TURI WINS HARD GAME

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 8

TURI WINS HARD GAME

Wrights Bush Loses By Five Points

SPECTATORS ORDERED OFF GROUNDS

Turi beat Wrights Bush by 11 points to six at Winton on Saturday in the final of the junior Rugby football competition in the Central District for the McLeod Cup. Because of a certain amount of feeling between the two teams, caused no doubt by the evenness of their previous games, the match drew a big attendance. The game was very keen and was probably one of the most willing struggles seen at Winton for some time.

Barracking was keen and the crowd became unruly at times and encroached on the playing field. On six occasions the referee stopped the game and would not proceed until the spectators got behind the fence encircling the playing area. Finally he was forced to order two spectators off the grounds. The game throughout was confined to a hard forward struggle and there were no bright movements. In the first half Turi held a decided territorial advantage and opened up the scoring with a penalty goal. Just before half-time Wrights Bush secured a penalty goal and at half-time the score was three-all. The game was more even in the second half, although Turi still maintained the advantage. In the second half Turi’s points were gained from a penalty goal and a converted try and Wrights Bush secured another penalty. The most outstanding player was C. ,/ilson, who gave an excellent display at centre for Turi. J. Wilson also played well in the backs for Turi, and L. Cody at full-back missed only one catch during the match, otherwise giving a faultless display. In the forwards S. Langford and J. McHugh were always prominent.

For Wrights Bush, Jackson and McFadden were most conspicuous in the backs and Whitelaw and Bruland showed out on occasions in the forwards. A feature of the match was. the kicking of J. Kirkwood, who gained eight of the 11 points for Turi. The teams were:—

TURI. —L. Cody, J. Kirkwood, J. Wilson, C. Wilson, B. Langford, J. Plunkett, W. Ewan, J. McHugh, I. Jenkins, F. Cunningham, S. Langford, G. Cunningham, R. Wilson, F. Plunkett, Jack Plunkett. WRIGHTS BUSH.—W. Swan, D. Swan, A. White, D. King, A. Jackson, W. McFadden, D. Blackler, D. Whitelaw, L. Fraser, D. White, J. Anderson, H. Rance, B. Price, M. Anderson, S. Bruland. PLAY DESCRIBED Wrights Bush was given a penalty in front of the posts shortly after the start, but McFadden’s kick missed. Wrights Bush attacked for the following five minutes and several passing bouts were attempted by the backs, but broke down. Turi took a turn at attack and Kirkwood had a long penalty shot at goal, but missed with a good kick. Turi attacked repeatedly and Kirkwood was given another chance with a penalty from the side-line, but the ball fell short. A scrum under the posts followed the kick and a Wrights Bush forward was penalized for handling. Kirkwood goaled. Turi 3, Wrights Bush 0. Following loose play at halfway, Turi again attacked and McHugh made a dive for the line, but was held up. Turi continued the attack for the following 15 minutes and a penalty eased the situation for Wrights Bush. Good work by King placed Wrights Bush in a handy position and Jackson kicked a penalty goal from well back. Turi 3, Wrights Bush 3. For the remainder of the half Turi had the advantage and at half-time the scores were: Turi 3, Wrights Bush 3. EVen play near’ halfway followed the start of the second half and Wrights Bush backs began several good passing bouts and, although the ball reached the wing on nearly every occasion, very little ground was gained. B. Langford gained a lot of ground for Turi when he cut in nicely and an infringement at this stage by Wrights Bush allowed Kirkwood to goal from in front of the posts. Turi 6, Wrights Bush 3.

Wrights Bush began an attack on resuming, but good work by F. Plunkett and McHugh reversed the positions. B. Langford took a mark in a handy position, but elected to kick across field and Wrights Bush forwards secured and took play past halfway. A penalty was given to Wrights Bush at this stage and White’s attempt to goal failed. Wrights Bush backs got into action and the ball went out to the winger, Swan, who put in a determined run down the side-line, but was grassed near the 25-yard flag. Play returned to halfway and Jackson gained about 25 yards with a good cut-in, but Turi was soon on attack again. From a line-out on Wrights Bush’s line F. Plunkett received and dived over for a try. Kirkwood goaled. Turi 11, Wrights Bush 3. An even struggle ensued at half-way for the next 10 minutes, and Jackson kicked a penalty for Wrights Bush from well back in front of the posts. Turi 11, Wrights Bush 6. The Wrights Bush backs attempted several passing movements, but the defence of the Turi backs was sound and during the last few minutes of the game play was confined to near halfway. Mr R. Reid was the referee.