THE RUGBY GAME

Wairarapa Age, 9 August 1926, Page 2

THE RUGBY GAME

BROUGH CUP CONTEST. SOUTH RETAIN THE TROPHY. EXCITING MATCH WON IN LAST TEN MINUTES. This year’s contest for the Brough Cup, between the North and South Wairarapa senior representatives, provided a most exciting finish, South retaining their hold on the trophy by 24 points to 19 after occupying a seemingly hopeless position until within a few minutes of the final whistle. Shortly after the start of the second spell North led by 19 to 6, but in a great rally at the finish South scored 15 points in ten minutes, and incidentally provided a fitting finish to a game that was full of incident and thrill from beginning to end. Some spectacular tries were scored by both sides, but on the whole South showed better combination, and the better form of their forwards was largely responsible for the sensational manner in which the game was won in the last few minutes. With their forwards holding their end up in the first half, the North backs proved themselves great opportunists, and though some of their points came in the orthodox manner, more were the result of some smart individualism which superior Speed enabled them to carry to a successful issue. The play of the South backs was an odd mixture of mediocrity and brilliance. They started very patchily, and - while their poor tackling gave North

some easy tries, their across-field passing failed to produce results. They Showed a marvellous improvement in the second spell, and with surer handling and straighter funning provided the public with frequent samples of a spectacular type of play. The South forwards carried too much form for their opponents, a fact which became increasingly apparent as the game advanced.

North won the toss and played with the wind behind them in the first half They were in scoring humour, and a few minutes after the start Randal Booth scored as the result of a good poising movement. F. Booth converted. North 5/0. An irresistible South forward rush swept all before it, and from an interchange of passing Reid scored. Cundy missed. North 5/3. Following a South attack, McKenzie intercepted Donald's pass, and easily evading Jensen’s tackle touched down by the posts. F. Booth converted. North 10/3. McLeod added another try from a passing rush, and North led by 13/3. A breakaway by Cundy ended in Donald nicely timing a pass to Roache, who scored near the corner. Fuller missed. North 13/6. A fumble by Jensen resulted in North again increasing their lead. Randal Booth scoring as a result of fast following up by Wyber and M. Willoughby. Henderson missed. North 16/6. This was the half-time score.

South showed a great improvement in the second half, but nevertheless North were against the first to score. Guy Booth picked up smartly in midfield, and sent the ball on to F. Booth and McKenzie, the ■ carrying the movement to a sucres,-ful issue. F. Booth missed. North Henderson.

I the North full-back retired hurt, and was replaced by Petersen (Greytown) who signalised his appearance by incurring a penalty which Cundy goaled ■ with a great kick. North 19/9. Though i South were playing infinitely better j football, it seemed hardly possible that I they could ©vertake North's substan- < tial lead. Repeated assaults finally met » their clue reward and from Hart's ©pening from Wic scrum Cundy cut in a«nd ; scored a good try which h.e converted • himself. North 19/14. With less thau < ten minutes to play, South redoubled • their efforts, and good passing between backs and forwards enabled F. Burling to score a good tagr. Cundy made the scores level. 19/19. In a final burst, the South forwards secured from a i serum in front of the North geal. Hart got the ball away smartly an'd Jury made another hole in the defence, finishing up behind the posts. Cundy converted, and South for the first time were in the lead. South showed every indication of increasing their lead in the remaining two minutes of play, but there was no further score. Mr H. J. McKenzie refereed. HONOURS EVEN IN JUNIOR GAME In. the North v. South junior contest for the Cameron Cup, the result was a draw, each side scoring 11 points. Mr W. Grantham refereed. WAIRARAPA REP. TEAM. FOR WELLINGTON ENGAGEMENT. At the conclusion of Saturday’s match the sole selector (Mr E. McKenzie) announced the following team to play Wellington at Carterton on Wednesday:— Full-back: Roach. Three-quarters: R. Booth, F. Booth, . McLeod. I Five-eighths: Cundy, Jury. ’ Half: Hart. Wing-forward: J. Donald (captain). Forwards: Beid, Flutey, Churchouse, Fairbrother, Parker, Wyber, Willoughby. Reserves: Forwards, Sewell, M#Gregor, F. Burling, Ward; backs, G. Booth, Fuller, Stringfellow. Miller and S. Willoughby were not considered on account of injury, while N. Hood has notified the selector that he will not be again available this season. The team will assemble at Carterton on Wednesday at 2 p.m. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Thlri Grade. Carterton 17, Masterton 16. Greytown 25, Red Stat 6. Fourth Grade. Carterton 20, Greytown 0. Opaki 9, Featherston 6. Red Star 6, Masterton 3. SENIOR FIXTURES. The senior fixtures for the opening of the third round on Saturday will be as follows:— Carterton v. Gladstone, at Carterton; Greytotvn v. Featherston, at Feather* ston; Red Star, a bye. ; HIGH SCHOOL v. PAHIATUA. At the Masterton High School grounds on Saturday morning, a Wairarapa High School team defeated a team from the Pahiatua District High School by 10 to nil. Mr C. B. Me* Clure was referee. i ALONG THE LINE. — Wellington. ’Varsity 23, Petone 14. Oriental 12, Athletic 8. Marist 18, Poneke 8. Berhampore 8, Selwyn 6. Old Boys 16, Hutt 6. Christehurch. Combined teams 25, Merivale 11. SEDDON SHIELD CHANGES HANDS. BLENHEIM, August B.—With a highly trained team of vigorous young players Golden Bay-Motueka to-day carried off the Sodden Shield fift'm Marlborough by 10 points to 3. After the first few minutes the result Was never in doubt.—(P.A.). SCARE FOR SHIELD HOLDERS. ■ MANAWATU RISE TO THE OCCASION. PALMERSTON NORTH, August 7.— The Manawatu-Horowhenua combined fifteen effected a surprise to-day by holding the elect of the premier Rugby province in a thrilling and brilliant display, which ended 14 points all. The combined forwards rose magnificently to the occasion and the backs were a match for Hawkes Bay. The deadly tackling of the home side broke up the visitors’ combination, and with more luck on a couple of occasions when their ground was just too narrow, Hawkes Bay would have been substan- . tially defeated. Scorers for the Bay . were Bush, Jensen, Cooke and Grenside, the last-named converting the first try. For Manawatu-Horowhenua Jacob, Roberts and Hunt scored, Jacob adding a penalty kick and converting Hunt’s try.—(PA.). TARANAKI BEAT AUCKLAND. NEW PLYMOUTH August 7.—By completely outclassing the Auckland rep. touring team by 22 to 8, the Taranaki reps maintained their season’sunbeaten record. Taranaki owed their victory chiefly to the magnificent play of their forwards. Auckland did not show the combination that might have been expected of them. Taranaki led by 14 to 5 at half-time. For Taranaki tries were scored by Kivell (two), McAuliffe and Bourke (three). Coufts converted two. Batty scored twice for Auckland, McMetmzs converting one (P.A.). ' south: . OTAGO. INVERCA ti gust 8. —South-

land defeated North Otago by 25 points to. 16 after a splendid exhibition of back and forward play. The score af half-time was 13 to 3 in the visitors’ favour.—(P.A.). SOUTHLAND REPRESENTATIVES. TO MEET OTAGO. INVERCARGILL, August B.—The Southland, representative team to meet Otbgo at Dunedin .next Saturday 13 as follows:—Backs: Cheyne, Stewart, Murray, Dawidson, Ottrey, Clenland and Kilby. Forwards: Howden, Roberts, Alley, Rishardson (leapt), Hallett, MeLeod, Scott and Lilley. The team included .six enuntry players; four backs and two foswards.—(P.A.).