FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 287, 28 August 1908, Page 10

FOOTBALL.

WAIRARAPA v. WANCANUI. , VISITORS DEFEATED BY 16 TO 5. (nr TKLEGuArn. —special coumsi'ONDENT.I Masterton, August 27. Tho seventh representative Rugby football match between Wairarapa and Wanganui teams was played hero ( to-day in beautifully sunny weather. It resulted in an unexpected victory for Wairarapa by 16 points (two converted tries, a try, and penalty goal) to 5 points (a converted try). Tho ground was in fine condition, and tho game, particularly in the first spell, was fairly fast and 'exciting. Although much heavier than their opponents, Wanganui performed somewhat disappointingly until tho latter half of tho second spell, when they showed considerablo dash against tho local, men, who had apparently tired owing to their previous exertions. Criticised on all round play, however, Wanganui wero badly beaten in all departments of tho game. Their aggressive and defensive back play was marked by an elementary knowledge not at all in keeping with tho ethics which are supposed to govern fair grade Rugby, while, except on occasions, their forwards demonstra-, ted an ineffectiveness surprising when contrasted with their physical state. Kilpatrick, full-back, and Abbott, fiveeighths, V were the best of their backsj but it was evident that, generally speaking, tho All Black crack is not a man to make play. Thero was no doubt, however, that he was badly supported; Dowe, half-back, was conspicuous at times amongst the forwards. Souter on tho wing was fairly prominent, but Anderson seemed to do most of tho work. Lambert, Paton, and Leahy played well at times, particularly in the second spell. The Wairarapa men played fine football in the first spell,. when: they, had much the better of the, game. They tired in the second half, as stated, and,- save for a temporary period ■when they scored a try, they were beaten. This was especially so towards the end of the game, .when Wanganui pressed them hard, anil might have added two more scores, but for the general ignorance of tho manner in which they should have conformed to the principles of tho game. Darvillo was the :best of tho Wairarapa. .three-quarters, but Booth, Groube,-'and Fairbrothcr showed up • creditablyr O'Leary. and 'N. M'Kenzio were very .effcctivo'fas 'fivc-eighths in aggressive ■and idefohsive 'tactics, while : Adams and R. M'Kenzio were prominent as wing-forward and half respectively. Amongst -tho forwards H. M'Kenzio gavo a clever exhibition of,.line-out play, and, in addition, forked very hard. Henderson played a brilliant' loose game, and Levick, Barry, M'Kellar, R. J Welch, and Daniell wero all seen at intervals. Welch, a comparative youngster, was very noticeable. The game was fairly controlled by G. Howe, of Wellington, who, however, appeared to allow rather too much latitude to off-side play.

; THE PLAY- . Wairarapa won the toss -and forced Wanganui down in the .'first, three minutes' play. The visitors were again forced from a rush, in which, Henderson, Barry, and Darville were prominent, the Wairarapa three-quarter being collared'by .Craig at the psychological moment. . A'few -minutes later N. M'Kenzie took the ball grandly on the line-out. Threading his-way through the Wanganui backs he ended a' twenty yards dash by'scoring near the goal, posts. O'Leary easily converted. Wairarapa ... ... .... ... 5 Wanganui 0 Upon resumption of play Corby was prominent twice in a Wanganui attack. Ho was collared first by Fairbrother and then by O'Leary. Henderson, Adams, H. M'Kenzie, aud Groube carried the leather back to the . Wanganui twenty-five, where the. ball was kicked from near tho line-out to Groube, whoobtained possession and, out-distancing': his opponents, scored Wairarapa's second try.' O'Leary's kick was ineffective. Avanganm'! ."•» i I—o The next phase of play was a strong run by Craig, who 'was collared just in time by Duggan, the Wairarapa full-back, after which there was some fairly fast work by Irvine, Anderson, and Souter on the Wairarapa goalline. An easy penalty kick was missed by Abbott, and Wairarapa forced for the first time.. Lambert, Abbott, Joyce, and Craig thenparticipated in a passing rush again to Wairarapa territory. Wairarapa replied with a fine counter attack, H. and R. Jl'Kenzie being in the van. The latter dribbled oyer tbe_ Wanganui goal-line, but lost the ball,Wairarapa were then awarded a penalty, and O'Leary kicked a nice goal from about forty yards. Wairarapa '... _ „ ... 11' Wanganui ... ~. ... ... 0

In the last five minutes of the spell Corby missed an easy chanco of scoring from a fine dash by Dowo and H. M'Eenzie. Adams, O'Leary, and Darvillo wero prominent in two strong forward invasions on tho Wanganui goal-line.

The second spell was commenced with an invasion of Wanganui territory by Wairarapa, headed by Henderson and O'Leary, and the latter had two ineffective shots at tho visitors' goal. , Wanganui had a hot five minutes, O'Leary, H. and It. M'Kenzie being strenuously;aggressive. The tension was relieved by a desperate charge by Anderson and Souter, who cleared tho ground to tho Wairarapa full-back, and from a penalty Paton missed a fairly easy kick. There wero then somo fierce rallies near the half-way 'flag, play surging both ways. Wanganui gradually" forced their opponents back, Abbott, Anderson, Souter, and Leahy being very prominent, after which Welch led a determined Wairarapa forward rush to Wanganui territory, tlogan and Anderson brought play, back again, and their backs took a hand. Wairarapa tackling was equal to the occasion for a time, but eventually, from a scrum, Abbott secured the leather, and after a short dash passed to Craig, who ran over unopposed. Abbott converted with a fine kick. / .Wairarapa ... 11 ..._ JWanganui 5 — ■Abbott signalled the resumption of play with a great run and a kick, but the Wairarapa forwards put in a counter charge, and JR. • M'Kenzio ended a magnificent dribblo with the best try of the day.- O'Leary converted. Wairarapa ... ' ... ... ... 16 Wanganui. ... ... — ' 5 ! Wanganui then mado a strenuous effort to add to their score, and pressed hard. In one of their passing rushes, in which Irvine, Patonj Dustin, and- Craig were most conspicuous, Craig lost the ball and throw away a certain try. Then Kirkpatrick had a pot at goal from nearly half-way. • It was a fine attempt, the ball falling just underneath the bar. Time was called with Wangaiiui attacking, but the game ended ..Wairarapa ... — 16 Wanganui 5