WELLINGTON WINS FROM MANAWATU

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 64, 13 September 1920, Page 4

WELLINGTON WINS FROM MANAWATU

A POOR DISPLAY.

In the match between, teams representing Manawatu ' and Wellington, played at the Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon in the presence of nearly three thousand spectators, there was little in the way of bright football. This was attributable in jsome measure to a' strong northerly breeze, as well as to the fact that the visitors were minus the services of several of their best players, notably Dnstin and Carroll. Wellington had a strong team in the field, but there were few of the members who played up to form. Consequently, play was of a somewhat ragged order; on both sides there were many faults; in fact, rarely has a representative game been so disappointing. With Manawatu weak, it-was, only to be expected that the Wellington team would win, and this it did by a margin of 18 points.

The teams were ac follow : Welling-ton—Full-back, MaKn; three-quarters, Aitken, Algar, Jackson; five-eighthe, J. Tilyard, Comer; half, C. Tilyard; wing-forward, W. Ryan; forwards, Os-. borne, da Clifton, Thomas, A. Smitti, Troy, A. Parker, and Brown. Maraa-watu : Full-back, Seeker; threequarter*, Ferguson. Blazer, Glendining; five-eighths, lugham, Eglinton; half, Maire; wing-forward, Leader; forwards, Sheehan, Boddy, Mallins, Dillon, Hope, Brown, and Riggs. A succession of advances by Wellington followed the commencement, but it was not until the backs opened out that the desired result was obtained. J. Tilyard secured the ball from a loose Eoramble, and transferred to Ryan, who in turn Bent the leather on to Aitken, the last-named crossing near the corner. Malm failed to goal. 3-0. For some time after this Wellington engaged in further attacks by forwards and backs, Jackson missing a. try through offeide play and Troy being held up on the line. At length a series of scrambles in Wellington's favour were suddanly turned into a Manawatu attack by Leeder smartly intercepting. He set out for the opposing line, and passed the full-back, but Jackson succeeded in overhauling him near the line. The visitors made strenuous attempts to crosa, but failed, and subsequent play saw Wellington again aggressive. Through faulty passing their efforts met with no success. There was little of interest in the play until the Manawatu forwards jnado a. strong rush, which ended in a line-out in Wellington territory. From thia the ball went out to Maire, on to Ingham, and then to Blazey, who cut in to score nicely. Brown's 'kick failed. 3-3. During the remainder of the /spell play was mostly in Manawatu's twenty-five, but the Wellington players not giving of their best, several chances to score were thrown away. Jackson got across on. two occasions, bins was called back. J. Tilyard and Aitk'Mi made unsuccessful attempts to "pot" goals, and there was much' faulty pa.ssins;. C. Tilyard, however, added a try by diving across from a. scramble, aiid J. Tilyard, by clever i's» of th« "cinty.ni.v," alto scorea. "Bsth'trifl* vere converted by Mulia, making bhr

half-time score : Wellington 13, Manawatu 3. During one of the Wellington rushes Eglington suffered slight concussion, and was compelled to retire, being replaced by Lawrence. Play showed some improvement in the second half, and' with the wind in their favour, Manawatu did a fair share of the attacking. Wellington, too, played with more dash, and it was not long after the resumption that de Clifton scored. The try was not converted. Maire next gave the visitors an advantage by a long lack, but this and various other tactics did nc-t bring about a score, though Inghasn went very close on one occasion. To this period of pressure the Wellington forwards eventually replied in a determined 1 manner, and Troy, picking up from thei scrum, enabled Jackson to score. Thomas goaled. 21 —3. The next outstanding incidents were a kick at goal by Dillon, the ball striking the post, and a fast follow-up by Glendining, who Just failed to gather in the leather and score. Other endeavours, at last had their reward, Sheehan scoring from, a forward rush. Brown failed to convert. A few minutes later Corner made an opening ior J. Tilyard, who scored. Thomas made a good but unsuccessful kick at goal. Renewed 1 vigour by Manawatu made no alteration! to the score, and the game ended : Wellington, 24; Manawatu, 6. Those who played best for the visitors were : Stacker/ Blazey, Tngham, Maire, Leeder,' Sheohan, Brown, and Riggs, while best form on the Wellington sid-e was shown by Jackson, Aitken, Rvan, da Clifton, and Troy. Mr. A. O. Kitto was the referee.