TARANAKI DEFEAT WAIRARAPA

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 3, 12 September 1927, Page 3

TARANAKI DEFEAT WAIRARAPA

OUTCLASSED IN BOTH DIVISIONS.

A much improved combination m the Taranaki team was the outstand- ■ ing feature of Saturday’s game against Wairarapa. In the hist “naif, the back division showed accuracy, speed and confidence, but as a steady light rain changed to heavy drenching showers the speed o the %amc dropped and the m -})Oth teams more or less took chaig • 'Ward and Walter were then the outstanding men on the attack, vf i Robinson next in support, and r was mainly through the efforts of these players that the Taiana score was amassed. Shortly after half time pools ot water began to form through which the players splashed merrily, but hy the close of the game the grass was ■ lost sight of in a of mud and water. Under >such condition* fast • play could not he expected, but m the first half the ground was sufficiently firm to show Taranaki’s superiority among the backs, and m all part s of the game the local towards showed an enterprise that broke up many determined Waira- •• rapa efforts and topped off Taranaki s characteristic rushes with four tries. Goal kicking was out of the question. From ten or eleven shots at goal m 'good or fair positions, only one goal was landed, and that by Gundy. Tin player was the keynote of the Wairarapa side, and in addition to playing a brilliant game he scored one of their two tries and commenced the mqvement which resulted m the second try. Brunton, the Wairarapa fullback, also played a fine defensive game, his fielding and Ime- ’ kicking being admirable. His vis-a-vis (W. Hohaia) shone best m the second half, hut took too many risks with speculators. Owen did all that could be expected behind the pack, considering the weather conditions to which he adapted his «tyle of play. The rest of the hacks "went well against a good opposition. The teams were: — TARANAKI (Yellow). Full-back: W. Hohaia. Three-quarters: Dinnis, Brown and Bourke. . Five-eighths: Johnston (captain), C. Hohaia. Half-back: Owen. Wing-forws rd: Dean. Back row; Espin, Mur pay. Supports: Walter, Ward. Lock: O’Keefe. Hookers: Young, Robinson. WAIRARAPA (Green).

Full-back: Br unton. Three-quarters: R. Boota, Clarke, Lc Que'sne. Five-eighths: Fuller, Cundy. Half-back: Hiroti. Wing-forward; Parker. Back row: McCalrnont, Reid. * Supports: Fairmother, Harvey. Lock: Harvey (captain),

Hookers: Ussher, Ward. Wairarapa opened with a slight wind in their favour, but Dinniss fielded the ball and punting to centre, Taranaki crossed halfway but the forwards got offside. Cundy from the penalty found touch at the opposing 25. Walter and JSspin 'then led the Yellow forwards right to Wairarapa’s line, where a penalty again gave relief. But from centre Johnston ran and punted for the corner, and Dinniss was just beaten for possession by Cundy who wa s well tackled. From hard play oh the line Fuller and Booth broke through and racing down the touchline were dangerous until Booth passed forward. From the scrum W. Hohaia kicked well down, and Brown following through collared Booth in possession, and Dean coming through at a great pace dribbled over and scored. Brown missed the extra points. Taranaki 3. Wairarapa 0.

A great rush by the Wairarapa forwards was checked by VV. Hohaia, who a moment later saved another rush with a speculator. Cuntty and Booth combined nlppily at halfway, but made little progress against Brown’® and Bourke’s tackling. Taranaki were now wheeling the scrums successfully, but twice promising passing movements broke down at Brown. Dinnisg made a fine solo run, and scrummaging ensued at Wairarapa’s 25, where Dinniss and Walter both attempted to break through, the latter being called back from scoring for stepping into touch. The Wairarapa 1 forwards then made a desperate effort to smash the opposition, but from Taranaki’s 23 Johnston picked up, broke through, and gave C. Hohaia a clear run through, but Gundy overran him and got him on the line. Hohaia got in hi s pass, howeiver, but it was ruled forward, and a try was lost. From a long forward rush, Ward 'was almost over, and Taranaki continued to press hotly. Owen nippily worked the blind side, but Hohaia missed an awkward pass on 'the line. Three successive penalties carried Wairarapa to Taranaki’s line, where Diuniss missed marking a cross-kick, and the Yellows’ line was heavily attacked. Brown saved with a great kick and followed up, and Walter and Ward racing through carried play to near the Wairarapa line where Robinson picked up and scored near the corner. Johnston missed the goal. Taranaki 0. Wairarapa 0.

F'i’Oin the kick out, Owen' marked and kicked for centre, but Gundy fielded nicely and shot for touch, 'where Bourke took the ball and, with Hohaia, reached the Greens’ 25„ A fine line kick by Brunton returned the venue to halfway, but the Yellow forwards, who were now going well, pressed them back until 'Candy and Le Quesne raised applause with a tricky passing run. 'Parker marked to stop another Taranaki rush, and Gundy following through, loose hard play followed near the Taranaki line, where Le Quesne took a pass from ’Clark and forced his way over at the corner. The kick-for-foal was placed on the ground and was disallowed. Taranaki C. Wairarapa 3. A strong Taranaky forward rush, led by Walter and Ward, reached the Greens' line, where from behind the

•pack Owen got over, but a 5-yards' scrum was called for. Owen shot the ball out and racing to centre Brown sidestepped Fuller and Johnston and Taranaki pressed straight for the goal. Brunton picked up •from the feet of the oncoming rush and cleared. Even play followed for a few minutes between halfway and Wairarapa’s 25, Walter and Ward putting in great work. Candy at length got away round the scrum and punted for the corner, where Hohaia, who was playing at the top of his form, fielded chc ball and with a punte and fast run put Brunton in 'touch at halfway. Half-time came .with the score: | Taranaki G. I Wairarapa 3. SECOND SPELL. Upon resuming, Johnston kicked right out and from the return scrum at centre Owen punted high and following up smartly, Walter secured and raced onward but was held near the line. Bourke, Walter and Robinson took up the running, and from solid forward scuffling Robinson picked up from a short punt by Dean and scored against the posts. Brown’s kick went outside. Taranaki 9. Wairarapa 3. Taranaki continued to press, and Wairarapa forced twice to save from the Yellow forwards. From halfway Dean and Walter broke through, and the forwards giving powerful support the Greens’ line was crossed, but Brunton kicked dead. From the kick out Wairarapa pressed down and Brown being penalised Cundy found touch at the corner. A critical situation was saved by Walter 'kicking out, and Brown, with the ball at toe, raced through to the opposing fulback, but Brunton proved ’safe. Again the Wairarapa hacks got going, and Booth streaking down the line was well caught by Johnston just ' n time. From a centre kick, Cundy heat the Taranaki backs badly and brilliantly scored against the posts. He also added the additional points. Taranaki 9. Wairarapa 8. The rain which had been falling lightly now changed to a solid downpour. Taranaki, by hard forward play, reached the Greens’ corner, where Bourke raced acros R to centre and gave to Johnston. The opposition was too solid, and he found touch at the corner. From the throw-in the ball bounced over, and Wairarapa forced. Again Ward and Walter led a Yellow attack, which Cundy and Fulj ler frustrated, and with a passing run reached Taranaki 2.1. But here the forwards again swept play to the -other end.

Attempts at passing were almost useless, owing to the slipperinera of the hall, and the Taranaki backs combined with the forwards in foot work. Johnston marked in the face of a Wairarapa forward rush, but his kick was charged down. Walter, however, got the ball and broke 'through to halfway. Dean retired hurt, and Wills took his place. Gundy spoiled a strong Wairarapa attack by holding to the ball too long, and the Yellow forwards carried all be'fere them to the opposite end, where, doth teams exerted every effort in attack and defence. Owen marked in front of the posts, but chose to punt an.’, run, and the Yellows got over, but were beaten by a force. From the kick Gundy and Le Querne carried the play to Taranaki’s line where Walter again saved from a hot situation and dribbled : through to 25. Ward followed on ; and in face of strong opposition •dribbled over at the corner and scored, Johnston’s kick at goal went along the ground. Taranaki 12. Wairarapa 8. Following the kick Wairarapa worked down, and keeping the play close an exciting attack followed on the Taranaki line, where a penalty gave timely relief. With equal suddenness the Yellow forwards swept to the Greens’ line, ana Brunton kicked dead to save from Ward and Robinson. A moment later the Taranaki men were again on the Wairarapa line, but from a scrum under the posts Wairarapa were again sternly defending, when the whistle sounded for time, with the scores: Taranaki 12. Wairarapa 8. WELLINGTON WIN. SPLENDID EXHIBITION. WELLINGTON, Thursday. Wellington yesterday defeated Canterbury, the Ranfurly Shield holders, at Atheletic Park, in the presence of about 18,000 people, by 20 points to 17 after a brilliant exhibition of Rugby. The score at half-time was 15 points to 9 in Wellington’s favour. Wellington were the better team on the day, especially their back division. Kilby (Wellington half) quite outshone Dailey, who was 100 slow in getting the hall away and then always not to the best advantage. Kilby’s passes to Johnson were alway s cacurate and crisp, allowing exery chance for the backs to get going. Wellington’s passing movements always gained ground, while Canterbury’s merely took the ■ball straight across the field. While Dailey seemed lethargic, Kilby was all keyed up. He was splendid both in defence and attack. Steel (Canterbury left winger) was igiveh no chances and was badly beaten by South and Rushbrook, when each of them scored, the formre’s try being especially brilliant. In justice both to Steel and Robilliiird (Canterbury right winger) it must be said the passing of their colleagues crowded them on the side line with no room to manoeuvre. Canterbury scored first, Robilliavd outpacing Svenson, who played brilliantly throughout, and, passing to Pickering rather than trying IT), evade Grenfell, allowing Pickering to cross well out. Grenfell was taking Malcolm’s place at full-back and gave a much more satisfactory performance. He snowed up better than did Harris (Canterbury full-hack), maintaining his position better, so that be was seldom beaten by man or ball as Harris gener-

ally was. Harris played better in the second half. Wellington evened up from a score by Jack Shearer from concerted forward play. From a scrum the ball came to Kilby, lu Johnson, to Nicholls and to South who, with a brilliant swerving run, put Wellington three points ahead. WpLington hookers were getting fie ball more often from the scrums, and Pringle, Wellington’s long forward, was proving invaluable to Kilby in the Lucent. Rusbbrook raised Wellington’s score to nine when be crossed wide out after receiving from Kilby. Wellington’s next points were obtained from a penalty kick by Nicholls, from iii front of the Canterbury goal. Both Carlton and Steel failed vK;h penalty kicks from possible positions. Wellington forced and Dailey mailed the drop out.

OLD BOYS' MATCH. T’JSCLE IN THE MUD. Team* of old boys of Hawera and Stratford Technical High Schools met on Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon in almost continuous rain. The ground was soft and paddles were numerous, and there was little handling of the ball.

Stratford kicked off and at once took play to the visitors’ end, where, utter a Ititle tight play, the .Stratford backs secured and from a scramble near the line Richardson scored. The kick failed. —Stratford 3, Hawera 0.

Stratford were forced soon after resuming, and Hawera continued to press; but were gradually worn back till they were forced. They were forced once again, but defended well, and an opening by Hall and M. Sangster came to nothing. A determined Stratford attack resulted in tight play near the line, but Hawera relieved, and mid-field play followed. Shortly afterwards D. Collins secured near the line and got over. SharrocK added the major points.—Stratford 8, Hawera 0. Almost at once Stratford were penned on their line, but a couple of good line kicks ~changed the venue.

Give and take play followed till half time, which came with the score unaltered. The teams changed ends without taking an interval. On the opening of the second spell Hawera set up an attack and could not be beaten off, though they were unable to score. After a long tussle Stratford were forced, and play gravitated to -half way, Hawera being forced shortly afterwards. Then Collins secured <and scored. The kick failed.—Stratford 11, Hawera 0.

Just afterwards Sullivan got oyer after a short run, the kick again failing.—Stratford 14, Hawera 0. The next score was made by .1. Sangster, the major points not being added—Stratford 17, Hawera 0. The game finished after a try (unconverted) by Sullivan, bringing the score to 20 to nil in Stratford’s favour. Mr N. M. Smith refereed. OTHER GAMES. Playing at New Plymouth on Saturday, Star defeated Pio Tlo by 11 points to nil. The match wa s played as a curtain raiser to the Taranaki —Wairarapa.' match. At Gisborne on Saturday, Hawkes Bay and Poverty Bay drew, the score being 11 all. The Auckland reps maintained their undefeated record when they defeated Otago by Li points to 9. The match. wa s played at Auckland on Saturday. At T'c Arolia, Waikato defeated Thames Valley by 17 to 3. THE REP. TEAM. TO MEET WANGANUI. The following team will represent Tarafaaki in the match against Wanganui at Hawera on Saturday: Petty Dinnis Brown Bourke Johnston C. Hohaia Owen Dean Sturmey Willis Walter O’Keefe Ward Robinson Young Emergencies: W. Hohaia, Morey, Collins (backs), Murphy, Espin, Smith (forwards). The WanganuMeam is Darby Hartley McLennan W. Jones Wakeling Vangioni Duncan P. Stiver Collision Pine Johnston Jackson Laehy Oxley Ellery Reserves: Norris (back), Fromont (forward). After the match the Wanganui and Taranaki selectors will pick the team to represent Taranaki-Wanga-,nui on the All Blacks’ trial game against Wellington-Manawhenua on Septemebr. 21.