WAIRARAPA – BUSH DEFEATED.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18583, 2 June 1930, Page 8

WAIRARAPA - BUSH DEFEATED.

British Team’s Improved Form. HARDEST GAME OF TOUR. By Telegraph—Press Association. MASTERTON. May 31. The British Rugby touring team notched their fourth successive win today, when they met and defeated a combined Wairarapa-Bush team at Memorial Park, by 19 points to 6. Ideal conditions prevailed both overhead and underfoot, and there was an attendance of over ten thousand. Although the visitors won, it was certainly their hardest game of the tour. The margin of points does not really indicate the respective merits of the teams, for Wairarapa more than held their opponents in the first spell, which ended three all. In the second half, the honours were fairly even until ten minutes before time, when the Britishers rattled on ten points with bright, snappy back play. The Britishers again gijve an improved showing, the backs having more combination than in the earlier jsames. Wairarapa set the pace at the (K’tset, their pack especially dominating ptey in the first half, and having the visitors’ backs rattled. The forwards were evenly matched in the loose, but Wairarapa-Bush were superior in thS set scrums and in tight play. The visitors’ backs were nippy and fast, and gave some delightful displays. There was no alteration in the teams. Roach. Wairarapa full-back, played an outstanding game, and over-shadowed Bonner, his kicking being superb. Corkill was sound in defence, and Fuller did well with his kicks. Irvine. Reid and Harvey were the best of Wairarapa’s forwards, and played sterling games. Spong was the outstanding back in the Britishers’ team, and was well supported by Novis. These two players repeatedly went through by superior speed, although the backs as a whole lacked penetration, many of their passing rushes ending up on the line, with the winger blocked. Beamish, in the forwards, was in the thick of it. and with Ivor Jones, was the best of the visitors’ pack. THE TEAMS. The teams were as follows: Britain. Full-back: G. Bonner 12.5 Three-quarters: J. Morley 11.0, A. L. Novis 12.2. T. C. Knowles 13.0, J. S. Reeve 13.10. Stand-off Half: R. S. Spong 13.0 Scrum Half: T. P. Murray 11.7 Forwards: O’H. O’Neill 14.0, Dai Parker 15.2, D. A. Kendrew 14.10, J. L. Farrell 13.11. B. H. Black 14.4, Ivor Jones 13.9. G. R. Beamish 15.4 (capt.), W. B. Welsh 13.7. ’ Wairarapa-Bush. Full-back; L. Roach. Three-quarters:

J. Harris, C. Stringfellow, F. Fuller. Five-eighths: R. Jury, T. Corkill. Half: J. Mill. Wing-forward: J. Donald (captain). Forwards: K. Reid. W. Irvine, Henderson, I. Harvey, W. Reside, A. Mahoney, G. V. Gerard. THE PLAY. Britain won the toss, WairarapaBush kicking off with the advantage of a strong sun. The Greens set the pace from the outset, but the Blues found relief with a free kick, Ivor Jones narrowly missing the goal posts. The pace was soon a cracker, the Wairarapa backs getting into action. Fuller had an attempt to open the score from a free kick, but the ball fell short. Wairarapa-Bush pressed an attack to their opponents’ line, where a free kick relieved for the Britishers. The visitors’ backs secured from a scrum, Spong breaking right through to be beautifully tackled by Roach. A scrum infringement gave the Greens a chance, and Fuller landed a beautiful goal from near half-way, opening the score twelve minutes after the commencement. Wairarapa-Bush •• .. 3 Britain 0 Roach handled and kicked splendidly, repeatedly gaining a lot of ground along the side line with magnificent kicks. Black nearly opened the visitors’ account from a free kick. Soon after Donald and Irvine broke away, but Bonner lined well. Spong secured and cut right through, but was forced out near the coiner. From the ensuing line-out, the ball went to Welsh, who crossed for an easy try. Black missed with the kick. Britain 3 Wairarapa-Bush .. .. 3

Britain were now going better, but there was nothing between the two teams An exchange of long kicks followed, in which Roach again excelled. The visitors were pressed until a free kick enabled them to clear. J. Donald broke up a British rush, and Fuller secured and handed to Corkill, who lined beautifully. Bonner mulled, and Corkill followed up' fast, only to be forced out, the referee ruling the ball dead, and the expectations of a Wairarapa-Bush try faded. Fuller narrowly missed with a penalty from near half-way. Beamish received an injury at this stage, play being held up for a few minutes. Half-time sounded soon after, with the scores three all. Second Half. In the second spell, Wairarapa-Bush were facing a sinking sun, which was shining right into their faces. Three minutes after resumption, Ivor Jones headed a Blue rush, sending the ball to Murray, to Jones, to Novis, who crossed for a great try, to put Britain in the lead. Black missed with the kick. Britain 6 Wairarapa-Bush .. .. 3 The visitors were now playing a great game, and seven or eight minutes later added another try to their score. From a forward scramble Spong whipped the ball out to his backs, the whole chain handling for Reeves (winger) to cross at the corner. Ivor Jones's kick was charged down. Britain 9 Wairarapa-Bush .. .. 3 Wairarapa now had a turn at attack, and from a free kick Fuller landed his second goal. Britain .. .. .. .. 9 Wairarapa-Bush .. .. 6 Excitement was now intense, play continuing at a great pace. The Blues came through with lightning rapidity, Ivor Jones sending out a pass that was fumbled when the visitors were in a good position. The Green backs were tackling well. Britain had an easy chance to increase the score from

a penalty, but Ivor Jones made a poor attempt at the kick. The Blues came through again, but Roach found the line in a hurry. The visitors were attacking in great style, but the Wairarapa-Bush defence was sound. Wairarapa had a turn at attack, but their movement broke down. The Biues were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts, but Black missed. Morley and Novis were associated in a great move near the line, the former being tackled by Roach, who was injured. In the last ten minutes, the British backs cracked on the pace, and added ten points, placing the game beyond doubt. The ball went from Spong to Novis, who reverse-passed to Knowles. The latter sent out a long pass to Morley. w*ho dived across. Parker converted with a splendid kick. Britain 14 Wairarapa-Eush 6 A couple of minutes later saw Jones run right through, and from the ensuing line-out Spong crossed, Parker adding the major points. Britain 19 WaUarapa-Bush .. 6 The game ended without further score. Mr H. S. Leith (Wellington) was referee. RESULTS OF TOUR. Following are the results of matches played to date,:— v. Wanganui Won i 9 to 3 v. Taranaki Won 23 to 7 v. JVianawhenua ' .. Won 34 to 8 v. Wairarapa-Bush .. Won 19 to 6