MANAWHENUA BEAT WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 64, 13 September 1926, Page 14

MANAWHENUA BEAT WELLINGTON

NARROW MARGIN OF VICTORY

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON _~ This Day.

There were few who anticipated that the final score in the game between .Manawhenua and Wellington at the Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon would be so close. On paper, and taking into consideration their record this season it appeared that Manawheuua would score a decisive victory. The Wellington team, with its quota of colts, registered a surprise, however, aud gave a very creditable performance. In the early stages the Manawhenua representatives showed what they are capable of, and .there were times when Wellington had their work cut out in keeping them back. Manawhenua opened up their scoring account soon after the start, but Wellington stood their task well, and half-time sounded with the scare in favour of Manawhenua by 11 point's to 3- . . , ,

Wellington were an infinitely better team in the second half, when tlie backs took a bigger share in affairs. They soon found a loophole in the defence, and within a short time the score board read: Manawhenua 11, Wellington 11. It was then that the teams showed their .quality. With each side battling for .supremacy, and the ball travelling up and down field ■with lightning-like rapidity, spectators were roused to a high pitch of enthusiasm. After a period of play in Wellington territory, Manawhenua scored two unconverted tries in quick succession. With but a few minutes to go, excitement ran high as Wellington strove to make good the deficit. The forwards got away with a rattle, and just before time was called a converted try went to Wellington, giving Manawhenua a narrow victory by 17 points to 16. Manawhenua missed several splendid opportunities of scoring, and had Jacob been in better kicking form the score would have been more in their favour.

Much interest was taken in the match, and in the final stages the attendance must have been well over 3000. Weather conditions were good, although a cross wind tended to make the flight of the ball a little erratic. The turf was very hard and worn in places, with the result that some rather bad knocks were sustained by player.! on both sides. Soon after tho commencement of the game, Walker (Manawhenua) retired with an injury to his shoulder, then later in the spell, the Wellington full-back, Mu.-ie.on, had to be replaced. The teams took the field as follows:—

Manawhenua.—M. M--D.ii.ald- Walker, Hunt, Roberts; Law, Akuira; T. __>onald; Stewart, Maihi, Gleeson, Bond, Galpin, Gothard, Dalziell, Jacob. Wellington.—Mulheron; Jowett, H. Tilyard, Darby; Cowdell, Foley; Fisher; S. Barry, Charles, _. Barry, Pickering, Murie, M'Pherson, Thomas, Jessup. THB PLAY. Manawhenua won the toss and took the advantage of the wind. From the kickoff Manawhenua attacked, and within the first few minutes Walker was injured and was replaced by Warren. Fisher put Wellington on the offensive, and Foley just failed to score: Manawhemia's defence ■was solid, and Wellington were -uished back *• their twei.*-----ve, where Cowdell saved just in time. The 'next minute Manawhenua were back again, and Gothard got clear to score Manawhenua's first try. Jacob converted. Manawhenua 5, Wellington 0. In succeeding play Thomas •was conspicuous for Wellington. After two attempts, Thomas got away well. He sent the ball to Tilyard, who, with a beautiful cut in, completely fooled the opposition and scored. Foley was unable to convert. Manawhenua 5, Wellington 3. For some time Manawhenua kept Wellington on the defence. From a determined forward rush Stewart broke through the defence, and dived over the line for another try for Manawhenua. Jacob could do nothing with the kick. Manawhenua 8, Wellington 3. Faulty handling by Tilyard and Cowdell nearly let Manawhenua through. With a fine solo effort Jacob carried play almost to the Wellington line, the ball going into touch near the corner. From the resulting line-out Maihi got over, but Jacob was unable to convert. Manawhenua 11, Wellington 3. In going down to a Manawhenua attack, Mulheron was injured, and Rushbrook came' on as right •wing, and Darby went to full-back. There was no further scoring before half-time. Wellington were quick to improve their ncore on resuming. From a scrum near the Wellington twenty-five. Foley got possession of the ball, and went right through the opposition. He sent out a nicelyjudged pass to Thomas, who completed a pretty piece of play by scoring under the posts. Foley converted. Manawhenua 11, Wellington 8. For off-side play Wellington were penalised, but Jacob's kick at goal missed the mark. With the advantage of the wind, and encouraged y their early success, Wellington played better than in the first lalf. From a ruck Pickering broke clear, and transferred the ball to Tilyard. Rushbrook was next to receive, and dashed over at the corner for a try, wj-ich Foley found just a little too difficult to convert. Manawhenua 11, Wellington 11. With both sides on level terms, play Was very fast, and the 'ball travelled up and down field at a great pace. After a long period of even and exciting play, Manawhemia's efforts were rewarded. T. M'Donald received the ball from a scrum, and shot it out to Jacob, and the big forward fell over the line for a try. Jacob's kick was unsuccessful. Manawhenua 14, Wellington 11. Manawhenua continued to be aggressive, and after a pretty passing bout by Galpin, Roberts, and Maihi, the last-named crossed the line for a try, which Jacob failed to convert. Just on the call of time .Wellington made a determined rush, and from a scramble on the line, M'Pherson touched down. Foley converted, and the game ended: Manajvhenua 17, Wellington 16. Mr. E. Bevan was referee.

In a curtain-raiser, the Manawatu_ junior representatives defeated Wanganui junior representatives by 13 points to 8. WELLINGTON MANAGER'S VIEWS. The manager of the Wellington representatives (Mr. W. H. Stainton) was well satisfied with the team's display. "Although the team contained a number of colts, it stood up to the task well, and gave a creditable performance," said Mr. Staintain. "The Wellington backs took a bigger hand in the game in the second half, and at one time it seemed to me that we would win. As regads the play, it was very good indeed;' in fact, I have seen little better this season. I think, however, the better team won."