REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY.

Shannon News, 24 August 1926, Page 3

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY.

MANAWATU-HOROWHENIJA STILL UNBEATEN. WANGANUI COMFORTABLY DEFEATED. (By Our Special Representative) Bv defeating the Wanganui representatives- tby eleven points to three on Saturday at Wanganui, the Combined team maintained its unbeaten record so fair this season. The Green and Whites did not display the same amount of dash which has characterised their previous games, their handling of the ball at times, particulary in the second spell, being very uncertain. The Wanganui forwards were a good even lot and appeared to advantage an the loose rushes, but in the other phases of the forward play, the Combined pack were better than their opponents. In the fet spell, Wanganui played with the wind and sun at their backs, but failed to make full use of this advantage, and the Green and White defence held good, the spell ehding with the scares 3. all. When the teams changed over, the Manawhenua supporters expected great things from their team, but they certainly did not play up to form, and should at least have registered another couple of tries. The Green backs were given plenty of the ball, but it did not come out to the outside men at all cleanly, and Law was inclined to punt' far too frequently, allowing the opposition backs to neutralise the good work of the Manawhenua forwards. The ground was hard) and fast, consequently the game was played at great pace, and the spectators were treated to many exciting incidents, Mr F. Atkinson, of Wanganui, refereed. The teams lined out as follow: MANAWATU-HOROWHENUA. (Green and White). Full-back. i: M. McDonald. Three-quarters. Walker Hunt Roberts Five-eighths. Law Akuira ! Half. Evans Wing-forward. Jacob (captain) ’ Hookers Maihi Stewart ; .Lock. Bond Supports. Gleeson Galpin Back Row. - Gothard Dalzell WANGANUI (Blue). Full-back. A. Duiicap. Three-quarters. Hall ' Carlson / Wakeling Five-eighths. * Irwin , Delves Half. J; Duncan Wing-forward. _ Beilis (captain) Hookers - Sinclair Pine Lock. Jackson Supports. Johnston Lockett Back Row. Murie Fremont THE GAME DESCRIBED. Wanganui, winning the toss, Jacob set play in motion, and for the first ten minutes neither side held any distincj. advantage, both appearing to be summing up each other’s strength. The Combined forwards, then asserted themselves on several lineouts, and forced play into Wanganui’s twenty-five. A battle between tile opposing forwards ensued, until Hunt snapped up a clever mark off the toe* of the Blue forwards, and drop-kicked a beautiful goal, but a Green man got in front of tile ball, and a scrum followed. COMBINED OPEN THEIR ACGOUNT. Tlie ball came out cleanly*to Evans,: and Jacob who had raced into position accepted his pass, and sent on to Roberts. The pass to the lastnamed was a bit high; and he was seen running along juggling the ball on his shoulder. After Roberts had traversed several yards in this manner it appeared as if he would lose the’ ball, but just as it was getting . out of control, Jacob galloped around on the outside, gathered the leather in, and running strongly down the sideline, scored a spectacular try. He failed to convert from a difficult angle’ combined 3, Wanganui 0. Play hung around midfield for 'some time when play re-started, until a penalty to Wanganui enabled them to take up the attack. Both teams were now making the pace a Dress home Walker electrified the crowd with a 30' yards sprint down the touch line. When fa.»d vntha counle of tacklers, the Man aw atu fiyer cross-kicked to Roberts,' failed to gather in, a twinkling of an eye, took to Manawhenua s line. The went across, and in a desperate race for a touch down Wakeling appeared likely to score, but as he was diving for the leather, Hunt just got his toe to it and booted dead. WANGANUI EQUALIZE. -Gleeson and Gothard headed play down to Wanganui’s line, and the Green backs' swung into action, Walkbeing forced out at the cor- : n< rn<dves and Beilis were conspicugood defensive work, follow-

ing this, the former eventually clearing to half-way. Dalzell was palpably off-side during some loose play in this vicinity, and Delves with an excellent kick from just inside of half-way turned the penalty to good account by piloting the leather safely between the uprights, making the score 3 all. From now on to half-time Wanganui held the upper hand, their forwards putting plenty of vim into their rushes. Beilis and Marie with the ball at their feet, headed a dangerous rush over the Green s line, but once again Hunt just got there in the nick of time.

Then the Blue backs handled in an excellent movement, but lost control at the crucial moment. M. McDonald failed to clear, however, and) Walker was compelled to seek relief with a force-down.

Wanganui still kept pegging away near Manawlienua’s line, and Delves nearly sent Pine over, but deadly tackling averted a score,'and Gleeson and Maihi dribbled out to midfield' as the half-time bell sounded. When the final spell started, it was obvious to everyone that the Wanganui forwards, who were playing their best game to date, intended making a determined fight of it, and they dominated the play for some moments, while Manawhenua’s defence at this stage was inclined to be shaky, causing their supporters some anxiety. The Combineds were finally compelled to force down. After a fine movement (between Akuira, Law and Walker had gained considerable ground, Delves, gaining from a line-out, cleverly fooled the Green backs, and broke clean away. M. McDonald, however, was equal to the occasion, and downed him with a splendid low tackle, and immediately returned play to Wanganui’s end with a hefty punt. Back came the Blue pack in a sweeping rush. Carlson marked, and narrowly missed goaling. Then the Green backs retaliated with a couple of good - movements, until Law spoilt some promising play by kicking instead of passing out. A similar piece of work came to naught, as Walker knocked on with a clear run in, after the leather had travelled right along from the base of the scrum. Wanganui were kept on the de-‘ fence for quite a spell at this stage, and the Greens appeared to have the measure of their opponents, -but frequent infringements prevented them irom increasing their score. THE GREENS TAKE THE LEAD.

At last Manawhenua’s persistency was rewarded, for from a scrum midway, Evans whipped the ball out to Akuira. That player failed to .get his Hands to the hall, but managed to dribble past Delves, and the Green forwards, quick to jump into! the breach, carried on and from a loose scramble a few yards from the Blues line, Galpin snapped up and sent Walker over in the corner. Jacob’s kick sailed wide.

Combined 6, Wanganui 3. Jacob was then prominent with some clever play. Gaining possession from a line-out at midfield,, be neatly dummied, through 'the -Wanganui back'-line, and passed to- Gleeson, who returned to Jacob, and the Green s skipper hurled himself over tlie line, but was ruled off-side, and the Blues supporters breathed more freely. The Wanganui backs, taking advantage.of good work by their vanguard, now asserted themselves, and some good handling penetrated well into Mainawhenua’s territory. Hall, the wing-three-quarter, wag; the last to handle, -but los-t, possession. He, however, managed to dribble past Walker, and regaining the- leather, headed infield. When hemmed in he- sent Lockett streaking away goalwards with -a good -pass, and the Blue breakaway looked like scoring, but Jacob hauled him down a yard from the line. COMBINED TURN DEFENCE TO GOOD ACCOUNT. An exciting forward tussle-took place, aiid Manawhenua had to fight desperately to keep the invaders out, until M. McDonald, Avho was playing an 1 excellent game, div-ed into the thick of the fray, and cleared with a big punt downfield. Delves failed to field the leather, and Roberts and Jacob appeared on the scene, and before Wanganui could collect their defence, Jacob gathered the hall in in his stride-, and raced for the; corner. , ~. Duncan and Wakeling made desperate- efforts to stop his progress, and managed to hold him up, hut, while the two defenders were giving him all their attention, they had also left Roberts- unmarked, and Jacob- using his reach, shot the- ball over their heads to the- Shannon player, who ran -round under the posts. Jacob kicked an easy goal. Combined 11, Wanganui 3. The Blue scrummage now made a dying effort to save the game, and with an irresistible -rush carried play down to Manawhenua’s line. M. McDonald was conspicuous for several fine saves in quick succession, and as the Greens gradually worked back to anid-field, Wanganui’s chances faded away. Several scrums were formed at ’this spot/, (from which, Evans endeavoured to work the blind side, but made little headway, and the final bell sounded with play m neutral territory. JUNIOR REPS. manawatu v. horowhenua. The Horowhenua Junior reps, played their first game of the sea,son against Manawatu on the Lev in Domain on Saturday. The attendanc , for a representative game, was p ,

but, considering the publicity given to the fixture such was only to be expected. Manawatu fielded a slightly heavier team, and the fact that they were playing -their thirc game together probably accounts for their fine combination in the back division, lor they gave a brilliant display of passing and tackling. The local backs, with the exception of Vincent, who played a very sound game, were, to say the least of it, not at home and" the sooner some of them realise that one hand passing and receiving is only .gallery play and not good football, the better it will be fo-r their team*.

\ The local forwards of which Per- ) rin, Simpson, Piene and Gay were the pick, were a superior pack to Manawatu, and in the second spell had things' all their own way, but were lacking in finish. Horowhenua (red) kicked off against the wind and Manawatu (green) were immediately on the attack, but Bull saved with a good kick. From a scrum in midfield Pawson set his backs In motion and after a splendid passing rush, in which all the backs participated, Pickering went over to score Manawatu’s first- points. Gallaghar failed to add the major points. Manawatu 3, Horowhenua 0.

The, Greens were again on the attack but Vincent saved and play was taken down field when Greens were penalised for off-side play. Phillips ( made a good attempt at goal, but it fell short. Manawatu kept up the attack -and Pearce put- in a good run, but his pass went wide. Loose play in midfield followed, then from a -scrum the Reds -hooked the ball and were awarded a free kick on account of tlie Green wing forward persistently playing off side. The kick found the line, but from, the line- out the Green backs were again put into; motion and Pearse, Manawatu’s fir-st winger, went over near he corner. Gallaghar converted with an -excellent effort. Manawatu 8, Horowhenua 0.

The Reds followed up their kick and made a determined -effort t,o even up matters. Dewe secured and kicked for the line, but Broughton took the ball on the full while travelling at top, and, after half crossing tlie field, cut in neatly, Robbie took the pass, but was grassed within inches .of the line. Following forward play near the line the Greens were -penalised and Phillips with an easy kick 'opened the Reds account. Manawatu 8, Horowhenua 3. From the drop out the’ Greens- rushed play to the Red line (but a force down saved the situation. From the drop out Pickering secured, and, af-ter-putting in a good run, short punted, but the bounce beat him and Bull securing tlie leather line kicked. The Manawatu -backs kept, up a relentless attack on the Red line, but from a scrum, the Red forwards carried play to mid-field where Perrin secured and after putting in a good run passed to Broughton, but goo-d tackling by Pickering prevented a certain try. The 'Greens immediately carried play back again, and a Green forward secured and put in a short grubber, which beat Graham, who turned and slipped, but eventually secured the ball just as three green forwards came up. He hung on and the Greens were awarded a. penalty kick, but Gallaghar’s -effort failed and the ball went into touch. From tlie line- out -the Green -backs were again on the move, Pawson cut in and was brought down by Graham, but lie grounded the ball over the line. Gallaghar converted. Manawatu 13, Horowhenua 3.

From the kick Perrin lead a for ward rush down field, but the Green backs secured and took play to- the Red line and. the Reds forced down just as the whistle sounded half time.

The second spell opened' at a great pace and the Reds with the- wind behind them carried play 'into the Green 25. Broughton secured and. passed' in to- Phillips, who fumbled and play went back to mid-field. From a scrum the > Green backs again swung into line and Dewe registered another try. Gallagher’s kick failed. Manawatu" 16, Horowhenut 3.

This looked like the end of Horowhenua and a number of spectators not wishing to witness a cricket score departed, but though few if any, expected it, the most exciting part of the game was still to come. The Reds following up their kick were again on the Green line, hut Gallagher relieved with a line kick. From the line out a Red forward secured and punted, but a great opportunity was lost by not following up, for the ball was fumbled by three players and the vjhole Holrowheriua teami stood looking on. Pickering eventually secured, hut was brought down by" Bull, Rolands and Simpson took the ball back at their feet, hut it went into touch. From the tineout -Gav went on towards the 1 line with the ball at his feet, hut -he was forced into touch. The Red forwards kept hammering at the door, but the Greens were given a breather by the ball going over the dead hall liu-e just behind the corner flag. From the drop-out Broughton secured and -punted, Pickering fielded hut was well grassed by Broughton and the ball went into touch. From the line out tlie -ball 1 went over and Greens relieved with a force down. Vincent secured from the drop out and put a grubber which found touch in a handy position. The hall was thrown in, hut during the next ten minutes the spectators saw very little of it for a heap of struggling players was the signal for a five yards scrum and this was repeated eight times within a, radius of half a dozen yards. From ' one of these Vincen

secured and went through the scrum hut was prevented from scoring by being held up. The greens -momentarily relieving with a line kick, but from the line out Vincent secured, and put in another grubber, which found touch near the corner and from the line out -Gay were over to score. Phillips failed with a difficult kick. Manawatu 16, Horowhenua 6. Rolands secured from the kick and following up a high punt got his man and the ball went out. Another battle on the line followed, then from a five yards scrum the ball went out to the Reel backs and Satherley gathered it in and went over under the posts. Phillips converted. 16—11. The pace was now a cracker and the Greens set their -backs in action, but Pickering was forced out and from the line out the Red forwards broke away with the hall at their feet, but one of them put too much weight behind his kick and Greens were enabled to forco down. Still the Reds kept up the attack and in a, forward rush Piene secured and passed out to Perrin, who got over in a handy position and Phillips evened up the score. Manawatu 16, Ho-rowhe-n-ua 16. From the kick the Greens followed up and Dewe securing the ball, looked dangerous, but Broughton saved and play was carried back on to the Green line, but a force down relieve.! the- situation. From the drop out the Reds again took play 0,1 Green line and after several five yard scrums the whistle sounded time, and a game which had proved most exciting in the latter stages ended K; all. BEBBINGTON SHIELD MATCH. Tlie Horowhenua representative team to play Dannevirke for* the. Bobbingfon Shield o-n Saturday next will be selected from, the following:— Backs: Warren, R. Nicholson, M. McDonald, T. McDonald, Roberts, Hunt-, Winiata, W. Parata and Bryant. Forwards—Jacob, -Maihi, T. Gardner, Palmer, Dunn, Gleeson, Dalzell, Moynihan, Greig and Bond. The team will train two nights this week and the final selection will he made on Thursday.