DEFENDERS’ CLOSE CALL

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 5 September 1932, Page 6

DEFENDERS’ CLOSE CALL

RANFURLY SHIELD RUGBY WELLINGTON TEAM BEATEN NINE POINTS TO EIGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept 3. Canterbury beat AVellington by J points to 8 and retains the Ranfurly Shield. Canterbury scored three tries, all in the second half, and converted none.- AVellington scored a try m each spell and converted one against the wind. The ground was last and dry, 'but it strong south-west wind had a considerable influence on the play, lengthening or shortening the kicks and sometimes sending passes awry. AVellington won the toss and took advantage of the wind in the first halt and certainly should have been more than three points up at half-time. Ihe Wellington attack was held up in this period by the very honest, dogged play of the Canterbury forwards, lliey had to play a. solid rather than showy irame because the AVellington forwards were too lively for them in the open, and if the home side had tried to play AVellington’s game the result would certainly have been different. The Canterbury forwards 1 played a much improved game in the line-outs and senuns and secured a fair isliare of 1)116 ball The inside backs did not often make the best use 'of it. The passing lacked snap and precision. The AA rellingtou passing was generally more accurate and faster, anil it was well for Canterbury that their forwards were in •such splendid form. AVellington attacked early, but C-an-terburv nearly notched the first points when Hart made a splendid run down the side-line, shook off Ball’s tackle, beat several men with fast swerves, but when the line seemed open Pollock pushed him into touch. The first spell was largely a battle of tactics among the forwards, with the AVellington hacks looking the more dangerous when on the move. Killeen was moved up from centre to first five-eighths, Robins going hack to centre. The change was effective, for in the next bout of passing by the AVellington backs the ball went snappily from Killeen to Griffiths 1 and Robins, who went through the Canterbury defence at speed and scored a fine try which Pollock failed to convert. The score at half-time was: AVellington 3—-Canterbury Q. After the opening of the second spell the Canterbury -backs tried more passing with fair results territorially. The Canterbury, attack hustled Pollock who had to find touch two yards from the goal line to -save. From the line-out Cottrell drove over for a try near the corner. Roberts failed with the kick and the score was 3 all.

Canterbury after a spell of even play had AVellington penned on the line again, and from a- scrum two yards out Routerey slipped round on the short side and scored. Roberts missed with the kick.

Before long Canterbury were attacking again. A series of passing bouts ended in Innes sending King over for another try. Roberts again failed to convert.

AVellington played with renewed dash for a space, and several passing bouts in which McDonald, Killeen, Griffiths, Stiver, Robins and McLean took part ended in McDonald scoring after a determined run at the corner. Lameson’s kick for goal was an amazing effort and the score was : Canterbury 9—AVellington 8. Play was rather in Canterbury’s favour for the remaining ton minutes •of play and the game ended without further score.

WANGANUI VICTORY SIXTEEN POINTS TO SIX. INJURED PLAYERS REPLACED. WANGANUI, Sept. 3. Wanganui defeated Manawhenua at Rugby to-day bv 16 points to 6. The first spell was a succession of lost chances for both teams, faulty handling being responsible. The spoil was robbed of any lustre. Injuries just before half-time resulted in Wangamirs replacing two backs, tlie first fiveeighth and centre, and, as often happens in Rugby, the players from the reserve list responded iso well that the combination was improved. Manawhenua fielded a solid pack of forwards. The tight plav was all in their favour, but in the loose AA 7angarni i had too much pace. Similarly in the backs AVanganui in the second spell had pace and combination which greatly -overshadowed those of their opponents-. AVlien the margin of points was increasing Manawhenua made desperate efforts to improve the position, and at -one stage were within two points of Wanganui. The visitors set no a series of stern attacks on Wanganui’s goal, hut all failed as a result of superb defence and pace, and in three open movements Wanganui name awav from defending positions to prove that the_hoine team had the necessary finish which Manawhenua lacked.

The first spell ended three-nil in favour of Afanawhenua, Elliott having scored a fine try as a result of a rearguard attack. Wanganui opened the second spell with 14 men, and/ while the team was at that strength Walden plaved at centre and scored a try under the liar which Thompson converted. Walden scored again a few minutes later from the blind -side of a serum. Afanawehnua retaliated with a neat trv, the scoring of which proved Aleta Johnson’s ability to draw the defence. He sent Cooke over. and when the kick failed Wanganui led bv only two points. Thompson kicked a penalty goal for Wanganui. Following a long period of defensive play Wanganui came awav for Waters to score. A conversion hv Thompson made Wanganui’s total 16 and the match finished without Afanawhenua’s 1 increasing from six.

SOUTHLAND BEATS OTAGO ELEVEN POINTS TO EIGHT. EXCITING SECOND SPELL. DUNEDIN. Sept. 3. On a dry ground and before a crowd of 15,000 Southland defeated Otago by 11 points to 8. The forward packs were evenly matched, but the Otago backs, who received a greater number of chances, failed owing to the lack of thrust among the inside men. At the end of the first spoil Otago were leading by 5 points to 3. Southland’s score being the result of a penalty goal kicked by Porter, while Einlayson scored a try for Otago which Bathgate converted. In the second

spell, which was very even, McSkimming scored for Otago but the try was not converted, while McKay scored for Southland, Porter converting. Berry scored the deciding try, which was not converted. MATCHES AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. Sept. 3. Rugby matches resulted: Ponsonby 16 beat Mamikau 13; 'Grammar 19 beat Training College 3; College Rifles 19 beat Technical Old Bovs 0; University 19 beat Otaliuhu 13; Marist 32 beat Grafton 6WELLINGTON SEVEN-A-SIDE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 3. A .seven-a-side Rugby tournament was played on Saturday. In a fast and '.spectacular filial Eastbourne beat Poneke by 15 points to 3.