RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1939, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

LAST OF ALL BLACK TRIALS NEW ZEALAND XV BEATEN. EASY WIN FOR THE REST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The All Black Rugby trials were brought to a conclusion on Saturday and produced one of the biggest upsets for years, when an apparently- strong New Zealand XV was beaten hands down by The Rest, the final score being 22-3.

On paper the New Zealand fifteen looked vastly superior to The Rest. It was the general consensus of opinion that the team contained the pick of the available players out of those who attended the trials and were able to stay till their conclusion. Naturally it was assumed that the team also reflected the sole selector’s opinion as to the cream of Rugby talent, and despite the fact that last-minute changes had to be made, the team looked an impressive one. But it played without dash or .inspiration and the handsome margin in favour of The Rest was a very fail indication of the run of the play. The early game was between teams captained by McKenzie (Ashburton) and Moss (Hawke’s Bay). It provided high scoring and an exciting finish, the final tally being 29-all. Hunter secured throe tries, on each occasion badly beating the'defence. In the main game there was little incident in the first spell, which finished 6-3 in favour of The Rest, The second spell was just a canter for The Rest. Reid (2) and Wynyard (2) scored tries for The Rest. Wesney and McAuliffe each converted a try and each kicked a penalty goal. For New Zealand Tayloi kicked a penalty goal. The teams in the main game were:— New Zealand XV: Taylor; Sutherland. Sullivan, Murray; Grace, Welsh; Tindill; Rhind, Lambourn, Hull; Ward, McKenzie, Herron, Bowman; Williams. The ' Rest: Johns; Cartwright, Wesney, Roberts: Reid, Crossman; McAuliffe; McPhail, Catley. Taylor; Wynyard, Coull, Cassidy, Warrender; Jolly. Referee: The Rev E. A. Osmers (Canterbury). SOUTHLAND BEATEN FIVE POINT WIN FOR OTAGO. DUNEDIN, September 30. In a well contested Rugby game played before 14,000 spectators Otago todav beat Southland 17-12. It was a hard fought match throughout. with Olago holding the territorial advantage and the backs, notably Mitchell Trevathan and Werner, showing greater enterprise and resource. Scrums were evenly divided throughout. but when Otago secured the ball from the loose rucks the backs flashed into action and Southland was called on to do most of the defending. Toward the latter half of the second spell Southland forwards were going groat guns and evened the scores, but shortly before time the Olago backs and forwards were associated in a devastating rush that resulted in the win - ning try. Graham (Southland) was the best forward on the ground and others‘Who showed up with him were George Marshall and Newall. Vorrath led the Otago pack in magnificent stvle and was well supported by McDonald. Nay • lor and Neipcr.

In the first spell Trevathan kicked a penalty goal for Otago and Mitchell scored a try which Trevathan convert-

ed. For Southland, J. W. Purdue, halfback, scored a try and kicked a field goal. In the second spell Trevathan potted a goal for Otago and McDonald scored a try which he converted. For Southland S. E. Purdue, forward, scored a try which Fleming converted. OTHER RESULTS Wellington 35. Wanganui 13. Manawatu 20. King Country Tl. Canterbury 40, Ashburton 9.