STIRRING RUGBY

Wairarapa Age, 19 July 1934, Page 5

STIRRING RUGBY

SPLENDID STANDARD SET BY WAIRARAPA. WELLINGTON BEATEN IN GRAND * GAME. STRINGFELLOW SCORES WINNING TRY. Sixteen all, and three minutes to play... The crowd of 3000 shouting itself hoarse in the intensity of the final struggle for supremacy. Then Stringfellow secured and raced sixty yards to score a brilliant try. Hetmi made it a five-pointer from the side-line and Wairarapa had won a well-merited victory by 21 points to 16. That, briefly, was 1 the story of the closing stages of an epie contest between the Wairarapa and Wellington Rugby representatives at Memorial Park yesterday afternoon. After a rather dull opening, the match rapidly developed into a thrilling struggle of fluctuating fortunes. Wairarapa played splendid football and thoroughly deserved their success, and the rousing reception they were accorded as they left the field. With their backs securing a feast of the ball from the serums and line-outs, Wellington had the better of the opening exchanges. Wairarapa, however, soon settled down and though the visitors held an 8/3 lead at the interval, territorially play had been fairly even. There was really little to choose between the teams in the first spell. The Wellington backs were certainly seen to greater advantage and impressed as a more polished combination, but this was due chiefly to the magnificent service given by Kilby from the base of the scrum. Generally speaking, the Wellington attack was lateral and the wingers, Ball and Fuller, were given few chances to show their paces. On the other hand, when the Wairarapa backs did secure possession they invariably gained ground. Both packs worked hard and were well matched. Wellington made the most of two breaks by Wairarapa early in the second spell and put on eight points in quick time. From then on Wairarapa gradually assumed the upper hand to finally dominate play completely in the last 20 minutes. The Green forwards were all over the visiting pack, while Stringfellow and Devine frequently sliced their way clean through the Wellington rearguard. DEVINE AND STRINGFELLOW.

Hemi, the young Maori full-back, gave an almost faultless display for Wairarapa. His fielding was clean and his Hue-kicks long and powerful. His three conversions and a penalty goal also played a large part in his team’s victory. The two wingers, Fitzgerald and Booth, gave sound displays and kept Ball and Fuller well 'bottled up. Stringfellow, at centre, was brilliant both on attack and defence. There was a touch of Rugby genius about all his movements, and his winning try was one that few backs in New Zealand could have scored in similar cireumttances. Though he lacks the brilliance of Stringfellow, Devine must mow be ranked as Wairarapa’s best and probably the best inside produced here for many a long day. Taken ail through, his display yesterday would have been hard to beat anywhere. Although just recovering from an attack of ’flu, Himona, at first fiveeighths, played one of the best games of his career. His short punts were excellent and his defence superb. Lilburne was unable to pass him on a single occasion. Nunn played his usual resourceful game, but he did hot receive a very good service from his front rankers. The Wairarapa forwards covered themselves with glory and proved that they have developed into a particularly sound peck. Fraser Smith, Laing and Seivers were again outstanding, although there was reallv little to choose between any of the ' forwards. Traas has improved 100 per cent, since his re-inclusion in the team. Keeble out-played the redoubtable Dellabarca as a rover.

KILBY THE STAR BACK. Kilby, the All Black half, played a brilliant game and his display at all tunes was worthy of an international naif. Indeed, but for his efforts, it is doubtful whether Wellington would have put up half the display they did. Lilburne was strangely subdued for an AU Black five-eighths, while Pollock and Hansen, though fast and nippy, lacked stability. Fuller and Ball .both represented danger, but they were given few chances. Crisp, at full-back, was sound and got through a lot of ZL „ Bar, Y wa -s the most outstanding Wellington forward and he was well supported by Butler and MeNeile. The speedy Dellabarca scored two tries, but he chiefly as an opportunist. VISITORS OPEN WELL. Wellington were the first to settle down and for the initial 20 minutes had Wairarapa penned in their 25. Wairarapa were penalised freely, but it took Fuller four attempts before he found the uprights. Wellington, 3/0. Beaten for possession in the line-outs, the visitors began to take scrums end as a result secured a feast of the ball. With play in progres 30 minutes, Wairarapa equalised the scores. Nunn cut cleverly through in midfield, and handed on to Reid, to Fitzgerald, who went across wide out. Hemi jnissed. Wairarapa, 3/3. Wairarapa had the better of matters for the remaining 15 minutes, but just before the interval Kilby raced through a gap and handed to MeNeile, who sent Dellabarca across between the posts. Fuller converted. Wellington, 8/3. WAIRARAPA TAKE COMMAND. Wairarapa evened up four minutes after resumption. Himona found a gap with a judicious short punt and the Green forwards swarmed over the line, Seivers being awarded a try. which Hemi converted. Wairarapa, 8/8. A minute later. Kilby, Lilburne and Hansen raced away. Hansen lost possession, but Dellabarca carried on to score. Fuller converted. Wellington, 13/8. Kilby paved the way for Wellington’s next try which was scored by Barry. Fuller missed. Wellington, 16/8. Play had only been in progress 10 minutes, and' from then on Wairarapa slowly but surely gained the ascendancy. After putting Wairarapa on attack with an 'BO-yard liner, Hemi made up some of the leeway with a penalty goal. Wellington, 16/11. ‘HiCn Devine carved a hole in the Wellington chain and raced up-field with Stringfellow coming up fast in support. Devina drew

Crisp and handed Stringfellow a perfect pass and the speedy centre showed a clean pair of heels to score a fine try, the honour for which was Devine’s. Hemi converted with a great kick. Wairarapa, 16/16. Wairarapa were now all over the visitors in both departments. With three minutes to go, Stringfellow fielded a kick by Lilburne at half-way and immediately set sail for the line. He cut ont Pollock, raced 1 between Fuller and Hansen and beat Crisp on the line to score a magnificent try. Hemi converted from the sideline. Wairarapa continued to press, but no-side sounded with the scores unchanged. Wairarapa, 21/16. Mr. H. J. McKenzie was the referee.