RUGBY REPRESENTATIVES.

Shannon News, 24 June 1924, Page 3

RUGBY REPRESENTATIVES.

MANAWATU 19, DEFEATS HQROWHENUA 11, SPORTING (MATCH AT FOX TON. The lirst Kugjby Representative match played at Foxton was attended with the utmost success. The ground on Easton Park was in excellent order, and perfectly dry. One would have thought It had not rained lor a decade. Visitors came from all parts of the Horowhenua and Manawatu districts (Woodville and Feildmg being- well represented), and all thoroughly enjoyed what was, by consensus of opinion, a most (sporting match.. Manawatu won by ejght points, irno the margin should have been smaller. Tahiwi Opens Well.

I J lay had not been in progress live minutes before Tahiwi, who created such a favourable impression at Palmerston North on Slay 3, intercepted a Manawatu passing' movement, and a spectacular run to great applause was ended right oil the goal line. From a resultant scrum Earle cleared for the greens, and Gotihard. following fast, turned the defence into attack again, The same forward immediately intercepted a transfer from Winiata to Mollison and made good progress before being grassed. ; Leeder Opens the .Scoring.

An exchange of kicks between Bailey and D'Ath enabled the reds' left winger to gain much ground, a fine follow by the Fcildingifce proving abortive. Moynilian. ever prominent, broke away, and Cowie cleaved well, following with a tackle of Wilson, the right winger, in a dangerous position. This forced the ball out on the halfway flag, and the green forwards went away at top from the* line-out. Leeder picked up twenty yards out, and with a nice run eluded the opposition, with Gothard lying handy. Akuira missed the goal, and Manawatu were "three up." («ive and Take. Tahiwi led a red rush and Cowie was lucky to save, as he could not get up in time to smother, but the ball rebounded into touch with Wilson aching for a sprint!. A centre, by'Seeker was returned by D'Ath, and Cowie gained 40 yards with a beautiful "liner." A fine pick up by Seeker enabled him to centre to Law's wing and he was smartly on to D'Ath, who, however, cleared brilliantly, and a red counteivattack followed right to the comer flag, Seeker Going- Great Guns.

When Manawatu cleared, tine opposing backs essayed a passing rush and all went well until Seeker relieved Wilson of Moses* pass, and he set sail for the other end. Running in close to beat Meta Johnstone, he was just pushed out by a fraction, as he appeared to have the full-back beaten. A scrum followed th e line-out, and off went Seeker again, with a smart sprint infield. Mullins, Bailey and Law took up the running, and one.of the finest efforts of the match was nullified by a good tackle of Bevan's. McHerron, the ex-Woodville senior, then broke away and made the first of several good runs for. Horowheuua. Jacobs and Winiata assisted him, and the lastnamed was grabbed just in time. Carroll, Anderson and Bowler shook llhings up after the green backs had cleared, and Dobbyn and Boddy carried on immediately, Meta Johnstone saving a sure try by a great pick-up and line kick. After a penalty shot, by Akuira had, been charged down, Earle sent Law off on the blind -side,' but Jacobs downed the Old Boys' llier good and hard. He .soon followed with a nice cross-kick to Seeker, and a short punt by the latter looked likely to prove dangerous as he charged Johnstone. Jacobs was handy, and the red skipper passed to Smith (a lino forward), who not only cleared but ran thirty-five yards before the greens got him. After Akuira had misstd a long shot from a mark, by feet only, Jacobs and Wilson went down the right wingin a hand-to-hand passing bout that promised, a try when the final in-pass by Jacobs, to Winiata went forward. Seeker relieved with a pass to Bailey, but Jacobs nipped the movement at once, and only a knock-on by Seeker ended a clever bit of work between himself and a duo of groin forwards— Gothard and Boddy. A weak kick by Mullins gave Wilson a chance, but he was smothered, and from the scrum Winiata passed to Wilson op the blind. A tine run by the trio was spoilt a's he failed to sec Moses run cleverly wound for a sure try, could he have got a pass from the right-winger. Law was next with a run in-lieid, and Earle succeeded, but gave MuJlins a low pads and a good chance was lost. The Kia Toa crack had belter luck next move. He took a pass from Carroll and -shot straight as a die upfield. A good pass to Bailey caught him standing, and before he could move off Broughiion blocked him, with Seeker unmarked alongside. Manawatu Maintain the Pressure.

Only a wonderful .save by . Meta Johnstone stopped Carroll from dribMling oyer, and his kick was even butter —fully 60 yarijs tP tpuch. Earle, -r-Law —Earle came back with a tricky movement, but the half was grassed before he could get Ms inside backs under way, and the ball was booted to touch; From the throw-in, Carroll went straight over with a «Jua.i'j|cteristic dash, and Manawatu Jed, Law failing to score a goal with a big'kick, Cowie sent the reds biick when a forward removed the scene of operations to green territory, and Mullins, Bailey and Law set UP a solid attack, Meta Johnstone again saying in line style Other Fust Spell Incidents.

Boddy was conspicuous fo, r clever work on the line-out, and he had a good understanding with Seeker op Short, throw-iins from touch. The first time tihtsy failed Carroll gave Seeker a. "roar" ami the ball went out to the end'Of the line thereafter. P'Ath was tackling in solid fashion and held Law every time, the Old Boys' winger playing with greiit dash, too. Another

smart run by Mullins, after a clean pick-up from tine feefe of the rejd forwards had a score in train but for an accidental stumble, Bailey and Seeker having the opposition: well beaten had they sighted the ball. Tahiwi stopped the movement, but the same trio set off again at once, Moses barely stopping Seeker until Meta , Johnstone pounced on him. The last incident of note was a beautiful dribble by Smith, who took the ball away in a clearing effort and went half the length of the field before being forced out. Just before this Earle had a chance to send his backs off, but! a determined call behind him caused the half to pass back to Leeder —a mistaken policy, as the winger was barely out of the ruck and was grassed without ceremony. Horowhenua Holds Hard.

In the sensational second spell, Bailey was first to show up with a fine centre in reds' twenty-five, but Horowhenua cleared well, and it was not long before they initiated an attack on green's citadel. A penalty by an over-eager defender gave Tahiwi a chance to open the -reds' account, but although both line umpires shoti their flags up (a mistaken conception of duty), the referee ruled no goal. It was a near thing, but Horowhenua players themselves were quite satistied of the correctness of the decision. Utetfe Instil Ginger Into the Game. The incident served to galvanise the reds into action, and some necessary ginger was instilled into subsequent proceedings. Wilson, Mollison, and Smith gained a big slice of ground with a passing bout to the right wing. Earle and Cowie had barely cleared, but/ Meta Johnstone got the ball well out to the left wing. Instead of centring, he ran hard to get on the outer, and then pased neatly to D'Ath, who repassed to tQie full-back and a sensational try was narrowly averted by Cowie. The respite was only momentarly, and Horowhenua forwards made .the pace a cracker. Cowie responded gamely with two successive saves, the second, a fine mark, with the red vanguard on top of him, making the arena ring with applause. Jacobs, Mollinson (playing (illy per centf better now) and D'Ath went strongly up th e left wing, and this dashing Otaki" player went straight at Leeder and Cowie, without any hesitation whatever. The combination proved too solid, but it was Cowie who got him. Winning Hazard by Bailoy. Manawatu counter-attacked, and Earle, Bailey, and Mullins got them well into enemy territory, a line-out following past- the reds' twenty-five. Here Earle secured possession and a clever bit of work by Akuira gave Bailey the ball. There were two backs running clear —MulMns (who had changed places with him) and Seeker —but th e upset calculations by a pretty cut-in and swerved over for a spectacular try. Mullins took the kick and converted it into a goal, Manawatu leading, 11—0. Horowhenua Scores. The reds got busy from the kick-off, Jacob, McHerran, Bevan and Broughton bowling th e greens over like ninepins, Broughlon narrowly missing a score. Lrecd&r was conspicuous in loose play for Manawatu, and a kickout to the left wing saw D'Ath again under way. His pass-in was nearly intercepted by Barle, who could do nothing more than stop the rush. x Gothard knocked-on at a critical juncture after. a\ passing rush by the Manawatu forwards, and Seeker nearly sent Bailey in at the corner with another cu»-in. Horowhenua cleared to the centre, and there the best bit of forward play of the match eventuated. Jacobs broke away, and at a pass at the right moment had Moynihan running all lie knew fof home.- He was well supported, but before he could get rid of it to a trio of comrades, Cowie floored him with a great tackle. Wilson was next, and Seeker just stopped him in time, but tihe clearing kick brought the red forwards into action. After a dozen yards' dribble, Rangi Broughton picked up the ball and dashed across to score a good. opening try for Horowhenua. Jacobs could not goal, and the greens led, 11—3. ' ' Tahiwi and MeHerron Shine. Manawatu set to work to wipe out this reverse, but-at the reds' twentiyfive the obiquitous Tahiwi shot through at top with a green pass hi his possession. The movement practically cut- out the Manawatu defence, and when Cowie asked him a question flhe Otaki "jack-in-the-box" handed on to McHerron, who surprised everybody by the speed he got up. Looking around for his supports, he was urged to go for his life, and it was not until falling across the line that Bailey got him., it was too late, but in any case Broughton and Bevan were at hand to complete the movement if necessary. No goal, and the score was —Manawatu 11—6

Fortune Smiles on Greens. Mullins barely stemmed another forward rush, as did Bailey by a good mark, and from it he nearly emulated his Wellington feat of kicking a goal. The distance was in the vicinity of half way, and only the'' direction was wrong, Mullins and Seeker did well in a little "aside," and Earle followed with, a neat; solo. The greens were keeping up the pressure when a penalty was awarded them. Akuira took the kick, and there was surprise as the referee signalle<r'a goal. It is certain that Tahiwi's shot for Horowhenua was much nearer the objective than Akuira's.—Manawatu 14—6. Tahiwi was responsible for two more sensational runs before Manawadu slowly but surely got play back to the red sector. Here Mullins started a movement, which sent Gothaxd away to give Carroll almost a clear run in for his second try ; Leeder ran nicely into position to support, and Carroll rewarded him with the goal , shot. Nothing loath, the Kia Toa winger proved his versatility by landing the ball fair and square between the uprights from a difficult angle Manawatu 19—e. Reds Refuse to Take the Count. , Horowhenua, smiling a., defeat, returned to the chiirse aSUr lam had

nearly increased tthe margin. Tahiwi continued to electrify the crowd and cause anxiety to the green defenders, a final run from 25 to 25 being the pearl of the match. Had Jacobs taken a simple pass the most brilliant try of the day would have resulted, as Cowie, playing the game, had left an open g-oaV by effectively putting Tahiwi out of action. Horowhenua continued oppressive tactics and a late-comer may have been excused for the assumption that the credit account was on the reds' side of the ledger. The Manawatu * defence broke down badly during the last 15 minutes, and Cowie was called upon for herculean efforts. His final tackle of D'Ath was a fine bit of work, and it was bad luck for Horowhenua's able left-winger to strike a full-back in such remarkable form throughout the day. lteds Score in the Dark. There was no question about) the "shades of night falling"—they had fallen when Horowhenua forwards bore down on the visitors in the final minute, and Moynihan scored with great dash for Jacobs to kick a goal that tie,d with Leeder's a s the best of the match—Manawatu 19—11. The reference to th e light was the subject of an amusing reference by Jacobs at the evening re-union. He contended that had Mangahao been ready, Horowhenua could not have failed to wipe out the deficit if "power" had been turned on for the concluding stages. Mr H. Burrows (Shannon) not only referee'd ably, but showed he had tine courage of his convictions in the Tahiwi and Akuira goal incidents,'..it being understood that in both instances the line umpire signalled sions contrary to "'the referee's opinion. The. Teams Forgather. The Horowhenua Rugby Union <iv tertained both teams and visiting officials at dinner. The usual toasts were duly honoured and uie proceedings characterised by that spirit of bon camaraderit which makes the Horowhenua-Manawatu game such a happy match. The Honours Board Since 1920.

1920: At Levin, Horowhenua won 16—5; at Palmerston North, Manawatu won 3—o. 1921: At Shannon, Manawatu won 3—o; at Palmerston North, drawn, 3—3. 1922: At Levin, Horowhenua won 11—9; at Palmerston North, Manawatu won 32—16; at Pallmerston North, Horowhenua won 27—17. 1923: At Levin, Horowhenua won 22—6; at Palmerston North, Ma»awatu won 25—16. 1924: At Palmerston North, Manawatu won 23—17; At Foxton, Manawatu won 19—11. Manawatu won 6, Horowhenua won 4; drawn 1. Manawatu scored 145 points to 139.