RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 July 1943, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE GAMES WAIRARAPA v. BUSH. DOUBT,E WIN FOR VISITORS. (“Times-Age” Special.) A revival of interest in Rugby football this season was demonstrated on the Carterton showgrounds on Saturday afternoon when the attendance for the two Wairarapa-Bush games was the largest for some time past. The weather was perfect. The visiting third grade fifteen played the Wairarapa third grade team, and the game was a fast one throughout. The visitors led in the first half by 6-o—a penalty goal and a try by Gates. In the second spell Berry scored a try for Wairarapa but failed to convert it. C. Humphries (Bush), outpacing the opposing back scored under the goal posts. The try was converted. Wairarapa backs combined well and from a passing rush Matthews scored a try which Berry converted. R. Humphries then scored for Bush, the try being converted. Bush thus won by 16 points to 8. Mr W. Grantham was referee. In the senior game spectators were provided with plenty of interesting football. Wairarapa won the toss and defended the southern goal with a fresh breeze in their favour. Bush were first to score. Verry crossing in the corner, but the try was not converted by Welch. R. Clay then wont over for a beautiful try which Mahupuka goaled. Bartosh then scored for Bush, the try being converted by Tait. Bush 8, Wairarapa 5. The second spell was vigorously opened with Bush forwards attacking, a try resulting, but. was not converted. A. little later Ewington scored for Wairarapa, Mahupuka converting. The game ended shortly after in a win for Bush by 11 points to 10. Mr E. Grantham refereed.

AIR JORCE TEAMS CONTEST FOR CUP. Football of a high standard was witnessed by a large crowd at the Wairarapa College grounds on Saturday, when a Rongotai team played a Masterton team for the Central Group Air Force Cup. Some excellent passing bouts by both sets of fast moving backs and hard forward play were witnessed. The match was evenly contested throughout, Masterton finally retaining the cup by 19-14. Fof the visitors. Jacobsen and Cunningham played solidly, and Henderson. Wright and Southwick were outstanding for Masterton. Henderson, who was greatly missed in the Wairarapa representative fixture at Carterton, is considered by many judges to be well in the running for North Island honours. Tries for the visitors were scored by Blandford, Webb, Cunningham and McPherson. Jacobsen converted one try. For Masterton, tries were scored by Hale, Wright and Stevens. Henderson converted two tries and Southwick kicked two penalty goals. Sergeant F. Dean capably controlled the game. After the match, Flying Officer Freeman thanked the visitors and said that an excellent game was played in the best spirit of sportsmanship. Flight Lieutenant Webster replied.