SPECTACULAR FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 25 July 1922, Page 3

SPECTACULAR FOOTBALL.

MANAWATU 32 v. HOROWHENUA 16

Saturday’s return match between Manawatu and Horowhenua proved the surprise of the season. The end of the. first spell found Horowhenua leading by 11—6, and the red and blue supporters were calculating what margin their reps, would have to the good when the game was over. There was reasonable assumption for viewing matters optimistically seeing that Horowhenua had scored three tries and converted one to Manawatu’s two penalty goals. But the second spell saw Manawatu break loose in the literal sense, and from whistle to whistle they never let up. The pace was a cracker, but the Green and Whites were still going strong when “no side” sounded. In this spell the winners put up the respectable score of 26 points against another converted try by Horowhenua. One remarkable feature of the match was Swainson’s goal-kicking for Manawatu. Out of a total of eight shots at goal he piloted the ball over that bar seven times —a record that will take some beating. On the day’s play Manawatu well reserved its win. The conditions were perfect, the ground being dry, pnd an absence of wind. Horowhenua was unfortunate inbeing without the services of Porter, who would have greatly strengthened the side, and his place at five-eighth is just the pivot from which a player of his resource can turn much of the play to greater advantage. Horowhenua did not get as much of the ball as usual from the scrums, and when they did Baker did not always succeed in getting it away. Baker’s game was not as good as was expected of him.- Moses was about the best of the local backs, playing solidly right through and being always in the thick of it. N. Winiata, who captained the side, played a sound game at centre, and the-other backs acquitted themselves equally well. After fumbling a few times at the ; commencement of thei game, Johnson, at full-back, gave a good exhibition. Occasionally he was slow getting to the ball, once nearly letting the opposition in.

The Horowhenua forwards, or the majority of them, were not nearly m the same condition as the Manawatu pack, and could not stand the pace. Even in the first spell there were stragglers yards away . from the actual play and following up casually. In the second spell, when Manawatu was all ouIS, this was again observable. Horowhenua’s forward rushes lacked the solidarity of the other side, the Manawatu rushes being solidly supported. The Horowhenua dribbling was also inferior to their opponents, and they frequently overran the; ball. Rewi Moynihan was the best of the local forwards, being always on the ball. Koro, Campion and Tana were the most conspicuous of the others, the first-named playing particularly well. Robinson, of Foxton, got in on occasion and scored two tries.

The game was only in progress a few minutes when Manawatu (green) pushed Horowhenua (red) back on the defensive. The Reds infringed, and before the spectators (had properly settled down Swainson had drawn first blood for the Greens by sending the ball across the bar. Thei succeeding play was fast and jDpen with the honours even, the attacks passing from Green to Red territory and vice versa in forward and back movements. Horowhenua worked into Manawatu ground, and Moses, Nepia and T. Moynihan commenced an attack that nearly brought success. The passing reached the speedy wing, who was dragged down within a yard of the line by two opponents. Carroll, Leeder and Anderson were going strong among the Green pack ,and they came through with the ball and over the Horowhenua line, a force-down saving a score. Thei Reds set up another offensive, T. Winiata, Moses, Nepia and Wakefield all doing spectacular work. The last-named was collared just on the line, but; he struggled over and scored amidst applause. The kick failed, and the score was 3 all. Shortly after Horowhenua was again penalised in their own territory, and Swainson was successful, raising the score to 6—3. Another passing bout by Nepia, Moses and T. Moynihan just failed to reach the line. The Manawatu backs, who were handling the ball well, inaugurated some good passing, and got dangerously close to scoring on occasion. Koro broke well away with the ball, and with H. Robinson in attendance beat the opposition, Robinson coming on to score under the bar. Moses goaled. Horowhenua 8, Manawatu 6. Campion and Rewi Moynihan headed another break for the opposition goal, the latter registering a fine try. The kick failed, and half-time sounded with Horowhenua leading 11—6. The second half was Manawatu’s. Within a few minutes Swainson had kicked another penalty and converted

a try, making Manawatu 14—11. The play was fast and exciting, with the Manawatu forwards dominating the game, Carroll, Harkness,' Anderson

and Leeder being always in the van, whilst Bramwell, Mair, Bailey and Yates (full back) were in fine form among the backs. The next score came from a Green forward rush, Harkness touching down and Swainson adding the extra points. Manawatu 19—11. Not many minutes after - the Green pack again placed the Red * line in danger, Leeder gathering ami sprinting over. Swanison failed to convert; Manawatu 22—11. The home backs became aggressive, and a passing bout saw Mair score and Swain- ■; son again goal (27—11). The next try ; was to Bramwell, who was playing a fine game. The goaling kick was again successful, and the scores were 32—11. Horowhenua'was not yet done . with, and after sending the Greens ; back with a forward rush, H. Robinson got over. Rewi Moynihan converted, and the whistle went, the final figures being Manawatu 32, Horowhe- i nua 16. , ■» JUNIOR GAME. The junior game, Manawatu v. - Horowhenua was played prior to tha ” senior game, and ended in a win for * Manawatu by 8 to 3. The play did not reach a very high standard. All the.® scoring was done in the first half, the* second session being closely contested, IB play being mostly among the for- * wards. .9