WELLINGTON BEAT TARANAKI

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 232, 29 June 1939, Page 5

WELLINGTON BEAT TARANAKI

Rugby Football In

Hawera

BRILLIANT DISPLAY BY VISITORS ' Dominion Special Service HAWERA, June 28. Playing brilliant football, both back and forward, Wellington beat Taranaki bv 14 (three unconverted tries and on. converted try) to 8 (one converted try and a penalty goal). Because ot th tr poor showing, particularly in the backs, the score flatters Taranaki. The weather was hue after a Sll„nt drizzle in the morning, and the S™* 1 ™ 1 was bolding. The attendance was 6000. Among the spectators were Mr. E. McKenzie, New Zealand sole selector, and Messrs. F. W. Lucas and T 1 rench, North Island selectors. All the Wellington backs turned on a great display of team work and outclassed their opponents, both in constructive play and speed, lindill was a pivot of enterprise, and was one of the personalities of the match, lie varied his play judiciously and made many deft, penetrating runs, which often had Taranaki guessing. Thompson and Thoma, were good connecting links, and, with their fast bursts down the centre of the field often caused the Taranaki defence embarrassment. Both had the edge on Toro and Wetere. the men opposing them. Fulton was at his best, being very dangerous on attack, while the wing men, Wright and Vile, were sound. Dance enhanced his reputation with flawless handling and admirable anticipation. Pitted against a rugged pack of forwards, Wellington gave a stout showing, with cooper, former Scottish international, leading his men inspiringly. His play won praise from old-time Taranaki Rugby stalwarts. McNicol, former Wanganui player, was auotjier who caught the eye with dashing play, while Cassidy and McCarthy were always where the fray was thickest. The whole eight men deserve credit for a fine showing. The Taranaki backs lacked penetration at all points and rarely made headway. Their tackling was weak, and it was this factor which told so much against them. Arnold at half, though overshadowed by Tindill, played solidly in botji spells. The most outstanding back for Taranaki, however, was the full-back, H. Johns, who had more to do than the average full-back gets in a month. Wetere, who went'into the Taranaki team ahead of Killeen, failed to justify his inclusion. Meuli and Neilson, wing men, did well within restricted limits. Taranaki Players.

Fowler played ruggedly in the home pack. He received good support from McLean, It. Toting and Benton. . . Scrums were even, Taranaki wiiniin o 25 and Wellington 24. In the hne-outa Wellington showed the way by 24 to -1. Wellington kicked off in the face ot a strong breeze. From the first line-out Wellington backs handled and Fulton-cut in between Wetere and Smith. Only frenzied defence by Taranaki prevented a score. Judicious line-kicking by Taranaki saw plav swing to the Wellington end, but not for long. A glittering back movement by Wellington, started by Tindill at hallway, saw him get the ball away on tne blind aide to Wright, who eluded Meuli s tackle. In support was Wales, who took the ball going at top. He fended off two Taranaki forwards, and, when challenged, whipped thc ball to dhoiiipson. wlien he was tackled, M right came round to take a final pass, and score. It-was a rousing piece of play and won the admiration of thc impartial crowd. The kick was long and Thomas m Wellington backs were making the game open. Fultou twice brought the crowd to its feet with spectacular penetrating runs which had Taranaki at sixes and sevens. It was an even break in scrummages, but Tindill was working his back line with strategy and Thompson, "bomas and Fulton were continually giving Taranaki plenty to think about. Tindill was tackled heavily in marking the ball, but was able to resume after attention. Johns, Fowler and McLean led Taranaki in a storming attack, but the defence of the 'Wellington men was rocklike. A sudden goal ward rush by Wellington saw Taranaki caught off their balance and Thomas narrowly missed a field goal from 30 yards out. The pace was becoming willing in the forwards, and twice running Fowler (Taranaki) was penalized In turn Thomas and Booker missed easy kicks. Wellington were having much the better of play territorially and were beating their opponents back and forward. Three times Taranaki forced under pressure. Gingering up their attack the Taranaki forwards came barging through in massed formation, and, right in front of their posts, Wellington were penalized. Meuli kicked an easy goal to make the half-time score 3-all. Second Half. Opening the second half, flawless play by Wellington backs from Tindill outward saw each man handle the ball, going at top speed, and Vile raced past the out; stretched hands of Neilson, Taranaki wing, and scored. Wellington were in front, 6-3. Joyce, Taranaki forward, had to leave the field because of injury and was replaced by L. Bobbin. Both full-backs, H. Johns and Dance, were doing many fine things for their respective sides. In the 'Wellington forwards, Booker, Kirschberg and McNicol were going great guns, while Fowler was playing stoutly in the Taranaki pack. Wellington were now right into their stride, and McCarthy scored from a forward melee. Later the Taranaki full-back was beaten to the touch-down by Wright, who scored. Fulton converted and the score was against Taranaki, 14-3. Finding themselves shaded in the backs, Taranaki redoubled their efforts in tile forwards, and success came when they pressed Wellington to their twenty-live, where, from a scrum, Taranaki heeled and Neilson cut through to send Smith across by ■ the poets. Meuli goaled and the score-board read: Wellington 11, Taranaki 8. A great centring kick by Meuli saw 'Taranaki almost in. 'The home side were making big efforts to reduce the leeway, but Wellington were tackling rigidly to a man,

The’game ended without further score. Mr. A. S. Daultoii was referee.