Rugby Bus Drivers v. Traffic

On Our Job, Issue 2, 1 October 1943, Page 2

Rugby Bus Drivers v. Traffic

THE long-awaited game between the Bus Drivers and Traffic men took place at Kilbirnie Reserve on Saturday, August 28, under ideal conditions. Some opposition to the match was put on by ether sporting bodies, such as the North Army v. South Army match, the Wellington v. West Coast League game and the visit of Mrs. Roosevelt, not forgetting the march of the returned soldiers, but we leave it to you to guess where the crowd went. The Bus Drivers took the field in black and white, and the Traffic in black, and upon looking at .the hefty players one could not help wondering if he had walked in on a game between Hawke’s Bay v. Wellington in a Ranfurly Shield match. The teams were as follows:Traffic: Lund, Bardwell, V. Maher, C. King, Elliott, McLennan, Olson, Smythe,. Ryan, Ewart, Russell, Cawley, Mclvor, Beaten and Williamson. Bus Drivers: McLeod, Falleni, Holmes, Quinn, Watt, Anderson, Richards, Love, Mitchell, Christenson, Forbes, Horsley, Valentine, McHerron and Gill. Play commenced at 3 p.m. and the ball was kicked off by Mrs. Beauchamp, whom most of the boys who have played in Kohn Shield matches will know. She has been well known for support to the Football Club as well as for her social

activities in entertaining Kohn Shield players. Play was quite bright at the beginning and the ball was slung about in good style. After about ten minutes’ play, Vin Maher scored the first try in the corner after the ball had passed practically all the back line. With a beautiful kick, McLennan placed the ball well between the uprights to make •the score: Traffic 5, Bus Drivers 0. Ewart was the next one to score for Traffic, but this time McLennan failed to convert. Play continued to be bright and some good back movements were seen, but over-eagerness failed to add any further points and the half-time score was — in Traffic’s favour. Play had been in progress quite some time in the second spell when McLennan, with a beautiful run, scored in the left-hand corner, but the try was not converted by Russell. This score seemed to make the Bus Drivers eager to break their duck and once or twice they narrowly failed to score. Play during this period was usually up and down the field, and we noticed players were feeling the strain and no doubt wishing they had attended the practices. The Traffic backs got going once again and with a stab kick in the Bus Drivers’ twenty-five, Ryan scored, Elliott failing to convert although his kick was a great effort. With the score now at 14—0, the Bus Drivers made a desperate attempt to score and after some good all-round play, Anderson, with a great burst of speed, managed to score in' a handy position and we were sur- ‘ prised that “Stewie” did not convert his own try. By this time most of the forwards were looking for a “free air’’ station, and it was with a sigh of relief that the whistle sounded time with the score reading Traffic 14, Bus Drivers 3. The referee was our one-time workmate, Bill Perry, who gave an excellent display of refereeing, and his decisions were accepted by both sides without comment. We were most impressed with the amount of material still offering on the trams and buses in regard to Kohn Shield players, as there are quite a . lot of new young faces which are badly needed. We are sure that from what we saw in this match that we could pick a team that would take some beating. These new members, combined with a few of our overseas members, Leonard, Jack Young, Bernecker, Howard, Hawkins, Hoskins and Beaton, just to name a few which come to mind, would make a name for the Wellington Tramways. At times the Traffic backs made some good movements and showed plenty of pace. The forwards were patchy but combined well occasionally. The Bus Drivers are mostly a new lot of players; as a matter of ..fact they had

rather a job to field a team at all as their staff is now only 19. Still, Anderson made a good job of his team and their keenness was a big help. Of the two forward packs the Bus Drivers’ was probably the best on the day, although both were not at all good in the lineouts, being content to knock back to the half without placing enough direction in their efforts. After the game we adjourned to the Newtown Sheds, where we had. the presentation of the Anderson Cup and an informal function presided over by our Traffic Manager, Mr. H. Dunn. A pleasant time was enjoyed by all, an excellent table being set out, and the time seemed to pass very quickly. The organising was done by Stan Vine and his able committee comprising T. O’Sullivan, Maher, Ogden, Cawley, Russell, Anderson and Elliott. We had numerous guests, many of whom gave items and when we all went our way it was with the idea that it had been a grand show and we certainly must have one again next year. After'all expenses were paid, Stan Vine, who was in charge of the show, stated that he hoped to be able to hand over to the Comforts Committee approximately £2/10/-, the profits from the turnout, so we reckon all will agree with us it was a successful day.