RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 289, 26 August 1918, Page 7

RUGBY

WELLINGTON DEFEAT WAIRARAPA

VICTORY BY 33 TO 3

The return representative match between Wel'ington and Wairarapa was played at tho Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon, and resulted iu a win for Wellington by 33 points to 3. Such ii very one-sided score gives a good indication of how the play ■wont. Practically from the start the home team had things their own way, but in the second half they absolutely romped homo to victory, outclassing Wairarapa in all departments of the gamo. If anything, tho visitors wero heavier than Wellington, who, however, were much cleverer ami smarter, especially in tho back division. At tho same time, considering the fact that at Cartcrton on tho previous Saturday Wairarapa were victorious by 19 points to 5, few people expected that Wellington would pile up such a high total as they did, and thu result came somewhat as a surprise. Tho exhibition was'a little disappointing, ami in tho early stages the play was spoiled by tho high wind, which interfered with accurate kicking. There was a fair attendance of spectators.

The teams were as follow: Wairarapa: M'Konzie, Henderson, R. liooth, M'Craokori, F. Booth, M'Kelvie, Flaws, J. M'Donald (wing), Knowles, Pinfold, Daysh, R, Donald, Bond, Sage, O'Callaghan. Wellington: Malin, Chesterman, Christophorson, M'Cabe, Hidings, Aitken, Pollock, Devonport (wing), Can , , Poulter, Shanahan, Dickens, Emerson, Martin-Smith, and Dobson. Wellington kicked off against tho wind, and AVairarapa returned with a strong forward movement, which Ridings negatived by kicking into touch. By nibbling tactics Wellington managed to .work their way well up towards tho Wairarapa line, but tho Greens were awarded a penalty kick which was effectual as a means of saving tho situation. The "Wellington forwards attempted to drivo the Greens out of their territory, but Henderson gatheri# up the leather and passed to Flaws, who broke sway and came, very near to registering a. try for Wairarapa. Tho visitors' , only score came shortly afterwards, per medium of Henderson, who received a pass from Iγ. Booth and. dashed over tho line, gaininc; a neat try. R. Donald took tho.kick, but missed. Wairarapa, 3; AVellington, 0. Tho Blacks then invadad the Wairarapa half, and Flairs attempted to kick downfield, but the ."Wellington vanguard sec.ired possession and commenced _ a very hot and dangerous assault, which had every appearance of bearing decisive results. That probably would have been tlio case had not Emerson unfortunately given the ball too hard a. kick when just near the AVairarapa line, thus giving tho Greens an opportunity to force. The visitors then took si turn at attacking, and AVellington frequently had to kick- to touch to avoid trouble. Tho AVellington backs tried hard to open up tho play, but could not do so. At last the Blacks were awarded a free-kick, which was taken by Aitken. He kicked against the wind from halfway, and made an excellent attempt, but the ball just dropped under the cross-bar-. Christopherson next broke away, but was overhauled by Booth, and brought down. The AVairarapa tackling was very good nt this stage, arid brought, several Wellington charges to naught. AVairarapa then gained the upper hand, and Wellington had to forco in the teeth of a great forward rush. The Greens remained on the offensive for some time, and Malin found plenty of work to keep him occupied. Ho was invariably successful, howover, and could always bo depended upon to relieve the tension. Finally ChristopherEon got clear and broke away. Devonport was closo at hand, and a pass from Christopherson enabled him to notch AVellington's first try. Christopherson failed to add the major points. Wairarapa, 3; AVellington, 3. The play now became interesting, and AVairarapa strove hard to get into the lead. On several occasions their hacks got going, and garo the AVollington defence a thorough testing. Aitken was afterwards conspicuous in a fine individual effort, and tho Greens, being penalised, Christophersou had a shot at goal, which was successful, the kick •being a beautiful one against the wind. AVellington, 6; AVairarapa; 3. ■ AVairarapa made another effort to break down the AVellingtoii defence, and HemlerEoirtook a mark from a kick by Malin. M'Keiizfe tried to equalise tho score, but failed to allow for the wind sufficiently, and the. ball just missed the posts. The AVellington rearguard then swept upheld, .and M'Cabe received a pass from Pollock, who was doing especially good work behind the scrum. M'Cabe mado a fine run, but was collared. A scramble took place, from which Pollock grabbed the ball, and., whipping it on- to M'Cabe, the latter dashed over. Christoolierson converted with a good kick. AVellington, 11; A¥ai-

rarapa, .1. Half-time sounded shortly afterwards.

Tho second spell was not so interesting as tho first, as AVairarapa seemed to have lost any punch they possessed, and Wellington had everything their own way, simply gaining try upon try until the conclusion of the gaim. , . The first try in this half came from Chesterman, who picked up from tlio ruck and forced his way over tho line. Ohristophersou was unsuccessful with the kick. Wellington, 14; AVairarapa, 3. AVairarapa were- now kept defending hard, and Pollock tried to act over, but could not get down through the press. Wairarapa then forced. For a while tho play became more balanced, until the AVe'llihgton hacks broke loose in a passing rush. M'Uabe handed tho ball on to°Christcrphei'Son, who crossed over. There-was no , goal. 'Wellington, 17: AVairarapa, 3. The Greens had not yet given up hope, and made desperate attempts to turn the tide of fortune. From the ruck in the middle of tlio Wairarapa halfway, Cliestorman gathered up tho ball, and, clearing all opposition, scored an easy try. Christopherson kicked a goal. Wellington, 2"; Wairarapa, 3. A minute or so later M'Cabe got over after running hslf the | length of the field on his own. Pol- : lock did no good with the kick. Wei- ! lington, 2o; Wairarapa, 3. The result! wns now beyond all doubt, it being J evident that the visitors had no hope, j Henderson threw away a likely oppor-; tunity of scoring for Wairarapa by j kicking tho ball when ho only, had Malin to pass. Had ho continued on it wi',3 probable that he could have j scored. ■' Another try by Christopherson increased Wellington's scoro to '23 points, and shortly before tho finish a passing rush between Pollock, Aitken, Chesterman, and Christopherson ended in the last-named touching down. Christopherson converted his own try, and tho game closed with the score: Wellington, 33; Wairarapii, 3. Mr. G. H. Perkinson was referee. BERHAMPOIIE (9) V. PETONF, W Played as a "curtain-raiser" to tho big match, Berhanipore third-class defeated Petone by 9 points to 5. For the winners Peek potted a goal and Fuller scored a try -which Warwick converted. Hunter scored a try for Petone, which ho converted himself. Mr. E. Perry was referee. WELLINGTON TOURING TEAM CANTERBURY DEFEATED. By Telegraph—Press Association GhriGtciiurch, August 24. The Wellington and Canterbury representatives met to-day oh the Showgrounds. Thero was splendid weather and a very large attendance. Wellington won by nine to nil. Undoubtedly the better team won, Wellington show* ing much superior 'combination, especially among tho backs. The forwards of'tha two teams were fairly well matched,- Canterbury, in tho second half, showing up particularly well, but the Wellington backs held tho upper hand in both offensive and'defensive. Canterbury kicked off against the wind, ami Wellington at once attacked. Play continued. In. Canterbury's half for dome time, and eventually, from some loose work in front of tho goal, a Wellington forward kicked out towards the wing. Porter snapped tho ball up nicely, and beating M'Leod, scored wide out. Troy!s kick at goal just missed. Wellington, 3; Canterbury, 0. Tho Canterbury forwards now began to force the pace, and Gray led a fine rush up field, but the Yellow forwards gradually worked back. Maries by Boag and Tench gained ground, but good kicking by the Wellington backs returned play to half-way. ■ Mullins found the line well within Wellington's twenty-five, and Boag cut in beautifully, but tripped when a few yards from the line. Good work by the Yellow forwards returned tho play to Canterbury quarters. Just before half-time a rush was started by Morris, who travelled out to the corner and scored, with Thomas in attendance. Morris's kick failed. Wellington, 6; Canterbury, 0. Shortly after play resumed Tilyard cut in nicely, but hung ou to the ball too long. Boag dribbled down the field, and Scott just managed to force, after an exciting race with Boag and several others. A good mark by Murray put Canterbury in an attacking position, and AVellington had to force. Wellington worked play to the other end of the field, and Porter obtained posses&ion near the line, and, after a brilliant, run, passed in-field to Troy, who dived over. Porter's kick failed. Wellington, 9; Canterbury, 0. The game ended with Canterbury attacking. COLLEGE GAMES. VERY HEAVY SCORING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. New Plymouth, August 24. The first of _ a triaugular series of football competitions .took place to-day, when Auckland College Grammar , School met and defeated New Plymouth ■School by 55 points (13 tries, fivo converted, and one potted goal) to 10

points (two converted tries). Tlio teams were fairly oven in the forwards, whilst in the backs the local men were, outclassed. Ou Monday Auckland Grammar School and Kelson College meet, whilst on "Wednesday Nelson will meet Now Plymouth. THE LEAGUE CAME. OIIJUSTCUIMCH TRAM TO 11KET j AUCKLAND. ] By Telegraph—l'resa Association. I Christchurch, August -\">. The following League team will represent Canterbury against Auckland, at Auckland, on >Soptember 14:— K. A. Gnsson, B. Smith, AV. iMitchell, AV. Suiylliei 0. Kruse, J. Young, l> , . Sales. iV. King, T. King, F. Ball, Jl. Hill, A. .licneh, A. Zimmerman, and L. Mollatt,