FAST SCORING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 266, 6 August 1931, Page 14

FAST SCORING

Representative Rugby

WAIRARAPA’S EFFORT

Defeated by Southland

By Telegraph—Press Association

Invercargill, August 5.

A representative Rugby match be--tween Wairarapa and Southland wan played here to-<lay, and resulted in a win for Southland by 23 points to 16. The weather was fine and the sky overcast; the ground was on the heavy side.

Southland did most of the attacking in the first spell, but made too many mistakes when in a scoring position. The game was much faster and brighter in the second spell, when the visitors came with a rattle and scored ten points in as many minutes. Southland had the lion’s share of the ball throughout, but frequently fell into error, sometimes when the defence was completely beaten. First Blood.

Southland opened the scoring, when from a line-out the side gained possession and after Townsend, Purdue and Agnew had handled, the last-named scored in a handy position. Niven failed to goal. Southland nearly scored again a few minutes later, when the backs and forwards took part in a great passing movement, which was held up a few yards short of the line. Stringfellow was prominent in a solo effort which took play to Southland’s twenty-five, where Southland was penalised. Fitzgerald goaled from right in front, making the scores three-all. Southland launched a strong offensive, but mistakes in handling spoilt what chances they had of scoring. Wairarapa was penalised inside its twenty-five and Niven goaled, making the half-time scores: Southland 6, Wairarapa 3. Wairarapa Harried.

Within three minutes of the resumption Ussher slipped round a scrum near die Wairarapa line and scored. Niven goaled. Southland was getting all over the visitors, and after a series of attacks Metcalfe got over. The kick failed._ ' Ussher again dodged across the line, but lost the ball. . A magnificent movement from . halfway, in which the Southland backs and forwards took part, ended in Geddes crossing at the corner. The kick missed. Wairarapa’s Turn. Wairarapa retaliated and from a lineout Clark cut in and handed to Stringfellow, who scored. Fitzgerald kicked a fine goal. Five more points came to the visitors a couple of minutes later when McGregor dived over between the posts, and Fitzgerald goaled. Wairarapa was now going much better and was nearly over again. Southland cleared, swept to Wairarapa’s end, and Donnelly scored after a great piece of dribbling. .No goal was kicked. ' The Southland backs combined effectively in snappy passing and Crosbie shot across. No goal resulted. Before the end Fitzgerald kicked a penalty goal for Wairarapa, making the final scores: Southland 23, Wairarapa 16. BEBBINGTON SHIELD Bush Defeats Dannevirke Pahiatua, August 5. Bush retained the Bebbington Shield to-day, outplaying Dannevirke to the tune of 14 points to nil. The weather was fine, but the ground was heavy and sticky. The first spell was verj- even and-plny was confined purely to the forwards, who were well matched. The Bush vanguard dominated practically the whole of the second spell. They wore down the defence, allowing the backs to round off some pretty movements. Galvin, the Bush rover, was the outstanding player on. the ground and was responsible for some clever tries. Mahofiey and S. ; Olliver were in the picture all the way. 1 ‘ Tries for Bush were scored by Aitcheson, Hope, Wolland and Reeves; Mabey converted one.

The victors fielded the best all-round team for many years.