THE RUGBY CAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 June 1939, Page 2

THE RUGBY CAME

WAIRARAPA CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS BRILLIANT WIN FOR GLADSTONE. CARTERTON LEAD IN CHAMPIONSHIP. Carterton's win over Greytown and Old Boys’ defeat at the hands of Gladstone, now gives Carterton a clear lead in the Wairarapa senior championship, at the end of the first round. Those who visited Memorial Park. Masterton, to witness the clash between Old Boys and Gladstone certainly got their money’s worth, the game being the best seen in the Wairarapa this season. The surprise result of the day was Masterton’s defeat of Red Star, the first one in 17 years.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior. Gladstone, 13; Old Boys, 0. Carterton, 13; Greytown, 6. Masterton, 8; Red Star, 6. Junior. Martinborough, 19; Red Star, 3. Opaki. 13; Old Boys, 0. Third Grade. College, 20; Dalefield, 3. Martinborough beat Carterton. Masterton, 8; Gladstone, 0. Fourth Grade. Carterton, 41; College, 11. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GLADSTONE BEAT OLD BOYS. A THRILLING GAME. Thrilling the crowd with his “divepass," E. Denbee, Old Boys half-back, turned on a game against Gladstone on Saturday that has seldom been bettered in Wairarapa Rugby during the past few years. Denbee was head and shoulders above any other player on the field and his passing from the scrum was a revelation. Combined with this was the fact that he only ran when a half-back should run, and only used his boot when sorely pressed. The game was played at a crack pace and with both sides throwing the ball around, back movements were the order of the day. Old Boys' gained the majority of the set scrums, while Gladstone had slightly the better of the line-outs. In the loose both sets of forwards were very even, but the speed of the Gladstone pack sadly hampered the Old Boys inside backs. L. Mason was outstanding in this department of the game, closely followed by J.'Bradnock.

Old Boys’ fault lay in its three-quar-ter line. On several occasions much more ground would have been gained and possibly two tries would have resulted had the Old Boys three-quarter line attempted to penetrate instead of running across field. Admittedly, the Gladstone defence was outstanding, but that was no excuse for Old Boys to run across field into touch. Bedingfield, receiving the ball seconds faster than his opponent, often put Old Boys in a wonderful attacking position; but movements always seemed to break down after he had passed on. P. Chadwick, the Gladstone half, also exploited the “dive-pass,” and although he gained plenty of length, his passes wore inclined to be too high, with the result, that his five-eighths were taking the ball practically flat-footed. When, however, they did get under way ft took all Old Boys could do to keep them out. A notable feature of this was the improvement shown in the Old Boys’ tackling. J. Henson and E. Henderson greatly impressed in the threequarter line for Gladstone, as did L. Foreman in the last line of defence. A. Armour and R. Mitchell were the outstanding forwards in the hard-work-ing Old Boys pack; Mitchell running Mason close in the loose. For Gladstone, Joblin, L. Mason and J. Bradnock were the best of what might be described as one of the most solid packs seen at Memorial Park this season.

Play commenced brightly, each side throwing the ball around in fine* style. Repeated back attacks by the Old Boys team were met with solid tackling on the part of the Gladstone rearguard. Old Boys were gaining possession in the scrutfas, and Denbee, with his dive pass was giving Bcdingfield a flying start, but the latter was inclined to run too far before sending on to Parsonson, who was consequently crowded with the result that Meurk on the wing did not have the opportunity of displaying any speed. E. Henderson, on the wing, and J. Henson, at centre, put in several useful runs, but the backing up of the Old Boys backs saved them from trouble. Near the end of the second half, both sides went within an ace of scoring, and Denbee. in particular, was very unlucky not to score after making a great break from the base of the scrum. Half-time came with no score to either side. Gladstone attacked from the kick-off, and from a loose ruck in front of the Old Boys goal, the ball dribbled back to G. Colquhoun, who potted a goal. The Gladstone team began throwing the ball around, both forwards and backs handling in great fashion. Old Boys were rattled and only bad luck kept Gladstone from crossing. Play became slightly heated as an exchange of fisticuffs more or less brightened proceedings. Old Boys attacked and Denbee opened play up with a nice run from the 25.' His pass was dropped and the Gladstone backs were through, C. Wyeth kicking past Wilton raced the latter to the ball, picked it up and with a magnificent run of 50 yards scored in (the corner. The kick failed and Gladstone lead 7/0. A blind side movement finished with E. Henderson crossing in the corner. The kick failed. Gladstone kept up the attack and soon after G. Colquhoun scored after a great dash for the touch down. The game ended, Gladstone. 13; Old Boys 0. MASTERTON v. RED STAR. WIN FOR MASTERTON TEAM. Masterton defeated Red Star for the first time in 18 years at Memorial Park on Saturday, by 8 points to six. Although the game was ragged there were many bright incidents and, at times play reached a (really high standard. The feature of the game was the play of O’Kane, and on his performance he must be considered the most unlucky man in the Wairarapa not to have gained inclusion in the representative side. M. Howard was the only other Red Star back to impress, while V. Missen and N. Harding worked well in the forwards. M. Harwood

and V. Grey were the most impressive of the Masterton rearguard, while I. Percy and R. Munro were the best of an even pack.

Stars drew’ first blood five minutes after the commencement when O’Kane kicked a penalty goal. Play swung from goal-line to goal-line each side attacking and defending in turn. O’Kane went through nicely but just missed scoring. Red Star continued to press but a penalty drove them into their own territory where N. Harding intercepted a pass and kicked deep into the Masterton twenty-five where play hung for some time. A brilliant run by M. Hargood put Masterton on the offensive but sound tackling by the Star rearguard kept them out. The Star backs swung into action but a forward pass five yards from the Masterton goal-line spoiled what seemed to be a “sitter.” A scrum on the half-way line saw the Star backs flash into action but again faulty handling ruined a definite chance.

Braggins sent Hargood away on the blind but O’Kane with a magnificent burst of speed grassed the latter when he was rapidly becoming dangerous. Again the snappy Star backs were on the run and Masterton forced twice in quick succession. Half-time came with Stars three points on top. On resuming Masterton attacked and the Red Star were penned in their own twenty-five. The Masterton backs handled nicely to send the wing streaking for the Stars line but he stepped into touch. Stars were gaining the scrum with regular monotony but their backs could not break through the grim defence. From a scrum the ball travelled to M. Howard who transferred to Misson who, in turn, sent Peterson over for a try. The kick failed.

Masterton scored its first points when M. Hargood cutting the Red Star defence to ribbons raced for a great try. Lamb could not add the extra points. With only a short time to go R. Munro scored beside the post and Lamb found no difficulty in converting, leaving the scores: Masterton 8, Red Star 6.

CARTERTON v. GREYTOWN. VICTORY TO HOME TEAM. Carterton won the toss and elected to defend the southern goal. From -the kick-off the ball went to Loader, who carried on. Fitzgerald getting possession essayed a pot, which went wide. Following up fast, Rasmussen got possesion and scored the first try, two minutes after the commencement of play. Loader converted. Carterton, 5, Greytown, 0. Carterton forwards went well and had Greytown on the defence for some time, until the visitors worked play back, headed by Stringfellow and Hood, and in Carterton territory were awarded a free kick which Fuller converted; 5/3. Tight scrums and line outs ensued, and in Greytown territory Carterton were awarded a free kick for a scrum infringement. Fitzgerald goaled, making the score 8/3 in favour of Carterton. The Red forwards made the pace hot. and M. Parker, full back for Grey town, was caught in possession, but got out of his trouble and found touch at halfway. The Carterton forwards, headed by Rasmussen, Trass, Mathieson and Crawley came again, but off-side play relieved and (gave Brunton another shot at goal. The ball hit the post and landed in play. Brown finding the line. From the line, Mathieson sent the oval back to Holmes, who knocked on and missed a certain try. Greytown were relieved temporarily, but Carterton had Greytown on the run again and a further score was missed by hard kicking. From the kick-off the ball, taken by Loader went to Fitzgerald, to Brown, to Thompson, who raced across to score a good try. Fitzgerald goaled. Carterton, 13; Greytown, 3. Greytown got the ball from a scrum after the kick off and Brunton found the line with a good kick. Trass took the ball from the line out and it went to Lipinski, to Brown, to Loader, who was very unlucky not to score, Greytown accepting a force-down. Half-time was called soon after. When the teams changed over, it was evident that the visitors were determined to force the play, and this was equally so with Carterton. and play was very strenuous. Carterton elected to open up the plaj’ and their backs were often in action, but Greytown’s defence was excellent. Although Carterton were nearly over several times, the only score came from a solid rush by Greytown, when Hood went across to score in a handy position. It looked a certainty for Greytown, but Brunton again failed. Brown (Carterton) retired with an injury to a leg and Reading replaced him. Several times scores were narrowly missed by both sides and the game ended 13/6 in favour of Carterton. Mr. W. Grantham was a capable referee. ’VARSITY MATCH. SOUTH BEAT NORTH. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. June 3. Sweeping into the game with a rush. South Island Universities scored 20 points spectacularly before the North Island team had settled down at Lancaster Park this afternoon. North’s turn came in the second spell when they ran up 13 points, the final scores being: South 20, North 13.