College Narrowly Defeated At Rugby

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1948, Page 4

College Narrowly Defeated At Rugby

4PAlthougn ' not up to the usual standard of college fpotball, the 'match at the Levin Park Domain ..yesterday between the first ftfteens I of Horowhenua- aird Rongotai Colleges produced some giimpses of bright play. Rongotai proved the victors by six points to three. Rain made the bail greasy and handling by the backs was alinosu mipossible. The solid packing of the Rougouai forwards was their biggest, asset on the day. i Moir kicked two penalties for ; Rongotai, while Horowhenua's poinrs came from a try by McClune. i Horowhenua set tne ball ln motion and solid ruckmg followed. !The visitors determinedly drove Horowhenua back and had them in ;trouble" for a time. Eru, playing well at full-back, evencually relieved the pressure by sending the ball .mtci touch near the Horowhenua itwenty-five. From the lineout the ihc-me team's backs were given the j ball, but a forward pass stemmed the movement. Moir, taking the penalty, put his team into the lead. The constant screwing of the scrum by the visiting team proved no advantage to either team. Shortly after the visiting backs were given a chanqe, but the greasy ball- only reached the second five-eighths before Kuiti had grassed him. Horowhenua's foriwards were improving in their com|bination and breaking fast in the •scrums. Goodwin, Bennett and ,Gunning were doing fine work m iSmothering the movements of "their lopponents. j' Trying hard to break down me defence of Rongotai, McClune led his team and, after solid rucking, he sent the ball out to Dorne, who was showing improvement as the game progressed. He transferrea to Kuiti, who was grassed. Allwood picked it up and sent on to Lee, who was forced out when making a promising move. On'the ten Vard mark in Rongotai territory Stevens hoolced well to get the ball to 'McClune, but the opposition was too strong. A long kick along the line by the half-back saw Rongotai on the offensive. Fine back work by both teams was witnessed with the haif-time whistle sounding as play moved to the home team's grouna. For the first five minutes -after the -resumption fast but scratchy back work took place. The ball would not travel past the second five-eighths before an opponent had intercepted it. Pressing :hard in Horowhenua territory, Rongotai forwards forced the* pace, but Stevens' and Best played well on the ! defence. At this stage Rongotai ' were awarded another penalty which Moir successfully took. Rongotai 6, Horowhenua 0. The home team .was undaunted and, after following up fast, forced play deep into their opponents' i domain, but repeatedly their attacks were repulsed. Horowhenua's backs gained control of the ball, but although it travelled through the hands of Dorne, Kuiti, Hannah and Chevis, no ground was made as the passing was straight. An intercepted pass took Rongotai on the offensive and solid scrum work ensued in which Goodwin was , again prominent, while Merridith was also showing up in the tight work. From a scrum McClune. sent a pass to Lee, who was brought down about five yards from the Rongotai line. Scooping the ball up, Dorne had a perfect run and, uSing every side-stcp he could, inpassed to McClune before being tackled. McClune dived over to score Horowhenua's only points. It was not long before the game concluded. Mr. C. E. Wiselqy carried the whistle. Scrums: Horowhenua 14, Rongotai 6, indecisive 5.