RUGBY Canterbury Loses To Manawatu 20-13

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28661, 11 August 1958, Page 11

RUGBY Canterbury Loses To Manawatu 20-13

“The Press" Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH, August 10. The Canterbury Rugby team was beaten for the nrst time this season by Manawatu on Saturday before a crowd of 5000 at the Palmerston North showgrounds. Although gaining possession in both to ne i3 UtS and SCrUms ’ Canter bury lost by 20 points Manawatu, which led 9-5 at half-time, scored three tries, one converted, and three penalty goals. Canterbury which captured the lead shortly after half-time and held it until the last 15 minutes, scored three tries, two of which were converted.

The teams were: Canterbury: B. M. J. Dineen; B. McPhail, A. E. G. Elsom, G. McConchie: D. Taylor, S. G. Bremner; B. P. J. Molloy; K. G. Osbourn; M. R. Dunne, S. F. Hill, M. W. Allen, D. J. Graham; E. Hern, D. A. Young, R. R. Hockley. Manawatu: B. A. Allen, W. S. Freebairn, W. Nairne, K. A. Wing; P. Northcott, D. Wood; J. Wood; A. Bryant; B. E. L. Finlay, K. Tremain, M. Sims, W. Hearn; B. K. Jones, L. Richardson, A. Barker. Canterbury won the line-outs by 36 to 25, and the former All Black hooker, D. A. Young, won four tight heads to one. Possession came regularly to the Canterbury backline and excellent service by Molloy enabled Breftiner to use his tactical kicking to advantage. Other chances were lost because of faulty handling and sluggish efforts. B E. L. Finlay, a former North Island five-eighths who was a surprise forward selection for Manawatu in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki, upset the Canterbury backs with his marauding tactics. Forwards in Form The Canterbury forwards were in good form, with their line-out play and rucking a strong feature of the game. Although Manawatu succeeded last week in holding the Taranaki forwards, it could not counter the Canterbury pack. Three tries were scored by Osbourn and two by Graham. The Manawatu forwards did not combine well, but Finlay and the junior All Black, K. Tremain. played effectively in the loose. The Manawatu backs played well on defence. The Play The first points came to Manawatu. In the first 20 minutes Manawatu was only twice out of its own half, and on these occasions Allen was able to kick two penalties from wide out.

Osbourn scored when he snatched the ball up after a centring kick by Elsom. Dineen converted. After 32 minutes Allen kicked another fine penalty to make the half-time score 9-5

Canterbury attacked keenly after the resumption and a try came after six minutes when Graham took the ball after a chain movement and scored. Dineen converted. Soon after, a similar movement brought Manawatu’s first try when Tremain went over wide out.

Canterbury unsettled the Manawatu defence with a rapid switch of play and Osbourn scored in the corner.

In the last 20 minutes Manawatu held the advantage. Then came one of the best tries scored at Palmerston North for some years. Canterbury was on Manawatu’s line. After several rucks the ball was swung out to Bremner. who dropped it. Finlay shot from the side of the scrum gathered the ball and set off down the field. He was overhauled by Graham, but the ball went to Freebairn who was halted. Nairne, who replaced the injured fullback. Allen, snapped up the loose ball and ran through a broken defence to score under the posts Brvant converted.

Canterbury spun the ball again

in a desperate bid, but Elsom ; dropped a pass. Freebairn carried on and scored. The final . score was Manawatu 20, Canterbury 13. Mr K. Bush was the referee.