WELLINGTON’S WIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26198, 8 July 1946, Page 6

WELLINGTON’S WIN

EXCITING MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, July .7. Before a crowd of about 9000, Wellington beat Canterbury at Lancaster Park on Saturday by 11 points to 7. It was one of the best exhibitions seen at Lancaster Park for a long time. For the greater part, the game was fiercely contested, and pla yswept up and down in very bright movements. Wellington owed its win not so much to Individual effort as to excellent backing up by the forwards and backs In attacking movements. This was the only department of play in which Wellington held an advantage, providing a good example of team work. Wellington won on its merits, and the score gives a true indication of the game. Canterbury was not .. expected to make such a brave showing against the first-class Wellington combination. The full-backs, Callanan and Wishnowsky, both came through a great day’s work with credit. Callanan was given the more severe test, and when kicking was impossible he side-stepped brilliantly until support arrived. It was one of CaUanan’s very best dislays,'but no better than that of Wishnowsky, whose handling was good and whose kicking was long and accurate. On the day’s play.Beaven, the Wellington half-back, was much better than Vincent for Canterbury. v The work of both sets of forwards was of a high standard. Both sets* of backs were given numerous chances, and the ball was handed on in orthodox fashion from half-back to five-eighths, to threequarters, but the state of the ground was always against the quick thrust, and the tackling always was deadly. The ball went across the field without much ground being gained, and Wellington generally held the advantage when an attack was held up, and the forwards came to the rescue with quick, short passing and clever footwork. This style of play won the game for Wellington. ■ Canterbury scored first with a penalty goal by Callanan. After Roberts tackled Callanati on the line, a scrum was ordered. Wellington hooked, and the ball went swiftly from Bevin to Colquhoun, to Wickham, to Roberts, and finally to Abbott, who swerved round McHugh and scored a try In the corner. Beard’s kick just fell short. The half time score was: Wellington 3, Canterbury 3. Colquhoun scored Wellington’s second try almost at the corner, and Wishnowsky’s kick missed. Wickham scored a try for Wellington, Beard converting. With nine minutes to go, Canterbury secured possession, and the ball went to Roach after some broken play. Roach edged clear of an opponent and potted a goal.