RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1940, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP i CARTERTON BEAT GLADSTONE. GRIM STRUGGLE AT MASTERTON. In a grim struggle for supremacy Carterton carried oft' the Wairarapa Rugby Union's senior championship honours from Gladstone at Memorial Park on Saturday, winning by 9 points to 7. There was a large attendance of the public. The pace was fast and play was very willing, so much so that Duncan Smith (Carterton) was ordered off in the first few minutes of play. Gladstone lost two men from injuries. The game was marked by fierce torward rucking and fine, open back movements. The teams were fairly evenly matched. although Carterton had the run of play in the first half. Faulty handling caused several good movements to break down, and loose passes, particularly by Gladstone, were very frequent. On the day's play Carterton thoroughly deserved their win. The play of some members of the Carterton team did not find favour with a section of the spectators and there were frequent calls to the referee to put them off. Carterton won the toss and played i with the sun at their backs. Play travelled up and down the field at a fast pade, and there were many promising scoring movements, but faulty handling saw frequent breakdowns. The first points of the match were registered when Mahupuka from a penalty kick awarded to Carterton put the ball between the posts. Carterton's first try oame when G. Brown (centre) intercepted and made a brilliant cut through, associated with Reading, on the wing. The pair combined to shake off the opposition and Reading scored well out. Mahupuka missed the kick. making the score Carterton 6. Gladstone 0. Play became very willing and the services of the St John Ambulance were called upon continually. Mahupuka made no mistake with a penalty kick from an infringement. placing Carterton in a strong position. Gladstone’s first points were scored by L. Foreman who kicked a penalty goal. Play was chiefly confined to the forwards for the rest of the spell.

Gladstone attacked early in the second spell and led by K. Joblin and J. Walker the forwards launched a strong assault. Injuries caused several stoppages again and both sides were cautioned by the referee. There was a scene of excitement when E. Henderson kicked a splendid field goal to make the score Carterton 9, Gladstone 7. Carterton resumed the attack and F. Fitzgerald was seen to advantage with Thompson, Brown and Reading in bright back movements. Foreman (Gladstone) and C. Jensen (Carterton) saved their respective sides time after time. Gladstone’s hope of winning crashed when Foreman missed a penalty from a handy position. Play ended soon after with the score remaining Carterton 9. Gladstone 7. Gladstone seemed to lack the finish to their movements which was possessed to a marked degree by Carterton. Mr H. McMenamin was referee.

In the Carterton team E. Thompson, G. Brown, Reading and Mahupuka stood out in the back line for good work. F. Fitzgerald played his usual tactical game and started many good movements. Tilyard, at half, gave his backs a fair share of the ball. In the forwards, the Mathieson Bros.. J. Fitzgerald and Blake were solid toilers. The pick of the Gladstone forwards were Joblin and Walker, who played very sound football and attacked strongly. The former player was prominent in the loose. L. Reiri gave his backs good service. In the back line G. Colquhoun initialed several promising movements. PEARSON CUP MATCH WIN FOR MARTINBOROUGH. In a closely contested match for the Pearson Cup, Martinborough beat Carterton. winners of the junior championship, by 11 points to 6. The game was fast and open and provided bright football, but on the day Martinborough were a shade better than Carterton. Mr B. M. Hurley was referee. THIRD GRADE. In a third grade curtain-raiser to the senior championship match Red Star beat Gladstone by 13 points to 5. BEBBINGTON SHIELD WIN FOR DANNEVIRKE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE. August 4. Dannevirke withstood the third challenge this season for the Bebbington Shield when Bush were beaten 6-3 today. The ground was hard and dry and conditions exdellent. Play was fast and often exciting, quick changes of fortune repeatedly bringing the large crowd to its feet. Dannevirke owed their victory tc superior speed and surer handling in the backs, but the Bush forwards were superior in tight play. They secured possession from the majority of the scrums, but preferred to keep play more to the forwards. It was only in the last 20 minutes that Bush revealed that they had a dangerous backline. Had they thrown the ball about in the same style as Dannevirke earlier in the game, the result might well have been different. The later stages of the game revealed weaknesses in Dannevirke’s defence. In loose play, the Dannevirke forwards excelled Bush. Often they combined in bright passing, and staged fast loose rushes. The defence of the Bush backs was excellent. Bush opened the scoring with a good try in the corner by W. Twentyman. and within a few minutes Riddel kicked a long penalty goal for Dannevirke. After a good back movement Little scored, giving Dannevirke a threepoint lead at half-time. There was no score in the second spell. OTAGO V. SOUTHLAND A DRAWN GAME. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN. August 3. Before a crowd estimated at 15,0(10. Otago and Southland met at Carisbrook today in perfect weather in a match for the Donald Stuart Memorial Shield, the only representative

fixture to be played in Dunedin this season. A battle royal was staged between two evenly-matched sets of forwards, and with the backs frequently swinging into action, interest was maintained at a high pitch. The game ended in a draw, 10-all, leaving the shield in the possession of Otago. The first spell ended 5-3 in favour of Southland, for whom Urwin scored a try which McCurdy converted. Otago’s try was obtained by Werner at the end of a loose forward rush. In the second spell Werner potted a goal, and scored for Otago, and Mackrell scored for Southland. McCurdy converting. IN OTHER CENTRES Auckland. —Technical 9. Grammar 3; Ponsonby 9, Training College 8; Maris! 25, North Shore 14; Suburbs won from Papakura Artillery by default; Grafton won from Papakura Infantry by default. Wellington.—With mild spring weather prevailing, some fast and attractive football was seen in the Wellington Rugby Union’s senior championship on Saturday. The ‘joint leaders. Wellington and Athletic, registered impressive victories, and the fate of the championship for 1940 will be decided at their meeting next Saturday, Ripsuits were: —Wellington 23, Petone 17; Athletic 34, Johnsonville 5; Eastbourne 20, Poneke 6. In the Athletic-Johnson-ville match, E. Cross, the ex-Red Star senior and Wairarapa representative, was the outstanding player on the field and scored four tries. Fresh interest was created in the Hardham Cup competition by the defeat of the two leading teams, St. Patrick’s College Old Boys and Marist Bros. Old Boys. Three teams are now level in the lead and the other three teams are only two points away. Results were: College Old Bovs 8, Hutt 8; University 15, Marist Bros Old Boys 9; Oriental 18, St. Patrick's College Old Boys 15. Christchurch.—Technical 17. Southern 13; Sunnyside 19. Territorials 9; Merivale 7, Christchurch 0; Linwood 12. Albion 6; Athletic 24. Army 14; University 20, Air Force 9; New Brighton 14, Old Boys 11. Ashburton.—Ashburton beat North Otago at Ashburton. Westport.—ln the presence of a large gathering of spectators. Bullet retained the Seddon Shield against Marlborough's challenge. 22-13.