REPRESENTATIVE GAME

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 24, 28 July 1927, Page 16

REPRESENTATIVE GAME

COMFORTABLE WIN FOR

WELLINGTON

OYEK, SOUTH CANTER-

BURY

Superior back and forward, the "Wellington team by its comfortable win over South Canterbury at Athletic Park yesterday afternoon by 22 points to 3, went a step further towards regaining for the province some of the prestige lost in encounters with other provincial teams last season. Although not the same fifteen as that which defeated Taranaki at Hawera a few weeks back, the players representing Wellington yesterday went well, and quite overshadowed the Southerners. Except for a while in the opening stages and at odd times Wellington were far too good, and yet it cannot be said that the exhibition by the 'Wellington side was a brilliant one. The visitors, however, simply could not effectively . combat the forces pitted against them. They lacked combination; their .control of the leather was faulty; arid they fumbled far too often.' R. Stewart, a member of the 1924 All Blacks, stood out very much above the rest of the Southerners. Stewart got through a tremendous amount of work, but he was given nothing like the necessary support. While the forwards used their weight well their play, nevertheless, was not finished. There were one or two good individual performances among the backs, notably by A. Lawton, while now and again others showed up in flashes.

For a mid-week fixture the game attracted much interest, which, possibly, might be explained by the fact that it was the first representative match to be played locally this season. The ground was sticky, and it seemed to affect the Southerners more than it did Wellington. Throughout Wellington's backs showed themselves to be more speedy than the opposition rearguard, and they provided some attractive passing bouts. M. Nicholls was the pivot, and he was well to the fore. Elvy put in some good runs, while Ramson played very well. The University player was responsible for 13 o£ Wellington's points, scoring two tries, converting two, and kicking a penalty goal. The forwards ■ were a fine lot in the open, but their scrum work was not as good as it might have been. The teams were:—

South Canterbury: Fail-brother; Forrester, Trotter, Gibb; A. Lawson, G. Lawson; Strang; R. Stewart; M'Bride, Southgate, Pannell, Bergin, Ritchie, M'Kenna, D. Stewart.

Wellington: Malcolm; Elvy, South, Ramson; Johnson, M. Nicholls; Kilby; Porter; Oliver, O'Regan, J. Shearer, Emerson, Taylor, Thomas, M'Hardy. THE PLAY. Wellington won the toss and played with the wind at their backs, an advantage which they made the most of. Soon after play had commenced the Wellington forwards attacked in force, and it was seen that the visitors' fielding of the leather was none too good. Prom a ruck Oliver picked up and sent out a long pass, but Porter fell before he could gather in the leather. The Wellington backs got going well in a fine passing movement. The ball passed right out to Ramson, but Fairbrother proved a stumbling block to, the winger's progress. South Canterbury now took a hand in attack, and Trotter made a fine run down the line, only to be stopped by Nieholls. Wellington were penalised, but Strang, notwithstanding lie had two attempts, was unable to goal. Play for a time fluctuated, but Wellington pressed again, and Fairbrother once more distinguished himself with a fine clearing kick right on the line. South Canterbury tackled solidly, and checked many a movement which held decided promise for Wellington. For pit-aide play South Canterbury were penalised, and Ramson opened Wellington's account with a splendid goal from near the touch line. Wellington added further points in the next minute. From a scrum the ball went to Johnson, who, working the blind side, handed the leather on to Elvy. The All Black winger quickly had pace on, and swerving in nicely, he badly beat the defence and went over for a try. Ramsou converted. Wellington S, South Canterbury 0. Wellington continued the pressure. Porter set the backs in motion, and after South and Nicholls had handled in turn, Ramson received the ball and crossed for a try. Ramson had no difficulty in converting. Wellington 13, South Canterbury 0. G. Lawson put the visitors on the attack with a good break away, but he did not get far, being well grassed before he could reach the line. South Canterbury were awarded another free-kick. Strang, however, was unable to turn it to advantage. Porter broke away well, but fumbling by Nichols and a knock-on by South spoilt the movement. Off-side play by South Canterbury gave Ramson a further chance of putting on points, but this lime, although he made a fine attempt, he kicked the ball a little wide of the posts. Wellington were soon on the attack again, and a good passing bout, in which South showed up well, was capped by Ramson, who crossed at the corner. He was unable to goal. Wellington 10, South Canterbury 0. Wellington had had decidedly the better of matters, and were forcing the pace. Kilby picked the ball up well, and after dashing through the opposition he sent it on to Johnson, to Ramson, who touched down, but owing to a breach no try was awarded. Wild passing spoilt a promising Canterbury rearguard attack, and when half-time sounded the Southerners had failed to open their account.

THE SECOND HALF. _ At the outset of the second spell, Welliugton were penalised twice iv succession, and then K. Stewart broke away well, placing Wellington hard on the defence. Continuing the pressure a free-kick to the visitors saw Fairbrother land a good goal. Wellington 16, South Canterbury 3. An interchange of kicks followed, and an infringement by the visitors gave Samson another chance to goal. A good attempt, however, fell short. The Wellington forwards rushed play to the visitors' twentyfive, and in staving the advance South Canterbury were penalised. Jiamson's kick this time hit the upright. The visitors rallied for a few moments, but Wellington were soon back in a scries of passing bouts, from one of which Elvy scored, after Nicholls had cleverly evaded several opponents. Ramson's Icicle missed. Wellington 19, South Canterbury 3. With Porter in the van the Wellington forwards engaged in a strong rush, and an infringement by South Canterbury gave Malcolm a shot at goal, but this was unsuccessful. Wellington were superior back and forward, but by kicking and following up the visitors made ground, and after Strang had failed to goal from a mark Wellington's defence was tested. Strang and Forrester both went close to scoring iv the course of some strenuous play near the Wellington line. No sooner had Wellington cleared the danger zone than they were penalised. Fairbrother failed to find touch and Wellington forced. Back again in the visitors' twenty-five, Wellington made another effort to score, South essaying a pot when a path to a try was barred.

The ball, however, did not rise. Welling-1 ton kept up the pressure, but the activities of their backs were now more closely guarded. At length a fine line kick by R. Stewart splaced South Canterbury in Wellington's twenty-five. Off-side play by the defenders gave Fairbrother anotbf r opportunity to goal from a good position, but he failed. The visitors exerted themselves, but could not break through. Another easy chance to goal was missed by Fairbrother, while Strang also failed with a kick from out near half-way. Poorlyjudged kicking by the visitors let Elvy through to a position from which Wellington went close to a try. Wellington were soon back again, and after a passing bout had broken down Taylor and O'Regan dribbled through, the former scoring. Malcolm's kick missed by inches. Wellington 22.. South Canterbury 3. Moving in fine style the Wellington backs took play to the opposing twenty-five, where after "a brief scramble, Kilby sent Johnson and South away. The latter ran over unopposed near the post, but the referee ruled that Johnson obstructed and South Canterbury were given a free kick. South Canterbury made a last effort just before time sounded, but from the attack Wellington forced, and the game concluded with the score reading— Wellington 22 South Canterbury . ; „ 3 Mr. W. J. Carson controlled the game.