RUGBY FOOTBALL

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 22, 27 September 1940, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Wellington Defeats Army Team SPECTACULAR MATCH Brilliant Tries Scored By Posselt And Sherratt Spectacular football was provided aplenty in the second match'of the season between the Trentham-Central Command Army team and the Wel'ington representative side at Athletic Park on Saturday. The first match, played on June 22, was won by Wellington by 19 points to 17. On Saturday Wellington, got the more decisive margin of 22-15. The issue was keenly fought all the way, and it was not till half-way through the second, spell that Wellington demonstrated clearly its superiority Even then, the Army fought back so vigorously that with a little more good fortune the margin might well have been closer. r Playing with the sun behind and facing a slight wind, 'Wellington was able to keep play in the Army’s half in the opening stages. 'Wellington was getting the ball from the scrum then, but results there were evened up by the Army later in the game. Initial points for the Army came .'from a splendid penalty goal by Barton from just inside half-way. The ball hit thepost and was deflected over the bar.-: Bush's Line Kicking. Bush, the Army §arly demon- | strated his great line kicking ability and this was a factor which stood the team |in stead throughout. The battle between I the forwards was keen, particularly in the line-outs, and the game rapidly became open and spectacular, both sets of backs being frequently in action. Army kept play in ■ "Wellington’s half for a time, and Barton had another penalty kick at goal, missing this time Wellington's first points came when Gillespie, on the wing, made a determin;ed run up the line and centred when challenged by Bush. Kenny secured the ball and scored under the posts, O’Halloran converting. Posselt, the.other Wellington winger, brought the crowd to its feet when he took a fine interception and flew ' upfield, beating Bush, only to be overtaken. Bush took a good mark to relieve the heavy pressure by 'Wellington. The 'Wellington backs were not functioning smoothly at this, stage, but improved considerably later. It was this that gave . Wellington its conclusive, win.. \ -f.'" Smart following up by the Army winger Sherratt gave Army its next points, | when he beat two men to score under the posts. Wellington returned to' the ■ attack quickly and Army was hard pressed in the corner for some time. The Wellington backs were handling well and I Gillespie, in a strong run. was well tackled by Sherratt. Sanders showed up when he. went brilliantly on his own for Army, and Gunn was prominent among I the ‘Wellington forwards in the loose. Shortly. before half-time Reynolds made way-for a try by Posselt ami the teams ; drew level at 8-all. Posselt’s Fine Try. Army set up a strong offensive in the. second' half and keen open football by both .sides delighted the spectators. In the finest individual effort of the match Posselt ran more than half the length of the field, beating McAneney and eluding an attempt by Bush to shoulder him into touch, to score in the . corner. He was given an ovation. This effort gave Wellington a three point lead. With .20 minutes to go. 'Wellington took a decisive lead when Veitch scored, O'Halloran converting.' Barton had a chance to close the margin with a penalty in front of the goal, but failed. Gillespie, whose strong running 1 was a feature of the play of the ■Wellington . backs. was rewarded with a try in the corner. Bush went close with a long range penalty kick ■ at goal, and shortly after Sanders kicked a field goal from well out. Hansen, the Army forward, got over -in the corner but a try was not allowed because of a prior infringement. From a scrum in Army’s twenty-five. O'Halloran worked the blind side and Reynolds went over’for a try. One of Army’s most spectacular movements came just before time when Sherratt. receiving from Bush, went off on a solo run of more than 40 yards, outpaced all the defenders. and scored in the corner. ’ Finlay and Fraser-Smith were prominent among the Army’s forwards, and Gunn and Stanaway for Wellington. Saxton Not Available. The All Black half-back. C. K. Saxton,

was to have played for the Army. but an attack of measles kept him cut of the team. His place was taken by Sloan. ' For Wellington tries were scored by ! Posselt (2), Kenny. Veitch. Gillespie and Reynolds. Two were converted by O'Hal- ■ loran. For Army two tries were -cored by Sherratt. , Barton converted one and kicked a penalty goal. Sanders kicked a? . field goal. Referee : Mr. B. Matthews.