WEST COAST BEATS WAIRARAPA, 17-3

Press, Volume C, Issue 29621, 18 September 1961, Page 14

WEST COAST BEATS WAIRARAPA, 17-3

“The Press" Special Service

MASTERTON. Sept. 16. The West Coast Rugby representative team opened its three-match tour at Masterton on Saturday with a 17-3 win over Wairarapa. Although played in perfect conditions the match was far from bright. Wairarapa could not match the straight running and clean handling of the West Coast backs. In the forwards neither side held a marked advantage. The hooker, R. Richardson, gave West Coast a slight advantage in the scrums and noone jumped to better effect in the line-outs than the West Coast lock, T. Rogers.

The West Coast wing. J Eathorne, used his speed to advantage on attack and defence. He kicked two goals from penalties, and converted one try and scored a try, for Il points. M Gooch, who replaced T. McAra at fiveeighs, also stood out on attack. The half-back, R. Keehan, showed a nice turn of speed and sent his backs away at every opportunity The Wairarapa captain, T. Patete, was the pick of the home team backs. The line was not happy and a very solid West Coast defence did not allow it to settle down. At half-back, J. Babington, for three years a West Coast representative, was sound in all departments. The match was marred by numerous penalties and both teams failed to goal from handy positions.

Eathome was in good form early however, and after 11 minutes had put West Coast six points ahead with two excellent kicks. McAra came off with facial injuries after a tackle by the Wairarapa flanker, S. Carroll. His replacement, Gooch, sent a well-placed kick out to R. McFae after 28 minutes. C. Hibbs took the infield pass and scored in the corner. Eathorne converted. Hibbs again broke clear soon after and sent Eathorne across. The half-time score was 14-0 to West Coast. Carrol scored for Wairarapa after a long throw-in early in the second half. The same player was penalised for a leg trip of Keehan who received attention. The West Coast captain, S. Moreton, followed up a loose ball to score the final points of the match mid-way through the second spell.