WELLINGTON LOSE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 204, 26 May 1938, Page 13

WELLINGTON LOSE

Rugby Representative

Match

MARGIN OF ONE POINT

Goal In Closing Stages

Decides Issue

Dominion Special Service

Haw era. May 25.

Drop-kicking a goal from a mark right on the call of time, ,1. Meuli, who was playing his first match for _ Taranaki, snatched a narrow victory for his side against Wellington to-day in the first interprovincial Rugby match of the season. The football was disappointing, falling below the standard of previous encounters between these teams. Wellington hooked the ball in the majority of the scrums, but the backs did not make the most of their opportunities. Fulton gave a fine display at centre, keeping Sullivan in cheek, and on occasions making some effective penetrating runs. More than 5000 people were present. The ground was soft and a strong northerly blew down field. Wellington failed to profit from the advantage of the wind in the first spell. there being no score at half-time. All the scoring took place in the second spell. For Wellington Crisp kicked a penalty goal and Griffiths scored for Crisp to convert. Pepperell scored for Taranaki and Meuli kicked a penalty goal. Wellington appeared almost certain to win, but Meuli’s goal right on time provided a sensational finish.

The sole selector for New Zealand, Mr. E. McKenzie, was present, but the came did not bring to light any new players of note with tlie exception of Fulton, ■who was opposed to All Black J. L. Sullivan, but gave an impressive performance. 'One of the most disappointing features of the match was the poor handling in the line-outs. The ball was rarely taken cleanly, leading to a great deal of raggedness. Lambourn’s hooking wag outstanding, but it did not prove a very signal advantage to Wellington, whose backs failed to move smoothly in attack. Practically all the Taranaki backs tackled poorly, but J. Simpson, at fullback, saved his side repeatedly, some, of his line-kicking with the wind gaining big stretches of ground. Sargisson gave a satisfactory display for his first representative match, being definitely superior to his vis-a-vis, Brown. The rather lifeless nature of the football, however, robbed it of anything of a spectacular nature, 'rhe high wind may have contributed to this, causing faulty judgment, and with the exception of Meuli's winning goal, tlie crowd had little to enthuse over. Contrary to expectations, the Wellington forwards lacked pace in the loose. Guy and Gunn were the best, with Pringle and Bishop also prominent, but th? forwards infringed far too much, and, generally speaking, did not compare well with the husky and vigorous Taranaki pack.

Description of Play

Wellington were unable to score in the first half, although they went very close on numerous occasions. Latnbourn was getting the ball from the majority of the scrums and Tindell was getting it away sin<rt)y. but frequently little ground was gained. A. Wright, on the wing, made one or two bright runs, but wq.s not supported. Play for the greater part was in Taranaki territory. Whenever danger threatened to Wellington Crisp cleared with sure line-kicks. Taranaki’s advantage was in the forward play, the pack keeping well up on the ball and nullifying the thrustful attacks of the opposing backs. Wellington opened the second half with hard forward play which carried them into Taranaki's twenty-five. Taranaki were penalised and Crisp opened the scoring with a penalty goal. 3-0. This was the signal for brighter play by both sides. Taranaki commenced to win the ball from scrums and line-outs and Sullivan used his wing men, Snitli and Pepperell, in turn to advantage, Pepperell being suecetwful in plunging over on the blind side to even the score. 3-3. Tindill and Griffiths cleared from many ugly situations. Brown and Meuli (Taranaki) were associated in several bright movements, one of which swept play to 'Wellington territory, where an infringement enabled Meuli to kick a penalty goal. 6-3. The standard of play improved as .'he game progressed, but was marred by continual infringements. Behind jn ppiuts, Wellington displayed good team work, and a spectacular forward attack led by Pringle, Latnbourn and O’Brien, saw Taranaki thrown hard on defence, and from a melee Griffiths got the bail and went over near the posts five minutes before time. Crisp converted. Leading 8-6, Wellington looked to have the game won until a mark by Meuli saw him. goal with an accurate drop-kick almost on time to win the game for Taranaki. ■Wellington has now played Taranam 57 times. 'Wellington lias won 37 of the series, 'Taranaki 18, one was a drawn game, and one was abandoned at halltime.

The teams were: — . „ ... n ■. Wellington: Crisp, C. Robins, . Buiton, A. Wright, J. C. Griffiths, E. Sargisson, E. W. Tindill; A. Kenny A. Latnbourn. A. E. O’Brien, J. Gunn, C. J. Pringle, L. Bishop, T. Hegglun. K. Guy. Taranaki: J. Simpson, E. Smith, J. C. Sullivan, A. Pepperell, J. Meuli. U. Brown. R. Lendrum; J. Goull. A. Richards. 11. Benton. T. Joyce. J. MacLeau, G. Fowler, W. Young, J. Longstaff.