Over the Rimutaka.

NZ Truth, Issue 150, 2 May 1908, Page 3

Over the Rimutaka.

(By MDicky D.")

.The championship fixtures of the Wjairarapa Rugby Union commenced on Sat£ iiirday last^ The principal senior fixture, Carterton v. Red Star, was played at Carterton,. and contrary to expectations, resulted m a very easy win for the home team by 25 points to 3. The weak ' part of toe Star team was; the back division, which was composed largely of juniors. The big, hulking Carterton forwards, whose reputation for "gentle" piay is notorious, dealt "business" out right and left to the junior element and put the fear of the "divil"? m them and completely cowed them. The result was that the Stars had practically only two backs —Adams and Andrew— and the forwards had a disheartening task ; in fighting the local pack; McCarthy got the ball nearly every time for the Stars, but the latter, with no backs outside" of the two before mentioned, could do nothing with it. Lack of form was also noticeable on the Star side, while Carterton appeared to be pretty fit. The gentle methods adopted by some of the local players is plainly reflected m the black eyes and gashed faces some of the Star players now possess. The style of play adopted by the majority of the Carterton vanguard would no more be tolerated by Wellington referees' than would Russian prison methods be suffered where the British flag flies. When will Wairarapa referees take united action to stop rough play m Wairarapa ? But then, what is the use of a referee trying to do his duty m this direction ? Didn't Sid Smallwood, an ex-Wellington referee and now resident m Masterton, talce a firm stand regarding rough play a couple of seasons ago and report a Carterton forward for his tactics to the Rugby Union, and with what result ? The, Union sat on Smallwood and rough play flourishes as of yore m fine style m this Wairarapa. So dissatisfied was Smallwood with the Union's action m the matter that he wrote them a stiff letter and declined to referee further, The ' outstanding features of Saturday's game was the capital play of the Carterton backs, notably, N. McKenzie, Thompson and Groube, and the splendid- work— one might even say brilliant— done by Adams and Andrew, m the Star backs, and Bob McKenzie, one of the Star wingers- Bob McKenzie, a promoted junior, stood out on his own as the best forward on the field and was responsible for the Stars' try.

At Masterton the Greytown and Mas? terton seniors met. The local team won by 19 points to 8. Greytown, who were not fully represented, had by far the best of the first spell, when the score was Greytown 5, Masterton 3. In the second spell the home team made the game merry and soon placed the result beyond doubt. The Masterton forwards played ,a much-improved game, but the backs were very "rocky." Joe O'Leary was the best, but I have seen him play a lot better game. Some of the others, ■ n6tably Handley, appeared to be qualifying for the junior team ! Logan was absent and m consequence DaniclU (emergency forward) was given a game. .He played really, well, and m leaving him out of the team m the first .place the Selection Committee committed an unpardonable blunder. Lyall or Mackellar should certainly stand on the line before Daniell.

The junior matches resulted as follows : —Red Star defeated Carterton at Carterton by 16 points (tries by Diggins, G-. Ross, Smith and Chamberlain, and potted goa.l by Flaws) to nil ; Te Oreore defeated Martinborough (last year's premiers) by 23 to 4 at Monson's Bush. Ruharugi (3),. Tory, Mason and Hector scored tries for Te Ore Ore, Thompson kicked a goal, and Moana converted a try. Martinborough 's score was a potted goal. Dalefield beat Masterton juniors by 22 points to 5 at Dalejfield. I would like to know when the Wairarapa Union's classification committee intend to commence work. Moana, the Te Ore Ore junior forward, and at least one. or two of.theTe Ore Ore backs, should be made to play senior.