WELLINGTON B

NZ Truth, Issue 1294, 2 October 1930, Page 17

WELLINGTON B

Dim Manawhenua p^timis^ (Prom f'N.Z. Truth's" Palmerston North , • „."•- .■■. ' . ;■;-. . v. ■>-. OELDOM has such a disgraceful exhibiV tlon of defensive tactics been seen m what was allegedly an inter-provincial Rugby fixture between ■' Wellington andManawhenua at Palmerston North. The Manawhenua men must have developed ah artistic temperament as. the game progressed, for, while thetr defence was passable' in' the opening stages of the game, the; muddier the ground be- : •came; the' more disinclined they were'to falling' down on .the ball and getting their jerseys and shorts messed up with mud. . v. ■ :■■ ■ ~. ■ . .At one "stage of -the. game, when WeU lirigton led 9^6, Manawhenua might easily have taken the lead, btft no team • can win any match if 'the backs will not fall down: on the ball. . .Thte elementary Rugby rule ■- was quite overlooked' by the tri-colors, and they had to pay for their lesson, Wellington winning 19— 6. - - \ ■••'■"•■.' ■■■'■•. After ..their win against, Hawkes Bay, Manawhenua's supporters were prepared to see. their team win against Wellington. Alas for their optimism. They received almost as big a .surprise as they did the previous week-end, but, this time, the shock was decidedly unpleasant; - ■ The .Wellington forwards,' of whom Ward, Blacker, and Wood -were most prominent, . did not encounter the .usual vim '.In the Manawhenua pack, and there were, times,/ when the visitors wen* tnrough the home pack' as easily as water 'going thl-ough a sieve. r •■ ■ There were occasions, however; when the Manawhenua pack ajoused themselves from their stupor and gave. Wel- '. llngtoV.-! more than they really wanteH but this -happened on" all too few occasions for ; Manawhenua. Ward, van -i ex-St. Patrick's College footballer; and Wairarapa representa- . tive, was the Outstanding forward 'on the field. ,y' . .....

THE two prominent Canterbury boys, G. F. Hart" and R. Cordery, will be m the hands of A. L. Lewis, the champion sprinter, arid Jim Gasson will be taking C. M. Walden's job of coaching the runners at L/lnwood Park^ . Canterbury will probably see Malcolm Leadbetter m an official capacits' this season, for if a rumored retirement among the handicappers takes place he is to be called upon. , ' New blood from other centres does hot' seem t.p be forthcoming to swell Canterbury's ranks for the present athletic season, and any .additional spirit will have