REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 August 1926, Page 3

REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL.

MANAWHENUA (S) BEAT TARANAKI (0). A STRENUOUS CONTEST. In a match marked by a number of good open, passing rushes and by much keen forward play in which the honours were about even, the combined Manawatu-Horowhenua touring team just beat Taranaki in a low scoring game at Elthain yesterday afternoon. Each side crossed the other’s line twice and the difference in scores was caused by the efficiency of Jacob’s kicking at goal for the- second try. The first spell ended with points level, three all, and in the second the visitors led by five points till just on time, when Taranaki scored. With only a few minutes to go they made strenuous efforts to get ahead, and pressing hard lost a score by the narrowest of margins. The forwards wore very evenly matched, but, contrary to what has been usual, Taranaki generally boat the visitors in the tight work while the latter excelled on the line and in loose rushes, in which they showed a fine dash and ability to control the ball. The Taranaki forwards did not co-operate at all well in' the loose work, and consequently lost much of the effectiveness which has marked their play in previous matches. All, however, worked hard, but Dean, Graham, Paterson, Young and Robinson were the best. Guy, as rover, played remarkably well, both in attack and defence, but" he failed often to checkmate the dash of his experienced opponent Jacob.

Of the backs, Julian played a good game on the whole and went down well to the smashing rushes of the opposing forwards. He also got the ball away on many occasions and sot his backs in action in good style. Roberts did a lot of good work, but did not- link up so well as usual with his club mate. The skipper, Johnston, played brilliantly and made many dashing runs, but he could have cut in more than he did and so avoided crowding the wings on the line. McAuliffc also played well, but lie was inclined to hang on too long, and his efforts to get through spoilt one or two very likely movements, but his pass to Bourke which resulted in the latter’s try was a worthy part in the best passing rush of the day. Bourke, besides scoring, did a lot. of good defensive work and often in attack the pass he received was very faulty. Holiaia was patchy, but one or two of his dashes were great and one at least deserved to be successful. Petty at full had a hard task and was not up to his usual form. He failed to gather the ball on several occasions. However, considering what he was up against, he did well.

The visitors, whose team, it may be mentioned, was with two exceptions the same as drew with Hawke’s Bay, have a great set of tall heavy forwards who fairly revelled in loose rushes and handled the ball like backs. Gleeson, Gothard, Dalziel and Maibi showed up most, while the old campaigner Jacob, was as clever and clashing as ever. He, however, gave away a lot of penalties. The backs showed a fine turn of speed and were clever and resourceful and all straight runners. They threw away several good chances by faulty passing and were up against a good defending side which very often spoilt their best movements. McDonald, at half, opened up play well, and in Akuira and Law had a fine pair of inside backs who ran straight and often drew tlio defence, but" their passes were not always good. The three-quarter line w r as strong, and with a little more combination find accuracy in passing would take a lot of beating. McLean at full-back did well, but appeared to have less work than his vis-a-vis.

It is worth mention that of thirtynine scrums, Taranaki holeed in fifteen, the visitors in % twelve, while twelve were indecisive. There were sixteen penalties given, eleven to the home tarn and five to the visitors. There was a crowd estimated at about three thousand, and the gate takings totalled £227. The teams lined out as follows: — MANAWATU-HOEOWHENUA (Green and white.) Full-back: McLean. Three-quarters: Walker, Hunt, Roberts. Five-eighths: Law, Akuira. Half: T. McDonald. Forwards. —Rover, Jacob (captain); back row, Gothard, Dalziel; sides, Gleeson, Galpin; lock, Bond; hookers, Mailii, Stewart. TARANAKI. (Amber and black.) Full-back: Petty. Three-quarters: L. Bourko, J. McAuliffc, \V. Iloliaia. Five-eighths: D. Johnston (captain), B. Roberts. Half: 11. Julian. Forwards. —Rover, A. Guy; back row, E. Dean, G. 11. Graham; sides, J. Walter, C. Wills; lock, N. Paterson; hookers, J. Young, W. Robinson. THE PLAY.

Manawatu kicked off, Johnston countering -with a fine dash and kick to the line. With characteristic dash Taranaki forwards went upheld and Roberts securing, sent on to McAulilfe, who was taken about the quarter way. A free kick relieved the visitors and Gothard securing went away with Jacob, but a mulled pass poilt the effort. Taranaki were defending till Johnston made a great save and kicking well up spoilt McLean’s return and Taranaki set up a hot attack, Julian, Johnston, Hohaia and Roberts handling in succession, and play went out at the quarter flag. Then Gothard led a Green attack which wasi repelled by Petty, and a penalty gave Taranaki relief. Back, however, came the forwards, led by Glccson, and the ball going to and then to Akuira, the attack went right to the line, where Taranaki were hard put to save a score. Then Johnston electrified the spectators by intercepting a pass and racing right up to the twenty-five flag and then passing to Bourkc, who returned it infield. The defence was good, however, despite a scries of hot attacks which pierced right to the line and in which Robinson, McAuliffc, Bourko, Guy and Johnston took part. Then the Green forwards raced downfield, Galpin in the lead, and the bull came out to Roberts arid to Akuira, but a faulty pass spoilt a good opening. McDonald tried the blind side, but was chocked and Taranaki wont away in a, strenuous rush. Their opponents saved, and Jacob getting away passed to Glooson, and as the result of a long kick Taranaki forced. The visitors- attacked again, .Jacob in the lead, till Johnston took and kicked well down and the ball wont out at the twenty-five. Guy, in a dribbling rush, was supported by Julian, who secured and kicking too hard, the Greens forced. After the kick out Johnston made a brilliant dash and passed to Bourke, but

it was forward and a penalty resulted. Then the visiting backs opened out play and the ball going to Gleeson, he sentit on to Akuira, who, after a brilliant run sent on to the winger, Walker. The latter streaked for the lino and when blocked passed infield to Akuira, and the latter scored. Jacob’s kick failed. Manawhenua' 3 Taranaki 0

Taranaki rushed up from the kick out, and from a penalty Holiaia had a shot and just afterwards McAuliffc had a pot at goal, both being unsuccessful. Keeping up .the pressure, Roberts and Johnston were associated in a rush which took play to the line. Dalziel relieved, but back came Taranaki, Guy in the lead, and he sent the ball to Bourke, who went out. He threw in quickly to McAuliffc, who scored in a handy position. Hohaia’s kick failed and scores were, even Manawhenua ■ • 3 Taranaki 3

Tlio visitors attacked from the kickout, and Hunt securing just failed in a pot at goal. Guy relieved and centred, but back came the Green forwards in a great rush. Robinson and Guy were associated in a nice passing rush which took play nearly to Manawhenua line. The backs’ relieved and much cross kicking took place without advantage to either side. Then Taranaki forwards went on, and Robinson folio-wing up fast nearly scored. Both sides attacked alternately till McAuliffc got away, and in a good position passed to Holiaia and play went out at the corner and just afterwards the former put in another good run which was spoiled by a forward pass. Taranaki pressed still and the visitors forced. SECOND SPELL. Taranaki spoilt their opponents’ return kick and attacked, but Walker cleared cleverly. Then mulling by some of the local backs gave the Green forwards an opening and they kept Taranaki penned on their line for some time. Roberts failed to take cleanly and Taranaki were lucky to escape a try against them. Julian relieved, but back came the visitors, and Hunt following up fast, harried the defence sorely till a free kick gave them relief. The forwards broke up a Green rush that looked dangerous and Graham headed a dash to the opposing twenty-five. Going upfield once more, the visiting forwards swept along, and Petty mulling Maihi secured inside the quartor flag and dashed across to score. Jacob’s kick was successful. Manawhenua- 8 Taranaki 3

With, hall- an hour to go, Taranaki made the pace hot and McAuliffe securing, kicked to th'e line at the twentylive flag, and from the throw in Young and Robinson made a line dash right to the line, where McLean saved. Keeping up the pressure, the Taranaki backs set up a strong attack, the ball going across the line to Hohaia, who, unfortunately, failed to take and an opening was lost. Again Taranaki forwards attacked, Graham and Robinson heading a rush. Julian secured from a scrum and sent the ball to Roberts, but h'e was collared before he was able to pass, and Walter following up made a dash for the line. He was countered, and then from a penalty Bourke had a shot which nearly succeeded. Once more Taranaki forwards, led by Dean, attacked and Walter and Paterson put in excellent work in loose rushes. Julian tried twice to open up the play again, but faulty passing spoilt good openings. Twice the Ball went out to the backs and a pass to Bourke was not taken. Then the. Green forwards came upheld and Johnston saved. A tierce return rush by Taranaki took play witliin ten yards of the opposing line. Just afterwards from a penalty Johnston almost succeeded in drop-kicking a goal and the visitors forced. Then for a time the Green forwards dominated the local men till McAuliffe, with a good kick, sent them back and the local men rushed for the line. The ball went along the line of Taranaki backs to Bourke, who failed to take the pass when in a likely position. The forwards got away again and Walter, following up fast, was just beaten by Walker for the ball. Johnston securing made an opening and sent it to Bourke, aclio was effectively 'collared, and the visiting forwards set up a hoc attack. McAuliffe stopped them, and sending the ball to Hohaia, the speedy winger made a useful run down the line and was forced out inside the twenty• flves. Play went up and downfield .for a time, each side in turn having- the advantage. Then the Green half set his backs in motion, and the ball went from Akuira to Law who, when close to the line, was well taken by Petty and a dangerous attack was checked. Young cleared in tine style and play went out at half-way. Each side in turn attacked and then Taranaki backs set up a series of hot rushes which only a mulled pass spoilt. McAuliffe got over on one occasion but was called back. At length their persistence was rewarded, for the ball came out from a tight scrum on the line from Julian to Guy, to Johnston, who, when checked, sent on to McAuliffe. ■ That player, cutting in, sent it on to Bourke who, taking it in his stride, went on to finish a brilliant run by scoring in the corner. He made a great attempt to convert but just failed. Manawhenua S

Taranaki (i Keeping up tlio pressure, Taranaki maintained a series tif hot attacks. Johnston, securing, dashed downfleld and sent on to McAuliffo who, instead of passing, tried to cut in and was blocked, and a great opening was lost. They were hammering at the opposing lino when the ball went out and time was called leaving the score:— Manawlienua S Taranaki (3 Mr F. J. Eggleton was referee. IIEPRESENTATIV E FIXTURES WON FIVE, LOST ONE To date this season the Taranaki Rugby representatives have played six games, winning live and losing one. Points scored for Taranaki total 109, while' only 34 have been compiled by the- team’s opponents. The games played are as follow, Taranaki’s scores being mentioned first: June 3, v. Wanganui at Wanganui, won 35—0. Jifiyi 3, v. Bn sir Union at Hawera, won 22 —9. July 7, v. Hawke’s Bay at Hawera, won 5—3. August 7, v. Auckland at Now Plymouth, won 22—8. August 12, v. Thames Valley at. Stratford. won 19—0. August 18, v. Manawatu-Borowhenua at Elthnm, lost (1 —8. F'U T[J RE ENG AG F,5 r ENTS. Fixtures yet to be played are: September j 4, v. Wanganui at New Plymouth. September 11, v. Auckland at Auckland. September 15, v. Waikato at Hamilton. September IS, v. Wellington at Wellington.