MANAWATU'S VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 68, 18 September 1944, Page 3

MANAWATU'S VISIT

WELLINGTON WIN AGAIN

Minus the services of some leading players, of whom half a dozen were members of the North Island team at Christchurch, Manawatu and Wellington had their return Rugby match at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon. It had been generally recognised that Wellington ~\vere lucky to win against Manawatu at Palmerston North, and, because of that close call'and the good reputation which the visitors had gained, there was a good deal of interest in Saturday's match. To many local followers of Rugby it was also a matter of interest to find well-known ex-Wellington players in the visiting side—W. Roddick (who played for Poneke some ten years or so ago) and J. Gunn (formerly of Athletic). But for an injury, X Todd (another former Wellington representative) would also have been in the side. Roddick, who captained Manawatu, has had wide representation in football. He had his force well marshalled on Saturday for the return clash with' Wellington, and throughout a bright and breezy game the visitors were always well in the hunt. As-a matter of fact, they, went exceedingly close to pulling the game out of the fire, a stirring ilnal rush being carried from their own territory right to Wellington's goal posts, where from a desperate situation the local representatives succeeded in getting out. with the four-point advantago which they had built up previously. Wellington wort by 19 points to 15, and a notable contributor—in points and performance—to that achievement was Jamieson, who scored three tries. Vaughan, too, was also a source of much trouble to the visitors, for whom Morgan functioned prominently as a smart break-away, with Rush and Wishnowsky showing up attractively in the rearguard. The teams were:— =. Manawatu.—Malone; Taylor, Wishnowsky Butt; Rush, Campbell; Gould; Gunn, Morgan! Beadle, Mercer, Davidson, Kay, Roddick (cap-1 tain), McCallum. (Towards the end of the match Potaka replaced Wishnowsky, who retired hurt.) j Wellington.—Bligh; Tucker, Jamieson, AbbottGeary, Vaughan; Johns; Cleverley, Stanaway! Palmer, lirmin, Calcinai (captain), Shannon Ingpcn, George. ' From Manawatu's initial attacking Welliii"ton exercised smartness in turning the scale and first points were registered after Jamieson had sent Abbott away on a great run The supporting kick was taken by Jamieson, who scored a try. The visiting forwards contributed much to ensuing play, and it took good work to keep them out. The defence stood the test, and, some chances to goal having been missed, Manawatu had their debit balance increased when Vaughan and Jamieson co-operated in a successful thrust. Jamieson touched down and Vaughan converted 8-0 Stirred to greater effort, the visitors succeeded in taking the lead before half-time Butt coming from the blind-side to the open received the ball from Gould, and burst through for a try. A strong dash by the same winger Jed to another try, this time scored by Kay wisluSy. U\oT CaSe WCre S"™liCd b * Matters continued equally as interesting in the second spell, though Wellington did rather more of the attacking. Methods of outwiitinir Hie opposition, however, took a lot of engineering. Vaughan worked things well for Abbott to increase Wellington's account with a try but the visitors lost no time in regaining the lead, a strong loose rush being finished off successfully by Morgan, whose try was converted by Wishnowsky, 15-11. Clever play by Jamieson put Wellington in front again that player cutting through, kicking judiciously, and following up speedily for a try, which Kk?r n,rr Ved;, 16-15- Some «™ lat^ «S « f■ « another try, and, though there thit J^ r"7 *\ on £ endeavours b * bo»> sides, hat pro ed to be the last successful penetration The match ended with Manawatu on attack and the score Wellington 19, Manawatu lv. Mr. J. Hepburn was the referee.