BRIGADE RUGBY

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 18

BRIGADE RUGBY

Though the high hopes that were entertained regarding our rugby representative side at the start of the season were not quite borne out by its record of four wins and four losses, the side concluded its season in a blaze of glory by a whirlwind finish to snatch victory over the Wellington representatives at Athletic Park on September 19. The first of the representative games took place against Wanganui late in May, when the Brigade team led by Charlie Saxton won by 19 points to 12. Though the margin was not as great as expected the team showed distinct promise and their prospects against a strong Auckland side at Eden Park, Auckland, on June 20, were considered to be good. Unfortunately, a knee injury prevented Saxton from playing and the team went down to defeat by 23 points to 11. Over the final stages the Brigade forwards were definitely on top and had Saxton been playing the game may have been snatched out of the fire.

On July 11, the team led by Rod McKenzie defeated the Manawatu representatives at Palmerston North by 11 points to nil. The margin represented the difference between the two teams and once again the Brigade forwards were definitely on top in the final stages. Against Wellington a fortnight later the team was without the services of Saxton and two good forwards in Passmore and Nelson, but made a great fight and were only one point behind at the call of time. The Commanding Officer, Brigadier G. B. Parkinson, D. 5.0., was present at this game. This result together with fine showings of certain Battalion inside backs in the Auckland games raised high hopes of the team being able to obtain a revenge over Auckland in the return game on August 15. Charlie Saxton was back in his old place of half and captain, but the result was most disappointing. The Auckland backs proved far too fast and clever, while the Brigade team appeared listless, with the result that they were soundly beaten by 22 points to 3. Circumstances prevented some Battalion players from taking part in the next game, the return against Wanganui on August 29, and a new inside back line was fielded. In a rather unsatisfactory game the Brigade team was beaten by 16 points to 14, a penalty try awarded against them under the posts proving the decisive factor.

On September 12 the team played its one and only game on its own ground, when another Brigade team made the journey from Palmerston North. The game was not spectacular, but after a hard, grim struggle the Brigade emerged victorious by 11 points to 6. A week later came the victory over Wellington. With the scores 10 to nil against the Brigade at half time things did not look too rosy, but in the second spell the Brigade struck its real form and for practically the whole 40 minutes, they dominated the play. A penalty goal followed by two tries, one of which was converted, saw the Brigade take the lead, and another try saw this increased to four points. Victory appeared assured when Wellington, from a chance breakaway, scored beside the post, and when the kick went over Wellington was one point ahead. But the Brigade team was not to be denied. Donnelly set his backs in action. McPhail sent the ball on to Fury and then Johns from full back raced into the line to take the next pass. He sent it on to Mulloy and thence to Rosenfeldt to race over at the corner.

At the start of the season Lieut. C. K. Saxton was appointed sole selector, but the disposition of the Brigade necessitated the appointment of other selectors after the first game and Major S. J. Wright and 2/Lieut. C. H. Stephenson joined Lieut. Saxton as a selection committee. Lieut. R. L. Dow was co-opted for the selection of the team for the first Wellington game. The seasons' results were: v. Wanganui at Wanganui. Won. 19—12. v. Auckland at Auckland. Lost, 11—23. v. Manawatu at Palmerston North. Won, 11 0. v. Wellington at Wellington. Lost, 15—16. v. Auckland at Auckland. Lost, 3—22. v. Wanganui at Wanganui. Lost, —l6. v. Wellington at Wellington. Won, 17—15. Summary. Games played, 8. Won 4, lost 4. Points for, 99; against, 110.

In this review personalities have been a'"-' ' few comments on the performances of players mSy out of place. The full back, H. E. Johns, played in seven out of eight games and on each occasion was responsible for magnificent displays. He gave Brigade supporters few anxious moments and his part in the final try that gave victory at Wellington was a fitting climax to this player's fine season. Rosenfeldt was the star of the three-quarters, though J. J. Mulloy and J. K. Elkes were good centres, and C. Sullivan's tackling was always a treat to watch. S. Robinson and A. Manion were the early five-eighths and though they played well their displays were not quite up to that given by W. McPhail and F. F. Fury in the final game at, Wellington. C. K. Saxton was the side's best half, but in his absence M. P. Donnelly was the side's best half, Julian proved capable substitutes.

Among the forwards, the All Black R. M. McKenzie proved that he was far from being a spent force, while in the absence of Saxton he filled the position of captain with distinction. The hooker, C. S. Passmore, gave his side their full share of the ball from the scrums, while the other two front row players, W. C. Porter and C. F. Caldwell showed themselves to be fine forwards. G. B. Nelson was outstanding in the line-outs while in the loose and the tight he demonstrated that he is a potential All Black. W. A. Pyatt, D. G. Grant and K. D. Arnold also played well. No less than 12 members of the North Island military side to play the South Island were from our Brigade. Johns, Rosenfeldt, Fury, McPhail, Donnelly, Arnold, McKenzie' Nelson,. Porter and Passmore were included in the XV, while W. Craig and H. Peake were reserves.