RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1939, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WAIRARAPA BEAT POVERTY BAY

Fast But Not Spectacular Game VISITORS FAIL TO PENETRATE GRIM DEFENCE I. PERCY AND R. HOWARD OUTSTANDING PACKMEN t Playing fast, but not spectacular Rugby, Wairarapa scored their second win this season when they defeated the touring Poverty Bay representatives at Carterton on Saturday by 17 points to 3. Wairarapa thoroughly deserved their win as at no time were the visitors the masters of the-situation. Poverty Bay gained slightly more of the ball in the scrums and line-outs, but the Wairarapa forwards made up for this by breaking fast, and taking the ball away from the Poverty Bay inside backs. This was one of the most important factors in their victory. Although the Poverty Bay rearguard had an advantage in that they received more of the leatner than did Wairarapa, they did not manage to cross the Wairarapa line. This was due to the grim defence of every member of the Wairarapa team —forwards and backs. So vigorously did Wairarapa play that before the game had progressed to the halfway mark, the inside backs were stab kicking instead of passing. This gave Wairarapa the ball, and it was made excellent use of.

Lead by those two fine packmen. Russ Howard and lan Percy, the Wairarapa forwards repeatedly launched attacks on the Poverty Bay goal line, and had it not been for the outstanding play of Scholium, the Poverty Bay’s last line of defence, there is no telling what the score would have been. It is sufficient to say that it would not have been seventeen. .Scholium refused to be bustled. He was very rarely caught out of position and his touch finding would have done credit to any New Zealand fullback. Head and shoulders above any other forward on the ground was Percy. Packing on the side of the scrum he was a deadly menace to the Poverty Bay inside backs. If they dropped the ball he would be through. If they ran too far he would bowl them over and take the ball downfield at toe. He was everywhere. In the line-outs he could be seen doing his share —if not more. In the loose rushes he was always alongside Howard, and whenever Denbee went the blind Percy would be there to take the reverse pass. Next to Percy came Howard, who played a true “captain’s” game. Howard was always to the fore and it is indeed a pity that he is not bigger, as he is the type of front row man New Zealand is looking for. Mathieson and Joblin were the next best of the Wairarapa pack who all pulled their weight. There was not a slacker in the side. In the Poverty Bay pack, Rogers appeared the best of an even lot.

The appearance of Jim Eastwood, the former Wellington winger in the Wairarapa side, created quite a little interest, as it was reported he had been playing great Rugby in the city. However, he did not have the opportunity of showing his attacking powers, but if he is as good on attack as he is on defence, then the South African trip will not be out of his reach. Brown, at centre, was inclined to run across field, the result being, that when Eastwood received the ball he was out of bounds. Eastwood’s backing up was a revelation, and on more than one occasion it was only his sheer speed that saved Fitzgerald from difficulties. O. Hatton again played sound football and made several nice cut-ins. Denbee was not quite so accurate as usual. W. Peterson was brilliant in defence, while his speed caused the visitors no little anxiety. His try was one of the best. Brunton, until he stopped a nasty smack, went well. His line kicking was a great help. A McAneny, the Poverty Bay winger, was the pick of the rearguard with the exception, of course, of Scholium. Littler, at half, threw out long accurate passes and was a shade bettei’ on the day than Denbee. The teams were as follow.—Wairarapa: Fitzgerald; Eastwood, Brown, Peterson; Brunton, Hatton; Denbee; Joblin, Mathieson. Trass, Ross, Percy, Mason, Howard, Walker. Poverty Bay: Scholium; McAneny, Smiler, Short; Sharp, McKinley; Littler; Rogers, Twigg, Aitken, O’Brien, Phillips, Johnston, Anderson, Shanks.

Wairarapa drew first blood when Brunton with a slashing run cut the Poverty Bay defence to ribbons. He sent on to Peterson who outpaced the opposition to score under the posts. Brunton had no difficulty in adding the additional points. Wairarapa 5, Poverty Bay 0.

Fumbling on the part of Denbee let the Poverty Bay forwards through, but a penalty to Wairarapa relieved the position. The Poverty Bay vanguard swarmed over the line, only to be beaten by the bounce of the bail. Denbee worked the blind to send Brown away on a 40 yard run. Brown passed to Peterson who was collared as he went over the line. Gradually the Poverty Bay forwards drove Waira rapa back. A penalty in a handy position gave W. Johnston a chance and he landed an easy goal. Wairarapa 5, Poverty Bay 3.

Gradually the Wairarapa pack worked round to gain the upper hand, How ard, Percy and Ross taking the ball over the visitors’ line, where Scholium came from nowhere to force down. Shortly afterwards Rogers was caught offside and Brunton from 40 yards out landed a great goal. Wairarapa 8. Poverty Bay 3. A scrum on the Wairarapa line saw the visitors gain possession and go close to scoring. Brunton, taking the ball off a Poverty Bay back, turned defence into attack. Several Wairarapa backs handled. the ball ■ eventually coming back to Brunton. He kicked and A. Anderson, coming across fast, fielded. He passed of! the ground and from the resulting penalty Brunton landed an easy goal. Wairarapa 11. Poverty Bay 3.

Wairarapa continued to attack and half time came with no alteration in the score. On resuming Wairarapa increased its lead when Hatton, receiving on the halfway line, cut right through the visitors' rearguard. On reaching the fullback he passed to Trass but Schol • Jum had the latter before? he could get far. The Wairarapa forwards carried on with Howard and Percy in the van. Percy, taking the ball on his own. went across the Poverty Eay line to score. Brunton was unsuccessful with the

kick. Wairarapa 14, Poverty Bay 3. With only a few minutes left Denbee elected to go the blind side. He beat the winger and passed infield to Percy. Percy, drawing the fullback, sent Howard over in a good position. Brunton missed with the kick, leaving the final score Wairarapa 17, Poverty Bay 3.

OTHER RESULTS

Possibles 8, Probables 6. Third Grade. Red Star 22, Gladstone 4. Primary Schools. South Wairarapa 8, North 3. Junior Championship. Opaki 14, Carterton 6. Greytown 21, Red Star 8.

PALMERSTON MATCH

MASTERTON OLD BOYS BEATEN. Masterton Old Boys travelled to Palmerston North on Saturday for a friendly match against Kia Toa, the Manawatu Club led by R. R. McKenzie, of All Black fame. The game was played on Rugby Park and was won by Kia Toa by 12 points to nil. The Palmerston forwards under McKenzie, took charge early in the game and though Old Boys rallied well at times Kio Toa were too strong. Actually Old Boys had a scratch forward team and because of the holiday nature of the outing took the game rather lightly. The Kia Ttoa forwards packed well and in loose rushes were particularly effective. Their score of 12 points was made up by four unconverted trios. The ground was in good condition and the weather fine.

IN OTHER CENTRES

Wellington.—By withstanding a strong challenge from the vastly improved Poneke team on Saturday, Wellington became practically assured of the senior Rugby championship for 1939, having a five-point lead with only three games to go. Results: Wellington 11, Poneke 6; Petone 9, Johnsonville 7; Athletic 26, Marist Bros Old Boys 11. By securing five points on Saturday, J. M. Taylor (Wellington) topped the century. His 101 points consist of 90 secured in club games and 11 against Marlborough.

Auckland.—As the result of "the surprise defeat of Suburbs by North Shore, Marist now leads in the Auckland Rugby Union’s senior championship by one point from Otahuhu, with Suburbs one point further back, followed by Grafton, Ponsonby, North Shore and Training College, in that order. Results of Saturday’s matches: North Shore 11, Suburbs 3; Otahuhu 19, Ponsonby 16; Grafton 26, Grammar 17; Marist 13, Training College 6. Christchurch.—University 11, Old Boys nil; Linwood 18, Merivale 11; Athletic 10, Southern 6; Sunnyside 14. Christchurch 9; Technical 19, Air Force 16.

Dunedin.—Saturday’s Rugby matches leave the Southern Union at the head of the competition, with Pirates one point away. Results: Union 10, Southern 4; Pirates 15, Kaikorai 3; University All, Dunedin 4; Taieri 13, ZingariRichmond 6; Alhambra 24, University B 0.

Taranaki.—Tukapa 15, Inglewood 9; Clifton 33, Old Boys 9; Star 13, Okato 8; Stratford 20, Eltham nil; Okaiawa 11, Waimate 8; Kaponga nil, Opunake nil; Hawera 10. Athletic 3.

Manawatu.—University 24 beat St Patrick’s 0; Palmerston North Old Boys 8 beat United 6; Feilding Old Boys 12 beat Feilding 3. Hawke’s Bay.—Maori Agricultural College 28 beat Celtic 6; Technical Old Boys 11 beat Marist Old Boys 0; Hastings 26 beat Hastings High School Old Boys 8; Pirates 25 beat Havelock North 0.

Dannevirke.—First round of knockout competition: Ruahine 17 beat Excelsior 3; Weber 14 beat Old Boys 3.

Horowhenua. —Kuku-Manakau 8 beat Rahui 6; Wanderers 8 beat Athletic 0; Foxton won by default from Shannon. Invercargill.—ln the final of the Invercargill Rugby championship, Invercargill beat Pirates. 3 to 7.

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES

Wanganui 14, Ashburton 11. Southland 9, Otago Sub-Union 6.