COLLEGE RUGBY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1938, Page 5

COLLEGE RUGBY

WAIP.ARAPA DEFEAT NAPIER HIGH SCHOOL.

HOME FORWARDS PLAY WELL. Although they were outplayed in almost every department of the game, the Wairarapa College first fifteen defeated Napier Boys’ High School at the College grounds yesterday afternoon by 10 points to 9. Wairarapa owed their win to the tenacity of their light but virile forwards combined with the individual speed and penetration of their skipper Patrick, who collected two fine tries, and the accurate goal kicking of Brown. Napier were the cleverer and more' polished combination but the heavy ground and greasy ball restricted their activities considerably, although their backs handled with remarkable accuracy. In both spells Wairarapa heeled from 75 per cent of the scrums but erratic handling and general lack of penetration minimised this advantage. The fast spreading visiting forwards also quickly smothered the home backs before they could get properly underway. The visiting backs represented danger whenever in possession but generally speaking the Wairarapa Lackling was good. The smooth-working machinery of the visitors' combination, however, was inclined to be upset by the bustling tactics of the Wairarapa 'forwards, who played particularly good football. It was interesting without being particularly bright football but the exciting finish attonod somewhat for occasional dull periods. Wairarapa missed a golden chance of being three points 1o the good in the first couple of minutes when Patrick foozled an easy penalty. With their backs and forwards working in unison, Napier quickly assumed command and, following a strong forward rush, B. Ormond snapped up and went 'through a gap for a try which Cummins failed to convert. The visitors held the upper hand for practically the remainder of the spell but although they went close to scoring on several occasions Wairarapa defended gallantly and prevented further score up till the internal. Wairarapa opened the - seebnd spell with great dash, their forwards swarming over their opponents and eventually providing an opportunity which Patrick grasped to nip through for a nice try. Brown converted. Napier retailiated immediately, Joseph, who played an outstanding game, sending them right on to the Wairarapa .line where a penalty saw Cummins land a good goal. Napier maintained the pressure but Rankine cleverly relieved the situation. With only one point separating the teams, the standard of play improved considerably. Patrick put Wairarapa in the lead when he scored the best try of the day. Receiving in a back rush he cleverly short-punted and then collected again to race across for a splendid try, which Brown converted. With a minute to go, the Wairarapa forwards failed to hold Hobson, the Napier fullback, and. after kicking through, he followed up fast, to win an exciting race for possession and score a try. Cummins missed the kick. Mr H. J. McKenzie was the referee. HONOURS EASY. WAIRARAPA AND HUTT VALLEY. In a keenly contested game, played as a curtain-raiser, the Wairarapa College second fifteen drew with the Hutt Valley second fifteen, the score being 8 all. The visitors held the lead until right on time. ,