IN THE DARK

NZ Truth, Issue 1190, 20 September 1928, Page 14

IN THE DARK

Fruitless Grab For : -Shidd , (From T ''N.Z. .Truth's" Masterton Bep.) \ :■■ Wairarapa returned to their old ■form on Saturday,when they show- . Ed Manawhenua, to the tune of 31 points to 10, that the Ranfurly ■ Shield remains :in the Wairarapa 'this season. • TNspite of; the performances of W.aira-. A j rapa this year m their different fixtures, " supporters of the code In the district have not, as a whole, been able to command anything like confidence, m their men. The approach of a representative fixture, especially with the trophy at stake, was the cue for chills up the spine. , v .Wheri'Cooke was chosen m the New Zealand team to play on the same day as? trie Wairarapa —Manawhenua match there was a wail., Fears were felt that because Manawhenua took the shield away from Wairarapa last season they would do the same thing again this year. As it happened, Cooke played for Wairarapa after all, but: it was not due to the wizard that the holders kept the shield. The wizard, was off form. He came to light at length with one of his dazzling runs through the opposition, but his usual speed was lacking. * . . . No, there were other reasons for Walrarapa's win. One looked at Manawhenua m vain to see how their training had benefited therri. Evidence of it was present least of all In their tackling. They tried to break a fend instead of going low, and this proved of small avail against Wairarapa's backs, who were on their mettle. Safe All The Way Wairarapa play their,best game with their backs against the wall, but on this oocasion they went m and gathered their points early, so that they led by 21 points to 0 at half-time-In Q. Donald and Held the shieldholders had sterling hookers. Manawhenua could not get the ball away from the scrum, although their greater weight m the pack enabled them topush the home team about. It'was m the loose that Manawhenua showed up to best advantage, but with Hart opening to his backs, the work passed to the Wairarapa backs. They did not shine. J. Donald, Wairarapa's rover, was the best forward on the field, and it was exhilarating to witness his return to form. His try at the outset was followed by another, m a fast attacking game by him. Jury was the pick of the backs, with Gundy next. The latter* s try was a spectacular one. Regarding Manawhenua, there were only two men In the team — Strange at wing three-quarter and Conrad at support. The latter, who could tip the scales over any player on the field, continually broke through with the ball at his toes.' Strange .would have done even better had his wing been.fed more. While guilty of. fumbling at first, he gained confidence as; the game progressed. . Wasley was fairly sound at fuilback, although he let Wairarapa through..on one odcasibh.' ■ He played } for safety, but. his touch-kicking, did not always gain his side much. Roberts, the other wing. threequarter, was prominent m the early i part of the spell, but tailed off later. Gleeson made a belated spurt, and capped some good efforts with a' try.