REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY.

Shannon News, 14 August 1923, Page 5

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY.

TABLES TURNED ON HOROWKEN UA. MANAWATU WINS, 25—16. A HAlti) AND FAST GAME. The return match between Horowhenua and Manawatu took place on the Showgrounds last Saturday, when Manawatu completely turned the tables on their opponents, and defeated them by 25 points to 16. The game was hard and fast throughout, and the 2000 people who witnessed the big contest, were treated to some lively and exciting football. The game was clean, and played in a most friendly spirit, the only casualty being Cockcroft, who had the misfortune to fracture his left collaroone. He had been playing a dandy game, and his accident was most regrettable. The teams were as follow: HOKOWHENUA, Full-back, Taylor; three-quarters, Meta Johnson, Kelly, Udy; flvecigliths, Moses, Reid; half-back, R. McDonald; Wing T forward, Jacob-; Hookers, Howell, Bevan; lock, Tana; supports, Broughton, Moynihan; back iank, Gardner, George. Emergencies, (jacks, McKenzie, Wells; forwards; Marsh, Collier. MANAWATU. Full-back, Cockcroft; threequartera, Cowie, Bropliy, Norris; five-eighths, Maire, Bailey; half-back, Akuira; wing-forward, McDonald; hookers, O’Neill, Carroll; lock, Anderson; supports, Galpin, Gothard; back rank, Sly, Muric. Emergencies, O’Brien, McNeill, McKegg, Bowler; backs, Mullins, Norris. Explanation.—Hansen was unable to play, so Anderson took his place as lock, and McNeill took Anderson’s place as hooker. Swainson was also incapacitated so this vacancy was ably filled by Norris. In the second spell, a slight change was necessary, owing to Cockcroft’s accident, so Cowie went to full-back, and Mullins took his position as wing-threequarter. THE GAME.

Hofowhenua won the spin of the penny, and chose to play with a choppy breeze blowing practically in their faces. The sun was playing hide and seek behind the clouds, but at , timds put th e visitors at a disadvantage. Maire took the opening kick for Manawatu, and sent play to the opposing 25. An exchange of kicks followed the throAV in, with splashes here and there of forward play. Green ' gained the advantage, and Cockcroft, with his usual hefty kick, sent play well into the visitors’ 25 once more. A g-reat forward fight took place on Horowhenua’s line, the ball at last coming to the backs .Alcuira started the fun, and Cowie finished it in a great sprint across field, and scored, well oxi(. Akuira’s shot at goal failed —Manawatu 3, Horowhenua 0. A scrum followed the kick-off, and green hooked cleanly to Akuira, to Maire, who boat, his man, and bolted down held, finally passing to Cowie, who Ava» pushed out. The visitors nojy attacked hard, and led by Jacob, returned operations to mid-way, where green just saved their bacon Avitlr a timely mark. Both teams Avere now getting warmed up to it, and a spell of high punts ended in Maire marking. Blue played on following his kick, and abashing rush started by Udy in the rearguard, Avas upset suddenly by Brophy. Manawatu kept up the pressure, and for some time a ter. rifle onslaught took place in neutral territory. Carroll at last came away Avith the leather at his too, and took play in opposition territory. From a drop out green heeled the ball and Maire got away Avith it, but a foiward pass to Brophy spoilt a good chance. Horowhenua came back in an overpowering foiuvard rush, and Jacob sent down a long kick, which found touch. Moynihan and Broughton broke nwny, but were blocked, and as quick as lightning, play Avent to the other end. Akuira tried his luck at a penally goal again, but his kick Avas charged down, and the opposing forAvards came into conflict with .green sloAVly, but surely, working toward their objective. Jacob claimed a mark and his kick sent the leather to Cockcroft, Avho ran to the centre and passed to Brophy, to Cowie, Avho took play to about ten yards from home. Here stubborn resistance Avas encountered, and the visiting vanguard finally succeeded in forcing their opponnents back. Play Avorked across field and Maire claimed a mark, but his shot at goal, although Avell directed, fell short, rights, and Akuira, handling the ball cleanly, cut round to the blind side and went straight through to Auetory. He made no mistakes with the kick this time —Manawatu 8, HorOAvhenuw 0. That the reds were fired by the reA r erse Avas evident, for following up Jacob’s kick, an avalanche of bone and muscle sAvept dOAvn the field, ana green were compelled to carry behind and force. The visitors fought hard in the scrummage that followed, but Brophy eased the situation Avith a timely line kick. The visitors struck back, and made repeated attempts to cross the line, but over-anxiousness on seA r eral occasions spoilt good attempts. All of a sudden, the leather shot down field, and McDonald racing after it, had Jacob fumbling neiwously, and nearly succeeded in gaining honors. Green kept up their sledge hammer attack, and were using both backs and forwards in an endeavour to break dOAvn the opposition’s defence. A retaliating rush by Horowhenua took play to green's 25, Avherc, after a succession of quick passes, Udy cut In and scored. Kelly Avas rather unfortunate with his kick—Manawatu 8, Horowhenua 3. This score that avos necessary to stir the visitors up, and they attacked hot and strong in opposition territory. Taylor claimed a mark from Akuira, but his attempt at goal was fruitless. Manawatu carried on and rushed play to half-way, but Reid stepped in and returned Ihe leather ag&'in to the 2B where a scrum took place five yards out. . The reds used every ounce of weight, but Maire saved with a lovely

line-kick. From the 1/ne-out, ManaAvatu attacked, led by Sly, and a battle royal took place in Horowhenua’s 25. From a forward mix-up, well out, Akuira saw an opening and flew in and scored. His kick Avent Avide. Immediately after the bell sounded halftime, and the score stood: ManaAvatu, 11; Horowhenua, 3. SECOND SPELB.

The visitors now had the breeze and sun behind them, and following up Jacob’s long kick, took activities into their opponents’ 25. Brophy marked, and his kick was in turn marked by Jacob. The latter’s attempt at the uprights failed. Once more the forAvards clashed, and Moynihan fighting his way through, fallowed up and scored. Jacob easily converted this one, Avith a beautiful kick-—Manawatu 11, Horowhenua 8. From now on, each side attacked in turn, and the visitors more than once had Manawatu on pins and needles. A terrific struggle ensued on green’s line, but the fort Avas impregnable, and play came back to half-Avay. Exchange kicks folloAA'ed, the last coming to Brophy,i who set the backs in motion, btit the move was upset, and just aa suddenly, Jacob set his rearguard in action, but they lost possession, and green eased with a line kick. The visiting combination had now fount their wind, and swept down the field, tossing the leather about as though it were some red-hot objecr. The green forwards put their shoulders to the Avheel, and Galpin, Murie and McDonald returned play to the opposite end. Back came Moynihan Avith the ball at his toe, Akuira was there, and saved. A lull look place in the battle Avhile high punts AA’ere exchanged. Manawatu forced play to J ioroAvlienua’s end, and from a scrum live yards out, Maire playea his old dodge, and cut in and scored. Akuira’s kick again failed—Manawatu 14, Horowhenua 8. FolloAving play went from end to end, each side gaining, only to fall back as suddenly. The local fifteen AA r cre still full of fight and.from a drop out in the visitors 25 the forwards fought like tigers. Akuira picked up the ball from the scrummage, and again cutting in, ran round and planted the leather under the posts. He added the major points easily—Manawatu 19, PloroAvhenua 8. No sooner had play recommenced Avhen Gothard, breaking away from a line out at half-way, kept going with the ball at his toe, and beating several opponents, scored Avell out. Akuira Avas off colour Avith his kick—ManaVA'atu 22, HoroAvhenua 8. Again in the thick of it, the ball received its share of patronage from .both sides, until HoroAvhenua put on a rush, and by throAving the leather about in a most tewildering manner, evaded all opposition and Tana scored. Jacob had bad luck Avith his shot at goal—Manawalu 22, HoroAvhenua 11. These tactics Avere no good to ManaAvatu, so after Brophy had frightened the red backs tAvice, Anderson added three more points to the total. Sly’s kick failed—Manawatu 25, Horowhenua 11. Time was hoav getting close, and the visitors made gallant attempts to even up matters. Green held them, and i eturned the rush, only to be checked by Udy, Avho sprinted right down the lme, and eluding all his tacklers, scored a most popular try under the posts. Jacob easily put over the leather- this time —ManaAvatu 25, HoroAvhenua 16. Directl-y after, time was called, and both teams filed off the field, ManaAvatu the victors, after a really hard and fast game. Mr. A. W. Thompson Avas the referee.