A WIN FOR WAIRARAPA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 August 1939, Page 3

A WIN FOR WAIRARAPA

Nelson Defeated by 17 to 11 HOME TEAM TOO GOOD IN SECOND HALF DENBEE MAKES MANY BRILLIANT RUNS Leaving their run until the second half, the Wairarapa team defeated Nelson by 17 points to 11 at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday. At half-time, Nelson, after having by far the better of the game, led by 8 points to 3, and judging by the way Wairarapa was playing would not have very much difficulty in keeping in front. The second half, however, presented a d ifferent story. On resuming the Wairarapa forwards got under way, and within five minutes Wairarapa took the lead, after which th ey never looked like being behind. In the first spell Wairarapa were o utclassed in scrums, lineouts and general forward play but that was not the position in the second half. In the latter portion of the game it was a notable fact that whenever Wairarapa really wanted the leathe r they got it.

In the first spell, although the Wairarapa rearguard did not see much of the ball they played soundly, especially on defence, there not being a weak link in the whole of the back line. In the second spell the entire back line functioned lik e a machine and at times play was nothing short of brilliant.

Denbee was in brilliant form. His passes were always well directed, with the result that Hatton was moving in top gear every time he took the ball. Denbee's try was one of the best scored by a halfback in the Wairarapa for some time. He made several brilliant solo runs. Brunton played a great game. He ran straight, kicked well and his backing up was of the best. Brown at centre made several good openings,/ while Peterson and Thompson did all that was' asked of them. Fitzgerald at full back did well.

The Wairarapa forwards in the second spell packed as one man, broke fast from the scrum and in the loose were always together. Heading his grand pack was always Russ Howard, who again played a true captain’s game. Next in order of merit came Stringfellow and Mitchell, with the rest of the pack not far behind. Although the Nelson backs received by far the most of the ball in the first half they were unable to break through the stout Wairarapa defence. Kotua, the Maori All Black, played an outstanding game for the visitors. Karsten, at second five-eighths, played well. Todd on the wing made several good runs as did Langrope. The main fault with the Nelson pack was that they played too loose. McKegney, Glenn, Briggs and Hanson all did their share of good work. The teams were: Wairarapa: F. Fitzgerald; Thompson, G. Brown, W. Peterson; Brunton, Hatton; Denbee; Joblin; Percy, Mathieson, Humphrey, Stringfellow; Mitchell, Howard (captain), Walker. Nelson: H. Morris; R. Todd, C. Stallard, G. Langrope; R. Karsten (captain), M. Kotua; A. Westley; P. Hansonr; S. Field, H. McKay, A. Glenn, W. Andrews; N. Briggs, H. McKegney, G. Lyons. Nelson kicked off.. Wairarapa forced Nelson back, Howard and Denbee taking play nearly to the visitors’ line, but Nelson rucking hard drove them back. Denbee sent Hatton away. Hatton went through before passing to Thompson who punted past Morris and gathering in the leather crossed in the corner. The kick failed. Wairarapa 3, Nelson 0. Nelson launched several back movements, but Wairarapa’s defence was j too grim. A deep kick by Todd found . Fitzgerald miles out of position but the j ball rolled over the line in time for ! him to force down. The Nelson backs swung downfield but Brunton snapping up a dropped pass headed for the visitors’ line. He passed infield to Brown and the latter was almost over but was recalled for a forward pass. Wairarapa heeled from the scrum and Glenn coming through took the ball at toe to

score in a handy position. Morris failed with the kick. Wairarapa 3, Nelson 3. Later Schwass replaced Field in the pack. Nelson were gaining the ball in the line-outs and scrums and Wairarapa’s defence was fully tested. From a free kick Hanson, following up fast, scored when a Wairarapa back fumbled. Morris goaled and at half-time Nelson led by 8 to 3. On resuming the Wairarapa forwards got under way and Nelson were forced to defend. A penalty to Wairarapa saw Brunton reduce the gap by three points. Nelson 8, Wairarapa 3. Wairarapa launched a hot attack on the Nelson line where after two attempts Stringfellow succeeded in forcing his way over. Brunton failed, making the score Wairarapa 9, Nelson 8. Howard went within an ace of scoring after following up a high kick, the ball beating him to the dead ball area. Pressing hard Wairarapa had Nelson defending desperately and Denbee, selling about six dummies, scored close in. Brunton missed the kick. Wairarapa 12, Nelson 8. Fielding a high Nelson clearing kick Peterson left the opposition standing to score in a handy position. Brunton goaled. Wairarapa 17, Nelson 8. Nelson worked down into Wairarapa’s territory where Todd with a great run nearly scored, Peterson’s defence proving too solid. Denbee went away in a brilliant run. He drew the full-back and passed to Brunton but the latter could not hold the ball and what appeared to be a “sitter” was lost. Nelson came back with a rush and Howard came through too fast right in front of the goal, Morris making no mistake with the kick. Wairarapa 17, Nelson 11. Time sounded soon after. Mr W. Grantham was the referee.