FOOTBALL

Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 July 1935, Page 6

FOOTBALL

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. WIN FOR GLADSTONE. The Gladstone and Carterton senior teams met at Memorial Park on Saturday afternoon, under favourable playing conditions, and before the largest attendance of spectators seen at a match in Masterton this season. The barracking at times was very keen, showing the great interest taken in the game. Gladstone were the favourites with the crowd, and they had probably the biggest number of barrackers for many a season. The Union took a wise step in agreeing to play the match at Masterton, because of the large crowd drawn to the game, the Memorial Park being a convenient centre for all. The game was very exciting, with many thrilling incidents, but the standard of play was of a more determined character than being rich in highgrade football. The Gladstone backs threw the ball about and gave everything a go, while their forwards played with a stubbornness that held up the Maroon pack, who were unable to make headway against a set of forwards which were their equals, and which, in loose rushes, gave a more combined display than their opponents. The Gladstone forwards at times completely overshadowed the Carterton pack, which, it was evident, consisted of some players whose days of hundred per cent usefulness on the field are over. The Gladstone pack were in the better condition, and Carterton were unable to show them anything. The Carterton team suffered two or three casualties in a game which was a very hard one, and which would certainly not have been as clean as it was but for the excellent control exercised by the referee, Mr F. Dean, who, while being absolutely impartial, nipped in the bud all those tricks which,are dark and slim and known to every footballer, and, by not stopping the game for triiles, helped to allow the spectators to obtain the greatest thrill and satisfaction out of the play. A number of the players were warned, and, knowing the referee, these players gave heed to the warnings. The spectators were in high praise of the refereeing —that is, all those except the biased and those not competent to judge. It was a game which, while not providing the spectators with the highest grade Rugby, gave them something to thrill over, and which, staged every Saturday at Memorial Park, would soon boost the funds of the Rugby Union. The Gladstone backs were a better lot than Carterton, who Avould have been in sore straits at times but for the sound defensive play of F. Fitzgerald, who, however, was too prone to kicking instead of trying to penetrate the defence, though the knowledge that ho had backs not up to the best attacking standard may have decided him to use the side-line so much. Gladstone were the most aggressive all through the game, which was played at a fast pace, and even when Carterton swept down the field in a dangerous rush, Gladstone quickly retaliated and kept the Maroon pack busy. The splendid play and tactics of the Gladstone forwards held up the Carterton pack and prevented them coming away with their usual combined forward attacks. It was a game that will be long talked about among football fans—a game in which the honours unquestionably belonged to Gladstone. The outstanding back on the winner’s side was Nunn, whoso defensive work repeatedly saved Gladstone and rendered futile'the repeated efforts of the Carterton team to get across the goal line. Nunn played with determination all through, and in attack was always dangerous. Himona was also in good form, while McKay played a particularly serviceable game, and was always a source of danger to Carterton. Mason and E. Henderson got through a lot of very useful work.

The Gladstone forwards to a man played solid football and never let up Avorrying Carterton in a manner Avhich must have proimd disheartening to the southern team.

F. Fitzgerald was the best of the Carterton backs, who were better on defence than attack. The Carterton forwards all contributed their share towards good combined work, though the best football days of some of them belong to the past. Taylor and J. Fitzgerald retired injured, and were replaced. The - Gladstone players certainly appeared to be in better condition to stand the hard knocks of the game.

Gladstone opened the scoring in the first spell, J. Henderson getting across, but the score was not improved upon. A little later, from a scramble on the Gladstone goal line, Trass scored in a good position for Jensen to convert. In the second half Gladstone added six points to their score, while Carterton failed to increase their total. Flutey scored a try which Himona failed to'convert, and towards the close of the game McKay kicked a splendid penalty goal, the final scores being: Gladstone 9, Carterton 5.

MARTINBOROUGH v. OLD BOYS. That Maryborough’s win against Carterton on the previous Saturday was no fluke was proved by the southern team’s defeat of Old Boys at Greytown on Saturday by 17 points to 6, in a game in which they had the better of play. The result was quite looked for by the supporters of the Martinborough team, owing to the latter’s improved play on recent Saturdays. Logan (Old Boys) had his nose broken in the second spell. For the Old Boys, Logan scored an unconverted try and Buick was awarded a penalty try. P. Martin (2), J. Holland (2) and Brassell scored tries for Martinborough, Brassell converting one. Mr E. Miller was the referee.

RED STAR v. DALEFIELD. In a hard fight at Carterton, the Red Star seniors defeated Dalefield by 14 points to 9. After about a quarter of an hour’s play, R. Devine went through a gap before passing to Carrig, who scored near the uprights. Lamb missed t-ho kick. Stars gained a further three points from a penalty goaled by R. Clarke. For Dalefield, M. Parker potted a goal. In the second half, S. Parker (Dalefield) was ordered off the field. The other scorers for Red Star were IV. Peterson and R. Devine, R. Clarke converting the latter’s try. For Dalefield, T. Bond crossed and converted his own try. The scores were 9 all within a few minutes of the call of time, when R. Devine cut through to score, and D. Clarke converted. Mr 11. .1. McKenzie was referee.

JUNIORS. Old Boys 12, Grey town 3. Martiuborough beat Gladstone by dc fault. Red Star 21, Carterton 3. Masterton 14, Opaki 3. THIRDS. Carterton 38, Dalefield 0. High School 15, Red Star 9. Greytown 11, Masterton S. Old Boys 13, Opaki 3. FOURTHS. Martinborough 11, High School 0. Featherston 11, Greytown 0. INTERMEDIATE. Carterton A 6, Dalefield 0. High School 6, Carterton B 3. WELLINGTON v. WAIRARAPA.

The first of the home representative matches on the programme of the Wellington Rugby Union will be played at Athletic Park on Wednesday, when Wellington will meet Wairarapa. The teams, which have been selected by Mr M. F. Nicholls (Wellington) and Mr Quentin Donald, jun. (Wairarapa), both prominent members of the 1924 All Black team, are as follow: — Wellington. —Full-back, W. Crisp; three-quarters, A. Wright, J. W. Fleming, E. Ball; five-eighths, 11. R. Pollock (2), H. T. Lilburne (1); half-back, C. O’Halloran; forwards, back row, J. R. Lamason; middle row, J. Wells, E. F. Barry, F. 11. Fraser-Smith, J. Lynch; front row, R. Hull, C. F. Ongley, F. C. Leahy. Emergencies: Forwards, R. Donnelly, A. Roberts; backs, P. Baldwin, S. Greenbank. Wairarapa. —Full-back, F. Fuller (Greytown); three-quarters, D. Buick (Old Boys), C. Stringfellow (Greytown), N. Mason (Gladstone); fiveeighths, F. Fitzgerald (Carterton), P. Himona (Gladstone); half-back, R. Nunn (Gladstone); forwards, back row, P. Ward (Martinborough); middle row, M. Devine (Red Star), M. Trass (Carterton), G. Laing (Old Boys), C. Grantham (Red Star); front row, G. Gaudin (Greytown), J. Flutcy (Gladstone), K. 11. Reid (Carterton). Emergencies: Forwards, Ross and Walkei (Gladstone); backs, Stroud (Old Boys), Clarke (Red Star). R. Devine, who played in the Ail Black trials at Wanganui and Wellington, is not available for the Wairarapa team, while Kilby, Reid, Peck and McNcile are not available for Wellington. The Wairarapa team will be managed by Mr Lambert Roach, a former Wairarapa and North Island representative full-back.

IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND. Otaliuku beat Manakau, 15/6; University beat Grammar Old Boys, 13/11; Grafton beat Ponsonby, 25/11; Manst beat Colleeg Rifles, 14/8. WELLINGTON. First Division: Petonc beat Hutt, 10/8- Wellington beat Ponelce, 11/8; Wellington College Old Boys beat Eastbourne, 11/4; Athletic beat Oriental, 14/0; Marist beat Johnsonville, 10/3. CHRISTCHURCH. The annual Town v. Country match was the only Rugby Union game on Saturday. Town Avon by 32 points to 14. DUNEDIN. Varsity A 15, Pirates 8; Southern 6, Zingari 3; Taieri 13, Varsity B 3; Dunedin 9, Alhambra 5; Union 9, Kaikorai 9. In Association football on Saturday, Albions defeated Carterton by 7 goals to 2.