DECISIVE WIN

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 22, 25 July 1935, Page 22

DECISIVE WIN

BEBBINGTON SHIELD

HIGH SCHOOL MATCH

WAIRARAPA BEATEN

MARGIN OF TWENTY POINTS

WET-WEATHEE EUGBY

J Showing definite superiority back 3 and forward, Wellington defeated Wai- ; rarapa by 23 points to 3 at Athletic J Park yesterday afternoon. The game ' was the first of Wellington's Rugby representative matches to be played at home this season. The weather was such that the afternoon at the Park was one for heavy coats, r.ugs,. and perhaps other fortifications which Rugby stalwarts know all about. Except for a few hardy s&uls clustered together under a shelter near one of the exits, the western bank was deserted. Most of those who went up for the'match sought the shelter of the grandstand, and even there there was plenty of room. ,Tha attendance appeared to be between two and three thousafi'd, but so bleak and uninviting was the weather that it was not surprising to find the assemblage i small. ;' FAST FIRST SPELL. The ground was' wet; muddy, and treacherous, but in spite of the conditions the game was not without a good run of incident. The first spell was played out at a fast clip and at times, allowing for the weather and the state of the ground, there were some bright flashes. The standard fell away somewhat in the second half, though there was nothing that was dreary and monotonous. Neither side showed any propensity to keep the game tight. Indeed, even when the ball became heavy and greasy, it was often thrown about, and there were players among the Wellington backs who demonstrated that they are not merely fine-weather men. Had conditions been more suitable, the indications were that a bright display might have been turned on. ■ There were well-known players miss ing from both sides., None of the.Wellington members of the 1935 team fov Britain'were included and there were other notable absentees, but the team put into the field by Mr. M. F. Nicholls impressed as a fast, keen, capable force. The forwards went especially well, their driving power and sweeping loose rushes giving Wairarapa a great deal of trouble, particularly in the first spell, when players such as Hull, Wells, Lynch, and Leahy, at the head of affairs, several times carried all before them! The backs under the circumstances played finely, Pollock, in Particular, showing out to advantage, risp, at full-back, never once, let the team down, his play stamping him as a safe, sound man. VISITORS DISAPPOINTING. The showing of the Wairarapa team was rather disappointing. In the early part of the game, they were thrown right out of gear and at no stage did they give the impression of having a grip on the situation. They may be a better side than their form suggested, but on the day they were unable to measure vpv to match-winning requirements. ' Fuller, formerly of the Eastbourne team, was not in the same class as Crisp at full-back. ■He showed none of the resoluteness and resource expected of a full-back in the face of a strong opposition drive, though he gave evidence that he retains some of his brilliance as a kick. Unhappily for Wairarapa, however, the Wellington team gave him really no scope to indulge in his hobby of kicking goals. Fuller had to be content with only one penalty goal, and that, as it happened, was Wairarapa's only score. Himona. the' second five-eighth, was the most lively and resourceful of the visiting side's backs. Among the . forwards Ward w.as prominent out in the open. He operated purely as a wing-forward, merely bending down and putting his weight in when the scrum went down. But when the ball went Wellington's way he was very quick oft the mark, and mpre than once he got in among the Wellington backs. ~ The teams were:— { WAIRARAPA. ' ;. . ■ Fuller. Buick, Stvingfellow, Mason. ■ V..;Himona, Fitzgerald. ;: '■-"■''■ Nunn. ;. Flutey. Walker, Gaudin, Grantham, Ross, Trass, Devine, Ward. WELLINGTON.1 "r Crisp. v A. Wright, . Fleming, , Ball. Lilburne, Pollock. O'Halloran. Hull, Ongley, Leahy, Lynch, Barry, Fraser-Smith, Wells, Lamason. THE PLAY. Wairarapa JcicKed off, playing with the southerly at their backs, and for a time play-hovered about midfield. It was not;long, however, before Wellington gave a taste of their strength, good work by Lilburne and the pack forcing Wairarapa to their twenty-five. Tns ball was then sent back to OHalloran, who sent it on to Lilburne and Pollock. Pollock showed pace and cleverness and the way was left open for Fleming to score. Lamason missed with the kick. '■'. ',■ Wellington ...'........ 3' ' Wairarapa 0 When Wellington were penalised near half-way Fuller tried what was, even, for himl on the day, an ambitious kick. He made a good attempt but' failed. After this the Wellington forwards came down field with a punishing rush. Fuller was unable to stop it and the Wellington men swept on, the bail eventually going out near the Wairarapa corner flag. It was raining heavier now, and the ground, on which an early game had been, played, was showing the effects of play on the grandstand side. A kick through and follow-up by Ward took Wairarapa upfield and there the forwards carried on with the backs in support. Himona endeavoured to force his way through, but he was soundly tackled by Pollock. Tlie Wellington line was. not yet clear. Buick tried an attack on the right Bank, only to1 be pushed into, touch short of his objective. Shortly: afterwards Stringfellow kicked through,towards the Wellington line, but his kick was too hard;and,Wellington forced. ■ " FULLER GOALS. Seventeen ■minutes of the spell had gqne. Although long ere this the ball had become heavy; it was still being' thrown about, Himona, 'among the Wairarapa backs, showed enterprise and was always lively. A solid type of player, he proved hard to pull. down. Even so,. Pollock- saw to it that he was not allowed too much rope. The next time Wellington were penalised Fuller sent the ball over the'bar. ■;-, Wellington 3 Wairarapa 3 After a fine, strong, characteristic dash, Hull narrowly missed scoring, Fitzgerald sending the ball over the deed-ball line, but when' Wairarapa were penalised for offside in front of their -posts they presented an easy goal to Lamason. .. ; Wellington '6 Wairarapa 3 '• In quick time Wellington had another three points. .Hull and Wells broke away. Leahy then joined; in, and Hull carried on for a welldeserved try. Lamason was unable to convert. Wellington 9 Wairarapa ..... ... 3 Wellington were packing a 3-4-1 scrum. When Wairarapa were penalised Lamason had a chance of adding another three points, but he sent the ball under the bar. Wairarapa took a hand.in the attack, going to the Wellington twenty-five, but there Crisp completely turned the tide. He put in a powerful kick to the western bank side of the field and followed up fast. Fuller and Mason between them were unable to clear. Lynch came up in support of Crisp and went on for a try. Lamason missed with the kick at goal, making the half-time score: Wellington 12 Wairarapa 3 SECOND HALF. Seven minutes after the start of the second spell Wellington scored again,

Barry • completing a strong forward rush with a try. The ball was too heavy for Lamason to do anything with it. Wellington 15 'Wairarapa 3 Fast following up all but rewarded Fleming with a try. Wellington were still having the better of matters. O'Halloran raised enthusiasm when, after trying to get round a scrum, he "potted" and the ball sailed over the bar. No goal was allowed, however. The referee had his back to the goal, and he said afterwards that he did not see the ball go over the bar. When Fuller, in an endeavour to clear, sent out a loose pass, Wellington broke in and the ball was sent over the Wairarapa goal line. Buick and Lamason chased it, and when Buick overran the ball Lamason calmly gathered it up and scored. He failed to convert the try. Wellington 18 Wairarapa 3 Wairarapa replied with some aggressive play, forcing Wellington back. Wellington were penalised in a handy position for Fuller to goal, but he missed. ' THE FINAL STAGES. There was not long to go before the end of the spell when Wellington got under way again. Wright started a passing bout, the ball going to Lamason, across to Lilburne, and then on to Pollock, who scored, Lamason converting. Wellington . 23 Wairarapa 3 With two minutes- to go Flutey retired with an injury and was not replaced. Wellington pressed hard again in the final stages, but there was "no more scoring. The referee was Mr. A. de Clifton. THE EARLY GAME. The early game was played between the first fifteens of the Hutt High School and. Wellington Technical College. The teams proved to be well matched. There was np^score at halftime, but in the second spell Hutt High School scored a try. It.was the only score of the game.

A Rugby match was played at St. Patrick's College, Silverstream, yesterday afternoon between the first fifteen of the Levin High School and St. Patrick's College second fifteen. Although heavy rain was falling, the ball was handled well. Silverstream had the territorial advantage, their forwards being the faster, and won by 12 points to 6. Tries lor Silverstream were scored by D, Bourke (2), Takarangi, and Te Awhitu. Hudson and Feigler scored for Levin.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) PAHIATUA, This Day. Bush retained the - Bebbington Shield, drawing with Dannevirke, 3-all. : ■ - ■ ■