COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1939, Page 4

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

♦ WAIRARAPA v RONGOTAI. SPLENDID DISPLAY BY LOCAL TEAM. Conditions were perfect yesterday afternoon when Wairarapa College defeated Rongotai College by 22 points to 4 on the College grounds. The large crowd of spectators witnessed College football at its brightest. The game was hard anefe clean, with plenty of open play. The teams were piped out onto the ground by the Wairarapa College Pipe Band where the Wairarapa College gave a haka. In the first minute of play Wairarapa broke away for Mahupuku to sell a dummy and pass to Rankin, who crossed the Rongotai goal line. Mahupuku missed the kick. Wairarapa 3, Rongotai 0. ■,, Rongotai pressed hard for a time but fine back play saw Stuart and Mahu,'puku make a splendid break for the Rongotai line. The Rongotai forwards were now working well, but a clever piece of work by Pinfold who passed to Mahupuku the latter transferring to Rankin who scored a good try. Mahupuku’s kick missed. Wairarapa 6, Rongotai 0.

A good movement by Parsonson and Stuart saw the ball among the Wairarapa forwards. A fine dribbling rush from the 25 line saw Rankin score. Mahupuku, who was kicking well was unlucky, the ball going wide;. Wairarapa 9, Rongotai 0. Play brightened up, and the ball went to Parsonson, who cut in splendidly, all the backs handling for Mahupuku to go over and score a great try. Mahupuku converted with a splendid kick. Wairarapa 14, Rongotai 0. Half time sounded, with tlie score unchanged.

On resuming, Rongotai pressed dangerously, Jacobsen putting in a great run. Lewin was grassed in front of the College posts. I. Colquhoun then potted a goal for Rongotai. Wairarapa 14, Rongotai 4.

The game developed into a bustling, hard forward struggle, Gardiner (Rongotai) retired with a twisted ankle, and was replaced by Higginbotham. ' A great forward rush led by Prior resulted in Cross scoring. The kick failed. Wairarapa 17, Rongotai 4. Mahupuku and Stuart, after a splendid piece of work, raced for the Rongotai line, Stuart crossing in the corner for an excellent try. Mahupuku converted from a difficult angle with a beautiful kick. Wairarapa 22, Rongotai 4. There was no further score.

Among the Wairarapa backs. Mahu ■ puku was brilliant, Stuart, Rankin. Pinfold and Parsonson also did good work. Taylor at full back was very safe. Prior, Wilson, and Braggins did splendid work among the forwards. For Rongotai Abbot, Jacobsen, Lewis, Morgan and Colquhoun were the pick of the backs, while Kuhn, Norton-Tay-lor and Dallas were the best forwards. Mr E. Grantham was a capable referee.