RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1941, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE GAME

WANGANUI BEAT WAIHARAPA.

CONTEST FULL OF ACTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) ’WANGANUI, August 2.

In a game full of action, in spite of the wide margin of points separating the two teams, Wanganui beat Wairarapa 21-3 at Spriggens Park today. The weather was fine and conditions were favourable for football.

The game was more even than the scores suggest, but the spoiling play of the loose Wanganui forwards, combined with a solid defence, effectively check-mated any scoring moves made by the visitors. Wanganui scored two tries within the first eight minutes, establishing a lead from which Wairarapa could not recover. At half-time Wanganui were leading 13-0. The visitors’ three points came from a try by J. Buttress just after full time, the closing stages of play being highly exciting. Wanganui, throughout the game, secured a greater share of the ball from the set scrums and line-outs, an advantage which the speedy backs turned to good account. The outstanding player of the day was E. V. Bellis, who played in the loose forwards. Bellis showed good football initiative, both on the defence and in attacking movements. He seemed to anticipate what would be required of him, and was always in a good position. G. Colquhoun, first five-eighth, was the pick of the Wairarapa backs. Bellis, G. Goldsbury, E. Barry, McCashin and J. Whale each scored tries for Wanganui, and W. E. H. Auld, who was in good form, converted three tries. . VETERANS AT PLAY MATCH AT CARTERTON. WIN FOR SARACENS. Bright, open football was witnessed by a good attendance of patrons from! all parts of the district at the Carterton Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon, when a veterans’ match between teams known as the Hawke’s Bay “Saracens” and the Wairarapa “Warriors” resulted in a win for the visitors by 8 points to 3. Hawkes’ Bay took the field in bright gold coloured jerseys and white shorts, and members of the Wairarapa team wore the green jerseys of the local representatives. Wairarapa were the fittest team, and although they were out-weighted, won the majority of the scrums. The half-time score was 3 all. In both teams there was a wealth of talent.

The game, which was divided up into four 20-minute spells, opened at a fast pace, but slowed up considerably towards the end of the spells. The Wairarapa forwards dominated play and swept through the Saracen defence time after time, but although they often “camped” on the Saracen goal line, they could not successfully finish the movements. Both sides threw the ball about, the Saracen backs being outstanding in their handling. Occasional flashes of brilliant play enlivened the game, which was often notable for its enthusiasm rather than science.

The Saracens’ points came from a converted try scored by B. Guise under the Warriors’ goal posts, and M. Dyer kicked a penalty. Wairarapa’s score was a penalty goal kicked by Martin Parker.

The best form in the Wairarapa team was shown by M. Parker. He stopped Bay rushes with his steady and accurate line-kicking, and played a good all-round game. Sergeant-Major L. Roach was in splendid form as fullback. R. Stewart and W. Reside were the best of a hard-working set of forwards. Dyer and Le Quesne were prominent in the Hawkes Bay backs, and B. Guise and Wilson in the forwards. The match, which was played in carefree spirit, \yas efficiently controlled by the referee, Mr B. M. Hurley. The visiting team was entertained at night at a dinner by the Wairarapa Rugby Union. CURTAIN-RAISER. In a curtain-raiser to the veterans’ match, Carterton beat Martinborough by 10 points to 7. WAIRARAPA' UNION THIRD GRADE A. The following were the results of the Wairarapa Rugby Union’s third grade A championship matches on Saturday: Masterton 11, Old Boys 6. College 13, Carterton 3. Red Star a bye. IN OTHER CENTRES SATURDAY’S RESULTS. Wellington.—One of the strongest teams that has represented Wellington for many seasons, including some of the country’s leading players now stationed at Trentham Camp, had no easy task in beating an enterprising Canterbury side 17-12 at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon before about 12,000 spectators. Wellington’s tries were scored by Finlay (2), Sherratt and Jamieson. Thomas converted one and kicked a penalty goal. For Canterbury, Herman and Leng scored tries, and Herman and Maxwell kicked penalty goals. Auckland.—After having much the better of the game from the territorial point of view, an Auckland representative Rugby team beat Waikato 8-3. Boggs and McLean scored tries for Auckland, the latter converting one. Higginson kicked a penalty goal for Waikato. Christchurch.— New Brighton 14, Linwood 6; Technical 9, Air Force 5; Army 20, University 9. Senior reserve: Merivale 8, Sunnyside 6; Athletic 22, Godley Head 9; Christchurch 26, Southern 6; Albion 19, Wigram 5. Dunedin.— The leading teams were beaten on Saturday on heavy grounds. Results: Pirates 7, Dunedin 3; Southern 3, University A 0; Kaikorai 6, Union 3; Zingari, Richmond 8, Taieri 3; Alhambra 18, University B 6. Hawke’s Bay.—Technical High 11, Clive 0; Hastings H. 5.0.8. 13,. Pirates 3; Havelock North 12, Marist Bros. 0.8. 11; Celtic 6, Hastings 5.