TIT FOR TAT

NZ Truth, Issue 1189, 13 September 1928, Page 16

TIT FOR TAT

Taranaki Even With Manawhenua

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Taranaki Rep.) Manawhenua checked Taranakl's triumphant career a few days ago at Palmerston North, but Taranaki got even on Saturday at New Plymouth when they narrowly defeated the Combined Union by 13 points to 12 points. TARANAKI'S score comprised three tries (two converted), whilst the visitors scored a' try, two penalties and a goal from a mark./ There was little to spare on either side, however. Taranaki had Johnston and Brown, whilst Manawhenua were without Parata and Akulra and that made all the difference. The game was mostly forward and m keeping with the weather—somewhat drab. Towards the close it liveried up and roused the 2000 spectators. Taranaki had the advantage of a strong wind and did all thek* scoring m the first'spell. Crawford, the Okaiwa winger, put. m at the last moment, scored two brilliant tries and was responsible for the third. Ike's boot converted two. Manawhenua's big forwards made matters merry with the. wind and Tatana, who had given Taranak! a fright when he struck the bar against th© wind from nearly halfway, early landed two penalties. Then from a forward rush Satherley scored, but Tatana failed to convert. A little later Taylor was held up on the line. Satherley marked, however, from -< a short kick. The bulk of the crowd seeing Satherley kick at goal thought a try had been scored and when goal was hoisted went home thinking Taranaki was a point down. Taranaki pressed : for the last few minutes when Crawford was nearly over and Rutherford with any dash should have been over. - The Manawhenua forwards had an advantage m height and beat the locals m the line-out as well as'in the 1 scrum from which. Taranaki seldom got the ball cleanly^ Generalship Wanted; The Manawhenua backs were sound, but they lacked a general. Robinson, as usual, went well for Taranaki, tackling like a Trojan and heading every, rush. Ike used his weight and pace to advantage, likewise his boot. Murphy and R. Guy went best of the others and/Wills was prominent m the loose. ■ . • .. ' .. A. Guy, as rover, was m everything and made some. great bursts through. Court went well" at half, sending .thfe ball away smartly when he got it. His. defence was sound, but once he mulled badly and the break cost his team a try. '~\ ■' ■ ■ - Owen has struck form at last. His exhibition was the best to date. He is not able to .do the whole north trip, but will be at Auckland. Johnston was the bright and shining star of the side. He was solid m defence and dazzling m attack. Brown, while he appeared to be saving his leg which was injured at Wellington, went well. He dropped a neat Koal, but the ball' struck an opponent's hand m its flight. Crawford put stacks of dash into his same, using all his pace. His .tries were no flukes. . Rutherford, on ' the other wing, did not rise to the occasion. Certainly the unmerciful barracking of a section of the crowd did not help the young player to find his feet. j • : Taranaki has won seven matches and lost two. Games against Waikato, Thames Valley and Auckland complete the programme.