THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 September 1938, Page 9

THE RUGBY GAME

FINAL OF REDMOND CUP COMPETITION. WON BY GLADSTONE. Gladstone won the Redmond Cup on Saturday when they defeated Old Boys 6 —5 in the final match of the knockout series, played at Memorial Park. It was a keen, hard game. Both teams did their best to open up play but erratic handling saw many promising movements break down. Gladstone have played consistently well throughout the series and thoroughly deserved their victory. Their forwards played splendid football throughout and in the second spell had the Old Boys backs sorely troubled at time. At halftime Old Boys led 5 —3 but Gladstone came to light with an unconverted try. PEARSON CUP. In a Pearson cup match Old Boys juniors beat Opaki 6 —3 after a keen, hard match. RED STAR v PETONE. The Red Star thirds and the Petone junior team (third division) met at the Memorial Park in a game in which interesting football was witnessed. The Petone team was a hefty combination but the local fifteen put up a splendid fight and repeated its win at Petone on the previous Saturday. The game was played in a most sporting spirit and resulted in a win for Star by 10 points ( a potted goal by F. Needham and two penalty goals by C. Reid) to 3 points (a try). After the match the Red Star players entertained the visitors at tea when a pleasant time was spent, the local players doing their utmost to return the splendid hospitality extended to them on the occasion of their visit to Petone. WELLINGTON, CHAMPIONSHIP. Won by petone. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Championship honours in the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior A first division competition went to Petone on Saturday when they won from Johnsonville, B—o, and Athletic, with whom they shared the lead, went down to Wellington, 9—12. The two matches were the only ones proceeded with, and they were played under the worst conditions. Petone scored 25 championship points, Athletic 23 and Wellington 21. STUDENTS AT PLAY. A DRAWN GAME. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) WAIPUKURAU, September 3. Fine play by the backs of both teams was a feature of the University Rugby match at Waipukurau today, when Victoria College, Wellington, drew with Te Aute College, 10 —all. The Wellington forwards were good, but Te Aute’s backs threw the ball about freely. One of the largest crowds Central Park has accommodated watched the game.

MAORI TEAM BEATEN. AUCKLAND TOO GOOD. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 4. After holding the Auckland fifteen to three-all at half-time, the New Zealand Maori team was beaten by 14 points to 6 in a Rugby representative fixture played at Eden Park yesterday afternoon. It was the home side’s sixth match of the season, and its success in maintaining its unbeaten record augers well for the southern tour, which begins against Manawatu on Wednesday. The virile and heavy Maori pack was out-hooked by the opposition, and this factor contributed largely to the team's defeat. Had the visiting backs teen able to obtain more of the ball they possessed the ability to make good use of it. Auckland’s rearguard, admirably backed up by their forwards, were too much for the Maori representatives. In the second spell heavy rain made the ball greasy and heavy, which was not to the liking of the Maoris. Auckland’s points came from tries by Drake (2) and Martin, and a penalty goal and a conversion by McLean. Wi Repa kicked a penalty goal and Hahapata scored a try for the Maoris.

BULLER v CANTERBURY. A DRAWN GAME. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WESTPORT, September 3. A representative Rugby match, Buller v Canterbury, played on Victoria Square today in fine weather, but with a disconcerting wind, particularly in the second spell, ended in a draw, each side scoring 13 points. PLAYED IN A QUAGMIRE. EASY WIN FOR HAWKE’S BAY. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) TIMARU, September 3. The Hawke’s Bay Rugby representatives concluded them southern tour today, beating South Canterbury by 16 points to 6. The ground was a quagmire as the result of two days’ rain which ceased before the game began. In patches there were large pools of water, but the visitors made light of the conditions, giving a bright display. The backs never hesitated to open up when given possession and handled the heavy, greasy ball in delightful fashion. The display generally was one of the best wet day games witnessed for many years. For Hawke’s Bay tries were scored by Bowman (2), Apsey and Bradley. Bradley and Fox each converted one. For South Canterbury T. C. Morrison kicked two penalty goals. WIN FOR MANAWATU. WANGANUI, OUTCLASSED. By Telegraph —Press Association. PALMERSTON N., September 3. Manawatu beat Wanganui more decisively than in the previous Saturday’s game in the return Rugby match played at Palmerston North this afternoon, the score being 24 —6. Comfortable though Manawatu’s winning margin was, it should have been greater. Though playing good football, the Manawatu backs failed to make the

most of the innumerable opportunities afforded them by their forwards, who were in their best form. The ground was ideal for fast, open football, but a tricky wind again made kicking and handling uncertain. RANFURLY SHIELD. OTAGO BEATS TARANAKI. (By Telegraph—Press Association,) DUNEDIN, September 3. In striking contrast to the conditions for the Ranfruly Shield match on Wednesday between Otago and Hawke’s Bay, when clouds of dust rose from the hard surface of Carisbrook, today’s game between Taranaki and the shield holders, following two days’ rain, was played on a greasy surface before an attendance of about 6000. Otago won, 24—3. From the kick-off, the Otago forwards attacked strongly. From a loose ruck Trevathan passed to Berghan, to Perriam, who cut out two men and sent on to Werner, who dashed over at the Corner. Taylor’s kick failed, making the score 6 —o. Trevathan missed with, a pot and immediately after essayed another from over 40 yards out, adding four points to Otago’s tally. Just on halftime Meuli opened Taranaki’s score from a penalty just outside the twentyfive. Otago 10, Taranaki 3. Otago opened the second spell with a strong attack and McLean got offside in a scrum. Taylor capitalised the opportunity with a kick which found the posts from 40 yards out—l3 —3. The Otago forwards rallied strongly with a rush to the Taranaki line, where an infringement gave Taylor an opportunity which he turned to account with another three points—l 6—3. A passing rush in which all the back£ including Taylor, participated, enabled Werner to touch down behind the posts. Taylor converted —21 —3. Otago again attacked vigorously, and another passing rush by backs and forwards ended with Werner scoring his third try. Taylor failed with the kick,, and the whistle sounded with the final scores Otago 24, Taranaki 3. It is worthy of note than in six shield matches the Otago line has not been crossed.