RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1940, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

ARMY TEAM AT MASTERTON WIN AGAINST WAIRARAPA. LOCAL TEAM PLAY WELL. In a match at Memorial Park. Masterton, on Saturday afternoon the New Zealand Army team beat Wairarapa by 8 points to 5. The score was a good indication of the run of play, and on the day Wairarapa went well against such strong opponents. The ball was thrown about in fine style and although the ground was very heavy there was plenty of open play. The teams were as follow: —Army: W. Crisp, A. R. McAneny, D. G. Barton, R. Natusch, PepsoiT J. K. Logan. C. E. King, W. Carson, J. Bowman, Fraser Smith, G. Mills, P. L. Lynch. P. Rhind, J. Elliott. W. McPhail. Wairarapa: C. Jensen. D. Faulknor, R. Brunton, E. Thompson. T. Wilton, F. Fitzgerald, L. Reiri. J. Fitzpatrick, D. Smith, I. Percy, R. Howard (captain), H. Ewington, T. Hood. A. Mathieson. H. Mathieson.

Play in the first half was marked by hard forward rucking. Play had travelled up and down field at a fast pace for some minutes when F. Fitzgerald intercepted and passed the leather on to T. Wilton, who made a great run to score under the posts. Brunton converted, placing Wairarapa in front by 5 points to nil. Wairarapa was then penned down for some time' and the Army made strong attacks. Wairarapa defended well however. The Army’s first points came when D. G. Barton kicked a penalty, making the score Wairarapa 5, Army 3. The Army’s first try came when Mills forced his way over from a passing rush, for Crisp to put the ball between the posts. Half time sounded shortly after, the score being Army 8, Wairarapa 5. In the second spell Wairarapa attacked and penetrated deep down into Army territory. Play went up and down the field, but both sides defended well. On several occasions tries were missed through overkeenness. There was no addition to the score in the spell and time sounded with the score still Army 8, Wairarapa 5. Mr W. Grantham was referee.

The Wairarapa forwards held their own in the loose, led by H. Ewington and R. Howard. Duncan Smith and J. Fitzpatrick were hard toilers and were seen to advantage in loose rushes.

F. Fitzgerald was outstanding in the Wairarapa back line and with E. Thompson was always in the thick of the game. L. Reiri filled the bill nt half and gave his backs plenty of the ball. D. Faulknor received few chances on the wing.

J. Bowman and W. A. Carson. New Zealand representatives, with Fraser Smith, former Wairarapa rep., stood out conspicuously in the Army forward pack. W. Crisp was very safe at full-back for the Army. The Wairarapa College Pipe Band piped the teams on to the ground and played a selection at half-time. As a mark of respect to the 'late Leading Aircraftsman T. E. Denbee, former Wairarapa representative halfback members of the Wairarapa team wore black arm bands. In a third grade curtain-raiser. Carterton beat Red Star by 6 points to 3. The representative teams were entertained at a dinner at night and were later guests at a dance in the Masonic Hall. IN OTHER CENTRES

'Dunedin.—Pirates 18, Taieri 10: University Al 5 Zingari-Richmond 13: Southern 13, Kaikorai 0: Dunedin 18. Union 4; Alhambra 19. University B 3.

Christchurch. —Sunnyside 21, Southern £■. Athletic 11, Old Boys 10; Varsity 19, Albion 6: Army 15, Mcrivale 3; Linwood 36. Christchurch 12; Air Force 12, Technical 6: Territorials 21, New Brighton 6. Hamilton.—Lack of finesse throughout the game, which cost Waikato several likely tries, robbed them of victory in a return Rugby match with Auckland at Hamilton on Saturday, the visitors winning B—3.8 —3.

New Plymouth.—Bright football was seen when Taranaki beat Manawalu 19 —16 on Saturday.

Wellington.—Because of the inclement weather, all Rugby matches in Wellington were postponed on Saturday. This was the first occasion for some time that senior games had had to be cancelled. Matches set down for Saturday will be played on August 24. The second home representative match of the season will take place at Athletic Park next Saturday, when Wellington will meet Hawke's Bay. In its representative fixtures to date this season Wellington beat Taranaki at Hawera and a Trentham Army team at Athletic Park. Hawke's Bay had a win and a loss against Wairarapa, drew with a Trentham Army team and was beaten by Auckland.