LUCK COUNTED

NZ Truth, Issue 1185, 16 August 1928, Page 14

LUCK COUNTED

Wanganui Grab Game From Fire (From "N.Z., Truth's", Wanganui Rep.) There was an element of luck about Wanganui's win on Saturday i over Marlborqugh by 19 to 13; Within seven minutes of the terr mination of the game the board read 14-13 m Wanganui's favor. , MARLBOROUGH were making the pace very hot to try and bring off the winning score, and with Wanganui tiring there was rare excitement amongst the spectators, as it was quite on the cards that the visitors would just manage to do the trick. Then the unexpected happened, for the Wanganui forwards commenced a rush which drove right through the opposition, and after a scramble near the red's goal line, McLean nipped up and scored, Vangioni convex-ting. There were then only two minutes left and Marlborougli thus faced a hopeless task. ' :•'■•. The home team was withoutthe services of Carlstbn and McLennan m the three-quarter line and Stiver and James were the wingers instead, with Tilley m the centre. Leahy and Oxley were also missing from the forwards. The visiting forwards opened with; a great deal more- dash than Wanganui, and in' the earlier stages, with their close work, they were holding the blues hard on the defence. It looked as if Wanganui w.ere*in for a thorough beating. However, Bellis soon sized up the weakness m the reds and commenced to open the play up. The backs tossed the ball about willingly, and it was not long before Wanganui figured on the board with two tries, one converted. Marlborough backs were often at fault and this gave . the blues opportunities which were turned to good account. , Dropped Passes When the red backs did attempt to pass, a lot of handy ones were dropped, and these were just the openings Bellis was looking for. With speedy forwards m support, they often sent the Visitors scurrying to defend at their own end. • Hodson, one of the Marlborough wing three-quarters, was several times well out of position, being too far back, and on several occasions was not there to take a pass. Devine showed up conspicuously for the visitors, but unfortunately got offside on several occasions. .Vangioni, for Wanganui, played'; his second rep match, as half, this* ' season. Although he let one or two slip through his hands, he nevertheless fed the backs well. Wanganui now entertains hopes of extending Taranaki at New Plymouth on Saturday next. .The following team has been 'selected: I>arby; Stiver, Tilley, McLennan; Shanley, Wakeling; Vangioni; Bellis; Burr, Pine; Leahy, L. Stewart, D. Ross; 'Oxley, McLean.