Army Junior Rugby Representatives Beat Whangarei

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1943, Page 6

Army Junior Rugby Representatives Beat Whangarei

Bright football of good standard was provided by Whangarei and Army junior representatives at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon. Army winning by 16 points to nine. Ten minutes from time it was anybody’s game, with only one point separating the teams, but two late tries by Army put the issue beyond doubt. The teams were well matched on the whole, and indications after the first half were that Whangarei, which then was behind with the score at M—6, would win. Army had had the advantage of a strong wind against which Whangarei forwards and backs had produced the belter football. Instead of gaining from the advantage given by the wind, however, Whangarei deteriorated, especially in the backs, and the form of the first spell was not reproduced in the second. On the other hand, Army backs showed to much better advantage and attained combination which had been lacking in the first hall.

Individual Play Both packs worked well, Whangarei being a little the better. Whangarei was given a feast of the ball from the scrums in the first half, Finlay hooking splendidly, and ho held his own in the remainder of the game. In the line-outs, Army was superior and many of the hack movements came from quick transference from forwards to backs. Best of the Whangarei forwards were Inkster, Thorburn and Finlay, while Army’s best were Winters, Bennett., and McMasters. In the back division, Prenter, the Army full-back gave an exhibition which at times was brilliant. Always safe, he frequently held the opposition on his own, and as frequently ran his hacks into position. His was an outstanding display. Halliday, the centre, also gave a fine exhibition, and was dangerous in this position, and also at second five-eighths, to which he moved in the second spell. Both wings were good, and Palmer brought off two spectacular tries. , , . The second five-eighths and captain, Murphy, was fleet and elusive, but he was more at home in the second spell when he moved into first five-eighths, and was partnered by I-lalliday, Baxter moving from first to cent tv. This change was productive, and the Army back-line became more efficient than previously.

Too Much Kicking Hogan gave good service from the base of the scrum. Outplayed in some departments by his vis-a-vis, McNay. he was better in his transfers, which were consistently accurate. McNay’s passes left something to be desired, and ho was inclined to use the hoot overmuch. He opened the way for Whangarei s first two tries, hut later did not maintain us earlier form. Posa, at first live-eighths, also used the boot too much, although at times he made good runs. Coutts was steady at: second and McGoughan, centre, and skipper, was the best of the backs. After scoring two tries he was well watched and he was given few further opportunities. Twecdie was the better oi the wings on general play, being more solid than Brown, whose principal strength lay in his speed. Child was unsteady as custodian. ... , . , , Favoured bv a high wind. Army kicked off, but McGoughan put Whangarei on the attack. Prenter saved well, only for McNay to again open up a thrust which took play to Army’s quarter, when McNays ent Io McGoughan, the centre going over for a try he could not convert. Army came again and counter-attacked, and Halliday beat the defence, punting past Child only for the hall to go into touch behind. Army took advantage of a defensive mistake and Lay scored, Prenter converting with a fine effort and putting Army in the lead. Army Regains Lead Whangarei was quick to reply. McNay received from a scrum and sent to Posa. whose high pass cut out Coutts, and went to McGoughan, who raced over well out. He made another splendid effort against the wind, but again failed to .convert. New one point behind, Army forced the pace, and a rush headed by McMasters compelled Whangarei to concede a quar-ter-way kick. In the ensuing play, Murphy drew his man and then- cut through before sending to Halliday, who corkscrewed through to score behind the posts, Murphv converting, and Army held the lead, half-time coming without changing the score: Army 10, Whangarei 6. Favoured bv the wind, although playing against the sun, Whangarei instituted an attack from which Prenter saved brilliantly. The change in the Army backs then began to make itself felt, and several saved from a forward rush, and it was Whangarei’s turn to attack. Army in Command Several times Army was hard-pressed, and then a long kick into Army’s territory was followed up by Brown, who kicked from Prenter’s hands and followed up to score. McGoughan again missed, and Whangarei was only one point behind. Army was gradually assuming command at this stage, although with 10 minutes to go it was still anybody's game. Army was compelled to touch down to save from a Whangarei attack, but play then changed ends, Halliday opening up and sending to Baxter, to Palmer, who outpaced the opposition and beat Child to score, Murphv duffing an easy conversion chance. Whangarei forwards made an effort, to bring off a try which could still alter the complexion of the game, and then McGoughan tried a snapshot at goal. Army touching down. Army replied with a strong attack, and Child was caught in possession, Palmer securing and going over for his second try, and for the finaL score of the match, the game ending: Army 16, Whangarei 9. Senior Matches The curtain-raiser, a senior match between N.A.M.R. and Aucklands, was a scrambling exhibition in which Aucklands had a decided advantage, due principally to the play of the hacks, among whom Tangira and Lovatt were the best. Procter, N.A.M.R.’s best player, did his best hut he lacked support in his burst from close to the scrum. At half-time, Aucklands had a lead of 16 points to ft, and each team added three points to make the final score Aucklands 19, N.A.M.R. 11. Tries were scored for Aucklands by Tangira (3), Kahu and King, Taylor and Lovatt converting one each. In the other senior game, North Aucklands and Signals gave a good display, both teams throwing the ball about, to make it an interesting exhibition.’ North Aucklands won by 18 points to 14. Tries were scored for the winners by Munro, Smith and Carter, while Hook had on his kicking-boots, converting all the tries, and making full use of a penalty. Signals’ points came from tries by Hetherington, Mattson, and Trotter, one being converted by McCarthy, who also kicked a penalty goal. THIRD GRADE Contesting the first competition gameplayed at Portland for several seasons, High School drew with the local third graders 11 all, in a well cent'sled and exciting match. Vellnier (2) and Sholfo.-Vl were try-getters for School. Wilson converting one. Whatarau gained both tries for Portland. Cartwright improving one and kicking a penalty.