Whangarei Crumble In Rep. Debut Against Northern Wairoa

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1937, Page 7

Whangarei Crumble In Rep. Debut Against Northern Wairoa

Rugby

rpHE Whangarei representative Rugby team received a nasty jolt when it was beaten 25—8 by Northern Wairoa on Saturday. After rain the going was heavy at Rugby Park, and considering this , . the magnitude of the beating was more ominous still. V While it must be admitted that the play of the local team generally was disappointing considering the good standard reached in club games, due allowance must be made for the excellence of the opposition, who turned ori really great Rugby. 1 Judged on Saturday’s showing, Northern Wairoa has the best representative team out since the heyday of the Harding Shield competitions—a pack fully worthy of the highest “butterfat” traditions, backs who are fleet footed and brilliant, both individually and as a unit, and a side which combines well both fpre and aft. , That ability is not confined to a bare 15 was proved during the progress of the match, when four of the original team retired owing to injury and were replaced by new men who fitted in almost as well. The home side was outmanoeuvred apd outpaced, as Bay of Islands had been at Dargaville on Coronation Day. . The attendance approached 1500, further indication of Rugby’s return to popularity this season. -L r v The teams were:— , Nprtherp Wairoa: Te Rore, J. Nesh, Bradley, Colmore-Williams, Pryde, Smith, Panama, B. Wordley,' Newlove, Tito, Nathgn, Wilson, Plave.ll, Stanaway, Simons. Whangarei: Skelton, Shepherd, A lison, Conaghan, Roos, Gibson, Codling, Scarborough, Mclnnes, Brydon, Jones, Bradley, Strange, Pomfrett, Sloane. *;■ C. White, one of the selected team, did not put in an appearance and Was replaced by Sloanf, first emergency for Whangarei.

P»ck at Sixes and Sevens. The- and virile Northern Wairoa pack was superior in almost every department except hooking, in which Whgnkarei maintained a slight tage throughout, although even then the ball was inclined to dwell in the back of the scrum. The Whangarei pack was at sixes and sevens, and tor the greater part of the second half were completely at'a loss how to cope with the situation which had so startingly presented itself. The blue forwards did not combine to advantage; in fact it can hardly be said that anyone individually was outstanding. Jones proved his fitness by being able to keep up with play right to the last, and always find the place where it was thickest. Towards the end, the home forwards, tired and outplayed, were, little more than a rabble, v' While ope or two men were left unsupported to check vulnerable points in the field, the, rest of them were content to. hang back and see the willr ing opposing eight swebp up-fleld, almost Unmolested. Codling Does Well. Smothered by the fast-breaking Wairba packmen; of whom Flavell, Wordley and Nathan were outstanding, the Whangarei rearguard were seldom seen to advantage on attack. Gibson used his boot far too much. Opposed by the mercurial Panapa, playing at the top of his form, and beset by the experienced Wairoa packmen, Codling had a torrid time, but emerged with flying colours, his sure

passing from any position being particularly good. Alison was a fairly reliable Whangarei hack, covering up well on occasions. Shepherd was the pick of the wingers, although Campbell, when he went on after half-time, figured in some good movements. Skeltori was disappointing. His weight made it difficult for him to move in smartly enough; and bn several occasions he lost his balance or failed to field the ball on the full, misfortunes which the opposing side were quick to turn to the fullest advantage. ,

Wairoa have a dangerous set of penetrative Inside backs. Enough whs seen of Fryde, an ex-Welling-ton rep., to indicate his potentialities when the North Auckland trials come along. ; Smith, another experienced newcomer to the. North, has versatility and spped. Stariaway impressed, both in the pack and as centre threequarter. Started at Great Pace. The game started at a great pace, both sides turning on. the type of football usually seen when the ground is hard, and the ball dry. For the first quarter of an hour Whangarei were definitely on top, and with a series of penetrating back attacks, hemmed Wairoa in their own territory. So confident were the home pack that scrums were taken in place of kicks, a policy which was pursued through the game with rather questionable net results.

When the Wairoa men warmed up, the story was entirely different. Running round the blind side and cutting in beautifully, Smith presented Col-more-Williams with a good scoring opportunity, but the winger Knocked oh, as did Nash a minute or two later when another try looked imminent. Panapa was next away in a jinky run which left Gibson and Alison standing.

The half unloaded to Bradley, who sent on to Colmore-Williams, instead of inpassing to Pryde, who had a clear run' in. Fumbling badly in face of a hot attack, Skelton almost let the Wairoa backs, now playing highly spectacular football, through, but Colmore-Williams was grounded right on the line, and the fourth chance of a try had been missed. Wairoa Ahead at Interval. However, Stanaway, kicking from the sideline, just outside the 25, drew first blood with a penalty. A clever burst of reverse passing between Boos and Alison had the Wairoa defence well tested, but Conaghan failed to take his transfer. Pryde twisted his hip and was replaced by Walters as second five-eighths for the visitors.

When Whangarei got a free kick in quickly they caught the westerners unprepared, Bradley being among their backs before they could get into position. The ball came to Roos, who centred nicely, for Jones to follow through and get his toe to the ball. Sloane made a dive for the try. Skelton’s kick was a daisy-killer. Retaliation came as the outcome of chain passing by the Northern Wairoa men from the half to the winger, Nash, who raced for the corner and got there just as Skelton brought off the tackle. Stanaway missed and at half-time Northern Wairoa led 6—3. Whangarei in Trouble. The second half had not been in progress many minutes when Conaghan received a kick in the back, and was replaced on Whangarei’s flank by Campbell. Shortly afterwards, Wairoa lost their versatile half, Panapa, Stanaway taking the centre threequarter position, all the other inside men moving in nearer the scrum, and McCracken joining the pack. Whangarei were soon in difficulties again, and after a series of five yards

scrums, Smith, now half-back, dodged round nicely. He lost possession, but Nathan was handy to pick up, and fling himself over. Strange charged the kick effectively. Nathan paved the way for the next try, sending on to Smith, who brushed past Campbell, and sent on to Tito, who went over with Campbell fastened to his heels. A cross-kick by Colmore-William's, and further carelessness by the Whangarei defence, saw Simons go through like a flash and claim Wairoa’s third score within quarter of an hour. None of the kicks succeeded and the visitors were leading 17 —3. Visitors Right on Top. Whangarei backs gave a taste of their quality at last when Campbell raced into the open, and the passes fanned out to Alison, who was held up a yard short. Jones emerged from the ensuing ruck with the ball tucked under his arm, and forced himself over near the posts. Roos converted. —Northern Wairoa 17, Whangarei 8. A brilliant individualistic try came Walters’ way, when he made

a flying interception and sailed right through the Whangarei backs, to cover 30 yards to the line without being touched by a tackling hand. The visitors had gtili another thrill up their sleeves. Play was in midfield when Bradley set the movement going. Stahaway was blocked, but tapped the ball with the side of his foot to Nash, who had an uninterrupted course. Stanaway improved, making the final tally; Northern Wairoa 25 Whangarei 8 Mr W. Hallett refereed.