ROUSING RUGBY

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 29, 28 June 1940, Page 3

ROUSING RUGBY

Wellington Beat Trentham 19 POINTS TO 17 Taylor’s Great Goal Kicking en thousand spectators gave the I rentham Army team, which included three All Blacks eight other players who have figured prominently in New Zealand Rugby, an enthusiastic reception when it/ appeared at Athletic Park on Saturday . against Wellington. They were rewarded with a rousing game, the second spell, in particular, producing some of the finest football seen here for years.

Wellington won 19-17, the goal kicking of J. M. Taylor, ■ which was of a high standard, being one of the deciding factors. The home side had the advantage of the wind in-the first spell, but at the interval led by only 8-5, a converted try and a penaltygoal to a converted try. Wright- was responsible for Wellington’s try. lit came in from the wing to make an extra'back in a passing rush and completely-' fooled the defence with a ‘•(lummy” to score under' the posts. Taylor, converted.-and also kicked a penalty goal. The Army's try came from a' glorious movement. ■ After Watt. had delighted the 'crowd with a Clever swerving run, the . ball came out to the Army backs from a ruck. Bradley,- Barton, Natusch and Sherratt handled. 'Sherratt'kicked ahead, regained the ball and sent it infield to Natusch, who beat - the defence to -core under the posts. Finlay convert; ing. ~

The second spell had the spectators wildly excited, the lead, changing four times. Taylor increased Wellington’s margin with a penalty goal. Barton also kicked a penalty goal for. Trentham to makefile score 11-8. When a-Welling-ton -.passing rush broke down Sherratt and Barton became associated in a clever flank in-and-out passing movement, Sherratt'finally taking a high pass to score. When Barton kicked another penalty goal a few minutes later Trentham led 14-11, but 'Wellington retaliated with a scintillating movement, all the backs handling for Gillespie to swerve infield and . pass to the loose forward, Kemp, who scored for .Taylor to convert, j , This lead was not held long. Desperate efforts by Trentham resulted in Sherratt getting across at the corner to make the scores 17-16 in Trentham's favour. In .the concluding stages Taylor landed a great goal against the wind to give Wellington the victory. Threequarter Duel. Taylor was responsible for 13 of Wellington's points and also gave a fine allround display. The Wellington threequarters, Wright, Thurston and Gillespie were well served. Their duel with Wait, Natusch and Sherratt was one of the highlights of the match with honours even after both sets had provided football of a high standard. Barton was the outstanding five-eighths, though here, again,

there was some clever football. on both sides. Two very powerful packs were fielded with Wellington showing better co-ordina-tion, the pack being almost-identical with that which represented the province last year. The only .notable exception was in the hooking, Trentham winning most of the ball. Bowman gave one of his best displays at Athletic Park, and his fitness was demonstrated by the manner in which he took a hard gruelling and was still toiling in great style at the final whistle. He was closely marked by McNicol, one of Wellington’s most improved forwards.' Both clashed hard at times, throwing every ounce into their play, but it was clean and invigorating football. Carson did not figure in his usual role of a loose forward, concentrating more on the tight, and in this and the line-outs he showed proficiency of a high order. Finlay was the Army's roving forward and rendered a great deal of valuable service. McPhail ami Rhind were also prominent. Wellington’s pack worked tirelessly and was very even in both quality and performance. Kemp, playing his first representative game, was very effective in the loose. McNicol, Todd and Cassidy were all responsible for solid football. The teams were: , Wellington : Taylor ; Wright, Thurston, Gillespie ; Thomas, Veitch ; O'Halloran ; McCarthy, Hegglun, Kenny; Kemp, Casing movements, proved worth his weight in gold by enterprising individual play, sidy, McNicol, Gunn ; Todd. Trentham: Jack ; Watt,'Natusch, Sherratt; Barton, Bradley; Moorhead; . Rhind Northover,- McPhail; Carson, Bowman’, Armour. Lockwood; Finlay. Referee: Mr. B. Matthews. ,