MANAWATU-HOROWHENUA REPRESENTATIVE TRIALS

Shannon News, 12 July 1929, Page 4

MANAWATU-HOROWHENUA REPRESENTATIVE TRIALS

HOROWHENUA WINS A GRADE, SHARE HONOURS IN B FIXTURE.

THE A GAME,

The clash between the A fifteens was fjill of incident in the final stages when Horowhenua pulled the game out of.the fire right on the call of time. The lirst spell was not particularly eventful, play being mostly confined .to the forwards and of a rather ragged nature. After the breather, both teams put more vim into their work and there were a number of flashes of attractive open play. Both sides 10.-. t opportunities but judging from the material fielded by the two districts the selectors should be able to evolve a sound team to wear the colours of the combined union against Wairarapa next Wednesday. The game was marred by one unfortunate incident, when in the last/few minutes of the final spell, Crawford of Manawatu, and Dalzcll of Horowhcnua, were ordered off for indulging in fisticuffs on the field; ' Defections from the Manawatu team were Hight and Conrad who were replaced by Dalziell and Parsons. Horowhenua also had two absentees in Stevenson and Payne. Robinson replaced the former on the wing, Graham being brought in to centre while McDonnell replaced Payne. The teams which took the field were:

Horowhcnua (blue and red): Johnson, Robinson, Graham, Taylor, Bull'. Bevan, W. Parata, T. Parata, Pratt, Andrews, Sathcrlcy, Tatana, Hanna, McDonnell. Manawatu (green and white): S. . Bramwell, Strange, Fletcher, Page, Ormond, N. Bramwell, Thompson, M. Waldin, Boldt, Crawford, McKenzie, Parsons, Miles, Dalziell, Guy.

The Game. Horowhenua set the ball rolling and proceedings opened with an exchange of long range kicking which left things very much as before. Horowhcnua forwards led by Tatana, skirmished into Manawatu territory but Tatana was caught beating the starter round the sid'e of the scrum and the resulting penalty brought Manawatu back to half ymy. The green and whitp shock battalion then took a hand, and led by,Crawford had Horowhenua with their backs to the wall for a short period. A clearance was forthcoming however, and once again the argument went back to neutral territory. A spell of loose play set in, both fonvards and backs joining in the general scramble. Then Horowhenua backs attempted to op'en up the game but found the defence very solid. Manawatu backs had remained retiringly aloof until this stage, when Ormond sold a dummy to give a useful transfer to Fletcher. Page was handy and duly collected his share while fending a Horowhenua man /who attempted to deprive him of the leather. A knock-on, however, broke up the movement and play worked back towards the home territory. Here the referee' whistled a defending player

and Taylor, made a great attempt to turn the penalty to account. The kick had - height and direction but dropped a few yards short. • Breathing freely again after this escape, Manawatu took the offensive, i and in a series of vigorous attacks had Horowhenua worried. The blues ternporarily raised the siege but in ti moment Page had broken up the tail end of a Horowhenua passing rush and had cut right through to Johnson. The blue full back got him by the jersey to save a-try, but Fletcher was in attendance and carried on. The forwards piled in behind pell-mell, and from the ruck, Dalziell took a transfer and scored in a handy position. Fletcher made no mistake with the kick. Manawatu 5, Horowhenua 0. The Scores Even.

GoodwoTk in the loose by Bull put the blues on attack in 'their turn but the Manawatu forwards worked clear. Then Graham initiated another attack and short passing amongst the Horowhenua - forwards put them well inside home territory. S. Bramwell, in endeavouring to effect, a clearance in the corner, was nearly beaten by a rebound and a moment later the Horowhenua forwards were scrummaging right on the line. A five yards scrum was ordered, and Manawatu hooked the leather but Thompson could not get his hands on the ball. , The scrum was sent “down again and this time Horowhenua workthe trick for W. Parata to dive over. »Taylor converted. Manawatu 5, Horowhenua 5.' Manawatu Lead.

The second spell opened in very much the same manner as the first, with an exchange of high kicks which sawJohnson clear well with a nicely judged “ liner.’ ’ A free kick against Horowhenua for offside play saw Waldin make a good, but unsuccessful attempt to land a penalty. Despite the failure, Manawatu continued to he aggressive. The green backs were throwing the hall around attractively but found the defence too* solid to penetrate. Waldin, who was proving very active, chased the leather across the line but had the hall kicked behind from under his fingers. * From a ruck Taylor initiated a good movement .to,-relieve the pressure ami Hanna and Andrews carried the leather dangerously close to Manawatu’s goal line. The home forwards worked clear but Horowhenua came back again to test the defence severely. W. Parata broke away and was already over when he was called back for an infringement. Play changed in a moment, when N. Bramwell staged a solo break for half the length of the field. He was unsupported, however, and was hauled dowa within 15 yards of the blue goal line. The Manawatu forwards backed up, and from a ruck in the corner; Guy battled his way over. Fletcher made a good attempt to convert hut found the angle too acute. Manawatu 8, Horowhenua 5. Horowhenua Retaliate.

The blues lost no time in retaliating and from a scrum the leather went to the backs. Bevan sent out a bad pass which broke up the movement but Bull booted hard to race S. Bramwell over

the line and score. Taylor converted to put Horowhenua in the lead 10—8. Horowhenua 10, Manawatu 8.

Horowhenua forwards made the pace from the half way and for a spell bad Manawatu nailed to the defensive. The rucking was strenuous and a free kick to Manawatu came as a welcome relief •when Waldin found the line well up.

The relief was temporary for presently a high kick had Bramwell worried. He gave the ball to Page behind him but Dalzell was on top of the winger in a moment and knocked the ball out of his hands to chase it over the line. Page made a good attempt to save the situation but Satterley was close behind his colleague and. went down on the ball. Tatana’s kick missed.

Horowhcnua 13, Manawatu 8, > Free Scoring.

. With time drawing dangerously close, Manawatu stirred themselves to renewed energy in an effort to make up the deficit. Strange, on his wing made a great effort to break through while Page a moment later gained ground with a strong run. The try came with five minutes _ to go when Fletcher made an opening which sent Strange racing for the line. He shook off Robinson and left the opposition standing to score well out. Ormond could not raise the flags. Horowhenua 13, Manawatu 11. Manawatu was striving might and main to pull the game out of the fire and Bramwell initiated a movement which saw backs and forwards combine in a sweeping drive to the line. Here a scrum was sent down and T. Paratu was caught standing offside, iFI etcher could not have asked for a better ■ position and made no mistake with the kick. Manawatu 14, Horowhenua 13. Although the cup a]>pearcd to have bc.cn dashed from their lips, the visiters were in no wise dismayed and their forwards swept play to the other end of the field. A stern struggle eventuated near the posts arid after a great battle, T. Parata retrieved Ins earlier mistake by bullocking over to score a typical forward’s try. Tatana ande<l the major points to give Horowhcnua . the game 18—14. Mr. H. Hands was referee.

THE B GAME. The B teams which took the field were materially different from the firsi. selection. The final score of 6 all was a fair indication of the game, the teams being ascendant in turns. Ph'-Sb jon 'the whole, wins drab, movements of an exciting nature being few. The teams took the field as follows: Horowhenua (red and blue). Ryder, Broughton, Wallace, Bryant, Hirini, McKenzie, Barnes, Mete, Harrison. Pyne, McDonald, Payne, Knox, Westwood, Renata. Manawatu (green and white). Was- ■ ley, Cochrane, Moffatt, Elliot, Goldfinch, Riddell, Fuller, Hutchinson, Cordevey, Snell, Parsons, Robinson, Swindell, Baker, Hoard. In the second half Pacey went on m place of Parsons. The Game.

Horowhenua lost the toss and kicked off from the northern end. After a period of loose play • between the twenty-fives Manawatu with Parsons in the van, : took play to the visitors' twenty-five but were rolled back , by Mete breaking through with Knox in support. The movement halted with a scrum ois- the green twenty-five. Horowhenua were having the better of-the scrums and Borres sent his backs away the movement failing at Wallace and Moffatt cleared for the greens. Horowhenua Forwards Dominate

The blue rearguard soon carried play back to the home teams' territory where their hacks endeavoured to open out but 'Riddell intercepted and turned the tide. The visiting pack was showing better control of the leather and Wasley was hard put at times to clear. A penalty brought Manawatu relief but the visitors were immediately back Borries sent the ball out and the rearguard handled to 'Robinson who knocked his pass on. From the : resulting scrum the leather went to the visitors jbut Riddell intercepted and w T cnt away. He passed to Hutchison who was not fast enough with only the line in front of him. . •

Manawatu by this time were displaying more cohesion and returned the visitors measure for measure. The greens pressed hard and the visiting team could not' clear till awarded a penalty on its lino. Play Brightens.

From a spell of midfield play, Riddell who was everywhere, went up the line ball at toe but Robinson kicked cut . The greens tried the other wing in passing bouts. Moffatt being held up on the line. Play hung to midfield until Swindell sent the ball back. Procter intercepted Moffatt’s pass ta Elliot and made a dash for the-line to be well grasesd bv Wasley, Mete following fast picked up ( the oval and went over at the corner.’ Wallace failed with the kick. Horowhenua 3, Manawatu .0.

From the kick out the greens set up a strong attack, the pack taking play to the visitors’ goal line where Snell was forced out at the corner flag Half time was then called. Second Half.

Goldfinch's kick did not go ten yards and play opened from a scrum at half way. The ball went to the blues and their backs went away. The movement was halted and Moffatt broke through brilliantly on the other side to gain 50 yards before his pass went into open air. From a ruck in the blue twentyfive Riddell sent out a long pass which Cochrane could not gather and Horowhenua cleared to neutral territory. The blue forwards worked downfieltl but met with determined tackling. Moffat at length cleared to half way with a splendid kick. Scores Even. The green backs now took a turn Riddell opening up. the game in a pleasing manner but Ryder halted the move. Manawatu kept on the pressure

and Riddell essayed a field goal. The effort failed and the blue forwards following hard on the kick out went downfield in a passing rush which saw Broughton lose the hall. Manawatu returned to the assault and forced Horwhenua right to its line whore the. greens were awarded a penalty. Baker made the most of an easy kick. - Manawatu 3, Horowhenua 3

Horowhenua attacked from the halfway kick and had Manawatu hard pressed when Wasiey was penalised for hanging on almost in front of the goal. Wallace ,goaled. Horowhenua 6, Manawatu 3

From a line out on the green twentyfive the Horowhcnua backs went into action in a spectacular move which Moffat stopped. Both sides endeavoured to make play open but the passing was erratic.

From midfield Fuller passed to Goldfinch whose pass Riddell gathered .in well to cut through. His pass to Moffatt -was high but the centre gathered from the ground a second later and went over near the corner. Baker failed to raise the ball. Manawatu 6, Horowhenua 6 Manawatu after repulsing a fierce attack went to action Riddell running straight through to pass to Moffatt whose in pass went forwards. Greens kept on the pressure and were given an opportunity to take, the match with a penalty from the twentyfive The kick narrowly missed and the game ended seconds later "with the score 6 all. Mr. A. Gordon was referee. Manawhenua Team The team to represent Manawhenua in the match with Wairarapa on July has been selected as follows: — Full-back: Meta Johnson (H.). Three-quarters: Strange (M.), Fletcher (M.), Taylor (H.). Five-eighths: Bevan (H.), Ormond (M.). Half: W. Parata (H.).

Wing-,forward: T. Parata (H.)

Forwards: Cawford (M.), Boldt (M.), Tatana (H.), Conrad (M.), Miles (M.), Dalzcll (H.), Satherley (H.). Reserves—Backs: Page (M.), Thompson (M.), Graham (H.). Forwards: Pratt (H.), C. Hight (M.), Parsons (M.).

Manawhenua Rugby Council’s Meeting . ,

There was a meeting of the Manawhenua Rugby council yesterday afternoon. There were present: Messrs. J. A, Colquhoun (in the chair), W. Hannan, J. W. Procter, F. Robinson, G. G. Mitchell (Horowhenua), A. M. Ongley, J. R. Hardie, Iv. Eglington, H. Hands, H. Crawford. An apology was received from Mr. A. Richards (Horowhenua). •The union dealt with an appeal by the Foxton club against the recession of a decision of the Horowhenua union that a game between the appellant club and Levin Wanderers be replayed at Foxton, through 1 Wanderers having played a member of the Wellington ’Varsity team. After a full discussion it was decided to refer the matter back to the Horowhenua District council for a written report. The meeting decided to give Messrs. Goldfinch and Cousins the right to issue programmes for all representative matches at Palmerston North.

The Wanganui Rugby union wrote confirming August 24 as the date for a junior representative game at Wanganui.

The Wairarapa Rugby union agreed to August 17 as the date for the return match with Manawhenua, the game to be played at Masterton. The New Zealand union w r rote stating that Wairarapa had been advised that Manawhenua wished the game to be a shield match.

The Wellington Rugby union wrote agreeing to September 14 as the date for a representative match at Wellington. The letter also intimated that the junior representative fixture between the two unions would be played at Levin on August 31.

The council decided to contribute £lO to the Maori Advisory board towards the expenses of the Southern Maori team to play for the Prince of Wales Cup at Auckland on July 31. Training Manawhenua Team. On the motion of Mr. A. M. Ongloy it -was decided to assemble the team to play Wairarapa for the Ranfurly Shield on August 17, at Palmerston N.orth on the Wednesday before the match. Mr. F. Robinson was appointed manager of the Manawhenua team for tho match with Wairarapa on July 17 at Palmerston North. The following referees have been submitted to the Wairarapa union for the game at Pal-; merston North on July 17: Messrs. O’Connor, parata, Gordon and Skoglund.

Mr. Hands,' referee in the . trial match yesterday, reported to the union on the two players whom he had ordered off. The referee explained that there had been three or four exchanges of blows and he bad issued a general warning. Subsequently he caught Dal* zell and Crawford engaged in a bout. After hearing the players, Mr. Ong--ley moved that in view of the referee’s report that the players had been suffi-i cicntly punished that the union take : no further action. The motion was accepted by the meeting.