SOMEWHAT UNEXPECTED.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 127, 3 June 1929, Page 3

SOMEWHAT UNEXPECTED.

The defeat of Old Boys by Wellington was not a surprise to those who saw Wellington play Poneke on the previous Saturday, although to the vast majority of other .Rugby followers it was totally unexpected. The Wellington fifteen, under L. Johnson, is improving with every game, and on present form is capable of upsetting any team in the competition-. There are some great toilers in the forwards, and the backs are beginning to show more confidence in attack. Old Boys on Saturday never seemed to get going satisfactorily. In contrast to Wellington, they did not have a leader to direct the attack. The teams were:— Wellington (yellow and black): M'Cullough; Pride, Webb, Osborne; M'Laren, Johnson; Jaggers; Nicol, Noakes, Ferguson, Phillips, Lewis, Rathgen, Stanley, and More. Old Boys (white): Fisher; R. Lamason, W. Dustin, W. Wylie; Rushbrook, M'Douald; Dv Chateau; Reynolds, Bydder, Emerson, J. Lamason, M'Pherson, Preston, Mitchell, and Taylor. Even play followed Wellington's kickoft". Johnson found the line in the White's twenty-five, but Dustin relieved. The Old Boys' forwards swarmed down the field, but the attack was short-lived. The yellow and black pack took command, and Stanley and Rathgen-led a forward rush that finished within striking distance. An infringement gave Lewis a chance, and he landed a good goal. Wellington 3, Old Boys 0. Soon after the kick out Wylie intercepted a pass by Johnson, and set sail for the line. He was glassed by M'Cullough after a good run. Old Boys were now pressing hard, and it was only a splendid defence that kept them out. A free kick eased the position for Wellington, and the yellow and black forwards worked up-field. Then came one of the best passing rushes of the day. About eight Wellington players handled the ball, and they ran straight and hard. Pryde finished the movement off with a try near the corner flag. Lewis's kick was short. Wellington 6, Old Boys 0. The spell came almost immediately afterwards. The Old Boys' backs showed up poorly at the beginning of the second spell, after their forwards had put them on the attack. The inside men were playing with little understanding amongst them, and rushes broke down with unfailing regularity. M'Donald and Rushbrook seemed to be the chief offenders. However, Rushbrook at last got going in a passing rush, and sent Dustin and R. Eamason away. The last-named got over near the corner. J. Lamason missed with the kick. Wellington 6, Old Boys 3. Dustin, who was perhaps the-best of the Whites' back line, made a nice run, but was collared within inches of the line. Old Boys now had a Jong spell on attack, but could not finish off their passing movements. Jaggers kick- ' ed up-field, but the White forwards came again. J. Lamason made a good attempt at goal from a penalty, and the Yellow and Blacks forced. A few minutes later Rushbrook was also unsuccessful with a penalty. Just on time the Whites made a big effort, but the Wellington defence was solid, and the game ended with Wellington the victors. Mr. H. Leith was the referee.