FOURTH VICTORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 196, 2 June 1930, Page 7

FOURTH VICTORY

BRUTISH FOOTBALLERS. WAIRARAPA-BUSH MATCH. (Per Press Association.) MASTERTON, May 31. The British Rugby touring team notched their fourth successive win today, when they defeated a combined Wairarapa-Bush team by 19 to b. Ideal conditions prevailed both overhead and underfoot, and there was an attendance of over 10,000. Although the visitors won, it was certainly then hardest game of the tour, and _ the margin of points does not really indicate the respective merits of the teams. Wairarapa more than held their opponents in the first spell, which ended 3 all. In the second half honours were fairly even until 10 minutes before time, when the Britishers rattled on 10 points with bright back play. Roach, the Wairarapa-Bush fullback, played an outstanding game and overshadowed Bonner. His lacking was superb. Corkill was sound in defence, and Fuller did well with ins kicks. Irvine, Reid and Harvey were the best of Wairarapa’s pack. . Spong was the outstanding back in the visitors’ team, and was well supported by Novis. These two players repeatedly went through by superior speed, although the backs as a whole lacked penetration, many of their passing rushes ending up on the iin with the winger blocked. Beamish, m the forwards, was in the thick of it, and, with Ivor Jones, was the best of the visitors’ pack. The teams were:- —

Wairarapa.—Full-back, L. Roach; three-quarters, I. Le Quesne, C. Stringfellow, F. Fuller ; five-eighths, R. Jury, T. Corkill; half, J. Mill; forwards, J. Donald (captain, wing)), W. Irvine Jv. Reid, 1. Harvey, W. Reside K. Ij airbrother, N. McGregor, S. Willoughby. Reserves: iD'enby and Walker. Britain.—Full-back, G. M. Bonner; three-quarters, J. S. Reeye, 1. b. Knowles, A. L. Novis, J. C. Morley, halves, T. Murray, R. S. Spong; forwards, D. A. Kendrew, H. < L) Nedl, B. H. Black, J. L. Farrell, D. Parker, W. B. Welch, C. R. Beamish, Ivor Jones. Britain Won the toss, WairarapaBush kicking off with the advantage of a strong sun. Wairarapa set the pace at the outset, but Britain found relief with a free-kick, Ivor Jones nairowly missing. The pace was soon a cracker, the Wairarapa backs getting into action. Fuller had an attempt to open the score from a free-kick, but the ball fell short. Wairarapa-Bush pressed an attack to their opponents line, where a free-kick relieved the Britishers. The British backs secured from a scrum, Spong breaking right through to be beautifully tackled by Roach. A scrum infringement gave Wairarapa a chance, and Euller landed a beautiful goal from near lialf-way, opening the score after 12 minutes play.

WTairarapa-Bush ... ••• J 1 O Britain ••• u Roach handled and kicked splendidly, repeatedly gaining ground along the side-line with magnificent kicks. Black nearly opened the visitors account from a free-kick. Soon aftei Donald and Irvipe broke away but Bonner found the line well. Spong secured and cut right through, but was forced out near the corner. From the ensuing line-out the ball went o Welch, who crossed for an easy try. black missed with the kick. Britain ... 3 Wairarapaj-Bush ... ••• 3 Britain were now going better, but there was nothing between the teams. An exchange of long lacks followed, in which Roach again excelled. The visitors were pressed until a free-kmcic enabled them to clear. J. Donald' broke up a British rush and Fuller secured and handed to Corkill, who found the line beautifully. Bonner miiUed, Corkill following up fast to be forced out, the referee ruling the ball dead, and the expectations of a Wairarapa-Bush try faded. Fuller narrowly missed with a penalty from near half-way. Beamish received an injury at this stage, play being held up for a few minutes. Half-time sounded soon after with the scorfe: Wairarapa-Bush 3 Britain 3 In the second spell Wairarapa-Bush were facing the sinking sun, which was shining right in their faces. Three minutes after resumption Ivor Jones headed a rush, sending the ball to Murray, to Novis, who crossed for a great try. Black missed with the kick.

Britain 0 Wairarapa-Bush 3 The visitors were now playing a great game, and seven or eight minutes later added another try. From a forward scramble Spong whipped the ball out to his backs, the whole chain handling for Reeve (winger) to cross at the corner. Ivor Jones’s kick was charged down. Britain ... ... ••• 9 Wairarapa-Bush ... ... 3 Wairarapa now had a turn at attack, and from a free-kick Fuller landed his second goal. Britain 9 Wairarapa-Bush 6 Excitement was now intense, play continuing at a great pace. Britain came through with lightning rapidity, Ivor Jones sending out a pass that was fumbled when the visitors were in a good position. The Wairarapa backs were tackling well. Britain had an easy chance to increase their score from a penalty, but Ivor Jones made a poor attempt at the kick. Britain came through again, but Roach found the line in a hurry. The visitors were attacking in great style, but the Wai-rarapa-Bush defence was sound. Wairarapa had a turn at attack, but their movements broke down. Britain were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts, but Black missed. Morley and Novis were associated in a great move near the line, Morley being tackled by Roach, who was injured. In the last ten minutes the British backs cracked on the pace and added ten points., placing the game beyond doubt. The ball went from Spong to Novis, who reversed pass to Knowles. Knowles sent out a long pass to Morley, who dived across, Parker converting with a splendid kick. Britain 14 Wairarapa-Bush ... ... 6 A couple of minutes fates Jones ran right through and from an ensuing

line-out Spong crossed, Parker again converting. Britain ... 19 Wairarapa-Bush 6 The game ended without furtlur score. Mr H. S. Leith (Wellington)) was referee.

THE CANTERBURY MATCH. TEAMS FOR TRIAL TO-MORROW. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A trial match for selection of the Canterbury representatives to meet the British team on Saturday will be played on Lancaster Park to-morrow, as a curtain-raiser to the Northern v. Southern Maori match. The following are the teams: — Possibles.—Full-back, J. Harris; three-quarters, C. Oliver, S. R. Carleton, J. Steel; five-eighths, R. Hazelhurst, N. P. McGregor; half-back, W. Dallev; forwards, A. Laing (wing), J. Entwhistle, J. White, R. T. Stewart, A. Collie, J. Manchester, P. Serra, G. .Howell. Probables—Full-back, H. Lilburne; three-quarters, W. E. Merritt, R. N. Williams, R. Thompson; five-eighths, G. D. In nos, D. Hay; half-back, T. I. Mullan; forwards, G. Scrimshaw (wine), A. I. Cottrell, J.'Burrows, C. H. Perkins, G. T. Alley, H. Foley, A. Carson, R. K. King. Reserves for both teams— Backs: G. F. Hart, L. G. T. Hodgkinson, B. Penrose, A. McKerrow, A. W. Roberts. Forwards: N. M. Porterfield, A. P. Mac Duff, C. Quaid, V. Pease, M. Wells. FIXTURES FOR JUNE.

The following are the matches to be played by the British Rugby team this June V-v. Wellington, at Wellington. June 7—v. Canterbury, at UmstJune^ll—V- Buller and West Coast, at Grey,mouth. Tune 14 v. Otago, at Dunedin. Juno 21—v. NEW ZEALAND, at Dunedin. „ , T June 25 v. Southland, at InvercaiJune S 2B—y. Ashburton, South Canterbury, and North Otago, at Timaru. Four Test matches will be played, the remaining ones being: July s—At Christchurch. July 26—At Auckland. August 9—At Wellington. record of the tour. May 21— Wanganui Jit ? May 24—Taranaki • May 28—Manawhenua ... ° May 31 —Wairarapa-Bush ... 19 b Totals 95-24