THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1938, Page 2

THE RUGBY GAME

WAIRARAPA COMPETITION MATCHES GREAT CONTEST AT MEMORIAL PARK. RED STAR BEAT MASTERTON. The torrid struggle between Masterton and Red Stars at Memorial Park was the outstanding feature of the Wairarapa Rugby Union’s competition matches, which were continued on Saturday in almost perfect weather and ground conditions. Stars won what was the best club game seen locally in the last three seasons by 11 —8. The result might easily have gone the other ■way. Gladstone sprung a surprise by downing Old Boys, last year’s premiership winners, 10 —0, while Carterton were too strong for Martinborough, winning 28 —3. Carterton is now the only unbeaten team. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Seniors. Red Star 11, Masterton 8. Gladston 10, Old Boys 0. Carterton 28, Martinborough 3. Juniors. Old Boys 36, Masterton 3. Opaki 9, Carterton 3. Red Star 9, Greytown 6. Thirds. High School 8, Masterton 3. Old Boys 8, Red Star 8. Martinborough 26, Dalefield 0. TORRID STRUGGLE. THRILLS AT MEMORIAL PARK. In a game packed with exciting incident, purple patches and first-class Rugby, Red Star defeated Masterton 11 —8. It was the sort of match that patrons pay for but seldom see. Not for three or four years has a crowd been raised to such a pitch of excitement and enthusiasm as reigned on Saturday. Stars winning margin just about indicated their superiority, but on the run of play they were a trifle lucky to get the verdict. Played at peak pace from start to finish, the game was remarkable for the number of unusual incidents, the most outstanding of which was the try that put Stars on even terms with Masterton. When a Masterton player found touch on their side of half-way Peterson, the Star winger, gave a quick throw-in to Johnston, the centre, without waiting for either set of forwards to line up. Peterson ranged up alongside of Johnston and then gave him a reverse pass to send the speedy centre racing through a gap to score a runaway try behind the posts. Masterton were caught napping and.-it was a pretty piece of work. From the line, however, it appeared extremely doubtful whether the ball was thrown in the required five yards. It looked about three. Thep came the climax. C. Stewart took the kick at goal for Stars and missed a “sitter.” The referee (Mr H. Matson), however, to the amazement of the crowd, ordered another kick because, it was alleged, that some of the Masterton players “booed” when the first kicked missed. The second effort was successful. For the first ten minutes it appeared to be just a question of how many points Stars would Win by. They were heeling from 90 per cent of the set scrums and Masterton had no effective counter for the speed of the Star back-line. Time and again Stars got under way with the gate to the goal line wide open. Delayed passes and faulty handling, however, spelt ruin for innumerable chances. When Stars did eventually score it was a rather lucky effort. A Masterton clearing kick was charged down and the ball rebounded over the line. Johnston won a scramble for possession to touchdown. Stewart missed the kick. The Masterton forwards, led by Percy, Ford and Hargood, were working like Trojans and their gallant efforts to subdue the opposing pack and ''at the same time to keep an eye on the dangerous Star rearguard was a sight to gladden the heart of any Rugby enthusiast. The honours of the day definitely went to the Masterton forwards.

Stai-s were still very much in the picture when Masterton produced the try of the match and one of the finest seen at the Park for many a day. Workman, the Masterton full-back, fielded a kick in mid-field and came up to send Barnett away. He handed on to Grey, who, after beating a couple of men, passed infield again to Barnett, who sent up a judicious short punt, which Morris, following up fast, collected and raced across for a grand try. Percy missed the kick. The complexion of the game changed completely in the second spell. It was now Masterton’s turn and their virile forwards battered and stormed at the Star line until the defences wilted badly under the strain. Stars fought back splendidly and in the heat of the battle there were several unfortunate incidents. After one hectic all-in melee Barnett broke clear and raced to within five yards of the Star line when he was overhauled by the speedy Peterson. From the ensuing play, Ford missed going across by inches. Then Reiri, the versatile Masterton half, nipped round the side of a scrum to score a beautiful try, which he also converted. Masterton were fighting desperately to hold their five points lead when Johnston scored the try referred to previously. With the score at 8-all fortunes fluctuated but the Star backs were staging a recovery and represented danger whenever in possession. It was near time when, after Peterson had narrowly missed a try, Stars opened out to Carrig, on the wing, and he had sufficient speed to get across for the winning try. Ewington missed the kick. WIN FOR GLADSTONE. Gladstone defeated Old Boys 10 —0

after a hard-fought game played at Gladstone. Play was mostly in favour of Gladstone, who owed their success to the ability of their forwards to keep play tight and prevent the speedy Old Boys back-line from functioning. C. Wyeth landed a neat field goal and Wyle and Hansen scored unconverted tries. AN EASY WIN. Carterton had too much strength in the forwards and too much speed in the backs for Martinborough, whom they defeated 28 —3. Play, however, was much more even and interesting than the final scores would suggest. IN OTHER CENTRES Auckland. —Ponsonby 5 beat Grammar 0; Marist 17 beat University 9; Grafton 30 beat Otahuhu 15; Manukau 8 drew with North Shore 8. Christchurch. —Air Force 18 beat Technical 6; University 3 drew with Albion 3; Linwood 14 beat Merivale 12; Athletic' 11 beat Sydenham 0; Sunnyside 6 beat Old Boys 5. Dunedin. —Southern 6 drew with Kaikorai 6; Dunedin 9 beat ZingariRichmond 6; Pirates 33 beat Union 3; Alhambra 7 beat Taieri 6.