RUGBY DEBACLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 82, 7 April 1941, Page 11

RUGBY DEBACLE

SERVICE MATCH

ARMY TROUNCES AIR FORCE '

>An Army Rugby fifteen from Trentham, in all-round capacity very little short of an international side, defeated an Air Force representative team by 50 points to 3 in the opening match of the season, at Athletic Pafk on Saturday. Despite the keenness of the Air Force players—at the most they were little stronger than an average club side-^-they could not cope with the Army men. The open nature of play and the occasional flashes of brilliance by the Army backs, notably the Wingers,. Sherratt. and Colmore Williams, scarcely compensated for the one-sided nature of the game. Over 4000 spectators were present when Sister Molly Mahoney (the Fighting Services Queen, in whose aid the match was conducted) kicked off. Conditions were excellent. It took the Army representatives nearly twenty minutes to settle down and provide anything llKe combined plajv After this, they made the play as they wanted it and ran up score after score. Admirably led by Lieut. J. Flnlay, outstanding among Xew Zealand forwards last, winter, the Army tossed the ball about from one side of the. field to the other, the forwards in many instances linking up with the rearguard in irresistible passing rushes. WINDERS SCORE NINE TRIES. Colmore Williams, the rangy Auckland leftwinger, . who created a favourable impression in the hlterprovindal match With Wellington last season, scored five tries. But, if anything, he received niore opportunities than the former Wellington three-quarter, .]. R. Sherratt, Who crossed for tries on four occasions. The remainder of Army's points came from tries by Egdell. Harvey, and Wettoil, anil conversions by Jackson (5) and Fihlay (2h VeatInan scored Air Force's only points with a try.. The referee was Mr. B. Matthews.