SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1941, Page 3

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

CARTERTON v FEATHERSTON. BIG CROWD AT FEATHERSTON. Rugby patrons from all parts of the Wairarapa swelled the large attendance of local supporters at Featherston on Saturday afternoon to make the largest “gate” for several seasons in interclub matches when Carterton, leaders in the championship, met and beat Featherston by 14 points to nil in a thrilling contest. The ground was heavy and the ball greasy, making clean handling a difficult task. From the commencement of play Carterton set the pace and never eased up. Play swept up and down field in spectacular manner and provided spectators with plenty of thrills. Both sides tackled hard and cleanly and considering the state of the ground, play was particularly bright and open. The half-time score was Carterton 11, Featherston 0. In the second spell the Carterton forwards completely overran the Featherston team and launched a series of attacks. After Featherston had forced down three times, Carterton scored. Time after time Featherston tried to make up the leeway in points but could not penetrate the Carterton defence. The fast, spoiling tactics adopted by the Carterton forwards gave Featherston little chance of opening up the game. Play became so fast at times that tempers became frayed on both sides and spectators witnessed some lively exchanges. Carterton’s points came from two tries by Q. Desmond, and a try each by E. Thompson and N. McPhee. C. Jensen converted one of Desmond’s tries.

Competent Rugby critics stated that the Carterton forward pack was the best seen in the Wairarapa for many years. Their forward ball-at-the-toe rushes were reminiscent of the days when Wairarapa was the premier Rugby province. The pack showed brilliant team work. Mr E. Grantham (Masterton) was referee. F. Fitzgerald was the outstanding back on the field. The veteran Wairarapa representative and club fiveeighths checked many Featherston onslaughts. His line kicking was accurate and of great length. Time after time his clever tactical play saved his side. E. Thompson (Carterton) showed great pace on the wing. ’ He scored a good try as the result of fast following up. C. Jensen was always safe at full-back. G. Udy, Tilyard and M. Hurley also stood out for good work. In the Carterton forwards the Mathieson brothers, 0. Desmond and A. Blake were prominent in a hard-working team. In the Featherston forwards, j. Towersey, Playle and Flutey were noticeable for good play. Habib, Featherston’s half-back, gave his backs a lion’s share of the ball, but the fastbreaking Carterton forwards did not give the home backs much chance to break away.

GLADSTONE v RED STAR. LOCAL TEAM UNLUCKY. Gladstone scored a narrow win over Red Star by 14 points to 11 in a hard, keen struggle at Memorial Park. The match was played in drizzling rain with occasional heavy showers. Considering the conditions play was good. In the first spell Gladstone held a marked advantage but in the second half Red Star worked as a team and overran Gladstone. Red Star scored two tries in ten minutes and were pressing hard on Gladstone's goal line when the final whistle sounded. Red Star were unlucky not to have won. For Gladstone tries were scored by J. Barnes, M. Ross and J. Henson. Henson converted a try. Red Star’s points came from tries by R. O'Kane, J. Buttress, and W. Peat. O’Kane converted a try. In the Red Star team R. O'Kane was the most outstanding back. He played his usual fast, clever game. In the ■forwards J. Buttress was prominent in a hard-working pack led by R Howard. For Gladstone G. Colquhoun played an excellent game. Red Star showed an all-round improvement in their play. GREYTOWN v. MASTERTON. A DRAWN GAME. — Greytown and Masterton drew, 3 points all in a hard forward struggle at Greytown on Saturday afternoon. Tilyard scored a good try for Masterton and M. Parker kicked a penalty for Greytown. The teams were evenly matched, and play was confined to the forwards owing to the heavy state of the ground.