Thrilling Rugby In New Caledonia

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 161, 9 July 1943, Page 3

Thrilling Rugby In New Caledonia

(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) NEW- CALEDONIA, June 27. To the skirl of bagpipes and the stirring rhythm of a* military brass band, teams representing a Scot’s battalion and an Infantry battalion took the field

‘‘somewhere in New Caledonia” on Saturday afternoon, and fought a thrilling game for the honour of representing their brigade in the forthcoming competition for the coveted Barrowclough Cup—a handsome trophy presented by MajorGeneral It. E. Barrowclough, D. 5.0., M.C., for Rugby competition between units of the New Zealand Division in New Caledonia. A last minute try—the only points registered throughout a gruelling period of 90 minutes’ play—brought a spectacular and cleanly contested game to its conclusion and gave victory to the Scots who, despite their inability to obtain a fair share of the ball from the set scrums, had fought tigerishly throughout. Outstanding characteristics of a match which had the large crowd of soldierspeAalors at a continuous high pitch of excitement included the solid rucking of evenly matched vanguards, the feast of leather provided for his backs by the Infantry hooker, J. T. Walker, and the sure tackling of both fifteens.

Scots. —S. Richardson (South Canterbury), M. H. Glassford (Poverty Bay), JL Blair (Buller), I. V. McLean (Wanganui;, R. Whittington (Wellington), G. H. Lawsun (Auckland), M. Charlton (Auckland), A. .Rogers (.Auckland), Y. K. Fleming (Palmerston North), A. F. Wright (Hawke’s Bay), J. M. Galloway (Wellington), P. A. Mcßeath (Inglewood), B. P, Sheehan (Wellington), N. S. Clotworthy (Whangarel), and D. H. Ward (King Country).

Infantry.—E. S. F. Holland (Christchurch), C. E. Nairn (Waipawa), R. Shepherd (Taranaki), D. F. Paterson (Wellington). M. P. Spillane (Otago), S. Lavery (Christchurch), W. Edminstin (Port Chalmers), E. E. Hope (Dannevirke), J. T. Walker (Wairarapa), M. F. Marshmint (Wellington), R. G. Rutherford (New Plymouth), F. Armstrong (Hawke's Bay), R. W. Phizaoklea (Wanganui), A. C. O'Byrne (Taranaki), and A. W. Young (Wellington). Although he had represented Victoria as far back as 1934, and subsequently New South 4 Wales in 1936, and Manawatu in 1935-37-38-39, Y. K. Fleming proved that he was far from a spent force. As a Manawatu representative, he was nominated for the 1935 and 1937 All Black trial games, and in 1940, was a member of the team which won the Frey berg Cup in the Middle East. York Fleming played for Old Boys, being captain of the team during his last season lor that club.