RUGBY FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 34, 9 August 1934, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PUBLIC SERVICE BEAT

RAILWAYS

After a willing tussle with New Zealand Railways yesterday afternoon the Public Service team was successful in winning tin? George and Doughty Cup, the trophy for the annual game between the two departments. A keen southerly wind at Athlotici Park made line play difficult, rtnd rain fell intermittently throughout the second half. Public Service were undoubtedly the better team, there being more coordination between backs and forwards. Railways had a very capable pack, but found difficulty, in coping with the speedy passing rushes of the other team. The teams were as follows: — Public Service (blue and white): Masters'; ■ Gonley, Upchurch, Caulton; Evans, Langdon-; Rae; Thornton, Butler, Carlyon, Dixon, Pringle, Shepherd, Donnelly, Keegun. Railways (red and black): McCann; Slater, Huxtable, Caldwell; O'Hallorau, Gurr; Feeney; Abrim, Blackler, Lynch, Boyd, Reid, Bevan, Quaid, Pesirse. Railways opened the game with a forward rush which took them well inlo Public Service territory. Here they obtained a penalty kick which Lynch made no mistake in putting over. Public Service then started a strong attack which was cheeked by a free kick. After some fine line-kicking, Public Service started a passing rush which ended tfhen Evans was brought down. From a loose scrum, Gonley received, and scored well out. The kick failed. Railways had to force shortly afterward, and Public Service almost scored with a fast breaking movement. After v. series of Railways loose rushes, Public Service worked upfield with passing rushes. They were on the point of scoring when a Public Service forward passed to the referee. The second half opened with a Public Service attack. From midfield, Langdo'i dummied his way through, and passed in field to Butler, who scored near the flag. A further attack was nipped in the bud by Railways, who narrowly missed with a penalty. Public Service recovered rather raggedly, and play moved to midfield. A fine passing rush in which Langdon, Evans, and Upchurch took part resulted in Shepherd crossing the line between the posts. Evans converted. Rae stopped a Railways attack, and Public Service went back in a loose rush. Caulton cut infield through the Railwaysdefence, and scored just outside the posts. Railways then attacked in a determined manner, and a series of scrums along the Public Service goal-line ensued. Going all out to score, the Railways backs closed in. When the ball was kicked behind the Public Service goal, Gonley snapped it up, punted it clear, and ran out to put his men on side.' Pringle took the ball 'it full speed and ran the length of the field, scoring between the posts the most spectacular try of the match. Evans converted.

Immediately afterwards, a nicely-co-ordinated passing rush resulted in Donnelly scoring well out. Feeney crossed tho Public Service line but lost possession. Soon Public Service were off again but Caulton was well tackled. Another passing rush ended in. Upchureli sending on to Evans, who scored in the corner. Railways came away" in a desperate effort nnd Slater broke through'in fine style to score between the posts. Lynch converted. Seconds later and just on time Public Service finished off a loose rush by sending Gonley through on the left wing. His try was not converted, and the game ended in favour of Public Service 28-8.

Mr. A. R. Morice was the referee.