WELLINGTON WIN BY TWO POINTS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 September 1946, Page 4

WELLINGTON WIN BY TWO POINTS

HOROWHENUA JUNIORS BEATEN In the curtain-raiser on the Domain on Saturday, the Horo^whenua- junior representatives made a wonderful come back in a match which seemed hopelessly lost to get Within two points of the Wellington representative team. Wellington, who won by 17 points to 15, played really open and bright football, sometimes opening the game up in their own twentyfive in a manner which made the Kiwis world famous. The Wellington back line worked' as a team and they exploited any opening or weakness which they found in the Horowhenua side. The Wellington wingers, HOurigan and Jamieson, were fed the whole day, and their speed carried them through nearly every time. The Horowhenua side were strong on attack but weak on defence, and this was seen time and time again as the Wellington players evaded weak and high tackles. Most of the tries Wellington scored could have been stopped had the Horowhenua players tackled low instead of high. The most prominent forwards in the Horowhenua pack were Bryant, Jones and Ballantyne, the three of them being on the ball the Whole time and going down on it when forced to do as a defensive measure. During the game Ropata was moved from full-back to second-five-eighth, where he proved to be a. most aggressive player. Casey was moved to full-back, a position which he seems to be made for. Wellington in the first half notched eleven points, eight being scored in as many minutes. They were scored by Hourigan (two tries) and Jamieson (one), while Perry converted one. Horowhenua's points came from a field goal by Barrett and a penalty goal by Ropata. Wellington secured a further six points in the second half, Hourigan scoring a try and Perry kicking a penalty goal. Hore whenua gained their second half points from a try each by Ropata and Winiata, while Ropata also converted one try. Mr. C. E. Wiseley was the referee.