THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1939, Page 3

THE RUGBY GAME

WAIRARAPA CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS

Carterton Has Set-back

RED STAR HOLD LEADERS TO DRAW

GLADSTONE NOW ONLY ONE POINT BEHIND

The senior Rugby competition in the Wairarapa has not reached an exciting and interesting stage. The failure of Carterton to cope with the sadly depleted Red Star side provided the highlight of Saturday's games. Gladstone scored over Greytown and are now only one point behind Carterton on the championship ladder. Old Boys come next and are three points behind the leaders. The inclusion of Jim Eastwood and O Hatton are certain to make a difference to the Old Boys side, so the final issue would seem very much in doubt. Light rain fell during some of the games, making the ball hard to handle. In spite of this the standard of play generally was good and judging by the display of several forwards the pack to play against Bush on July 8 will be a very different one than against Marlborough.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Senior. Old Boys 19 v Masterton 6. Red Star 6 v Carterton 6. Gladstone 8 v Greytown 3. Junior. Carterton 26 v Masterton 0. Red Star 5 v Opaki 3. Old Boys 14 v Greyzown 3. Featherston 3 v Martinborough 6. Third Grade. College 14 v Red Star 6. Masterton 33 v Dalefield 5. Featherston 8 v Gladstone 3. Fourth Grade. Carterton 6 v (yiasterton 6. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP OLD BOYS HAVE EASY WIN. MASTERTON GO DOWN 19-6. With a lead of six points at halftime Masterton looked to be in a winning position against Old Boys, as both sides were not playing good Rugby, but Old Boys came to light in the second spell and rqttled on 19 points, while Masterton failed to increase their score. Light rain fell at intervals during the game with the result that Memorial Park became very slippery, players finding it difficult to keep their feet. In the first spell Bodie played behind the scrum for Old Boys and Denbee at first fiveeighths. This arrangement was not a happy one. Bedingfield who had also been shifted out one, did not function at all well until he returned to his proper position. When this was done he played one of his best games to date. When the second spell coinmenced Denbee went behind the scrum, Bedingfield came in to first five-eighths, O’Callaghan was brought up to second five-eighths, Bodie shifted to centre and Wilton dropped back to full-back. A marked change came over the Old Boys rearguard. Denbee and Bedingfield combined well, while O’Callaghan put in some very useful work. Bodie was going in top gear at centre, breaking through nicely and tackling soundly. When Parsonson replaced Wilton, O’Callaghan dropped back to his usual place. Although he was only on for a very short time Parsonson handled perfectly, kicked with rare judgment and tackled well.

Masterton’s main weakness was in the tackling of its rearguard, M. Hargood and V. Gray being the only two who would even attempt to tackle. Ih the forwards Masterton had the better of the line-outs. The scrums, taking them right through, were very even. The Masterton pack played well in the loose. R. Wilson, was head and shoulders above the rest in this department. R. Mitchell was again the pick of the Old Boys pack. Neither side gained much advantage from the opening exchanges, play hanging in mid-fleld. Bedingfield put in a fine run, but when a try looked possible Meurk fell. Masterton opened its account when Gray, fielding a high kick, returned with a kick that fooled O’Callaghan, and Munro, following up, snapped up to set sail for the Old Boys line. He was tackled right on the line and lost possession, but Goodhue coming up fast fell on the ball and was awarded a try. The kick failed. Just on half-time Braggins, securing from a scrum, set his backs in motion, and Barnett cut right through the Old Boys back line, punted past the full-back and in the race for the ball arrived just in time. Again the kick failed. On resuming, Old Boys attacked and Denbee with a nice solo run was nearly over. Again the Old Boys' backs flashed into action and Bodie, side-stepping nicely, crossed in a handy position. O’Callaghan was wide with his kick but as Masterton had charged too soon a re-kick was ordered. This time he made no mistake. A few moments later Masterton was penalised and O’Callaghan, with a fine kick from the side-line, put his side in the lead. Old Boys were now going like a team, and Bodie was nearly through. Wilton was hurt and Parspnson replaced him, O’Callaghan going to fullback. From a line-out Denbee set his rearguard in action and Parsonson' with an amazing burst of speed went right to the Masterton line, before sending on to Bodie, who crossed unopposed. The kick failed.

Old Boys continued to press and Meurk topped a good back movement with a try well out. The kick was unsuccessful. About five minutes before the end Bodie, receiving from a passing rush, scored under the posts without having a hand laid on him. O’Callaghan made no mistake with the kick, making the final score Old Boys 19, Masterton 6. Mr E. Miller was the referee. RED STAR v. CARTERTON. A SIX POINT DRAW. Fielding a side which contained three juniors Red Star held Carterton to a draw on their home ground, and on the run of play were unlucky to •have lost. Carterton had a decided

advantage in the scrums with the result that their backs saw more of the ball than did the Star rearguard. However determined tackling on the part of the Stars kept them out, and it was only a penalty kick close on time that saved Carterton from defeat.

The line-outs broke even, while both sets of backs played as well as the opposition would let them. The Star forwards had the better of the loose, playing their best game to date in this respect. Harding, O’Connor and Swain appeared to be the best of a hard working Star pack, while Walker and Trass showed up for Carterton. In the backs Peterson and Cross, the Star wingers, did great work, while at centre Carrig kept Brown the representative centre very quiet. Broom, a junior, gave an excellent display at full-back, his tackling being exceptionally sound. All the Carterton backs played sound Rugby, but Reading, on the wing, seemed to be the better. His try was a fine effort.

Red Stars points were made up of two tries scored by Harding at the end of a dribbling rush, and Peterson who topped a fine back movement with a try well out. For Carterton, Reading scored, and just on time Fitzgerald kicked a penalty goal.

GREYTOWN v GLADSTONE. WIN FOR VISITORS. Gladstone journeyed to Grey town on Saturday when they were able to wipe off the defeat they suffered in the first round. The weather conditions were good and the ground was fairly firm considering the heavy rain. Gladstone kicked off against the sun and from the start set a fast pace. From the first scrum Greytown were penalised and Henderson had a shot at goal which fell short. Close lineouts and hard scrums kept the game tight, the play being mostly a battle between both sets pf forwards. After being on the defence for some time Rex Bruuton with a fine kick put Greytown on the attack. Stringfellow secured the ball and made a good run of 2Qyds to score a good try. Greytown 3. Brunton’s kick went wide. The Glad - stone team were at this stage working hard and only hard defending by Martin Parker kept them from scoring. Eric Henderson was doing good work for Gladstone and Johnny Walker also was full out. At last their efforts were rewarded and after a good movement Edgar Henderson went over in the corner. The kick at goal fell short. In. the second half both sides tried hard to score. Play was going from one end of the field to the other. Gladstone’s chance came when a mis-kick by Rex Brunton sent the ball towards his own goal. Good work by Henderson and Henson for Gladstone resulted in a snappy try. Foreman made no mistake with the kick. Greytown tried hard ,to make up this loss but although their teamwork improved they were unable to get over the Gladstone line. Mr E. Grantham was referee.

POSITION OF TEAMS. The following are the positions of the teams in the senior championship: Pts Pts Ch.

WIN FOR MARLBOROUGH CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY BEATEN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. WAIPUKURAU, June 24. The Marlborough representatives met Central Hawke's Bay today. The ground was in excellent order, but the day was very warm for football. Marlborough won by 5 points to nil a try being scored for the winners by Melhuish, and Jackson converting. The game was practically confined to the forwards, the backs having little chance to show their ability. There was little between the two teams on the day’s play. IN OTHER CENTRES Wellington.—The defeat of Petone by University, Poneke’s victory over Marist Bros Old Boys and Wellington’s close call in its match with Eastbourne were the features of senior Rugby in Wellington on Saturday. Bleak weather prevailed with heavy showers at times. Results were: —Poneke 14. Marist Bros Old Boys 3; Wellington 13. Eastbourne 9; University 8, Petone 7; Athletic 20, Hutt 6; Johnsonville 9. College Old Boys 5; Oriental 9, St Patrick’s College Old Boys 9. Auckland.—Suburbs, 8, Ponsonby 8; Otahuhu 13. Marist 10; North Shore 16, Grafton 9; Grammar 18, Training College 3. Christchurch.—Christchurch 13, Sunnyside 3; Athletic 19. Southern 16:

Technical 19, Air Force 12; Linwood 15, Merivale 10; University 12, Old Boys 3. University and Athletic are now equal at the top of the ladder, half a point ahead of Sunnyside. . Dunedin.—Kaikorai nqw leads in the Rugby competition. Southern are second, with Pirates and Union third equal. Trevathan, Southern five • eighths, has now scored 98 points for the season. Results: Kaikorai 10, University A 3; Upion 9, Pirates 8; Southern 17, Alhambra 5; Dunedin 14, Taieri 8; University B 15, Zingari-Richmond 7. Invercargill.—lnvercargill 17, Old Boys 11; Pirates 11, Star 8; Bluff 10, Marist 3. Taranaki.—Tukapa 24, Old Boys 3; Inglewood 8, Clifton 6; Stratford 14, Okato 4; Star 23, Elttham 14; Okaiawa 5, Opupake 3; Athletic ■ 13, Patea 0; Kaponga 9, Waimate 6. Hawke’s Bay.—Celtic 17 beat Ijapier High School Old Boys 11; Pirates 12 beat Technical Old Boys 0; Marist Old Boys 9 beat Havelock North 3; Maori Agricultural College 14, beat Hastings High School Old Boys 9. Dannevirke.—Athletic 8 beat Ruahine 7, Weber 14 beat Old Boys 8.

Carterton .... W .... 5 L 1 D 1 For Ag. Pts. 81 44 11 Gladstone .... .... 5 2 0 57 35 10 Old Boys .... .... 4 3 0 52 47 8 Grey town .... .... 3 3 1 58 53 7 Red Star .... .... 1 4 2 44 54 4 Masterton .... .... 1 6 0 34 89 2