WELLINGTON v. WAIRARAPA

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 49, 27 August 1917, Page 4

WELLINGTON v. WAIRARAPA

SENIORS AND SCHOOLBOYS

The representative fixture, Wellington v. Wairarapa, attracted a large crowd of spectators to the AthleJic Park on Saturday afternoon, when, contrary to expectations, the homo team had a rather runaway victory by 39 points to 3.

Wellington lost the toss, and kicked Off, facing a. strong sun and a high wind. Almost immediately they were on the offensive, touch-in-goal saving Wairarapa. Pfissing between the Wellington backs— Coles, Jacksont, and Aitken being prominent—saw tbe latter nearly over, and then the home forwards took a hand, Baker scoring after a loose rush. . Morton failed at goal. Wellington, 3; Wairarapa:, 0. Wellington kept tip the pressure, but good line-krckSag by R. and B. Boothg let Wairarapa, have a look in. They.' pressed for a time, but sound defence by Nioholls and Coles kept them at bay. The visitors attacked with vim, albeit with little combination, and a good mark' by Jackson saved a dangerous situation. However, frbmij, line-out near the Wellington line, Pinfold secured, and got over far out, Raleigh making a great attempt to add the extra points. Wellington, 3 ; Wairarapa, 3. Wellington'ait this etage were getting the bull in the scrum, but the backs could not get going properly, while the wind very much aicjted the visitors' backs in their line-kicking. B. Booth marked cleverly in a haftuy position, but Raleigh failed "to increase his team's score, and Wellington forced. About their own twenty-five Wellington, started a pretty passing run, in which Nicholk, Cole, l Jorter, and Jackson took part. They carried the ball right to the opposing line.; where Baker get possession, and scored. Morton converted the try. Wellington, 8; Wairarapa, 3. The Wairani.pa men again put some dash into their' work, Grantham and the brothers Booth 'being proimnen*, but they failed to add to their total, and the teams croseed wer with a difference of five points. ' THE SECOND HALF. A few minu±es after the start of the second half the Wellington backs got going nicely. Nicholls, Coles, Porter, Jackson, and Corner handled in turn, and eventually Hislop got over. Morton converted. Wellington 13, Wairarapa 3. Good 1 play fey B. Booth and Henderson repelled temporarily a Wellington attack, but soDn. the same quartet of the home .players*—Nicholls, Coles, Porter, and Jackson—-got away, and the latter scored under ; the bar. Morton added the •extra pbiints. Wellington 18, Wairarapa 3. ..' Aided, in -their turn, by the wind, Wellingtoij faipt their opponents pinned in their own, 25, and from loose play outside the liae Scott got possession, and wriggled his 'way over. Morton again kicked a goal. Wellington 23, Wairarapa 3.

The next score came very soon afterwards. Wellington's persistent 'attack was relieved by one or two spasmodic rushes of tlie Wairarapa forwards, but the home teiam gradually worfted downfield again. Near the line Corner picked up and gave to Jackson, who got over near the- cc/rner flag. Morton kicked a magnificent-'goal. Wellington 28,, Wairarapa 3. ;

Donald distinguished' himself by a dribbling run, badly supported, but soon the Wellington boys were swarming down upc-ii their opponents' citadeK With play at the Wairarapa 25, Nicholls picked up> and handed on to Porter, who, aftetf a strong fending run, got over far out. Morton failed at goal. Wellington 31, Wairarapa 3.

It was now only 4 question of how many paints Welling'ton would score before the call of time. In the last few remainiiJg moments of the game Aitken scored A clever try, which Morton converted, and Caddick also scored a try which Coles was. unable to convert. The game finally ended:— -

Wellington ...w-_.. o9 W*irarap» .......* , 3 Mr. H. PatOn controlled the- game.