STRENUOUS RUGBY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 305, 20 September 1943, Page 3

STRENUOUS RUGBY

Manawatu Army Draw r With Wellington In a stirring display of wet-weather Rugby tactics, tho Manawatu Army lifteen drew with a Wellington team, O-all, at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon. Though the ground was very slippery, and the ball heavy and greasy, both teams adapted themselves well to the conditions, and at times staged some attractive back movements, which proved successful. 'With the northerly breeze behind them, the Army team started off nt a fast clip, and should have had two tries under the posts in the first 10 minutes. First Alorton, first five-eighths, broke away, but when within a few yards from the goalmouth, with unmarked supports on both tfide-s of him, he unaccountably elected to punt ahead, and 'a try was thrown away. Shortly afterward, Fitt, the second fiveeighths, threw away another try by a forward pass a few yards from the goalmouth. Grateful for these providential escapes, the Wellington forwards, with Firmin, Southee,* and Stanaway as the spearhead, worked play to the other end of the field, where the backs started a movement which ended in S. Jaeger beating two defenders to score a clever try, which he himself failed to convert. The spectators in a well-filled grandstand were then treated to some stirring loose rushes, which kept play fluctuating in a most exciting manner. Having led by three points to nil with the wind against them, it was thought that Wellington would have matters all their own way in the second spell. It appeared so when the backs got going early. Norton was handling well at first five-eighths, and made some good openings. From one of these, Hastings raced away to score Wellington’s second try, which Stanaway failed to improve. The Army team were still playing with dash, and ■were rewarded when Fitt made a break, and kicked over the Wellington Hiie for Sullivan to outpace the defender's for a try, which Rolls failed to improve. Wellington’s reply to thics was a sweeping forward rush, which saw Firinin score a try, which Sanson failed to convert. Nothing daunted, the Army team kept going doggedly, and superior physical condition soon began to tell its tale. Keeping up a relentless pressure, Dawson and Alorton combined to allow the latter to ecore in a handy position, but Alorton was unable to guide the greasy ball in his attempt to convert. On resuming, Alanawatu ewarmed back on attack and, had it not been for brilliant play by Kent at full-back, would have scored more than one try. They were uot to be denied, however, and at last Kelliher evened the scores with a try. Alorton’s attempt to convert was disallowed on account of an infringement in placing the ball. Alanawatu made unrelenting attempts to score the winning points, but the defence held, and a strenuously-contested game fittingly ended with honours easy. Wellington had to thank Kent, their fullback, for holding their own. He never put a hand or foot wrong throughout the game, and some of his saves were sensational. The game would have been ever more interesting had Air. J. Gilchrist soundet* his whistle less frequently. Win for Johnsonville.

Johnsonville, winners of the Hardham Cup this season, had to step briskly at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon to beat a team of railway apprentices by 6 points to 3. The apprentices wer e made up of players from the Hutt, Petone, Eastbourne x and Upper Hutt clubs, and put up a good showing. It was the dash of the Johnsonville forwards in the loose which carried the day. Tries were scored for Johnsonville by Aloore and Fisher, and Clifford kicked a penalty goal for the apprentices. Wrigley- Cup Match. In the annual match for the Wrigley Cup on Saturday, Rongotai College beat Rongotai College Old Boys by 3 points to nil. Hutt Win Fifth B Chitmpionship.

In the final for the fifth grade second division championship on Saturday, Hutt beat Petone B iby 9 points to 8.