RUGBY DOUBLE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 287, 1 September 1941, Page 3

RUGBY DOUBLE

Wellington Beats Taranaki RETURN MATCH Good Play On Muddy Ground Wellington completed a Rugby double for the season by beating Taranaki at Atheltic Park on Saturday before a crowd of about 9000 by 24 points to 16. Tn .the previous match at Hawera, Wellington won 20-6. The weather was fine, but the playing surface was very heavy following overnight rain, and in places it was difficult for the players to maintain a foothold. Considering these conditions the football was of au unusually good standard and kept the spectators keenly. interested throughout. Wellington fielded a much more experienced side and half-way through the second spell led 24-8 and looked like running up more points. From then ton, however, the Taranaki forwards rose to the occasion, turning ou some devastating rushes which recalled the form of some of the best Taranaki teams, and they were mainly responsible for a funther eight points being added to their tally. . ' . . .. A. Kenny, the Wellington captain, was unable to play and the side was led by E. Todd. In the early stages it looked, as though the Wellington rearguard was not likely to function happily, Morton throwing some erratic passes to Pocknail and causing movements to break down unnecessarily. The young visiting backs impressed more, one excellent rush going from the half, McCallum to Arnott on the right vying, a well-placed centre kick leading to a try. Shortly afterward a Taranaki blind-side movement from a serum brought another try. Wellington's points came mainly from loose rushes and short punting.

lu the second spell, however, the home rearguard shaped much better and in better conditions might have run up many more points, O’Hallorau varied the play at one stage by potting a field goal, but the glare of the sun prevented ' the ' referee from seeing the Hight of the ball.. Territorially Wellington had .much the better of . the second, spell till , the final 10 minutes, when the Taranaki forwards staged their best form. , . . .

Many Newcomers.

For the visitors the watch was particularly satisfying in that the team contained a large sprinkling of newcomers to representative Rugby for whom it was no discredit, to go down to a much experienced .side. Snappy long pusses from-the scrum by' McCullum were a feature of early Taranaki movements. Novak, at first five-eighth, who stood very deep, picked up these, passes well aud this resulted in the rearguard swinging into action very nicely at times. Arnott, rightwing-thrcequartcr,' showed a good turn of speed and several times beat Jamidson. Broughton was solid at fullback. Over-kicking, however, proved tuo main undoing of the visitors. With the exception of a well-placed centre kick by Arnott in the first spell which led to a try, the Taranaki backs and forwards invariably puuted too far, thereby simplifying the task for Dance, the Wellington fullback, who gave an excellent display. . Dance’s performance was one ot the best of the day. Spectacular things were looked for from Jamieson, the brilliant Wellington wing-threequarter, but .he was closely marked by Arnott, aud some over-eagerness ou his part proved'costly, one dropped pass giving Arnott a fairly easy try. Pocknail was at his best in the second spell, using his pace to advantage. Stott was the soundest inside buck, handling in his usual faultless manner. Till the final stages when their play becanie somewhat ragged, Ibe Wellington forwards produced solid football, some of their loose rushes gaining ■ big stretches of ground. Todd, Bowman, Stauaway. and Care were always prominent. Paterson. Trask and A. O Byrne wore always to the fore in Turaiiaki forward rushes. Crowley, the visiting captain, was a solid worker in. the tight. Description of the I’lny.

Welliuglon began by throwing the ball about, but home erratic passes spoilt likely rushes. A loose rush had Broughton in trouble. His clearing kick charged down ami I’ussclt scored. .1 be kick missed, 'l.’urauuki retaliated with a sparkling back movement from near their own 25, the ball going out to Arnott, who beat Jamieson and centred, Paterson dribbling the ball on -to. score by the posts, Broughton converting, b rom n scrum infringement Dauce goalcd, lint WeUiiigtuu’s lead was shortlived. McCullum and Novak combined iu a blind-side rush from a scrum, Novak pushing past a weak tackle by Posselt to score. From a serum iu midfield Morton received, kicked through aud dribbled Hie ball to 'the Taranaki posts with Stoll in support, the latter scoring for Dance to convert. Shortly afterward. JaiDiesuiL , l’udd and Murtou dfipblcd the ball through, Jamieson scoring anti. Dance converting to make the half-time score 16-8. . Wellington began the secund spell with a great passing rush from the kick-off. A pot by O’Hallorau went o'er tlie posts, but ui> goal was ruled. OTJalioran then worked the blind side from a serum, pat-sitig to lAjsscJt, whu 4>enl infield again, O’Hallorau gathering the bnlJ L" .score. Keeping up the pressure Wellington gained a litie-util near the Taranaki line. From the Ihrow-iii Stauaway. Cave and Cassidy handled, the lasl- ■ named scoring. Dance converted to make Hie scores 24-8. A dropped pass by .lamieson gave hm opponent. Arnott, a cliance and be beat Dance with a fine swerving run 40 score at Hie corner. In the conelmling singes the Taranaki for- | .wards staged some grand loose rushes. , from* one of which Paterson scored. Broughton goalitig. to make the final scores 2-1-16. The. teams were: ■( Wc.Tiugtoii: Dance : Jamieson. Pock- j nail Posselt: Morton. Stolt: O'flmlo- ' ran; Totld (capt.) ; Cave. Bowman. Cassidy. Stiinaway; Jackson. Ltmlsay. Smith. Taranaki: Brou'rliton; Sullivan, Cartwright, Arnott: Murray, Novak: McCullum: R. O'B.vrne; A. O’ 1)y rue : Paterson. Crowley (eapt.t. I rusk : S|icn<’c. Symes. Ftihey. Referee. Mr. 11. B. Simmons. UNIVERSITY MATCH Victoria College Beat A uuiiiand Yicluna Coms'- ->-1 -uekmim University 17-0 in Hie toiiiu.o uxiure between these teams, " liieli was played as (He curtain-raiser al Atliklh Park on baturI day . Play was cuuliiteu mainly lu tile | forwards, where Wellington held the ad- ' vantage, some of their loose rushes gaining big stretches 01 graumi. 'I lie iiome 1 backs also showed better comb'.liatioii. but ouiy on rare occasions were they able to ocin'lrule the defence. Murphy, ''ebb aim Shannon "ere Hie pick ol the ' tetoriti pack, with Skelly. Cumiey and Mummery • prumuietil in Hie backs. Armitage and Cawkwell showed good form in the Auckland pack. Tlie backs were disappointing. For ' ieturia College, Cooney 12), Stuckey, Mummery and Reilly scorid, Greig eon verting one try. Mr. A I Fong was referee. IN OTHER CENTRES

IBy Telcgraplt Press Assoc.at.mi ' Auckland. —The final of the Auckland Rugby Union’s senior champiuusiiip was won by Army in ti spectaeulur match with Manukuu, 2-1-9. (Jhi’istchurcli. —Senior Reserve: Albion 1 1. Athletic 3