WELL BEATEN

Southland Times, Issue 20865, 29 August 1929, Page 6

WELL BEATEN

SOUTHLAND TOURISTS WELLINGTON’S EASY VICTORY ' 35 POINTS TO 7. (From Our Special Reporter.) Wellington, August 28.

In fine weather and on a fast ground Wellington defeated Southland at Athletic Park this afternoon by 35 points to seven. The visitors held their own in the first half, but lost many opportunities to score. Had they taken these opportunities they must have finished up the spell well in the lead. In the second half, however, a complete change came over the scene and Wellington took charge of the game to pile up the points in spectacular fashion.

Southland were beaten fore and aft. Again they were outplayed in the scrums and line-outs and only in loose dribbling rushes did they show up. The backs defended well in the first half, but fell away badly in the second when Ramson, Elvy and Rushbrook broke away and through the lines with apparent ease. Frampton was a failure at centre, and the wings, Pickering and Stubbs, did not play up to form. Their collaring was lamentably weak and many of the tries came as the result ot their shockingly poor tackling. Townsend and Holden were the best Southland backs, Holden scoring all the seven points and Townsend playing an outstanding game on defence. Wellington were too good al! round and, as in the Canterbury match, pace played a prominent part in the decision of the game. Southland’s display, however, was disappointing in the extreme. They played as mere novices and were outclassed in every department of the game, except the full-back, Norris again playing a brilliant game in his position. The Play. Wellington kicked off facing a fairly stiff southerly breeze. Mahoney broke from the first line-out, but was pulled up for a knock on and an exchange of kicks which followed gave Southland the advantage. The Maroon forwards broke away and Bell accepted a pass from Galt to send Pickering away up the wing. He was forced out at the 25 and Heazelwood cleared from the following play to half-way, where Wellington started passing and took play to Southland’s 25. Ramson broke clear, but lost the ball and Norris found the line at halfway with a big kick. Pickering cost his side a try a minute later. He attempted a short line in his own 25. but Wellington were wise to the move and rushed the line. A forward kicked over the line and Rushbrook raced through to touch’ down for a gift try. Ramson converted. Wellington 5 Southland .. 0 Almost immediately Southland were penalized in a fair position, but Ramson’s kick went wide. Wellington were making all the play and showing too much pace for the Maroons. The Southland backs went away in their first passing rush. The ball reached Townsend, who was collared in possession and the Blacks staged a counter attack which saw Norris chop in and clear in his characteristic style. From loose play Stubbs received and ran up the line before centring to Mahoney, who kicked through to Wellington’s line. The Maroons had Wellington defending strongly, but lost a couple of chances to score owing to failure to pick up the ball. The defence was beaten and Heazlewood was the only defender, yet the Maroons could not score. Holden then receiver! and potted from in front, but missed, Wellington forcing. Holden next shone in a nice piece of dribbling and later snapped up the ball, but threw a forward pass. Southland were now making the play and keeping Wellington on the defence. The Blacks were penalized and Stubbs just failed to find the posts. A long kick by Holden forced Wellington and the Black forwards came away, but could not pierce the Red defence, which was very sound. Wellington were getting a good share of ball from the scrums and throwing the ball about freely. A poor attempt by Frampton to collar Ramson let the Blacks through and from a scrum near the line Porter crashed into Norris before sending on to Jessup, who dived over unopposed. Ramson missed. Wellington 8 Southland 0 Southland missed a glorious chance to score a few minutes later. Townsend cut in brilliantly and the rest of the backs raced into position with only two men to beat and five Southland men waiting for the ball. Holden knocked on three yards from the line and the Wellington forwards rallied and cleared. The ensuing exchanges were more or less even, both full-backs playing brilliant football. Wellington were penalized and Stubbs was given two shots, but missed both. The play was very ragged at this stage. Southland, who were doing practically all the attack, spoiling good forward work by failing to finish their chances, should have totalled 12 points up to now. .Frampton was the weak link in the chain. He missed four passes on end. Holden Pots a Goal. A great rush by the Maroon forwards in a slashing dribbling effort took play from 25 to 25, Townsend joining in and doing splendid work. Hard scrummaging took place in the 25 and Holden secured from a ruck and potted a brilliant goal amid cheers. Wellington 8 Southland 4 The Wellington backs got going and some weak tackling by Pickering, Frampton and Stubbs let> them through, but Norris was very sound and held up break after break. Southland attacked again and Purdue broke, but threw a wild pass. Porter and Rushbrook staged a counter attack and Rushbrook easily beat Pickering, but was stopped by Norris, who again brought off a magnificent collar. The play brightened up a bit and some fast and exciting exchanges were witnessed. Both sides attacked in turn, the play favouring Southland but Wellington always looked dangerous when they got moving. Just before half-time, Galt, Purdue and McKenzie broke with the ball at their toes, only Heazlewood’s soundness stopping them. Townsend was in all the play and stood out in both attack and defence. He brought Johnson down hard and Holden collared the ball and kicked to the corner. Hazlewood sent them back and Agnew then went away in a solo dribble. He was almost clear when he overran the ball. The Southland forwards were going well and there was plenty of support from Holden, Bell and Townsend. At the bell for half-time, Holden found touch right at the corner flag. Second Spell. The breeze had died down somewhat in the second spell and a strong sun came out to shine in the faces of the home men. Townsend found touch at halfway from the kick off and the Maroon forwards gained further ground from a couple of line outs. The Wellington backs went away and in two minutes had scored a good try. Rushbrook dropped his pass, but recovered and side stepping a couple of defenders, passed in to McPherson, who ran over unopposed and scored behind the posts. Ramson converted. Wellington 13 Southland j.. 4 , Wellington had now taken full toll of their chances, only three opportunities having come their way whereas Southland had missed practically all. After five minutes play, Wellington had scored again, Elvy

touching down as the ball went over at tho corner from a ruck. Ramson missed. Wellington .. 16 Southland 4 Wellington’s backs and forwards now commenced to throw the ball about with abandon and were running through the Maroons easily. Superior Pace. Superior pace was again telling its tale, some of the Maroon backs being unable to foot it with Ramson, Rushbrook and Elvy. Norris was having a lot of work to do, but he was saving well. Wellington made all the attack for the next 10 minutes and were all but over on several occasions. The Maroon defence had weakened considerably and some poor attempts to bring down the Black backs were made. Pickering and Agnew dashed away past halfway, Pickering kicking past the full back, but could not regain the ball. Away in the next moment, Wellington backs and forwards went away to Southland’s line, Elvey scoring after brushing off a very weak attempt by Stubbs to stop him. Stubbs went for Elvey’s neck. Ramson missed the goal. Wellington 19 Southland 4 The home side now had the game well in hand and were doing what they liked with the visitors. But for Norris the score would have been doubled. Another forward rush saw Coulston receive near the line and brush aside two attempts to hold him and score at the corner. Heazelwood failed to goal. Wellington 22 Southland 4 The next minute Elvey was over again, Johnson making a nice opening for the tricky winger to badly fool the opposition and cross at the corner. Ransom failed. Elvey repeated the order one minute later, receiving from Ransom to run round three Maroon men and score behind the posts. Ramson converted. Wellington 30 Southland 4 Southland were well beaten and they made matters worse for themselves by shockingly poor tackling. Metcalfe, Agnew and George were working hard, but the big ger forwards could not keep up with the play. The result was that Wellington dominated the line-outs and scrums and gave their speedy backs all of the ball. Southland at last got past half-way and hard rucking took them to the corner where Galt was almost over, the ball swinging out to the backhand in front of the posts. Holden Kicks a Goal. A Wellington forward was penalized. Holden kicked a poster, but the ball dropped the right way. Wellington 30 Southland 7 Holden next put in a run of 40 yards before being bagged and Frampton got clear also, but kicked instead of passing to the waiting Agnew. The Wellington backs got moving and Mahoney and McKenzie countered with good dribbling which cut deep into Wellington’s twenty-five. Johnson cleared well and Ransom took up the running. He kicked past Norris and raced away to touch down the rolling ball, but a try was not awarded. Elvey balanced matters from the drop out and accepted a clearing kick to jink his way past the Maroon backs. Ransom converted the try. Wellington 35 Southland -.. .. 7 The efforts of the Maroons were very poor and the crowd were getting amusement rather than football. Pickering got clear, but was overhauled by Rushbrook from behind and then Bell flashed through only to I find no support. The game finished with Wellington again on attack and Southland a well beaten and tired team. The final score was: Wellington 35 Southland 7 Mr H. S. Leith refereed. WAIRARAPA MATCH BIRD LEAVING TO DAY. R. Bird leaves this morning to join the Southland Rugby team at Masterton for the match against Wairarapa for the Ranfurly Shield. From information received last evening, it is unlikely that W. Hazlett will go north to take part in the match. REFEREE APPOINTED. Masterton, August 28. Mr T. Fletcher, of Wellington, has been selected as referee for the Wairarapa-South-land shield match at Carterton on Saturday. RANFURLY SHIELD WAIRARAPA RETAIN TROPHY. CANTERBURY DEFEATED IN GREAT GAME. (Per United Press Association.) Masterton, August 28. The Ranfurly Shield holders again demonstrated their superiority at Rugby to-day when they defeated Canterbury by 17 to 12 in one of the best games seen in Wairarapa for a considerable time. Except in the opening stages of the first spell, Wairarapa held the advantage throughout. Cooke played an outstanding game for Wairarapa, saving his side time and again as well as taking a prominent part in every attacking movement. He was undoubtedly the best player on the field. Corkill and Roach also played sound games. In the forwards, Irvine, Reid and Harvey were the pick. The most prominent Canterbury backs were Harris, Hart and Mullan, while in the forwards Cottrill, Burrows and Toby Robinson were most prominent. Canterbury on the whole gave a good display, but lacked the finish of the home backs.

Wairarapa won the toss, the visitors kicking off with the advantage of a strong sun and wind. Canterbury immediately attacked and the Greens forced. Lilburne was injured, but carried on after receiving medical attention. Play went on at a great pace. The Red forwards were breaking away from the scrums and line-outs, but the home pack was superior in all tight play. Steele cut through in great style, but a dangerous move was cleared by Cooke. The Reds continued to attack, their forwards playing great football. Both Canterbury and Wairarapa lines were assailed in succession, but Harris and Cooke cleared respectively. Play now travelled with lightning rapidity from end to end of the field with the visitors having slightly the better of things. Following good play by the Canterbury forwards, Burrows almost crossed, but Corkill saved. After a period of gruelling play, Reid came away in a great solo effort, M. Willoughby carrying on to cross for a great try which Fuller converted. Canterbury had a chance when a penalty was awarded in a handy position, but Carlton failed. Harris put Canterbury on attack and from an ensuing line-out, Toby Robinson crossed for a good try. Lilburne converted. .*

Wairarapa replied with a great rush and Canterbury had to force. The halftime scores were even, 5 all.

Hay replaced Lilburne in the second spell. Wairarapa immediately went to the attack, Stringfellow being downed right on the line by Carlton. The Greens kept up the pressure and from loose play in the Red 25, Cooke potted a beautiful goal. The Green forwards were now playing great fotbball and dominated play. The Wairarapa rearguard was working (like clockwork. Only the superb defence of

Harris and Carlton kept them from scoring on several occasions. Oliver (Canterbury) secured and handed to Hart, the dashing Red winger, who crossed at the corner. Steele failed with the kick.

A Wairarapa attack culminated in a scramble near the line, Irvine crossing. Fuller failed to convert.

Some spectacular movements followed by both sides, Gundy eventually crossing the Reds’ line for a good try which he converted. The next score came to Canterbury when Hay kicked a field goal. In the concluding stages, Wairarapa played brilliantly, completely dominating the play. Mr J. Moffatt, of Wellington, was referee. BROADCASTING OF MATCHES. WELLINGTON UNION’S COMPLAINT. Wellington, August . 27. To-night at the meeting of the Wellington Rugby Union the question of allowing the Broadcasting Company to continue to relay the matches from Athletic Park was discussed at length. Mr J. Prendeville said that the company was given the privilege to broadcast the matches throughout the season, and when a more important match was played it changed to relay it without any reference to the union. He understood that the Canterbury v. Wairarapa match, to be played to-morrow, was being broadcast, while the local game, Wellington v. Southland, was not. He said that there was no question that when more important matches were on the air, as in the case of the Australian tests, the attendances were greatly affected. In the opinion of Mr A. J. Griffiths the broadcasting had cost them about a couple of hundred pounds. “They will have to pay for the privilege next year,” said Mr Jackson. Mr T. T. King said that he thought the Broadcasting Company should be asked to state its side. Mr Prendeville said that a bigger question would arise next year on the occasion of the visit of the English team. As far as he was concerned there was no question as to whether the company would have the privilege of broadcasting the matches. Mr Jackson said he thought that they should draw the attention of the Broadcasting Company to the matter, and ask it whether it intended to broadcast all the Wellington Rugby Union matches for the balance of the season. A motion was carried accordingly. '