OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1940, Page 7

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

THE RUGBY FINAL (To the Editor.) Sir, —-The 1940 senior Rugby championship was decided at Masterton las'. Saturday when two well-matched teams. Carterton and Gladstone met. the result being that Carterton added another win to its long list of championships. dating back from about 1900. As an old player and one who .has kept in touch with Wairarapa Rugby since the 'nineties. 1 was amused al the conduct of a section of the Masterion spectators whose hatred for the Maroon jersey and the men who wear it. :"el' by their fathers in mv day. is well and truly in the blood of their descendants, judging by the one-eyed view they look of last Saturday's game, for nothing Carterton did was right or fair according to their judgment. The way they howled at Frank Fitzgerald ( who. was in a large measure responsible for Gladstone's defeat) whenever he did any of the many serviceable things he did for his side was hard to understand and took my mind back to 1902 (I think it was) when Carterton played Masterton oil for the championship at Masterton. In the first spell of that game if my memory serves me right. Alex Gray scored a try for Masterton. which was converted by Joe O'Leary, the spell ending in favour of Masterton by five points to nil. and the Masterton spectators were in a good mood. The second spell was not very old when Ted McKenzie kicked a penalty goal for Carterton. from somewhere neat half-way, for which he was hooted Shortly afterwards McKenzie repeated the dose and the crowd, to show their appreciation, hooted louder than ever as Carterton now led by one point. Towards the end of the game, McKenzie again pleased the crowd by registering another penalty, from out near the touchline, and in appreciation the hoot was easily the best effort of the day The game ended 9-5 in favour of Carterton after a good game, and the Carterton team retired to their dressing room in the face of loud hooting from the crowd. A referee named Sievers, from Wellington, controlled the game. I refer to the incident of years ago to show that the antagonistic spirit that existed then toward the Maroon jersey still exists today. Noticeable among the hooters last Saturday was a wellgrown lad in Wairarapa College colours. I suppose that is why College boys are admitted free to football grounds by the Rugby Union.

The win of the Carterton team was achieved with only fourteen men as the services of D. Smith were lost early in the game and Gladstone had the use of seventeen men during the game. Under the circumstances, it is doubtful if R. Nunn should have gone on in the closing stages of the game, but Carterton consented and their action adds more merit to their win.

Carterton. back and forward, were the better team on the day. F. Fitzgerald was as useful to Carterton as he was 1 annoying to a section of the Masterton spectators and to him Carterton owe their win. Brown, Jensen, and Mahupuku played good games. The Gladstone backs were not impressive and J. Henson will be well adto curb a bad habit of indulging in late tackles. Henson's potted goal was one of the many bright spots in the game. Reiri. the Gladstone half, was much better than the Carterton half. The Gladstone forwards, in face of strong opposition, ably led by veteran Johnny Walker, put up a grim fight in which the two Masons, Joblin and Ross carried the Yellow and Black jersey with honour. The game was hard right through, both teams having to stand a true test. It is doubtful if the Rugby Union did the right thing in playing the final game at Masterton. Some supporters ol both clubs say the game should have been played either at Carterton or Gladstone, and if Masterton wants championship finals their teams should provide them, not two outside teams, and the conduct of some Masterton spectators makes one agree. Carterton have now won the senior and junior championships and are well up in the third and fourth grades, which is a good performance when it is remembered that a few years ago another club was started in the district the idea being to weaken Carterton, as it was said that if all clubs were brought down to the level of the weakest our football would be brighter. The state of our Rugby in the last few vears is the answer and the soonci Masterton fields one senior team only the sooner club football in Masterion will be where it used to be. A noticeable thing associated with Rugby in Masterton is the number of Rugby enthusiasts who for a time take an interest in the game; some get on the Rugby Union Executive foi a while, then like a snowball in the hot regions they disappear from the Rugby map and only appeal’ when Hawke's Bay play Wairarapa. or to sec the senior championship final. Quite : number ol them were at Memorial Park last Saturday. Let us hope they keep it up. Mr McMenamin who refereed the final last Saturday was impartial: his rulings were sound, but he did not have the grip of the game ;K should have, for both sides indulged m questionable tactics at times which should have been stopped early in the game. Still the referee's effort was t good one. —I am. etc.. OLD CARTERTON PLAYER. Carterton. August 6. MILK DISTRIBUTION (To the Editor) Si r —Now that the Borough Council have taken away from the public the right to choose their own milkman. I trust that they will see to it that all milk vendors supply the same quality of milk. Unfortunately I've had to change and am very dissatisfied . . With the extra heavy taxation on the working people. 1 suggest that the saving in petrol and tyres should go towards a reduction in the price of Ute milk.-—I, am. etc.. „ 1 —A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER. Masterton. August 6. The new milk distribution scheme is controlled, not by the Borough Council. but I> V the Government —Ed.