MANAWHENUA SCORES FIRST VICTORY OF SEASON.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 September 1930, Page 7

MANAWHENUA SCORES FIRST VICTORY OF SEASON.

HAWKE’S BAY DEFEATED.

The Rugby representtive match played at the Showgrounds in Palmerston 3Sorth on Saturday proved a great surprise when Manawhenua scored a meritorious oae-point win over Hawke’s Bay* Who last week drew with the Eaniurly Shield holders at Wellington, The play was not brilliant, but close enough to make matters exciting. In the first half no points were registered, but •Griffin gave Manawhenua a good lead when he potted a field goal in the second half. . Grenside place-kicked a penalty goal for the Bay and the final whistle saw the board reading Manawhenua four, Hawke’s Bay three. The ground was dhy and hard and a fairly stiff wind blew straight up the field. Fletcher captained Manawhenua and Grenside, Hawke’s Bay.

The game between Hawke’s Bay and Manawhenua was one of unexpected incidents. Facing the wind Manawhenua surprisingly well and kept Hawke’s Bay from registering points. The spectators were somewhat dubious as to the •outcome of the second spell but Manawhenua did well and their win, narrow ■as it was, ivas fully deserved. The packs of forwards were very evenly matched while neither side displayed much combination in the backs although they were very sound on defence which was demonstrated by the fact that no tries were registered. Fletcher led Manawhenua and Grenside (the ex-All IBlack) Hawke’s Bay. The teams took the field as follow:

Hawke's Bay (white and black): "Evans, Crookes, Grenside (captain), Sheriffs, Setford, Botherway, Cooke, TMcEayj Pearson, Brown, Wilson, Harvey, Henderson, Roach, Roils. Manawhenua (red, white and blue): S. Bramwoll, Amadio, Griffin, Page, Blotcher (captain), Robb, Fuller, Roddick, Henry, Fitzgerald, Sathcrlcy, C. "Sight, K. Fitzgerald. Williams, Rac. The game opened quietly the first incident was when following a short kick •through to the Bay 25 by Griffin, Amadio caught Sheriffs in possession and Manawhenua swarmed on the line. A serum was ordered and Fletcher was •caught in possession, allowing Setford -to clear. A back movement by the magpies was broken up by Griffin coming an to intercept and pass to Amadio who found touch past half-way. Wilson and Harvey broke aw T ay from a line-out 'but were called back for a forward pass. The Bay backs again functioned and demoralised the Manawhenua rearguard, but Griffin secured and found an opening to clear. Offside play by the Manawhenua forwards saw Hawke’s Bay take a scrum back, but Henry and Hight again broke through. Wilson, McKay and Henderson went to “the Manawhenua line where Amadio •came back to force, A great break through started by Amadio and carried on by Hight and Fitzgerald took play to the.Hawke’s Bay goal line. Hawke’s .Bay were caught, offside a few minutes 'later and Amadio had an attempt at ;goal, the ball falling under the bar.

Roddick was ambitious a few minutes 'later when he had a shot from half-way. Xed by Henry, the Manawhenua van--guard again broke right past Evans, -the Bay full back, but the ball went out of touch in goal. A great movement by the Bay backs followed and 'Cooke sent to Botherway who ran ■hard and transferred to Henderson who "tossed it to Crookes but Page came rround in a flash to secure and run out. Another movement saw the Bay on atattack and swarming on the line but Puller snapped up to line out on the .25.

Grenside had shifted from centre "three-quarter to first five-eighths for the Bay, probably on account of seeing very little of the leather. Working -the blind side Cooke sent his backs :away in a movement which was stopped ■on the line. A scrum followed and 'Cooke was caught handling too soon and Manawhenua temporarily cleared. Ha-wke’s Bay swarmed on the line and •from a line-out the Manawhenua forwards broke away with the ball at toe and when halted Araadio came up to -speculate past the Bay full back, Evans, who managed to come around -.and bring off a great save, finding ■touch past half-way, Fletcher was smothered in a back- movement and like a flash Roach came through with ball at toe. ,He was joined by the other forwards but they were penalised when dangerous. Half time found the score Iboard a blank. Second Half. Hawke’s Bay kept Manawhenua 'quiet at the commencement of the second half. Bramwell found the line with a good kick between half-way and the Bay 25. Manawhenua livened up •and some fast following up by Griffin caught the Bay in difficulty but they •managed a clearance, Manawhenua ■were penalised in a serum at half-way, but Bramwell fielded Grenside’s kick ■and found the litre in the Bay territiry. Manawhenua were having the better of play at this stage although no •concerted play was being indulged in. A loose movement saw Page, Fletcher and Williams prominent in taking play ■to the Bay 25. The Bay were getting a shaking and were held on their line. The home backs attempted to move Tout were broken up and Henry and Euller indulged in a movement which took play partly back. Out of the ruck •came the ball and Griffin who was in ■the thick of it, snapped'up to pot a brilliant field goal amidst great applause. ■ , . Manawhenua 4, Hawke s Bay 0 Play was now much faster and Gntfin was again in the limelight when ho kicked along the ground and again secured to make a good dash before "being hauled down. The Bay worked -to the homesters’ 25 where Cooke, •Grenside, Botherway and Setford combined before Brookes received to be smothered by Page. Manawhenua came r&ack and Fuller sent the ball out to

Bobb to Fletcher who short punted, but a blue forward was penalised.

Bay came to the Manawhenua 25 but Fuller found touch with a beautifuJ kick to half-way. Bay attempted a passing rush to Manawhenua territory but it was broken up and from a scrum the home hookers were penalised for lifting too soon and Grenside from behind the 25 line landed a goal. Hawke’s Bay 3, Manawhenua 4. Some exciting play followed, both sides tackling well. The Bay pack came away with only Bramwell to pass but he ran into touch in possession. From the line-out Wilson broke away and kicked past Fuller over the lino between the posts and Page came rouiid to kick the leather to the dead ball area. The magpies again persisted and Fletcher came round to secure and pass to Bramwell who lined out. Bay maintained the pressure and from a throw-in Wilson, the tall Bay forward, sent to Grenside who was smothered. Manawhenua were on the offensive but the backs were tackling hard. The Bay backs went away in a brilliant move, Cooke, Setford, Botherway and Grenside handling in turn to Sheriffs who was pulled up by inches and Bramwell forced. From the drop off Fletcher secured again to send to Page who made a dash upheld to be downed by Grenside, the ball going into touch just as <f no side” was sounded.

Mr F. S. Hewitt was a very satisfactory referee.