Whangarei Win First Rugby Rep. Fixture

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1940, Page 2

Whangarei Win First Rugby Rep. Fixture

COOKING TWO UNCONVERTED TRIES TO ONE CONVERTED TRY, WHANGAREI WON THE FIRST REP. MATCH OF THE SEASON AT DARGAVILLE ON SATURDAY. A short shower which fell soon after the start, probably saved Wairoa from a heavier defeat. Inability of the Whangarei backs to handle the wet ball, rather than the high tackling and poor positional play of the opposing vanguard, prevented several scores.

Cunning liam’s Day. 1 Cunningham was the star back, scoring both tries in splendid fashion. White had a hand in each and drew his opposing number well all afternoon. Ferguson did well in his first rep. match, as did Parke?, who outshone Cossar, North trialist last season, who got his side into' trouble more than cnce. An inclination to hang on' too long marred an otherwise good display by Cooney. Gibson penetrated well and Green, although opposed by Wairoa’s best back in Gus Smith, was sound .always. Wairoa forwards, with Simons best in the loose, Matheson in the lineouts and D. Newlove in all departments, slightly shaded the Whangarei pack but not to the extent expected. Halo led the Whangarei pack in the loose, receiving most support from Ray, McDonald and Burke. Alison went particularly well until injured, and Morresey was, as usual, a tower of strength in the tight. Wairoa Show Out Early. Wairoa held the centre of the stage for a start, winning the scrums and pressing hard. Farkes forced, and Cunningham gave the crowd its first thrill in an electrifying run from his own quarter. Brushing off the full-back he swerved infield, but Smith came across fast to tackle him from behind. Back surged Wairoa. Smith worked the blind to Fernandez, who, following his kick, caught Parkes. In the attack which developed Stevenson drop-kicked, but along the carpet. Led by Hale and Alison the Whangarei forwards, won through to halfway for the first time. First Points. From a scrum all the backs handled •in a nice bout. White got a low pass away as he was tackled, .and Cunningham, taking it at finger-tips, again beat Cossar and another man to boot, for a nice try at the corner. Cooney missed. Picking up in the loose Green set the Whangarei backs away. White accelerating pace to draw his man nicely, and send Cunningham racing away. 'S.SbiliS Matich caught the winger at the corner, and a moment later, intercepting Gibson’s pass, he turned desperate defence into a sweeping Wairoa attack. .b. Jill D. Newlove and Simons carried the thrust deep into Whang.arei's 25, where Ferguson finally held them up. Sonnie Alison, who had gone well in the Whangarei pack, retired with a leg injury to bo replaced by Amos. Whangarei were now definitely on top and Amos and Ferguson made a strong bid to complete a forward at-, tack, Walters beating them to the force-down. The first half ended as Stevenson cut in nicely and ran to half-way. At the interval Whangarei led 3 —o. Second Half. Wairoa’s weak tackling and the elusive running of the visiting backs kept play in home territory on resuming. Cossar, whose play generally had not been inspiring, s,et his side on attack with a deep liner, but the Whangarei backs fanned out, Cooney clearing with an even longer kick. Matich ran back well to smother a strong Whangarei attack, Wordlcy and D. Newlove relieving the pressure. For the first time all the Wairoa backs fanned out, Stevenson handling twice. Burke held them up momentarily, but when Stockwell kicked high the Wairoa forwards took charge in midfield. Wairoa In. Matich kicked to Parkes, who failed to take the greasy ball and four Wairoa forwards raced with Green for the touch-down. Matheson got the verdict. Smith converted. Northern Wairoa 5. Whangarei 3. Whangarei were new tiring- and Wallace put them in an awkward spot. Scrums five yards out ended when Green came round and got his toe to the ball smartly. Whangarei forced soon after, Wairoa following suit after Bui’ke and Cooney had made a strong thrust.

Ray was prominent in the play that followed. White engineered the next try. Receiving a long pass from the scrum, he cut out Wallace, and unloaded to Cunningham who took it in his stride. White’s kick hit the post and rebounded infield. Whangarei 6, Northern Wairoa 5. Walters set Wairoa going again, and the forwards were having the best of it in a melee until Parkes lined with a speculator. z Wairoa hooked from a scrum, but Walters spoiled the movement by hanging on. End to End. Dribbling through Ferguson started an offensive which took play right to the other end. After Ferguson lost control, Cunningham chimed in, and with White in support was pacing it for the line, but the pass came too soon and the ball rolled out. y Cunliffe and Amos fed their backs nicely and Whangarei were still on attack at the close. WHANGAREI 6 NORTHERN WAIROA ... 5 Mr Cutler refereed. Social Side. Following the game, the teams were entertained to dinner at the Central Hotel. The chairman of the Northern Wairoa Union Management Committee (Mr R. G. Murdoch) presided and called for the loyal observance. The toast list was: “The Whangarei Rugby Union,” Mr B. Gould —Mr S. «J. Snow (manager of the Whangarei team); Whangarei team, Mr G. Smith —Mr L. Cooney; “The Boys at the Front.” Mr Cutler; “Northern Wairoa Union,” Mr R. Ross—-Mr A. A. MacKay: ‘The Referee,” Mr N. Dickey— Mr Cutler; The Press, Mr Murdoch—- " North Auckland Times” and “Northern Advocate” representatives; "The Chairman,” Mr M. Morresey—Mr Murdoch: “Host and Hostess,” Mr Gould— Mr A. Glass.