RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1938, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. WON BY CARTERTON. Last Saturday’s games saw the end of the junior championship leaving Carterton the winners with a margin of three points. The following is the

JUNIOR MATCH. (By "Touchline.”) The match between O]d Boys and Opaki, played at Rugby Park on Saturday, was won by Old Boys by 16 points to 8, after a gruelling tussle. Opaki were without Costello, who had a poisoned arm, and Seymour. The former’s great defence and attacking play was greatly missed by his team. Old Boys attacked from the kick-off. R. Faulknor streaked to the Red's territory where a scrum took place and a nice piece of work saw Morris go over for a try, which Foreman converted. The Opaki forwards, headed by Clarke carried play well upfield, where an infringement gave Hunt a chance but the ball went outside the post. Hard forward work took place and during a scramble Oliver received a nasty bump on the eye and was sent to the hospital. Chapel filled the gap but retired at half-time with an injury, Wilkinson taking his place. Within fifteen minutes of half-time, Whites got their backs going, Meurk being sent to touch several yards from the line. From a re-bound, the latter gathered [in smartly to score a try. Foreman’s kick from the side-line just missed. Half-time sounded soon after. Old Boys 3 points; Opaki nil. The Reds’ forwards started off solidly in the second half, Chadwick being caught frequently before he could pass. Several times he failed to get off the ball and at last he was penalised for so doing. Hunt made a fine attempt at goal, the ball hitting the'crossbar to come infield. Foreman saving with a kick to the 25 flag. Clarke led a forward rush to Foreman who was caught in possession, and from a general mix up Solomon secured and scored a try which Hunt converted. Another forward attack kept Whites busy defending, but their backs were now playing fine football. The ball would go from Chadwick to Colquhoun, to Faulknor brothers and Riley till Meurk sighted an opening, and gathered in to score his second try, no goal resulting. Another back movement gave Riley the ball and he raced over for a try which Foreman converted. Opaki now adopted the short punt, Allan frequently using it to great effect. Following up smartly on one occasion, he fielded nicely and sent a long pass to Guvnor who outpaced the opposing backs to score a try. Hunt’s kick just missed. There was no further score, Old Boys winning by 16 points to 8. Morris, Barnes, Stowell and Alexander were conspicuous in a fine pack of Old Boys’ forwards. Chadwick at half was sound on defence, and also gave his backs the ball smartly. Colquhoun played a good attacking game , sending the ball out quickly to Faulknor and cut in nicely several times. Faulknor brothers both put in some . fine runs and Riley was very safe. Foreman’s play was excellent. The ; Opaki players although disorganised, ; put up a splendid fight, and with Cosi tello in, it would have been a different ; game. Their forwards to a man, went i well and it would be unfair to single out any for special praise. Wallace, at half, was sound on defence and attack. Guvnor was in good form. Hunt is a greatly improved player, playing in three different positions during the game. Hargood was very sound, but Owing to a nasty bump, retired to fullback, Norman taking his place. The latter was good in both places. McClelland showed a lot of pace and a j few games would see him a great r scoring man. Mr Spooner controlled "the game to the satisfaction of both t teams.

table:— Carterton 9 1 0 18 Old Boys 7 2 1 15 Red Star 4 4 2 10 Opaki 4 6 0 8 Grey town 3 6 1 7 Masterton 0 8 •• 2