TARANAKI IS WELL BEATEN

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

TARANAKI IS WELL BEATEN

WELLINGTON’S RUNAWAY VICTORY

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 27.

Wellington had a runaway victory over a lifeless Taranaki team at Athletic Park today, winning the ball with monotonous regularity, particularly in the second half and giving a confident display, with forwards and backs linking up cleverly. Wellington piled up a big score, winning by 47 points (nine tries, seven converted, and two penalty goals) to six (two penalty goals). It was one of Wellington’s biggest successes in interprovincial Rugby for many years against a strong union, and could be attributed to the marked success in the scrums, excellent cohesion between forwards and backs, and the extremely disappointing display of the opposition. Taranaki finished a very battered team. Simpson (fullback) and Joyce (front-row forward) had to retire in the second half, and several others of the team were nursing injuries received as a result of being forced continually to defend against a team which was in an inspired mood. With Lambourn hooking excellently, Wellington won eight scrums to six in the first half, four being resultless, and 14 scrums to two in the second half. Tindill was in great form behind the scrum, varying his play cleverly. Sargisson, the young Hutt five-eighths, was the best back on the ground and the Wellington backs were seen in some rousing movements in which the

full-back, Fleming, frequently joined. As a result the Taranaki defence was repeatedly penetrated in the centre and in the concluding stages became disorganized. Todd (Wellington), who was one of the outstanding forwards the previous week against Hawke’s Bay. again gave an excellent display and confirmed the impression that he is likely to attain higher honours. Fulton, the Wellington centre, had a day out, repeatedly carving great holes in the defence with strong, straight running. Coull was the pick of the Taranaki forwards, who battled hard, but received little support from the backs. Much interest centred in Sullivan, but his opoprtunities were limited and he failed to produce the form for which he is noted. The best Taranaki back was Simpson, the full-back, who brought off some magnfiicent saves. Halfway through the second half he was injured in stopping a fierce forward rush and had to retire. Todd (2), Jones (2), Edwards, Wright, Fulton, Hegglun and Wales scored for Wellington. Fleming converted seven tries, and Fleming and Todd kicked penalty goals. For Taranaki Simpson kicked two penalty goals.

BRITISH TEAM DEFEATS EASTERN PROVINCES (Received August 28, 7.40 p.m.) PORT ELIZABETH, August 27. The British touring Rugby team defeated Eastern Provinces by 6 points to 5.

(Other Rugby reports are printed on pages 4 and 5.)