JUNIORS AT PLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 45, 22 August 1938, Page 15

JUNIORS AT PLAY

WELLINGTON V. WAIRARAPA

As the early attraction at Athletic Park the representative game between the Wellington and Wairarapa juniors was not productive of football of a high standard. It resulted in an easy win for Wellington by a margin of twelve points. Establishing the lead early in the first spell Wellington, largely through the superior and at times enterprising play of their backs, improved their position as play progressed, and, except for few brief setbacks in the second spell, they enjoyed the advantage throughout.

Although ragged generally, the game was no.t without its high lights, and two players in particular, Congreve (Wellington) and Meurk (Wairarapa), were responsible for some fine solo efforts. Meurk, who is a solid and promising three-quarter, scored two tries, one of which was a real gem. Congreve had a happy knack of catching his opponents on the wrong foot and he made some scintillating runs. Another feature of the play was the fine defence by the visiting full-back, Forman, who delighted with his solid tackling and accurate line-kicking. In forward play Wellington, were always on top and!

during the first spell Haigh gave his backs a veritable feast of the ball from set scrummages. After the interval the Waiuarapa forwards put more pep into their efforts and prominent members of the pack were Royguard, Geange, and J. Alexander. Their backs, however, showed little improvement and* behind the scrum Chadwick was outclassed by his Wellington vis-a-vis, Carey, who gave excellent service. The local three-quarters ran and handled well and each of the trio contributed tries. Games at headquarters this season have been marked by the absence of good goal-kicking and this game was no exception. Of the nine tries scored not one was converted and all the many penalty kicks, except one, failed in their objective. Outstanding forwards in the Wellington team were Haddy, Hammond, McCarthy, and Wilson Scorers for the winners were Fitzgerald, Pocknall, Greathead, Hammond (one try each) and Evans (two tries) and there was also an obstruction try. For Wairarapa Meurk scored twice and Forman kicked a penalty goal. The result was: Wellington 21, W Therr ae Pflree was Mr. E. MildenhalL