THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1939, Page 6

THE RUGBY GAME

WAIRARAPA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

OLD BOYS BEAT CARTERTON.

GLADSTONE AND STARS WIN.

The Wairarapa Rugby Union’s 1939 championship competition matches opened on Saturday in fine weather. A feature of the senioi- fixtures was the defeat of Carterton, last year's premiership winners, at the hands of Old Boys. At Memorial Park. Gladstone beat Masterion 15-6, while Greytown went under to Red Star 12-8. For so early in the season the standard of play was' reasonably good and indications point to an interesting round of fixtures when the teams settle down. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIOR. Old Boys 11; Carterton 7. Gladstone 15, Masterton 6. Red Star 12; Greytown 8. JUNIORS. Red Star 15; Opaki 6. Carter ton 59; Masterton 3. Grey town 19; Old Boys 3. Martinborough 15; Featherston 3. THIRDS. "Wairarapa College 33; Greytown 0. Red Star 12; Dalefield 8. Gladstone 8; Old Boys 6. Masterton 21; Marttnborough 3. KEEN CONTEST. GLADSTONE BEAT MASTERTON. Giving a more solid all round performance, Gladstone defeated Masterton by 15 points to 6 in a keenly fought and interesting match played at Memorial Park: Gladstone owed their success principally to the good work of their forwards, who toiled strenuously throughout. They packed better and showed more cohesion in both the tight and the loose than did the Mas terton forwards. In the backs, too, Gladstone haa the better combination, although at times the Masterton rearguard came to light with some clever movements. Generally speaking, however, they lacked the necessary polish to successfully culminate likely scoring movements.

J. Walker (Gladstone) and I. Percy (Masterton) were the two best forwards on the ground, while Foreman, a promoted junior gave a splendid display at full-back for Gladstone. He looks like developing into a first-class custodian.

With their forwards playing well and giving their backs a good, supply of the ball, Gladstone had all the better of the opening exchanges. Masterton, however, defended well and it was some time before Chadwick sent Henderson through a gap to score for Gladstone. Foreman missed the kick. Reiri was responsible for sending Masterton hard on attack but Foreman cleared well and the Gladstone forwards carried on deep into Masterton territory where a penalty saw Foreman add another three points “fo Gladstone’s tally. Barnett and Grey were associated in a pretty movement that almost resulted in a try for Masterton. Just before the interval Lamb landed a penalty goal for Masterton. soon after resumption, Ross capped a strong Gladstone forward rush with a try. Foreman missed the kick. Masterton then took the upper hand for a period but they could not finish off their movements and Gladstone cleared. Fortunes fluctuated for the remainder of the spell, Foreman kicking two more penalties for Gladstone and Lamb kicked a penalty for Masterton. Mr W. Grantham was the referee . WIN FOR RED STAR. GREYTOWN BEATEN ON TIME. Red Star defeated Greytown at Greytown after a hard-fought game in which the issue was in doubt right up to the final whistle. Greytown had the superior pack of forwards but Red Star secured enough of the ball to give their speedy set of backs plenty of opportunities. Greytown were the first to score, Hood crossing for an unconverted try. Then Missen scored for Stars, making the interval score 3-all. O’Kane, a newcomer from Wellington, scored two splendid tries in the second spell, neither of which was converted. S. Brunton scored for Greytown, R. Brunton converting. With only one point separating the teams, the final stages of the match were keenly contested. Cross definitely decided the issue when he scored a good try for Stars.

CARTERTON DEFEATED. A LAST MINUTE VICTORY. On the Showgrounds, the Carterton seniors met Old Boys. The local team until well into the second half looked like running out winners. They were the lightest team of the two and although they got the ball from the scrum they were not given very much opportunity to get away with it. Frank Fitzgerald and Trass donned the jersey again for Carterton to the surprise of spectators. They both played as well as they were allowed. Tom Lepinski was also out for Carterton for the first occasion after his injury some time ago. He is still, as nippy as ever behind the scrum, but like the former two was not given much chance against the fast Old Boy forwards. Carterton set the oval in motion and made things exceedingly lively for a time and had the visitors on the defence, and Walker, Cook and Matheson doing good work compelled Old Boys to force. The game was very willing for a time and McWhinnie went off with an injury to his right foot. When in Carterton territory Old Boys were awarded a penalty for an infringement in an easy position and O’Callaghan goaled. Old Boys then attacked well and Carterton were compelled to force. From the drop out the ball went to Fitzgerald who transferred to Brown, who looked like scoring btL was grassed within a short distance of the Old Boy’s line. Carterton were awarded a free kick, Fitzgerald’s essay failing. Taucher and Cook took play to the Old Boy’s line where Fitzgerald snapped up the oval and potted a splendid goal which gave Carterton the lead, 4-3. Play continued to be strenuous and from an infringement in Carterton’s 25, O'Callaghan had another shot which failed. Although both sides tried hard to score the spell ended 4-3 in favour of Carterton.

The second half opened with a scrum and the ball went out at half-way. Old Boys were awarded a free kick and took £>lay dangerously close to Carterton’s line where Rasmussen saved.

Shortly after from a Carterton rush Rasmussen carried on and went over to score. Fitzgerald’s kick failed, 7-3. Soon afterwards Bodie (Old Boys’ half) from a pass went over to score, O’Callaghan’s kick failed — 7-6. One point down, Old Boys made the pace but Carterton were playing solidly. An opening occurred and Morton taking advantage went across for Old Boys second try which C’Callaghan converted. Old Boys thus secured a last minute victory by 11-7. Mr H. Matson controlled the game. During the game Taucher, a Carterton forward, was ordered off. NEXT SATURDAY’S GAMES REFEREES APPOINTED. The following are the referees and fixtures for Saturday:— Senior. Red Star v. Carterton, Memorial Park No. 1, at 2.30 p.m., E. Grantham. Masterton v. Old Boys, Memorial Park No. 2, at 2.30 p.m., W. Grantham. Gladstone v. Greytown, at Gladstone, H. Matson. Junior. Opaki v. Martinborough, at Martinborough, J, Blake. Masterton v. Red Star, Rugby Park No. 1, at 2.30 p.m., H. Empsom. , Greytown v. Featherston, at Greytown, C. Kendall. Carterton v. Old Boys, at Carterton No. 1, at 2.30 p.m., E. Miller. Third Grade. Carterton v. Greytown, at Carterton No. 2, at 2.30 p.m., W. Spooner. College v. Old Boys, at College, at 2.30 p.m., H. Tinsley. ■ ” Masterton v. Red Star, at Memorial Park No. 1, at 1.30 p.m., B. Hurley. Dalefield v. Featherston, at Featherston, P. Reid. Gladstone v. Martinborough, at Martinborough, J. Power.