RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 39, 15 August 1921, Page 4

RUGBY

WIN FOR WELLINGTON

CANTERBURY DEFEATED BY 27 TO 11

FINE GAME AT THE PAEK.

Wellington confounded bjie critics at Athletic Park on Saturday by defeating the strong Canterbury fifteen by 27 to 11. The victory was no stroke of luck; considering the absence of so many of the local star performers it was surprising. Victory came largely from the fact that Wellington for the day found two clever, but at the same time solidlybuilt,, inside backs in Markham and Ryan. Both were splendid in defence and attack, and were particularly useful in getting in early to break up the Canterbury rearguards' attacks, which followed so frequently the securing of the ball by their forwards. It seems that the- remedy for Wellington's weakness has been found.

Despite the rain of the morning the ground was in good trim, and the only drawback, from a football point of view, was the at limes iairiy heavy northerly. Canterbury played with the wind in the first spell, and their fine forward pack called for all the strength of the Wellington defence to keep them out. On the line-outs and in the scrums they usually gained possession and fed their backs, but swift and determined tackling, helped by occasional fumbling, prevented the visitors from benefiting. In the loose Wellington forwards were quick and dangerous, and in the second spell they more than held their own on the line-outs. The win is all the more satsisfactory, as the Canterbury team, was not very materially weaker than when it met and defeated the Springboks—the forwards, who are credited with having won the game, were identical, but the backs were without the services of two fine players in Ford (wing three-quarter), and Evans (full-back). Mullins had to go off at half-time owing to an injured leg, and was replaced" by Henry, and (Orchard was injured two minutes before time. , The teams were: — Canterbury: Orchard, Wilson, Dalley, Mullins, Fitzgerald, Deans, Bunson, Carnegie, E. Cummings, W. Cummings (captain), Murray, Henderson, Peterson, Ellis, and Munro. Wellington: Siddells, D. Algar, Hutcheson, Jackson, Markham, Byan (captain), Tunnington, King, Shearer, Hansen, Price, Duncan, Bruce, Standen, Parker. Referee: Mr.. 0. Cleland. v. FIRST SPELL. ■Wellington quickly found themselves in Canterbury's twenty-five. Eagerness re- j sultecf in a penalty, and Peterson found the line at half-way. Dalley opened up the situation with a dash downfield, and the forwards carried on .the movement until Ryan marked. He failed to .find the line, the big Canterbury forwards followup the return kick, and Mullins, a good attacking wing, went over. The line umpire, however, ruled that he had gone into touch en route.. Duncan headed a Wellingon movement, and King found touch at the visitors' twenty-five. Play 'swung back quickly—Henderson led the forwards—and then,"- after Tunnington had tackled Mullins just in time, a force down resulted. Ellis was prominent in the nsxt few moments, but Markham and Tunnington brought him down. Finally a penalty brought relief, and, pick,ing up in the loose, Markham sent on to King, who in turn let Eyan have it. Ryan, in the act of passing to Algar, was neatly taken by Mullins, and the movement ended in touch. Ryan and Markham were prominent in defence, and nullified the then superiority of the Canterbury forwards. Canterbury backs bungled a passing ruuh, Shearer stepped in, put in a good run and passed to Bruce. .The latter let Jackson have it a little inside, half-way. The 'Varsity player galloped away, closely attended, and, outdistancing Orchard coming across the fields scored behind the posts. King's kick was charged successfully. ' Wellington- 3 Canterbury 0 Three times in quick succession Orchard had. unsuccessful shots as the results of penalties. Wellington were forced down, and then Deans had an unsuccessful shot from a mark. King secured, and the ball went from. Hutcheson to Jackson, and, the latter being tackled, Parker dribbled in to the Calnterbury 25. Canterbury forwards gradually worked back, but Hutcheson returned to touch, Algar caught urahard with the ball and, Tuniungio* securing from the resultant scramble, a pretty piece of passing finished with Ryan being tackled. Wellington's.' second try. followed immediately. D. • Algar scoured, dashed down the line, and then centred, where Standen grabbed up the ball and sent a lono; pass to Hutcheson, who picked the ball up on the- bounce and just got over. King missed the kick. . • Wellington . 6 Canterbury 0 The home team were now on the defensive for a spell, both Burson and Wilson in turn being almost over. Orchard missed an easy kick, and the Wellington forwards cleared and wore looking dangerous -when Wilson stepped in and found touch. i SECOND SPELL. " The second spell opened sensationally. Ryan intercepted a pass, and gave the ball to Markham. King .received it next, and then Algar and Bruce, and finally it came back to King, who scored. Ho converted his own try. Wellington IT Canterbury 0 From a scramble Tunnington worked the blind side and Jackson, tackled on the line, touched down. To inakq doubly sure Tunnington dropped on-the ball also. King's kick from the side line was a beautiful one. Wellington .... w 16 _ Canterbury -.r. 0 ' W. Cummings led his team in. an attack, but Siddells gathered in and saved. Ryan secured a moment later, beat the opposition by changing direction, and threw the ball to Tunnington, who put in a useful run before passing to Price. Tlie "latter let it out^to Standen, who was held up on the line. Munro and. Burson cleared. Siddells came up with the ball shortly aftenvards and started! a passing movement. Ryan and Algar carried it on, the latter being tackled on the line. The reward came Jtlmost immediately, King picking up in the loose and scoring under the goal, His kick was pooT. Wellington 19 Canterbury '. 0 Argar was almost over soon after the luck out. Markham secured and passed to Ryan. The ball .eamle bo Algar,; who made a brilliant dive for the line, to find his weight insufficient to carry him over. Canterbury cleared, and the forwards swept down the field, to have Siddolls pick the ball off their feet nnA lind the line. Canterbury backs and, forwards worked hard, and a series ot passing rushes put the Wellington line in danger. Finally a passing rash turned into a: scramble, and, 1 Jackson and

I Siddells over-Tunning the ball, Fitzgerald I earned it on and scored. Henry missed the kick. Wellington 19 „ Canterbury 3 Dalley gained a lot of ground from the kick out, and Siddells again stopped a forward rush. First Fitzgerald spoilt an attack by hanging on too long, a,nd then Henry knocked on. Another attook was stopped ,by' a lucky speculation, and another chance went through wild passing. Henry had an unsuccessful lack. Jaokson turned defence into attack with a pretty run to half-way, and, in his turn, Deans broke away and was grassed by Bid dolls. Canterbury's second try followed. Peterson secured in a line-out, made a, lot of ground and passed to W. Cummings, who scored. Henry kicked a good goal. Wellington 19 Canterbury 8 Revenge came quickly. Markham and Algar gained ground with; a passing rush, and someone punted high in-field, where Ryan secured and scored between the posts. King converted the try. Wellington 24 (' Canterbury 8 Uninteresting play followed until Tunnington gained possession and passed to Ryan at the half-way. Ryan let Jackeon have the ball, and the 'Varsity man, all out, just managed to get by Orchard. Ryan missed the kick, an easy on*. Wellington ' 27 Canterbury „ » Carnegie, E. CiH»nwvtgs, and Homy wore associated in a determined attack, which was stopped by Ryan intercepting. Henry had a fruitless kick from a penalty. A couple of minutes befors time Canterbury cleared their line and W- Cummings started an attack* Henry joined in and kicked over the line, where Wilson charged in and touched down. Henry missed the kick. Wellington 'W Canterbury v H . No-aide sounded with the score unaltered-