NARROW DEFEAT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20966, 14 December 1942, Page 6

NARROW DEFEAT

R.N.Z.A.F. RUGBY TEAM WASPS WINS AGAIN (Special Correspondent.) (1.1.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. The Wasps beat the Royal New Zealand Air Force by three points to nil when the> met them for the second time this season. The New Zealanders had the usual difficulty of fielding the selected team. They had only half the team which decisively beat Kosslyn Park a fortnight ago and were unlucky to lose. The Wasps scored a minute before the final whistle after a hard forward game. They had uie territorial advantage in the first half, but the New Zealanders dominated in the second half. Both wings, J. H. MacDonald apd A. G. Sutherland were unlucky not to score. MacDonald had to kick clear over the fullback’s head and was beating him in the race for the touch-down wuen he was pulled back for taking a forward pass. Sutherland carried out a kicking rush by himself but was beaten for the bail in the touch-down. The New Zealanders, with half a new pack, were lighter than the Wasps and the hooking was again weak, while the backs missed Sub-Lieu-tenant N. Lawrence at first five-eighths. The ball rarely reached the wings in a clean passing movement.

Sapper J, Talverson was outstanding at full-back. Other members of the team were:—Backs, Flying Officer E. Grant, Pilot Officer J. Plank, and Sergeants B. He Herman and C Saundercock; forwards, Pilot Officer B. Hynes, Sub-Lieutenant G. Smith, J. Holt, Sergeants G. Stevens and A. MatheKon, Able Seaman J. Gordon, Sapper E. Hargood, ind Corporal E. Gray.