THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1938, Page 2

THE RUGBY GAME

WAIRARAPA COMPETITION MATCHES 4 GREYTOWN WIN EXCITING CONTEST. GLADSTONE AND CARTERTON DRAW. The performance of Gladstone in holding Carterton to a 3 —all draw and Greytown’s fine win over Old Boys, were features of the Wairarapa Rugby Union’s competition matches, which were continued on Saturday in threatening weather. In spite of the heavy grounds and greasy balls, the standard of play in most games was good. Masterton had a day out against Martinborough, winning 49 —0. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior. Greytown 6, Old Boys 5. Gladstone 3, Carterton 3. ....Masterton 49, Martinborough 0. Junior. Carterton 8, Opaki 6. Greytown 17, Red Star 9. Old Boys 12, Masterton 6. Third Grade. Old Boys 18, Carterton 5. Grey town 8, Masterton 3. Martinborough 8, Red Star 3. A GRAND GAME. GREYTOWN BEAT OLD BOYS.

In one of the fastest and hardest fought games of the season, Greytown defeated Old Boys at Greytown. The standard of play was particularly good and it was a pity that there were only a handful of spectators. Although the conditions were not conducive to bright back play, both sides opened out at every opportunity, some pretty rearguard movements resulting. Both packs got through a tremendous amount of solid work and the way they stood the cracking pace was amazing. The Old Boys back-line was superior to the Greytown chain but they were considerably handicapped by being beaten for possession in the majority of set scrums and line-outs. When Old Boys did get under way they represented serious danger and severely tested the stout Greytown defence. The tackling of both sides was a feature of the match. Towards the end of the second spell, play became more than a trifle willing at times and the referee, Mr' H. Matson, was constrained to remark on one occasion, “What do you think this is, a fight or a football match?”

Both sides got quickly into their stride and the pace was on right from the start. Greytown, with their forwards breaking through fast, had the better of the opening stages. Parker,' Hume and, Brunton were instrumental in putting Greytown in a handy position but a penalty brought relief to Old Boys. Back came Greytown and S. Brunton drew first blood for Greytown when he crossed for a good try. R. Brunton missed the kick. Then Old Boys came to light with a spectacular try, Hatton intercepting a pass in midfield and racing away to score between the posts. O’Callaghan converted. Greytown were securing the ball from 75 per cent of the scrums but their backs found difficulty in penetrating the sold Old Boys defence. Greytown were hard-pressed but Parker saved the situation with a fine kick. After R. Brunton had initiated a bright movement, Greytown were awarded a penalty and Brunton landed a splendid goal. With a 6—5 lead at the opening of the second spell, Greytown settled down to play safe with the result that Old Boys did most of the attacking. As the spell progressed the standard of play improved considerably, and the game became particularly exciting. Old Boys, both back and forward, made desperate efforts to pull the match out of the fire. They looked like scoring on several occasions but the Greytown defence stood the test remarkably well and the game ended without further score. Greytown’s win considerably enhanced their prospects of winning this year’s championship. Greytown are one of the most popular teams in the competition and a success in their jubilee year would be most fitting. AN EASY WIN. MASTERTON HAVE DAY OUT. At Memorial Park, Masterton defeated a depleted Martinborough team by 49 points to nil. Masterton were practically at full strength and they gave the southern fifteen no chance. Play was fast but was too one-sided to be little more than interesting. Scorers for Masterton were: Gray (three tries), Welch (two), Barnett (two), Workman (two), Percy and L. Reiri. Percy converted five tries and Reiri three. Mr W. Grantham was the referee.

HARD-FOUGHT DRAW. GLADSTONE PLAY WELL. Carterton and Gladstone turned on an unexpectedly fine display when they met at the Carterton Showgrounds, the game ending in a threeall draw. In the main, play was confined to the forwards, both packs working solidly throughout. The backs were evenly matched and came to light with occasional bright passing bouts. It was easily the best and fastest game played at Carterton this season. Thompson, scored an unconverted try for Carterton and Mason kicked a penalty for Gladstone. TARANAKI BEATEN. AUCKLAND’S SECOND SPELL RALLY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 2. Although Taranaki, in a Rugby match against Auckland today, led at the interval by six to five, mainly |

through the efforts of its back line, the Auckland forwards were the deciding factor in the second spell, and the home side won 16 —9. Auckland was without the services of its regular three-quarter line, Prentice having contracted measles and the wing men, D. Martin and the All Black J. Dick, being absent with influenza. The side gave a surprisingly good display in the circumstances. The new line comprised Killeen at centre and Flett and Ramsay on the wings. The attendance at Eden Park was the largest this season. IN OTHER CENTRES. Wellington:—First Division: Poneke 13, Eastbourne 10; Athletic 13, Marist Brothers 0.8. 6; Petone 18, St Patrick's Old Boys 6; Wellington 26, Johnsonville 9; Wellington College 0.8., 6 Hutt 5. Second Division: University 12, Marist Brothers 0.8. 6; Oriental 11, Pirates 6; Onslow 3, Wellington 3; Miramar 17, Athletic 0. Christchurch: Linwood 3 drew with Sunnyside 3; Albion 14, beat Christchurch 0; Technical 15 beat Old Boys 3; Sydenham 11 beat Merivale 6; Air Force 15 beat University 6. Linwood are now 1J points ahead of the next team, Sunnyside. Dunedin: Southern 12 beat Varsity' A 3; Taieri 12 beat Kaikorai 8; Pirates 18 drew with Zingari-Richmond 18. Because of the wet grounds other matches were not played. LEAGUE CODE A THRILLING GAME. KIWIS BEAT NEWCASTLE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. NEWCASTLE, July 2. Newcastle, with four star players in the State side against Queensland, was no match for New Zealand at the Newcastle sports ground Joday. Excellent combination, backed up by a faultless full-back game by Hemi, won the match for the visitors by 30-19. New Zealand’s last try was one of the best seen on the ground. Thrilled by brilliant passing and backing up, the crowd of 5000 cheered for several minutes. Picking up in his own twenty-five, W. Brimble sent the ball to Tittleton, who sent it to Chase, then to W. Brimble again, and then from Anderson to Tittleton for McLeod to score. Hemi kicked the goal. It was football at its best. New Zealand were badly beaten for the ball from the scrum, but the forwards, led by Anderson and McLeod, broke so quickly that the Newcastle movements rarely got beyond the fiveeighth. Newcastle looked like pulling the game out of the fire in the second

half and scored eleven points to New Zealand's eight, but they were individual efforts. Perry, at half-back, played an almost lone hand for Newcastle in attack. His try from the half-way, beating seven men, was brilliant. The New Zealanders joined in applause. Only plucky tackling saved Newcastle from heavier defeat. Time and time again the New Zealanders bombarded the Newcastle territory, always with several players in support, to be thrown back by the dour Newcastle defenders. Right to the end they threw themselves at the flying feet of the New Zealanders, and it was a tired thirteen that trooped off the field at the end. The game was played in an excellent spirit and the ambulance had practically nothing to do. Scorers: For New Zealqpd, Anderson, Tittleton and McLeod“(2), Cootes and Smith scored tries. Hemi kicked six goals. For Newcastle, Perry ,2), Gill (2) and Bull scored tries. Bonnyman kicked two goals. QUEENSLAND BEATEN. —w SYDNEY, July 2. The New South Wales Rugby League team beat Queensland 20-19 after Queensland had led 17-8 at half-time. ASSOCIATION CODE MASTERTON v. WATERSIDE. WIN FOR VISITORS. On Saturday the Waterside team journeyed from Wellington to meet the local representatives in a game played on the Park Oval. The first half was fast and the visitors somewhat ran away from the local players, the result at half time being 4-nil in favour of Waterside. The second half saw some better play all round, and shortly after the resumption R. Bell scored a beautiful goal for Masterton. Play was then centre field till Aaron completely beat Dixon with a splendid goal. Masterton, from the kick off, forced a corner and Waterside from a complete runaway by their forwar.ds, missed an open goal. Dixon pushed the ball over the bar for a corner, Masterton were then getting much more of the play, and from an excellent pass by Grant, Bell again found the net. The game was very fast, the Waterside forwards ' being of the light fast type. The visitors played excellent football. The final whistle went with the score Waterside 5, Masterton 2. Goals were' scored for Waterside by Major, Aaron (2), Todd and L. Hayward.