THE REP. MATCH

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2933, 8 September 1925, Page 3

THE REP. MATCH

MANAWATU 10, lIORO-

WTIENUA 5

The return match between Manawatu and Horowhenua was played at Foxton on Saturday, when a bowling westerly gale marred the gamo to a certain extent. The ground was in fairly good condition, considering the heavy rains overnight and jjrior to the match. Manawatu was the better team on the day’s piny and might have put up a bigger score. In the first spell the green forwards practically dominated the game, but in the second half, brightened up and forward play was pretty even. The Manawatu backs handled (lie ball better than their opponents, Darragh and Palmer being outstanding players. The former, with his straight running, pierced the defence time and time again, while the latter player was always at hand. McLean, at full-back, was only fair, his collaring lacked nothing, but lie was inclined to speculate. The outstanding Horowhenua forwards were Jacob and Moynihan, who played up to their usual standard. Hunt, as the last line of defence, was safe, but the high wind caused him a great deal of trouble. Manawatu won the toss and Jacob kieked-off, the ball landing in the arms of Jackson, who centred, for the Tlorowlienua. captain to mark. Following the kick. McDonald led his forwards on a crusade which ended in a line-out near the corner. The red forwards worked play to" quarter-wav where a penalty relieved and the green forwards led by Reid and McDonald, attacked again. From a lineout, the ball came to Jacob, who threw if past Winiata to Wilson, but the latter mulled and Palmer heal him for it. Near the goal-line he stumbled and lhe leather rolled out of his reach for Hunt to force.

Shortly afterwards, Darragh accepted a punf and left Wilson standing* with a cut-in lo pass the ball out to Palmer who raced down lo the line and then returned the pass in-field lo Darragh to score a good try. Leeder’s kick went wide of (he posts, and the score read: Manawatu J, Hoiuwliemia 0. From a scrummage, the ball came out to Kangi, who passed to McKenzie, to Mullins, but the lastmentioned handed a high throw to Leader, who failed to grasp the leather and the ball went out. From the line-out the ball landed in Palmer’s arms and be essayed a dropkick, the ball being carried over the bar by the wind. It was, perhaps, a lucky goal, but it certainly was a good one and Manawatu led 7 —o. The greens returned to the fray and McDonald and Reid looked dangerous with a dribbling rush, Imt Corby fell on the ball and bis comrades gradually relieved the pressure. The red forwards, led by Jacob and Moynihan, invaded the Manawatu territory where a series of short kicks on the part, of the opposing backs ended in a line-out near the corner flag. From the scrummage, Hakaria dived for the line, but McLean held him back and in'the melee, Tuna gained possession and scrambled over the line with three greens banging on, but the referee awarded a try. Jacob iiad no difficulty in making, the score: Horowhenua 5, Manawatu 7. Manawatu attacked from the kick-out and Reid broke and. made a dash for the goal-line, but a five-yard’s scrum eventuated, followed by a free-kick to the defenders. Palmer attempted another field goal from the kick, but the ball went wide and into the dead-ball area. Following the kick the ball came to Mullins who passed to Rangi and tiie latter, after giving a double dummy, passed wildly to Leeder and the reds cleared to half-way with a seruni. The Horowhenua forwards, led by Moynihan, assumed the attack, but the ball rolled out near the twenty-live. The reds pressed toward the goal-line, where the greens’ defenders were sorely pressed, but they cleared to the twentyfive on the call of interval.

A red pass rush was terminated by Leeder intercepting a wild pass from W ilson to Johnston, but Leeder’s pass to Mullins was in turn intercepted by Bryant, who raced down-field and tried to hurdle McLean but he was well collared and McDonald found the line.

Reid, Anderson and McDonald broke away from the line-out with the ball at their feet but when near the goal-line, Hunt stemmed the onslaught and Jacob booted to safety. Moynihan, Jacob and McLean (Horowhenua) followed the example of the green trio, but Darragli and Mullins held them up. The green forwards battled hard, but their opponents were not to be denied and slowly the play worked to the corner llag, where, from a line-out McLean procured possession and centred, Jacob marking thirty odd yards in front of the posts, His kick at goal was a good one, but the

wind carried it a few feet outside the uprights. Slowly the Horowhenua forwards worked their way into Manawatu territory and there made “sledgehammer” attacks, lmt Hie defence held until McLean, with a sensational “spec,” found the line past lhe twenty-five flag*. The greens kepi up 1 lie pressure and a continued tussle on the goal-line resulted. From a five-yard serum, the hall came out lo Rangi, who passed lo Darragh on lhe blind side and (lie latter Irnnsfcrred the hall to Palmer who raced for (lie corner where lie touched down. Rangi’s kick went wide and the score-board read: Manawatu 10, Horowhenua

At this stage, Jackson was injured and went off, Smith taking his place. Within a minute, Jackson was back again, but it was sometime before Smith was recalled and during that period, curiously enough, the reds attacked hut it was not for long and Manawatu relumed to the fray and when time was called play was in the Horowhenua quarter. Mr. J. Randle, of Tlorowlienua, controlled the game.