THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1939, Page 2

THE RUGBY GAME

WAIRARAPA CHAMPIONSHIP v COMPETITION OLD BOYS WIN KEEN MATCH. CARTERTON BEAT GLADSTONE. The Wairarapa Rugby Union’s championship matches were continued on Saturday in fine weather. With three series of matches in the first round completed Old Boys are still the only unbeaten team. They had, however, a close call at the hands of Red Star at Memorial Park. Old Boys won a keen game 5-3 but. the result might easily have gone the other way. Carterton maintained their improvement of the previous week by defeating Gladstone, while Masterton went under to Greytown. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. SENIOR. Old Boys 5; Red Star 3. Carterton 12; Gladstone 6. Greytown 14; Masterton 8. JUNIORS. Grey town 14; Opaki 8. Martinborough G; Carterton G. Featherston 11; Red Star 3. THIRDS. Red Star 24; Carterton 0. Featherston 6; Martinborough 5. ” FOURTH GRADE. Masterton 12; Carterton 8. CLOSE CALL. OLD BOYS JUST BEAT STARS. Old .Boys maintained their unbeaten record by downing Red Stars 5-3 at Memorial Park after a particularly keen and interesting match. Old Boys looked slightly the better team but Stars lasted the distance better and in the closing stages it was quite on the cards that they might pull the game out of the fire. Although their line was endangered on several occasions Old Boys, however, held on long enough to get the verdict. One salient fact emerging from the game was that O'Kane, the Star five-eighth, is the most promising inside back seen out in the Wairarapa for some time. In all his work he is neat and finished and above all his penetrative ability is well above the average. Using their superior weight to good advantage the Old Boys forwards gave their hacks a plentiful supply of the ball in the opening stages, during which Stars were frequently in trouble. Old Boys backs had more speed and combination but their insides did not make a great deal of ground and the attack was invariably lateral. Stars showed ability when they did get possession but a lack of cohesion spoilt many bright chances. Old Boys were the first to score, their backs catching the Stars out of position and Morton racing through a gap for a good try, which O’Callaghan converted. Stars improved towards the end of the spell and just before the interval a penalty saw B. Clarke open their account. With their forwards playing solidly, Stars came more into their own in the second session and bright, fast play was witnessed. Fortunes fluctuated throughout an interesting but scoreless spell. Old Boys rallied and drove off Stars for a period but in the closing stages, Stars, now dominant in the forwards, came again and for a time it looked as if they might come out on top. Old Boys had one very close call but Denbee came through brilliantly and turned defence into attack. The final ten minutes were hotly contested but no-side sounded with the scores unchanged. Mr H. J. McKenzie was the referee.

CARTERTON DEFEAT GLADSTONE Carterton scored a well-deserved win against Gladstone on the Showgrounds, Carterton, on Saturday, by 12 points to 6. The game was played in two forty-minute spells. Gladstone won the toss and decided to defend the northern goal. The weather was beautifully fine but a steady northwest wind was blowing but not with any intensity. After play had commenced a scrum took place and Carterton by a passing bout took play to Gladstone territory. Walker punted high and a series of scrums ensued. For an infringement Carterton were awarded a free kick, Loader failing in his attempt to goal. A passing rush by Gladstone was nullified by a knock-on. Carterton accepted a force soon after. Gladstone came again and Walker saved by a beautiful line-kick gaining over 40 yards. Carterton forwards were working hard and play was on the Yellow line where a free kick relieved the tension. A strong wind was now against Carterton and Harp’s safe-handling and good line kicks saved his side. Soon after Lipinski went away on his own and Carterton lost a try by not backing up. From this out Gladstone worked play back to the Maroon line where Gladstone were awarded a free kick and Foreman goaled. Gladstone 3, Carterton 0. From the resulting kick off Crawley, Smith and Trass were prominent and play went well down the Gladstone 25 and for an infringement Carterton were awarded a penalty. From a fast follow up Duncan Smith went across to score, Crawley failing to convert —3-3. Shortly after I the kick out and from a scrum two players were injured on either side. Half-time sounded with honours easy. In the second spell it was soon seen that both sides were determined to secure the victory. Scrums and lineouts were the order for some time and Carterton were given a penalty kick, Loader’s attempt at goal proving futile. The Carterton forwards were now working with determination and Crawley, Matheson Bros, Trass and Alexander swooped down on the Gladstone line where Loader picked up and [lotted a beautiful goal. Carterton 7, Gladstone 3. Gladstone forwards began to force the play but Thompson relieved with a fine line kick. Carterton wore now getting the ball, but their passing was bad, not clean and mostly of the grubber type. Gladstone came again and were awarded a free kick almost on the Carterton line in a handy position, but Foreman failed to put the ball over. Soon after the kick out and at halfway a Gladstone player was hurt and* had to retire, D. Nunn replacing him. A good passing rush by Carterton saw Brown almost over, but a knock-on spoiled a certain score. Carterton forwards were not to be denied and from a fast piece of play Brown followed up fast and beat his opponents to score a good try, which Loader converted. Carterton 12, Gladstone 3. j From the kick-off Carterton went to

within a few yards of the Gladstone line. The resulting scrum saw play carried to the Carterton territory where Gladstone were awarded a penalty. Walkei’ took the shot at goal and put- the ball over the bar. Carterton 12, Gladstone 6. Gladstone were now rallying and combining well A and only the good fielding and linekicking of Harp kept them out. The Carterton forwards retaliated and Rasmussen was brought down on the line. From a scrum Holmes got possession and attempted a pot, the ball being forced by Gladstone. Play ended soon after with Carterton the winners by 12 points to 6. Mr E. Grantham was a very capable referee. 11

BRIGHT FOOTBALL AT GREYTOWN HOME TEAM WINS. The spectators who witnessed the match between Masterton and Greytown were treated to.’ a good even game and bright football. From the kick-off Greytown followed up smartly and almost scored in the first minute, Masterton having to force dowhj. The Masterton backs then put in some splendid attacking work but Nix for Greytown saved with a long kick. Masterton were penalised for off-,side and Brunton opened Greytown’s account from the penalty. Half-way through the first spell Braggins retired owing to an injury. Greytown forwards put in some -.hard work to take play into Masterton’s twenty-five and Grey town were awarded' a penalty. Brunton made no mistake with the kick and the score was Greytown 6. Masterton 0.

Immediately after the start of the second spell Saba had to retire and play was held up for a while, through an injury to a Masterton player. Masterton kept up the attack and only a free kick to Greytown when defending hard saved their line. Masterton continued to press and a fine passing rush ended in Lamb Scoring under the posts. Lamb converted. Greytown then had a busy time defending and Masterton were awarded a free kick, Lamb putting the ball over the bar. This made the score Greytown 9, Masterton 8. Greytown retaliated and from a nice opening made by Sugrue S. Parker went over and Brunton converted. Shortly after from a free, kick Brunton kicked: a poster. • Masterton did their best to break through to the finish but the Greytown defence ‘ held, and the game ended: Greytown 14, Masterton 8.

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES REFEREES APPOINTED. The following are the fixtures ancr referees for Saturday next: — Senior. Red Star v. Gladstone, at Gladstone; E. Millar. Masterton v. Carterton, at Memorial Park No. 1 at 2.30 p.m.; W. Grantham. Old Boys v. Greytown, at Greytown; W. Spooner. Junior. Opaki v. Carterton, at Carterton No. 1 at 2.30 p.m.; P. J. Reid. Masterton v. Martinborough, at Rugby Park No. 1 at 2.30 p.m.; H. Empson. Red Star v. Greytown, at Rugby Park No. 2 at 2.30 p.m.; E. Grantham. Featherston v. Old Boys, at Memorial Park No. 2 at 2.30 p.m.; J. Blake. Thirds. Carterton v. Masterton, at Carterton No. 2 at 2.30 p.m.; H. Matson. Dalefield v. Gladstone, at Gladstone at 1.30 p.m.; A. McKay. Greytown v. Red Star, at Greytown; C. Kendall. College v. Featherston, at the College’ at 1.30 p.m.; H. J. McKenzie. Martinborough a bye.

IN OTHER CENTRES

Wellington—Winners of the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior championship last, Petone met with their first reverse of the present season on Saturday going under to the greatly improved Marist Brothers Old Boys team in the fourth series of matches, . played in fine but windy weather. Re- j| suits were: —Marist Bros. Old Boys 5, Petone 3; Wellington 17, University 8. , r Poneke 13, Hutt 6; Athletic 15, Oriental 15; College Old Boys 13, St Pat’s College Old Boys, 11; Johnsonville 21, Eastbourne 5. Auckland. —Grammar 13, Ponsonby 3; Marist 19, Manukau 6f Technical 12. Training College 5; Grafton 25, North Shore 11. Christchurch: Sunnyside 14. Air’ Force 9; Varsity 20, Albion 3; Athletic 24. Technical 'll; Merivale 11. Old Boys, 3; Southern 5, Linwood 5. Dunedin. —Pirates 23, Taiesd 6; Southern 17, Zingari 3; Kaikorai 6, Alhambra 0; Union 3. Dunedin 0. Manawatu. —St Patrick’s 8, beat Palmerston North High School Old Boys 3; United 11 beat University 3. Hawke’s Bay.—Hastings 25 beat Celtic 0; Technical Old Boys 11 beat Havelock North 9; Hastings High School Old Boys 14 beat Napier High School Old Boys 10; Marist Bros Old Boys 18 beat Pirates 6. Central Hawke’s Bay.—Waipukurau 6. beat Old Boys 9; Rangers 17 beat Otane 8. Dannevirke.—Athletic 15 beat Old Boys 8; Ruahine 12 beat Excelsior 3. Wanganui.—Wanganui and Old Boys 11. beat Kaicrau 6; Pirates 22 beat Taihape Country 8: Taihape Old Boys 9 beat Marist 6. Horowhenua. —Rahua 3 beat Athletic 9; Foxton 27 beat Wanderers 0; Manakau-Kuku beat Shannon 10.