REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13888, 22 June 1938, Page 4

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY

BUSH BEAT WAIRARaRAPA GOOD GAME DESPITE CONDITIONS. Playing tlieir first representative fixture this season, the Hush Rugby fifteen defeated Wairarapa on the Mangatainoka Domain yesterday by 9—f after a very interesting match. Neither team was up to lull strength and during the progress of the game several replacements had to foe made on account of injuries, three Bush men going off aud one lrom Wairarapa.

Owing to the heavy rain that had fallen prior to the match, the game was transferred at the last minute to the Mangatainoka Domain which was in fair order considering. Bush began well and ran up nine points in the first spell which stood them in good stead as the WairaYapa side was in much better condition and with an ounce of luck should have scored in the second spell. Despite the greasy nature of the ball and the soft going, the game was very open and kept the ciowd, which was a large one, well entertained. The Bush full-back, Brown, came through with flying colours and can be thanked for a .brilliant exhibition of handling and line-kicking which got his side out of many tight corners. Bush kicked off and soon after the start Twentyman got a kick over the eye and had to retire, being replaced by Tait on the wing. Fergus was penalised for being off-side in a scrummage and Tait allowed the ball to go out in his 25. Bush hooked cleanly, giving McSherry a chance to kick downfield in the green 25, where Bond retrieved and returned to halfway. Again Bond made a good save and lined on the green 25. Bush, getting the advantage in line-out play, edged down toward the green line where Keane opened out nicely, the ball going to Hunt at centre, who was soon bowled over. Stringfellow and Percy headed a strong green forward rush which saw Brown tvmble, play going to within 20 yards of the Bush line. The Wairarapa backs got going but a knock-on by Nicol spoiled the move. Back they came again and the ball was worked to the other side, coining to Xunn who le~. go a drop-kick which hit the cross-bar and skimmed over; W'airarapa , 4 Bush 0

Bush were penalised tor an infringement at the scrum following a nice run by McSherry and Wairarapa in their turn were penalised. Good play by Hunt put the reds in a good position, the Bush forwards rallying round as the ball went up the green line. The green half, Denbee, threw the ball back among his backs to clear and Hansen brought further security with a good run, kicking out at half-way. Bush returned to the attack again, only to be held up by a knock-on by greens when Hunt was under full steam. A penalty against Wairarapa saw Upston miss from the touch-line. The red forwards lucked their way to the green 25 where Connell, after distinguishing himself by taking the ball from a burly green" forward, got it in the line-out again and raced 25 yards to the line fur a brilliant solo try, beating three green backs to do it. Fergus failed to convert; W airarapa 4 Bush 3

Bush kept up the pressure anti alter making a, previous good run Hunt broke past Denbee and handed on to Luke, who galloped over for a good try. Upston s kick was a poor one; Bush 6 Wairarapa 4 With play centred in mid-field a penalty went against Bush for handling in the scrum and within a few moments the greens did the selfsame thing, Brown returning play to the Wairarapa territory. Wairarapa incurred another penalty which Brown put up high, enabling the red forwards to rally round on the 25 line. The ball came .Lack and out it was shot to Staples and on to Hunt, wn-o set off at a great bat for the Wairarapa line, outpacing a knot of green backs in his rapid getaway. Near the line Hunt lobbed a pass over the heads of three green men, allowing Staples to gather it m and dive over. Hunt failed to improve: Bush 9 Wairarapa 4

The Bush forwards were all over the Wairarapa pack in the last few minutes before half-time which sounded with Bush leading 9 —4. Kicking off after the spell, Wairarapa got a penalty for off-side by a red forward, Percy making a creditable attempt from well out. Bush advanced deep into the green 25 as a result of a series of short- punts made from rearguard movements. Getting the ball from the tight, Keane fed his backs regularly but each time they advanced they were blocked by the green backs. Wairarapa tried to feed Petersen, but the latter was not allowed any liberties. Smart work by Keane saw the latter get the ball away from tin* line-out and in a trice Staples and McSherry were under way, Hunt trying to cut his way through the green backs, falling to a solid tackle which caused him to leave tin* field with an injured ankle. D. Wolland went on in his place. Wilkinson, who had been limping for about ten minutes prior to this, went off also, Wolland going into the pack and Elliott taking a position at centre. Keane manipulated his backs to good advantage from the line-out and Bush gained valuable ground from subsequent line-kicks. Wairarapa at length essayed a back movement and the ball went out to Wyeth, who was pushed out near half-way. Stringfellow woe hurt at this stage and waa replaced by the veteran Martin Parker. Brown fumbled a rolling ball and in a flash the green pick, inspired by Parker’s presence, raced down on the red line where Staples just managed to touch down. Wairarapa began to liven up at this stage and tried to bustle the'red backs, who smothered nicely. Wyeth broke away down the side-

hue, slipping over as Hansen raced round to get a transfer. The greens hooked the ball out for Nunn to speed away and work Petersen's wing. The speed merchant set off but was taken from behind. Another good run by Nunn and a heady short punt made things look black tor Bush till Brown gathered tin* ball in and booted into touch. Parker, standing in as an extra back, then tried to feed Petersen, but the reds were too watchful. The green forwards broke away from the lme-out with the ball at their feet, llrow n picking up nicely and finding touch near halt-way. The green backs got going again and ►Staples made a timely interception but Connell was a shade too late and a scrum was ordered. Wyeth fielded a clearing kick from Brown and tore downfield to the rod 25, where he was thrown out bv Yorry. Keane was penalised for pulling out of the scrum and the green forwards followed up the kick in great stylo to the Bush 25. A forward scramble ensued and then a penalty against Wolland for off-side saw Percy made a very fine attempt to goal. Showing much better condition than their opponents, the Wairarapa filteen did everything but score in the dying stages of the game which ended in favour of Bush 9— 4. Mr J Fulton refereed.