MANAWHENUA DEFEAT WANGANUI

Shannon News, 1 September 1925, Page 3

MANAWHENUA DEFEAT WANGANUI

SPARKLING RUGBY. NOTES ON THE GAME. The Combined Representatives met Wanguuui ut Palmerston on Saturday and a sparkling game was provided, ending in a win for the combination by 18 points to 17. Played at a great pace, the fortunes of either side fluctuated alternately, and it was really anybody's game right up to the final whistle. One side would no sooner score and take the lead, than the other side would retaliate in a determined manner, and quickly draw level again. Those present were kept constantly in a state of speculation as to the final result, and left the ground with the feeling that it was money well spent. It was certainly much better to look at than last Saturday's game. Leeder, the Manawatu winger, was tl ie star performer of the day, and lived up to. all the good things that have been said about him lately. Being constantly ,fed when an attack was ready to be thrust home, he finished the movements in a determined manner, and whenever he got his hands to the ball there was always something doing. Hunt did his part well, and on more than one occasion, with clever kicks, turned defence into attack. Be can be forgiven for not ■ stopping Bellis when that player scored his try, hut as we all know, Bellis is a particularly hard man to haul down. Wilson at centre had an off day and did not play up to the form usually associated with this player. While doing his. part well on attack, his defence at times left a lot to be desired. Winiata was also off colour, ami retired at half time with an injury to his shoulder.

Jacob again played a fine game opening up from all directions, and showing fine judgment on defence, often falling back to assist Hunt when needed. His effort that gave Thompson a try was neatly worked from a line out at half-way. The Combined Team's best forward was undoubtedly Reid, who was prominent in almost every movement, both in the tight and in the loose. Tuna also played an .excellent game, his sorum work being very impressive, while* Mac Lean gave another fine exhibition. In fact, the packing of the Green forwards was vastly superior to anything they have previ r oai'sly shown. They dominated the tight work, and repeatedly cleared their line in a determined manner. In Delves and McAuliffe, Wanganui possess two very useful five-eighths, who exploit the straight running phase of the game to good effect. Hartley was the best of the visiting wingers. Bellis, while not the Bellis oi old, was always awaiting an opportunity. His try, when he intercepted a slowpass from Akuira at half way, was a spectacular piece of play. Young, O'Connell and Murie were the pick of the Wanganui scrummagers, who resembled the New South Wales pack with their quick breakaways. They were very clever at heeling to their backs.

Wanganui made the pace a cracker from the start, both forwards and backs carrying play to the Green line, but Jacob and Reid burst through and sent them flying back, Leeder finishing off the movement when forced into touch after brushing aside several tacklers 1 . Back came Wanganui, and Hunt just got to Collier in time, downing him with a beautiful tackle. Then came Bellis's great try alter running from half-way. The Blues were now three up. This reverse seemed to be just what the Greens needed. Akuira set his backs going in midfleld, the ball tra- x veiling along with short snappy passes, until it reached Mullins, who flew past his man, and sent on to Leeder, who finished off a beautiful movement by scoring wide out. The Greens kept up the pressure, and Hunt, punting high, saw Jacob and Anderson beat the defence and dribble over for Leeder to shoot up to score his second try, with a man hanging on to him wnen yards away from the ball. Jacob failed to improve. DeTves soon equalised with a penalty in the Green territory. Anderson, Reid, Jacob, and Law were then (associated in some pretty in-and-out passing, that ended with Uiu last-named player scoring in the comer. ,_ . . Wanganui then took a hand m things and weak tackling let McAuliffe through to send Hartley over, and the teams filed off for the spell with the score board reading nine all. The Blues repeated their opening tactics when play resumed, and Darby sent Collier down the wing, but he was well stopped by Hunt. The Wanganui forwards were penalised frequently at this stage, for offside plav and the Combineds gained a lot of 'ground with free kicks. Delves then broke through in' a sensational manner, and sent ton to Persson, the ball passing through the hands of Bellis and Ross, who scored a fine try. Delves' kick missed. Back came the Greens, and within a few minutes Jacob was streaking for the line. When tackled he passed to Reid who gave to Thompson who kept the man at the scoreboard busyl

The Blues were not. done with, however, and when play was in motion they swept down field. The ball goin /over the Combined line, saw Leeder and Ellery dive simultaneously, Leeder seemed to get there but to* referee decided that Ellery had Suched down and Delves put Wan-

ganui in the lead for the first time by converting. The score now read 17—15 in Wanganui's favour and excitement reigned as the Combined attack swept up field in a great rush to save defeat. They were temporarily checked, but were not to be denied and out shot the leather from a scrum and away went Akuira. Drawing the first fiveeighth he sent on to Darragh (who replaced Winiata) and the hall went through the hands of Wilson and Mullins to Leeder, who dashed for the line amid the wildest excitement. Brushing his tacklers aside this player finished off a great day's play by hurling himself over for the winning try. It was a wonderfol effort on the part of the Combined hacks, and ful'ly deserved its reward. The final bell sounded with both teams very tired and showing the effect of the strenuous game. SHANNON U v. MOUTOA NIL. This game was replayed on the Shannon Domain on Saturday. On the previous Saturday these two teams met and at the call of time the score was nine all. An extra 12 minutes were ordered or until. such time as either side scored. Shannon secured the winning try, but owing to a wrong decision by the referee Moutoa protested to the Union, which upheld the protest. Saturday's game was very one-sid-ed, particularly in the first spell, Shannon registering 14 points against Moutoa, eleven of which were secured in the first spell. Tries were secured by Chapman, Terry, Caldwell and E. Satherley, Pickard converting •the try secured by Chapman. Mr McGregor controlled the game.