FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2749, 24 June 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S REPRESENTATIVE . GAME.

- MANAWATU 19 V. HOROWHENUA 11.

The representative attendance at Saturday’s rep. match on Easton Park should once and for all convince the Horowhenua Union of Foxtou’s el him to hi" games. Despite the recent soaking rain the ground was in splendid condition and the gate will compare more than favourably with rep. fixtures played in other centres. Prior to the game the opinion was expressed that- Horowhenua, would pull off the game by a small margin, in view of Manawatu’s showing against Poverty Bay, hut the home reps seemed to lack ginger until the closing stages. Leeder and Hope replaced McDonald and Bowler in the Manawatu team and Mollison replaced Williams in Horowhenua. Shortly after the opening, Tahiwi intercepted a passing rush by Manawatu and put in a splendid run which ended on the goal line. Earle cleared for the greens and Gothard, following fast turned the defence into attack and intercepted a transfer from Winiata to Mollison and made good headway before being collared. An exchange of kicks between Bailey and D’Ath Enabled the reds' left wing to gain much ground. Movnihan, ever prominent, broke away, and Cowie cleared well, following with a tackle of Wilson, the right wing-forward, in a dangerous position. From half-wav the green forwards went away at top from the line-ont. Leeder, who was about twenty yards out, picked up the leather and succeeded in eluding all opposition. Almira missed the goal. Manawatu 3. TTorowhenna nil. Tahiwi led a rush for the red team and Cowie sailed. A centre by Seeker was returned by D’Ath, and Cowie gained 40 yards with <i beautiful line kick. A fine pick up by Seeker, who was playing a gi-eat game, enabled him to centre to Law, on (lie wing, and he was soon on to D’Ath, who, however, cleared brilliantly and reds countered and drove greens to their corner flag. When Manawatu cleared, Horowhenua hacks essayed a passing rush which Seeker intercepted as the ball was travelling from Wilson to Moses, and he set out for the other end. Running in close, so as to beat Meta, lie was pushed out when he appeared to have the fullback beaten. A scrum followed the lino-out and Seeker again got away with a smart sprint in field. Mullins, Bailey and Law took up the running and one of the finest etforts of the match was nullified by Sevan's good tackling. McHerron then broke away for Horowhenua. Jacobs and Winiata assisted him and the last-named was collared just in time. Can-oil, Anderson and Bowler were prominent in the green backs and Dobbyn and Buddy carried on immediately, Meta saving a sure try by a great pick-up and line kick. After a penalty shot by Akuira had been charged down Law got away on the blind side, but Jacobs cut him down. He followed up with a cross-kick to Seeker and the latter punted ryfid charged Johnstone. Jacobs was handy, however, and passed to Smith who cleared and sent liis side up about thirty yards before being collared. Akuira then missed a long shot from a mark and Jacobs and Wilson took a passing rush down the right wing which promised a try but on the final pass by Jacobs to Winiata Seeker relieved with a pass to Bailey, but Jacobs blocked the movement at once and a knock-on by pecker ended a clever piece of work between himself, Gothard and Boddy. Winiata secured shortly after and passed to Wilson on the blind. A fine run was spoilt as he failed to see Moses run cleverly around for a sure try, could he have got a pass from the right wingforward. Law was next with a run in-field and Earle succeeded, but gave Mullins a low pass and a good chance was lost. Mullins, however, took a pass from Carroll and shot straight upfield. A good pass to Bailey caught him unawares and before he could get moving Broughton blocked him, with Seeker unmarked alongside. Meta then put up a wonderful save by stopping Can-oil’s dribbling rush and his kick was even better, From the throw-in Carroll went straight over and Manawatu led by six points to nil, Law' failing to add the major,points. . Cowie sent the reds back when a forward rush removed the scene of operations to green territory and Mullins, Bailey and Law set up a solid attack. Meta again saved. In the line-out that followed, Boddy showed up well. D’Ath for Horowhenua, was tackling, in deadly fashion' and held Law every time. Mullins put up another good run after from.tlie feet of the opposition" forwards and only prevented a certain score by stumbling. Smith then led a dribblingrush and took the ball-half the gtk of the field before it was forced out v

ill tue seeona spen who lirst to show up with a tine centre in reds’ twenty-five, but Horowhenua cleared and it was not long before they registered their first score. A penalty by an over-eager defender gave Tahiwi a chance to register the initial 'score. It was a near thing, but the referee ruled no goal. The reds were now putting ginger into their work and the forwards made the pace ho't. Meta and D’Ath being also prominent and) Cowie saved a great dash by Jacobs, Molleson and D’Ath. Manawatu coun-

ier-attaeked and Earle, Bailey and Mullins removed play well into the enemy territory a line-out following past Hie reds’ tweiity-fivc. Here Earle secured possession, and a clever piece of work by Akuiva gave Bailey the ball and the latter, by a pretty cut in made a spectacular try. Mullins converted. Manawatu 11, Horowhenua nil.

Moynihan, Jacob, McHerron, Bevan and Broughton ran down their opponents and .Broughton narrowly missed scoring. Leeder was conspicuous in the loose play that followed and a kick-out to the left wing saw D’Ath again under way. Gothard knoeked-on at a critical juncture after a passing rush by the

Manawatu forwards and Seeker nearly sent. Baileypn at the coiner. Horowhenua succeeded in clearing to the centre and there the best, piece of forward play of the match was witnessed. -Jacobs broke away and passing at the right moment had Moynihan running full out for the goal line. Although well supported, he could not pass out to his companions and was floored- by Cowie in a great tackle. Wilson next tried but was stopped by Seeker, the clearing kick, however, bringing the red forwards into action. After a short dribbling rush, Rangi Broughton picked up and dashed across, thereby registering Horowhemia’s first score. .Jacobs failed with the kick. Manawatu 11, Horowhenua 3. Manawatu again became aggressive but Tahiwi securing the leather started for the goal line, passing out to McHerron who was brought down by Bailey.on the line. No goal resulted. Manawatu 11, Horowhenua fi.-

Horowhenua. pressed and Mullins was called on to save, which he did with a mark. Mullins and Seeker did good work and were kept busy and Earle followed with a neat solo effort. The greens,were keeping up the pressure when a penalty was awarded them. Akuira was successful with, the kick. Manawatu 14, Horowhenua C.

Tahiwi was then responsible for two sensational attempts before Manawatu slowly but surely worked play into thssreds-’ territory. Here Mullins sent Gothard away to give Can-oil a clear run in for his second try. Leeder added the major score from a difficult angle. Manavatu 19, Horowhenua fi.

Horowhenua again put up a determined effort to even up. Tahiwi put rn a great run. Jacobs missed the pass which should have resulted in a. brilliant try. Horowhenua, however, continued oppressive tactics. Manawatu’s defence broke down badly during the last 15 minutes. Cowie’s final tackle of D’Ath was a fine piece of work and it was bad luck for Horowbenua’s able lofi forward. Horowhenua forwards bore down on the visitors in the final minute and Moynihan scored with great dash. Jacobs converted. Manawatu 19, Horowhenua 11. Mr IT. Burrows (Shannon) controlled the game well and except for his goal decisions gave every satisfaction.

The final stages of the game were played in semi darkness. Had Horowhenua put the ginger into the commencement of the game that was evidenced in the second spell, the scores may have been reversed.

THE TEAMS ENTERTAINED

The Horowhenua Rugby Union entertained both teams and visiting officials til dinner at Whyte s Hotel in the evening. Mr Carmichael (secretary of the Horowhenua Union) presided and extended a welcome to those present. After tlie losal toast had been disposed of, Mr O’Connor proposed the toast of the Manawatu Union. In reply Air White said matches betweojn the two unions were looked forward to with pleasure and the hospitality and good feeling' was very marked. They were proud of their win that day and tlie game was played in a most friendly spirit. Mr Fair, in proposing the toastof the. Horowhenua Union, congratulated them on their efforts to keep the game going in spite of

many difficulties. There was a close bond between the two unions and he looked forward to the time when Horowhenua and Manawatu would he a united body. As separ ate unions, their strength was divided in big events such as the R-an-fnrlv Shield contests. He urged amalgamation of the two bodies. Mr F. Robinson responded arnV congratulated the winning team and hoped many more games wo uld be played between the reps of tlie two unions. In proposing the toast of the winning team, Air Jacobs (captain of the Horowhenua team) said the best- team won but things may have been different had the ground been illuminated by electric light for the closing stages of the game. The teams were comrades and the game was played in the best spirit. Mr Carroll, the Manawatu captain, in reply, said although they had won, the scores could have been a little closer. He hoped the time would come when both teams would he playing under the same colours.

Mr White, in proposing the toast of the referee, said they had no fault at' all to find with his decisions that day. In reply, Mr Burrows congratulated the winners and the players on the absence of appeals. It Avas ;a good game but Manawatu displayed better combination. 1 v Mr Tahiwi proposed the press in a complimentary speech. Other to asts were the host and hostess and chairman. The proceedings terminated with

the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”

As a. curtain-raiser, the Foxton fourths defeated the State School by a fair margin. The Fourths were too hefty a combination for the little fellows, who, however, put up a stubborn fight, led by Stevenson, who played the host game of the match. Mr J. Dunn ably controlled the game. MATCHES PLAYED. 1920: At Levin, Horowhenua won 10 — 5; at Palmerston N. Manawatu won 3 —o. 1921: At Shannon, Manawatu won 3—o; at Palmerston N. drawn .‘3—3. 1922: At Levin, Horowhenua won 11 — 9; at Palmerston N. Manawatu won 32 —1(3; at Palmerston N. Horowhenua won 27 —17.

1923: At Levin, Horowhenua won 22—0; at Palmerston N. Manawatu won 25 —10. 1924: At Palmerston N. Manawatu won 23 —17; at Foxton, Manawa tu won 19 —11.

Mainewatn won 0, Horowhenua won 4; drawn 1. Manawatu scored 145 points to 139.

A practice for all Junior players will he held to-morrow evening at seven o’clock.