GRUELLING GAME

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 257, 27 July 1936, Page 11

GRUELLING GAME

Waikato-Wairarapa Rugby Draw MATCH AT CARTERTON Dominion Special Service. Carterton, July 26. In a gruelling game played on the Carterton Showgrounds yesterday, the touring Waikato Rugby representatives drew with the Wairarapa fifteen, each team securing 17 points. The weather was line and sunny, but the ground was still heavy from the rain experienced during the week. The visitors fielded a bustling pack of forwards, who were into everything from the word go. Their backs were sound, without being impressive. The Wairarapa forwards went exceptionally well against their heavier opponents, but the backs were again disappointing. The teams were as follow :• — Waikato: A. Lisette; A. 11. Griffiths, A. J. Aitken, D. Buick; J. Carroll, J. Dempsey; L. Russell; J. G. Wynyard, J. JI. Taylor, E. 11. Catley, G. Chitty. G. Leeson, J. Sharp, T. Thompson, J. Leeson. , r , Wairarapa: F. Fitzgerald; J. Eastwood. A. Lang, W. Peterson; R. Devine, F. Henson; T. Denbee: G. Wilson, R. Howard, J. Walker. G. Laing. C. Grantham, I. McGregor, P. Ward, E. Gillespie. From the kick-off, Waikato rushed to the attack, and after about ten minutes’ play Aitken followed up a short kick and sent Buick across under the posts. The kick failed. Wairarapa pressed for some time and were awarded when Russell was caught off-side near the posts, Lang turning the kick to account. Up-and-down play followed, with the visitors having the best of exchanges, and from a scrum near the Wairarapa line Russell went around the. blind side and scored in a handy position. The kick again missed. Shortly afterward Aitken scored a pretty solo try under the posts after several defenders had made weak attempts to tackle him. He converted his own try, making the score Waikato 11, Wairarapa 3. Wairarapa now infused more vim into their play and kept Waikato defending for some time. . From a lineout Ward broke through with the ball at his toe and carried on to score well out. Lang missed the kick. Wairarapa again returned to the attack, and a serum infringement by the defenders saw Lang kick a good goal. The home backs then combined in a bright movement which culminated in Peterson crossing near, the posts. Lang added the extra points. Waikato now took a hand and Griffiths equalled the scores with an unconverted try. Half-time sounded with the scores: Wairarapa 14, Waikato 14. In the second spell Fitzgerald was moved up to first five-eighth, and Lang, who had suffered an injury to his back, retired to full-back. Henson and Devine moved to second five-eighth and centre respectively. Play throughout became unnecessarily hard, both sides striving to take the lead. After some time, Fitzgerald sold a beautiful dummy and cut right through the opposition. Coming to the full-back he stab-kicked over that player’s head and, following up fast, he dived on the ball after it had eluded the attempts of three defenders. The kick at goal again missed. Keen play took place in the Wairarapa territory, and on several occasions Waikato were unfortunate not to score. With only a short time to play, a penalty, kick was awarded to the visitors, and Aitken made no mistake with an easy kick. Both sides made strenuous endeavours to secure the deciding points, but the game ended with the scores unchanged—Waikato 17. Wairarapa 17. Mr. J. Blake was the referee. SOUTHLAND TEAM Ranfurly Shield Match By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, July 26.

The Southland team to meet Otogo in the Ranfurly Shield match at Dunedin next Saturday is:— Backs: A. Sutherland; N. A. Mitchell (captain), R. Sharp, R. Thornbury; A. W. Wesney, JI. Hamilton; J. Purdue. Forwards: T. Metcalfe. R. Ward, L. George, W. Sherriff, C. Soper, W. Parker, J. Dunstan, N. R. Irwin. Emergencies: G. Thomas, C. Calder, L. M. Uttley, J. Mattingly, J. Hamilton. Five of the players are from the subunions. The selection of the forwards has caused a big surprise, as some of the country forwards were not included in the sub-union’s team which played the Otago sub-unions yesterday. On the other hand, the backs are regarded as the best combination ever to have represented Southland. OTAGO TEAM CHOSEN By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, July 26. The selectors have chosen the following to represent Otago against Southland in the Ranfurly Shield match next Saturday :— Backs: J. M. Taylor; W. A. Black, H. Smith, J. M. Watt; D. Trevathan, C. C. Gillies; H. Simon (captain). Forwards: G. McDonald, W. Laney, C. Quaid, W- Parkhill, F. Vorrath, F. J. Green, L. Niven, J. Ilore.

SEDDON SHIELD CHANGES

HANDS

By xeiegraph —Press Association. Westport, July 25.

In what is regarded as one of the most thrilling matches for the Seddon Shield since these matches were instituted Marlborough, the challengers, defeated Buller, the holders, 8-5. The weather was ideal and the gate was one of the best obtained for a Seddon Shield game. The Marlborough forwards were much heavier than the Buller pack, and in the middle stages of the game seemed to have Buller at their mercy, but Buller came again in a great fighting game and just failed to retain the shield. Paine and Barnett scored tries for the winners, Masters converting one. Brown scored for Buller, Stewart converting. The teams were very evenly matched and right to the finish the issue was in doubt. While it is difficult to. particularise where every man was on his game, perhaps special mention ought to be made of Best, Woolley and Mcßoyle (Marlborough) and Ormon, Brown and Mason (Buller) in the forwards, and Masters, Barnett and Lane (Marlborough) and Hill, Stewart and Strachan (Buller) in the backs.

IN OTHER CENTRES By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland: The first series of matches in the second round of the Auckland Rugby Union’s senior championship for the Jubilee trophy, commenced on Saturday in pefect weather conditions. Manukau 8 beat Grammar 3; Ponsonby 22 beat Grafton 14; Marist 33 beat University 11; Technical 29 beat North Shore 11; Otahuhu 12 beat Training College 6. Christchurch: The annual Town, v. Country Rugby match played on, Saturday was won by Town, 3G-G. No other senior Rugby matches were played, and all matches in the League and Association codes were postponed owing to the wet state of the grounds. Dunedin: Owing to steady raiu and the consequent conditions of the grounds Rugby matches and practically all forms of outdoor sport were abandoned. Now Plymouth: Taranaki, senior Rugby results are as follows: —Northern division: Stratford 20 beat Star nil; New Plymouth Old Boys 15 beat Inglewood 8; Clifton 13 beat Stratford United Old Boys 8. Southern division: Kaponga 9 beat Hawera 3; Athletic 19 beat Waimate 7; Okaiawa 12 beat Opunake 3; Eltham 14 beat Fatea 5.