CLOSE SCORING GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20367, 23 September 1929, Page 14

CLOSE SCORING GAME.

WAIRARAPA AND WANGANUI.

WIN IN LAST FEW MINUTES.

MANY ALL BLACKS TAKE PART.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WANGANUI, Friday.

Before a crowd of 5000 on Spriggens Park yesterday the Wanganui representatives held Wairarapa to three points margin in the finest exhibition of Rugby ever seen in Wanganui. The visitors only regained the lead in the last few minutes to win by 21 points to 18. The presonce of eight All Blacks in the visiting team was a decided attraction. Cooke was a bright particular star, but on the home side Kilby did not suffer by comparison with Cooke's comrade in arms, Mill. Whereas the visiting pack struggled hard to make the play for Mill, Kilby had to make most of his own opportunities, and it is a credit to him that ho earned selection as tho best all-round player in the home team. Ho varied his play to a far greater degree than ever before.

The Wairarapa pack seemed rather stale compared with the vim and determination of Wanganui, which excelled at rush tactics. It was largely due to tho Wanganui forwards that the match was one of neck and neck scoring. In back play the visitors undoubtedly were superior. Cooke's generalship and cleverness on attack. his uncanny anticipation and sound defence, were factors which contributed to the success of his team. Fuller, Roach and Harvey wero outstanding for Wairarapa. Lockett, the Wanganui rover, was dangerous. Gibbons and Ambroso played well at five-eighths. Carlson had an offday owing to Stringfellow's tactics, which bordered on tho illegal. Cooke kicked off, and after five minutes' play Oxley scored for Wanganui, following a forward tush. Tilley missed the kick. A little later Fuller kicked a penalty for the visitors and evened the scores. The visitors swept Wanganui back, assisted by tho wind, and Mill scored, Fuller converting. Off-side by Wairarapa gave Tilley a chance, and he added three points. The Wairarapa backs retaliated, and Cooke, last to handle, scored a great try. Fuller failed at goal. Tho next score came when Wills got over after a forward rush. Tilley failed with the kick, and tho half-time scores were:—Wairarapa, 11; Wanganui, 9. With the advantage of the wind in tho second spell the Wanganui forwards surged down on the visitors' lino and Wills scored again. Carlson missed an easy kick. Then Fuller scorod a try for Wairarapa, adding the major points. Carlson next scored, but Tilley could not goal. The home team took the lead again when Kilby scored. Leahy failed at goal. The deciding try of the game was scored five minutes before time, Reid crossing near the posts. Fuller goaled. The final whistle found tho scores:—Wairarapa, 21; Wanganui, 18. Mr. F. C. Atkinson was referee.

WIN FOR CANTERBURY.

LILBURNE'S GOAL-KICKING.

[by telegraph.—press association.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday.

The last Rugby match of the season, Canterbury v. South Canterbury, was played at Lancaster Park to-day. The ground was dry and hard and tho game was fast. Canterbury won easily by 37 points to 14, For Canterbury tries were scored by Hart, Scrimshaw (2), Manchester, Merritt, Mullan and Andorson. Lilburne converted five tries and kicked two penalty goals. For South Canterbury King, Trotter and Roper scored tries. Strang converted one try and kicked a penalty goal.