BRIGHT RUGBY.

Wairarapa Age, 19 August 1937, Page 4

BRIGHT RUGBY.

OTAGO NARROWLY DEFEAT WAIRARAPA. FAST GAME AT MEMORIAL PARK. GOOD PLAY BY HOME FOBWARDS After their forwards had dominated play for" nearly two-thirds 1 of the game, the Wairarapa Rugby representative went under to Otago 8/6, at Memorial Park yesterday afternoon. It was a bright game, with plenty of sparkle, and was played on a firm ground in brilliant sunshine. The Otago backs were a pacy, clever lot, and in the second spell they revealed sufficient enterprise to pull the game out of the fire. As matters stood, a reliable place-kick might have seen Wairarapa come out on top. Wairarapa had difficulty in fielding a team and the selector, Mr. L. Roach, had to readjust his side at the last minute. A number of the players might have shown more consideration for the selector. Several of them left him in doubt until a few minutes before the game started, while nothing at all was heard from at least one player. It is a matter that the Union could very well take up with the clubs the players represent. In spite of the fact that the visitors .secured a monopoly of the ball from the set scrums, Wairarapa held a territorial advantage in the first spell and were rather unlucky to be down 5/0 at the interval. Wairarapa only heeled from one set scrum, but rarely was the ball correctly placed in the scrum by the Otago half and it was invariably sent out at the side by the middle row meh. The referee checked these tactics to a marked extent in the second spell and as a result Wairarapa saw a great deal more of the ball. Their backs got under way nicely on occasion. The Otago backs were always dangerous, but they were kept fairly well subdued by the quick spreading Wairarapa forwards. Wairarapa played all over the visitors for nearly half of the second spell, but they failed to last the distance and had no effective counter for the match-winning effort produced by the visitors in the closing stages. Wairarapa were badly beaten for possession in the scrums, but it was not the fault of Hood. In the line-outs the work of Percy, O’Connor and Tredray gave Wairarapa a definite advantage, which the visitors countered by taking scrums. It was a fairly even break in the tight, but in the loose play the home forwards swarmed all over the visitors. For pace and combination, the Wairarapa backs could not come within striking distance of the Otago rearguard but their effective tackling and spoiling tactics forced the visitors into errors, by which the homesters were quick to profit. Denbee and Holland played splendid games for Wairarapa, while Cross and Walker both did all that was asked of them. In spite of an injury, Van Praagh tackled resolutely. Quaid and Grant were always prominent in the Otago forwards, while J. Mahoney and Vorsailagi shone in the loose play. The backs were a clever, polished combination with Bathgate and the twq wings, Churchill and R. Mahoney, providing the star turns. Taylor, the All Black custodian, came on late in the second spell and distinguished himself by missing two handy penalties. Otago had the better of the opening exchanges and their"'backs frequently flashed into action. A determined defence kept them out. The Wairarapa forwards, however, soon began te have a big say in matters and for a period the visitors were hard pressed. Play fluctuated until well on in the spell, when a fine effort by R. Mahoney paved the way for a try scored by Grant.. Bolton converted and Otago led 5/0 at the interval. Wairarapa began with great vigour and after a series of sweeping attacks the backs got away and Holland eut through beautifully to score. Brunton misismd the kick. Wairarapa continued to hold the upper hand but after Brunton had missed two fairly easy penalties, the visitors broke clear and the rearguard handled safely for R. Mahoney to score. Bolton missed. Bathgate retired hurt and was replaced by Taylor. Wairarapa were beginning to tire, but made a final effort which took them deep into the visitors’ territory. Here a penalty saw Percy land a goal. Otago was the only team in tne picture in the closing stages. Mr. I. Dillon was the referee. SOUTHLAND MATCH. WAIRARAPA TEAM SELECTED. Following is the Wairarapa team to play Southland, holders of the Ranfurly Shield, at the Carterton Showgrounds on Saturdav:— Full-back, J. Walker. Three-quarters, W. Peterson, J. Holland, J. Eastwood. Five-eighths, O. Hatton, B. Clarke. Half, A. Steffert. Forwards: Back row, J. Tredray; middle row, I. Percy, I. McGregor, A. Crookenden, D. O’Connor; front row, McLennan, T. Hood, R. Howard. Emergencies: Forwards, W. Stringfellow, K. Joblin; backs, R. Brunton, J. Gardner. The team is to assemble at the Marquis Hotel at 1.30 p.m. and players are to provide their own black shorts. Anyone unable to play is to notify the selector immediately. J. Walker (Gladstone), C. Varcoe and T. Denbee were not available.