Horowhenua Beaten

Chronicle (Levin), 26 August 1946, Page 6

Horowhenua Beaten

LIVELY GAME AT LEVIN Though territorial advantage and the score had been against them for the greater part of the second spell, the Manawatu senior representatives rallied in the final stages of their game with Horowhenua on Saturday to notch ten noints in as many minutes and snatch an exeeedingly lucky victory by 16-13. The match, which was played at the Levin Park Domain, was the retutn of that played earlier in the season at Palmerston North. It was witnessed by the largest gathering of spectators yet seen at the domain this season.

The game was a lively one and the teams . were fairly evenly matched. both in the forwards and backs. It was played at a fast clip, but with few exceptions there was an absence of bright passing movements. Both rearguards endeavoured to open up the game, but fast breaking on the part of the stalwarts mitigated against this. Even when the rearguards did get going their efforts lacked - penetration. Nevertheless, there were many exciting moments as play changed from one end of the field to the other in quick succession. Finlay, the former Kiwi forward, was a tower of strength to the Manawatu stalwarts, and he was always in the thick of the game. Ten of the visitors' points went to his credit — two tries and two conversions. He was ably supported by Bresnehan, Nicholls and Waldegrave. The Manawatu backs were! an even lot, Harkness. at full-back, | giving a sound exhibitiom: Ramsbotham played an outstanding game in the Horowhenua pack. He led most of the home side's j sorties, and frequently broke 'through in some fine solo efforts. McCashin, Ray Robinson and Hooper were also prominent. The two weak links in the Horowhenua rearguard were Cook and Gordon, the latter retiring at half-time hurt. Blenkhorn, the half, and Mortimer and Fuller, the fiveeighths, particularly the former. turned in excellent displays on defence and attack. Galloway played his first game at full-back and althou°h the fast forwards found him out of position occasionally, he played a good game, frequently caining much ground with touch finaers. His boot was also a useful noints o-atherer

The Teams Tlie teams lincii uut as I'ollnw: — J Iu ro w hunua: Galloway. Gordon. Iludson. Cook, Mortimer, Fuller, Blenkhorn, lloy Kobinsou, llooper, Kambotluun, Kar Kobinsou, Corbishley, Taylor. MeCashin (euptain) and Branch. .Manawatu: Harkness, McXac, Armstrong, Butt. Giulsell, Fitt. WMiiuinson Guiiuell, Nicholls, Bresnehan, Kiehard sun. Finlay, Waldegravo, Brew* and Morgan. The Game Manawatu kicked oii :inlo a • diflicult sun and the wiiul. The game see-sawed backwurd and forward for the lirst Ji ve minutes and then lloro whenua wero j)enalised for ofl'side play. McXar eould not gain any puints with a kiek from a handy position. Manawatu pen ued Horowhenua in tlieir own teriitor\ and from Ihe scrums and line-outs the i backs endeavoured lo get going, but Horowhenua 's det'enee was too strong. I Kelief eame for Horowhenua "when a 1'ree kiek took the game back to mid(ield. From a ruek Blenkhorn, the Horowhenua half, worked rouiul the forwards and dushed away to take the game into Manawalu's 1 wenly-five. Tlie Horowhenua forwards were working well and had Manawatu hani pressed 011 their line. A series of seriuus and line-outs I'ollowed in which tlie Horowhenua backs tried vainly to get over, but the fast-breaking Manawatu forwards nullilied their ell'orts. A11 1 ufringemenl by Horowhenua saw Harkness send the game back to midfield with a judieious line kiek. It was short lived and the Ilorowhenua stalwarts swept down to the Manawatu line again in a loose rusli. Then Manawatu biicks got the ball and Armstrong puf in a fast run to tratisfer to Butt. ile centred with a good kiek and the forwards i'ollowed up to go away in a loose rusli, with Horowhenua trying frantieally to regain control. Finally Nicholls snapped uji ihe ball and senl it th rough Bresnehan 's liands to Fin lay, who scored well out. NcNae eould not gain tlie titbits. Manawata .'I, II oro whenua nil. The spell ended two minutes later with tlie home-side tillacking solidly.

When phty resumed for tlie second spell Aitchison replaced Gordon on one of the I lnrowljcu.ua wings. Withiu the lirst few minutes Manawatu wero pena lised in midJiehi on the twenty-live line for holdiiig on to the ball too long. and Galloway had 110 diflicultv in c(|ualising ihe points. Horowhenua Manawatu 3. Bhortly after the crowd was bruught to its toes when lloro whenua took the game riglit to Mana watu's line aud there was a desperate exehange. Tlieu from a ruek Bleuk liorn snapped uj» the leathe.r and dived over nciir the corner. Galloway \s kiek went wide. Horowhenua (i, Manawatu Manawatu went on ihe hunt iminedi ateJy after the kiek and Fitt galh.ered in the ball to dasli into the twenty-live in a line solo run. He threw a wild pass to Finlay wlieu the Horowhenua I'ull-back, Galloway, went to tackle him. Finlay was caught on the wrong foot, but Fitt gathered it in again and j rau over. McXae's kiek failed. Mana I wiitu ti, Horowhenua ti. The Horo-j whenua forwards swejil downJield witlij the kiek and after a few miuutes of play in the Manawatu t weuty-(i\ e. thel ball caiue out to the Horowh'enua lirst | live-eig'hths, Fuller, w ho poi led a neat ! field goal. Horowliemui 10, Manawatu! ti. ! Only lifteeu mimi!.-*- ii" ihe spell had passe.d, but tlie torrul nal.ure of the' game had taken iis> toi! aud both sides t were ahowiug signs oi tiiiug. A rugged

twentv minutes followed in whieh th iiorowhenua forwards dominated plaj to retain territorial advantage fo: tlieir side. .Manawatu several timo: broke away, but it gave them only momentary relief. At this stage Roro whenua were awarded a penalty when .Manawatu were caiight. ofl'side at thc side of a seruin, and Galloway sent a diflicult kiek. over. Horowhenua 13. Manawatu (j. Inimediately ' the game started a scrum went down in midliekl. When it broke up Nicholls eame round the side, picked up the ball and sidestepped the opposition to race over. Finlay made 110 mistake with the kiek. Horowhenua 13, Manawatu 11. Manawatu were now going great guns and in a loose forward rush started by Armstrong, Butt and Nicholls, Finlay eame 011 the scene to dribble the ball to tlie line, gatlier it iu and score. Ile converted his own try and the game ended, Manawatu 1(5, Horowhenua 13.