars were quick to turn to account mistakes by their opponents and before the interval Johnston and O’Connor scored tries, both of which were converted by Stewart. Martinborough infused more vim into their play on resumption and, following hot play near the Star line, Pat Ward forced his way across. Wilton converted the try. Martinborough began to see more of the ball from the scrums and line-outs but their inside backs failed to penetrate. Shortly before time, Johnston capped a bright passing bout with a try, which Stewart again converted. SURPRISE WIN. CARTERTON BEAT OLD BOYS. The ability to profit by the mistakes of their opponents enabled Carterton to down Old Boys 10/3. It was a keen, hard-fought match, the fine work of the Carterton forwards being the deciding factor in Carterton’s win. In the first half Old Boys had rather the better of the exchanges but they faded in the second spell which was dominated by Carterton. An outstanding game was played by Loder, the Carterton first five-eighth, who made many fine moves. C. Cook and A. Reidy each scored an unconverted try for Carterton, and Loder “potted” a neat goal. Old Boys’ three points came from a penalty goal kicked by R. O’Callaghan. A FINE EFFORT. MASTERTON DOWN GREYTOWN. Masterton continued their winning way when they defeated Greytown 8/3 after a fast and interesting match. Masterton faced a strong sun in the first spell at the start of which Greytown went straight to the attack. However, the Masterton forwards, led by I. Percy, C. Welch and Hargood, carried play to the Greytown line where Greytown had several anxious moments. Both sides showed good defensive work and the spell ended without score.

Both teams tried to open up play in the second half, ; which started brightly. Tackling, however, was excellent and promising moves by the backs were frequently upset by timely tackles. Masterton were first to score, Reiri, the half-back, who played a brilliant game, picking up from a loose scrum to make a fine opening for Gray, who scored. Percy missed the kick. Greytown launched a strong attack and were rewarded when Hume worked his way across for a good try to make the points level. The pace was on from this stage and while both teams fought hard, Masterton’s forwards had the edge on their opponents and the backs were well supplied with the ball. After several promising moves Masterton took the lead, C. Goodhue, who replaced Lanage, who was injured, touching down under the posts. Reiri converted, making the score 8/3. There was no further score, Osborne, Reiri and Barnett playing a large part in holding the Greytown players. Play throughout was fast and interesting and the Greytown speedy backs were kept well in check by the Masterton rearguard. Both sets of forwards played good football, Parker, Stringfellow and Hood being outstanding for Greytown, while for Masterton, Percy, Ford, Welch and Hargood were always in the picture.