FIJIANS BEAT BUSH

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26512, 29 August 1951, Page 4

FIJIANS BEAT BUSH

PENALTY GOAL GIVES MARGIN FINE DEFENCE BY HOME . BACKS (New Zealand Preet Association; PAHIATUA, Aug/ 28. The Bush Rugby repreaentatives were to-day beaten by the Fijian Rugby team at Pahiatua by 9 points to 8. Territorially the game was even, but the Bush forwards, who played as a pack throughout, dominated the scrums and line-outs. The Fijians delighted a crowd of about 5000 with spectacular open play. In spite of the unpredictable changes of direction by the Fijian attack, the Bush backs covered up remarkably well. Bush also showed a superior knowledge of tight play, and time and again broke from the rucks, scrums, and line-outs with the ball at toe.

The day was beautifully fine, and firm turf suited the Fijians admirably, but on the day the Bush tackling and cover defence held tne Fijians. Cavaievu, the Fijian captain, at second five-eighths, played outstandingly, opening up play at every opportunity. There were several injuries, Bush losing three players in the second spell and Fiji two. Fiji began with two spectacular passing movements, but Bush scored first. The half-back, Tait, got the ball from a lineout near the Fijian line, cut in, and passed to Welsh, who dived over for a try midway between the goalposts and the corner flag. Cavaievu shortly afterwards made Fiji’s only try when he raced 25 yards after beating two would-be tacklers. When brought down by the Bush fullback, Franklin, he passed to Sauleca, who went over near the corner. The other points came from a penalty goal by C. Humphrey in the first spell for Bush, and two penalty goals in the second spell by Radrodro for Fiji. The second penalty goal by Radrodro was kicked from five yards inside half-way.

RANFURLY SHIELD

WEST COAST TO LODGE CHALLENGE

(New Zealand Press Association) GREYMOUTH, August 28. The West Coast Rugby Union decided to-night to lodge a special challenge for the Ranfurly Shield, if a suitable date is available after September 15, and provided the shield has not been won by a more distant union than Waikato in tne meantime.