RETAILERS AND REFS. DRAW IN LIGHT RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 August 1950, Page 6

RETAILERS AND REFS. DRAW IN LIGHT RUGBY

In 40 nunutes of boisterous lighthearted Rugby, 15 referees padked up their rulebooks and introduced some unorthodox play into their game with Wanganui Retailers on Saturday. Despite their efforts, however, the best they cculd do was to draw with theit opponents, 8-all. Garnered from stores throughout the city, the Retailers' fifteen carried too many guns for the Referees in the first spell, and set up shop on the Referees twenty-five for most of the time. Fortunately for the two teams, whose handling and positional play was more willing than wise, the officiating referee stretched the advantage rule almost to breaking point. Two rapidly tiring packs were saved considerable embarrassment. Referees’ fullback, Crotty, was an early casualty, Goldsmid replacing him. When the first flush of energetic rushing had passed, the Retailers broke through and Jackson scored a try that Jones converted. Obviously straining their ears for the welcome whistle for the interval, the Referees nevertheless mustered enough stamina for a run just before the spell ended, and Ward scored an unconverted try at the end of as urprising passing move by Mete Kingi and Parnell, who completely outwitted the defence. Steam-roller fashion, the Referees’ forwards wheezed down the field at the restart and Wallace came in fast—to score a try which Mete Kingi converted. Back went the Retailers looking for a bigger mark-up. Carr sold a dummy to two Referees but his harrier’s training did not include hurdling a further pair of determined defenders. With five minutes to go, the Retailers broke through again. Sedon received on the wing and raced over wide out. Jones’ kick failed to provide the two-point subsidy required for victory and the game ended allsquare a few minutes later. No one asked that the time be extended and the referees chairetbthe official whistle-wielder from the field for a consultation under the stand. En route he was presented with a bouquet by Mrs W. B. Broadhead, wife of the Referees’ Union president. The teams were:—

Referees: E. J. Crotty; Rev. M. Dickey, G. Mooney, J. Bellamy; L. Le Compte, R. Mete Kingi; J. Carson; R. Wallace; N. Nielsen, A. Reeve, K. Parnell, C. Spriggens, A. Daley, W. Ward, G. Patterson. R. Goldsmid replaced Crotty. Retailers: W. Hancock; P. Baguley, J. Carr, O. Sedon; J. Anderson, N. Jones; T. Jackson; E. Reu, G. Gilroy, H. Taylor, L. Christian, B. Russ, R. Howard, D. Owen, A. Hansen. Official referee: Mr. w. Molan.