WAIRARAPA WIN

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 75, 26 September 1927, Page 14

WAIRARAPA WIN

WELLINGTON'S SECOND DEFEAT

VISITOES IMPEESS

"Wellington's Kugby football engagements of the present season were completed on Saturday afternoon, .the local representatives meeting Wairarapa at Athletic Park. As the finish: up to a season in which an excellent recovery has been made from last year's lean times, Wellington's performance was very disappointing, far removed from the showings against Otago and Canterbury; the backs had lost much of their sparkle, and the "forwards as a whole were quite off colour. On the other hand, .Wairarapa, fielding a' side with, surprisingly good dash for its weight, played a winning game, and, after holding Wellington to a two-points lead in the first spell they made many stingins advances wh lc h took a power of stopping. Aot infrequently there was no stopping them; the hefty forwards, with Harvey always a prominent figure, would cany all before "them, sometimes breaking off in spirited passing bouts; the backs, with Gundy, Cooke, and Stringfellow a bright and dashing inside trio, would engage in dashes which at times made the opposition look cheap Wairarapa did themselves credit on the day indicating by their sterling performance Udt they are a better side' than their record ot results suggests. Wellington at times showed glimpses of the form which had given them an unbeaten record until meeting Auckland on the previous Saturday and near the finish they opened out in the best passing bout'of the day Generally, however, the team was only a shadow of its former self, and its pertormance unimpressive. Although a. strong northerly wind prevailed, the day was fine and the match attracted fully ten thousand spectators. Wellington had first use o£ the wind, but did not make the most of it. Wairarapa's strength was used to good effect in the face of _ the northerly, and there was Plenty m reserve for the second spell to help the visitors to a healthy score. Back and forward Wairarapa were very solid, although Fan-brother was a notable absentee from the pack. In the Wellington team OtrenfelJ, Blacker, and Edgar replaced jUalcolm, Emerson, and Prihgle respectively. . , The teams were as follow:— .Wairarapa: L. Roach; R. Booth, C. Stnngfellow, J. L e .Quesne; A. E. Coo'ie, •X, Cundy; J," Hiroti; J. Donald (ea- Diain);,W. Irvine, Q. Donald, M. Parker, 1.. Harvey, W. Reside, P. Ward, K. Reid! Wellington: Grenfell; C, Rushbrook, L. South W. EK-y; M. Nicnolls (captain) L Johnson; F talby; C. G. Porter; C O Regan, 8 Olhver, J. Shearer, E. Blacker, J. Taylor, L. A. Thomas, ■ Edgar. T, hew°??. o£ ,the c°in went against Donald, and Wellington played with the advantage of. wind in the first spell. Just after ..the start Wellington had a freekick at half-way, and soon afterwards, when Roach failed to gather up the leather from a k t ck by Kilby, Wairarapa were in danger. Cooke, however, made a timely save, and was prominent on defence during subsequent advances by Wellington. A free-kick also gave relief to WaiI'arapa, and soon afterwards Cooke made a brilliant dash, and with others in. support the -play was carried close to Wellington's line. A clearance was effected, and from a free-kick Wellington resumed the offensive. Kick-and:follow-up tactics were generally preferred to combined play, but Wairarapa defended well and penalties also held up Wellington's advances. A free-kick to Wellington gave Xicholls a long shot, but he just missed. Then from some loose ploy Porter made a'smart follow through, .and diving, with an opponent, for the ball, he was awarded a try, which Nieholls converted with a splendidly-judged, kick. Wellington 3 Wairarapa .. „ 0 A brief rally by the visitors, and AVcllington were again on the move to Wairarapa territory. Roach was caught in possession, and Shearer secured the leather to send Thomns and Rushbrook away, the last-named running round for a try near, the posts. Nieholls converted. Wellington 10 Wairarapa 0 A taste of Wairarapa's quality as an attacking force was given in the play which followed. Launching a strong offensive the visitors drove hard to Wellington's twenty-five, where Cundy gained possession and commenced to beat his way through the opposition. Cooke was speedily on hand, and being fed he whipped the leather out to Stringfellow. The lastnamed dashed across for a try, which Cundy just failed to convert. Wellington 30 Wairarapa 3 In subsequent play the Wnirarapa forwards made further strong prpHsure and . were well, supported by the backs. Wellington, however, kept clear of danger, but progress on their, part was again stayed by penalties. Eventually South followed up.smartly, only to have his pass smothered when the chance of a score looked good. Some blind-side work by Kilby and Rushbrook was checked, as also were other advances, and when the Wellington backs essayed passing the continued efforts broke down with faulty passes. Wairarapa's driving force changed the scene of play to Wellington territory, when Cooke was held up in a bid.for the line. Wairarapa, however, were awarded a frcci kick, and from an easy position Cundy i goaled. ! From mid-field Wellington tried to' get moving, but were hampered by Wnirarapa's effective spoiling tactics. A miskick by Porter set Wairarapa on the move, and when Souths effort to hold up i tho attack was frustrated, Stringfellow gained possession. He moved nippily towards the corner, then, "selling the dummy," he changed direction and cut; through to,the. posts for a fine try,, which Cundy converted, giving Wairarapa the lead. , Wairarapa ..!.<..' 11 Wellington. 10 Keen battling followed, and though Wellington kept on the right side of half-way,' they found the '^defence very solid, and were also penalised on occasions. Once or t\yice a kick sent the leather too far, and on another occasion Elyy started a .pass-^ ing bout_ which was going the right way', until Olliver made a bad pass. For some, time Wellington kept up the pressure, and' eventually a bout by Porter, Nicholls,' 'Rushbrook,' and Thomas presented danger. In a scrum after Wairarapa had carried over Wellington gained a free-kick, and this Nicholls turned to good account, making .the half-time • score: Wellington 13 ' Wairarapa ................;.... 11 It was now Wellington's turn to play against the strong wind, and the small lead seemed insufficient. The. local forwards,' however, showed, some dash, and early in the spell their efforts were so well support-' ed by the backs that Wellington were close' to the opposing line. Harvey emerged from a hard tussle, and, dashing away, he kicked past the Wellington full-back. Cundy, Harvey, Grenfell, and Elvy had a great* 'race for the ball. Elvy won, and' "saved-a try. Cundy and Irvine figured in' further rushes by Wairarapa, and in a period of strenuous play Wellington did well to keep the visitors at a fairly safe distance. A chance, however, came to Roach when a weak clearing kick was made. The Wairarapa full-back took it, and potted a;splendid goal. 15-13. Wairarapa were soon further ahead. Harvey made a strong dash, passed to Parker, who in turn transferred to Booth for a try near the corner^ Cundy's kick missed. Wairarapa 18 Wellington' ...... 13 The visitors had Wellington on the run, and they were nearly through again when Grenfell failed to field an attacking kick. Wellington's defence held good until Cimdy made a strong, run, which Cooke; topped off in brilliant style with a try at tho posts Cundy converted. Soon afterwards' Harvey dashed away from a scrum and placed Wairarapa near Wellington's line. Here there was some hard tussling until Wairarapa gained a free-kick. Cundy made the score Wairarapa 26 Wellington 13 Although the local team made some headway, Wairarapa continued in merry mood, and a. sweeping rush by the forwards compelkii Wellington to carry, over

and force. From the scrum Hiroti worked J the blind side, but .Tie Quesne came round, i and breaking through the opposition lie added a try, Cundy again supplying the extras. Repelling further advances and assisted by a free-kick, Wellington reached the opposing twenty-five. In this territory there was some strenuous play, during which; Wellington .were awarded two free-kicks. Nicholls landed one goal, making the score Wairarapa 31 AVellington 10 Efforts by AVellington were now o£ little avail; Wairarapa had a safe lead, and were still pursuing their vigorous search for points. Attack and counter-attack had no result until J. Donald made a good rim. After "dummying" he passed to Keid, who cut through for a try, which Cundy converted. Wellington then seemed to take a new lease of' life, and more than half the team took part in a bout which was really attractive. The movement started in midfield, and went to the right wing (Rushbrook), who cleverly kept the ball in play when his way was barred near the corner. Then the leather was transferred speedily from hand to hand right across to the left wing for Elvy to cap it with a try. Xicholls's kick missed. Wairarapa replied with vigour and Wellington, after forcing, made another bright movement. Again, the visitors swept down, only to be penalised. No further scoring was registered, and the game ended:— Wairarapa ... ..... 36 Wellington ............^.'..y..'. 19Mr. W. J. Carson 'vats the referee.