N.S.W. RUGBY TOUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 September 1928, Page 3

N.S.W. RUGBY TOUR.

LAST MATCH PLAYED. VISITORS DEFEATED BY WALK A RAPA. (By Telegrapli—Association..) , AIASTERTON, Sept. 26. The final mittoli of the New South Wales tour, against Wairarapa, whs ; played- here to-day in driving and ..eavy rain showers, which, marred; play considerably. The home pack was. better than the visitors, however, and won by 17 to 10. The greasy ball and ground was against the style of the New South Wales play, but had. conditions been good a bright, open' display would have resulted. The New fcout-h Wales movements were nippy, and it was only the treacherous conditions that prevented thein developing upon spectacular lines. Playing with.the wind and rain, behind them ill the first spell Wairarapa had the visitors mostly on the defence, and in this spefl did most of their scoring. At half-time the position was: Wairarapa, 14, New South Wales 5. New South Wales livened; up somewhat in the second half, but the wind had dropped and was of little benefit, though the showers continued... New South Wales kicked off, and within- a few minutes Gundy had- two attempts to goal from free kicks, but failed. New; So.uth. Wales rushed down the field, but Cooke saved the situation on both occasions., Jim Donald was playing ,a good game, and 10 minutes from the opening, from a scrum in New South Wales’s 25 Wairarapa drew, first blood, all the backs, handling in a splendid passing movement which resulted in Jury going over in the •corner. Cundy added the major points with a magnificent kick. ~! Five minutes after Yates intercepted a. pass near the New South Wales 25, and went ’over in the corner. Cundy 'missed this tfriie. ... Another chance chine to Oundy a few minutes later, when he sent the ball over from a free kick, making the scores: Wairarapa- H New South AVales ......... 0 Wairairipa still forced matters, _ but New .Sorith AVales found relief fix h good line kick, but soon after had to xbree. . , Rain again set in liard at this stage, and the game developed into a strenuous. forward scramble. The New South Wales pack sent the hall into the Wairarapa territory, and the blue forwards rushed down to the line. Their passing broke down, but Louden secured and crossed. Croft converted with a difficult kick. For a Ijfew South AVales infringement Oundy goaled from a, free kick. For a. New. South AVales infringement Cundy goaled from, a free kick 10 yards inside the half-way. 'The visiting backs, then handled nicely, Towers, Burge arid White being engaged in a thrilling in-and-out passing run, but the Wairarapa- vanguard stemmed the attack. Croft had a kick for an infringement, hut missed. New South,Wales made determined efforts to o'peri up play, 1 hut the greasy hall was too tricky. A promising Wairarapa attack failed at the critical moment bv Cooke failing to take a bass. ’Half-time sounded With the scores: Wh'ira rapa LI New S-onth Wales 5 On resumption Lamb arid Loudon started off with a good .run,, but Jury arid Cundy retaliated. Al, Barker replaced J. 'Do'riald at this stage. Cooke secured -rind cut in to thrill the spectators- with, one of his typical, runs.. Stringfellow was grassed a foot from the Tine, -hut .Triry followed ■ip and scored. Cundy Tnis'sed with the kick. From, a series of Wairarapa attacks Cooke, kicked the -hall through and ( bailed 'ft, hut missed by inches as 'ho went down to score.

, The Wavntafis now rallied and took the hall into Wairarapa. ground, and Roach .forced just as White 'dived for tlie hall. A kick hy Cooke whs charged down, and Towers dashed over to spore. Croft rose to tlie occasion and added the major points with a mag-’ nificeri't kick. Tlie Waratabs held a ’prolbrigfid advantage -until Parker secured frfi'ln .T k-r.um and led an attack. The hall was as slippery as an eel. and the, visitors kept ft at their fe'-et with', sonte success: ■ Eacli side made assaults, hut the! game ended without further score. > Wairarapa 17 New South Wales 10 > Mr. C., E-, Alorgan, . manager of the; New South Wales Rugby team, at the, boncliijfiori of the AYairarapa game,. Said lie wished to tha'n'k the pu.hlic of’ Ne\v Zealand and tho Rugby Union' for tlie wonderful, reception j aeeordecl tlie tefi'm at all, the centres. , He- 'wished especially to thhri'k the! Alaoris; for their cordial reception.The to-uV, he said, was far more suc--cessful than his team had anticipated, and proved that Rugby was not dor-' riiant in his Strife. ’ 1