REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 September 1930, Page 7

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY.

WELLINGTON BEAT MANAWHENUA.

The representative match between Wellington and Manawhenua, played on the Showgrounds on Saturday, was won 'by the visitors, the final score being Wellington 19, Manawhenua 6. Heavy rain fell throughout the greater, part of the game and with a fairly strong, gusty wind blowing, the conditions were not at all favourable. As a result the game was confined to the forwards, there being only occasional flashes of back play. Issue Never in Doubt. After their showing against Auckland and victory over Hawke’s Bay it was expected that Manawhenua would at least make an even game of it but the forwards could not get going at any stage and the visitors, quickly adapting themselves to the conditions, were superior from the outset. The game was witnessed by a fair number of enthusiasts. The Game. The teams lined out as follow: Manawhenua (red, wmitc and blue): Bramwell, Page, Fletcher, Griffin, Eobb, Mitchell, Fuller, Eoddick, Fitzgerald, Henry, K. Fitzgerald, Miles, Hight, Satherlcy and Williams. Wellington (yellow and black): Clarke, Wylie, McDonald, Neale, Eobins, Killeen, Coman,- Hill, Ottaway, Mollier, Skill ton, Backer, Ward, Eoborts and Wood. The visitors won the toss and played with the wind behind them in the first, spell. Manawhenua set the bail in motion and the Wellington forwards immediately took charge, carrying all before them in a rush to the lino whor? Bramwell took a risk when he passed instead of finding the line. The homo side quickly rallied and took the ball back to the quarter line where Wellington were awarded a free kick, Coman having a shot which missed. Following the drop out play hung about halfway until Coman obtained from a loose rush and sent the ball out to Eobins who short punted. Fuller, the Manawhenua half, saved the situation when he sprinted back to take a mark. He lined at the quarter flag. Wellington again attacked but Bramwell sent them back with a long kick which went into touch past half way. The visiting rearguard again attempted to get going bn f the inside backs were well smothered and K. Fitzgerald kicked the bail through to the other end, being outpaced, however, by Clarke who lined at the corner. Manawhenua kept up the pressure until a penalty brought Wellington temporary relief. Mitchell obtained and short kicked through to the full-back wiho was tackled before he could got the ball away and Mitchell, following up fast, got possession and with the ball at his toes and Fletcher in support, penetrated to the line where Clarke again made a good save. Wellington Open the Scoring. The Wellington forwards then combined well in a loose rush which carried all before it. Page took the bali off their toes but was tackled on the line, passing back to Bramwell who forced the ball with not a traction of time to spare. Neale fielded the drop out and centred high. His forwards were on to the ball in a flash and Ward broke away with the ball at' his feet. Dribbling it across under the posts he beat Bramwell in the race and first blood for Wellington. Goman missed an easy kick. Wellington 3, Manawhenua 0. The wind had increased in force and the rain was coming clown in torrents and after a short period of even play Mitchell attempted to get his backs going but his pass to Fletcher was intercepted by McDonald who drew the defence before sending the ball on to Wylie who raced across in a handy position. Coman again missed. Wellington 6, Manawhenua 0.

Wellington were dominating the game and Coman started another scoring movement when he secured in midfield and sent Robins away on a run to the corner where he was tackled but had pace enough on to go over. The distance was too great for Coman. Wellington 9, Manawhenua 0.

The visiting backs were handling the greasy ball well and it was not long before they were away again. McDonald failed to field cleanly and Fletcher kicked through to touch 20 yards beyond half way. The home pack worked through to Clarke who kicked out to Griffin who ran up and centred. Page, Mitchell and Fletcher had Wellington bustled, the ball going into touch at the corner flag. K. Fitzgerald obtained from the line out and dived over. Fletcher’s kick fell short. Manawhenua 3, Wellington 9.

For the remainder of the spell Wellington kept up a hot attack and Manawhenua sought relief on two occasions by forcing. Henry, K. Fitzgerald and Mitchell shone out in defence and at half time the play was in neutral territory.

Second Half.

The opening kick was brought back and from the scrum Mollier, Ward and Roberts took the ball through to Fuller who lined at half way. The black forwards again took charge and Coman sent Wylie away on the blind side, the winger being grassed in the c orner. Ward headed another determined sortie but a penalty brought relief and Satherley and Roddick took the ball to the other twenty-five, A promising attack developed but Page overkicked into dead ground, Roddick was next to show out and with the ball at his toe penetrated to the last line of defence, Clarke effecting a good savp. Ward, Roberts and Wood headed a WeiLington rush to the other end where K, Fitzgerald halted them and with a solo effort transferred the game to the visitors' quarter where Mitchell secur-

ing in the loose, concealed his purpose and punted along th e ground. Miles and Satherlcy followed fast and smothered the defence, Fletcher snapping the ball up and diving over for a great try. He failed with the kick. Manawhenua 6, Wellington 9, The homo side was going better at this stage and a kick by Mitchell was fielded by Coman. Griffin came across to tackle the Wellington half who passed to Eobins who was offside. Koddick had a shot but to no avail and Hill ran through nicely to send his forwards away to the halfway line where the play was close. Hill was then penalised for offside play and Flcteher kicked well upheld but Clarke managed to get his kick in in face of the blue forwards. A dribbling rush by the black van took play to the 25 where Coman found the line 'well down. From the lineout the Wellington backs received the leather and a poor kick by Eobins gave Fletcher and Page an opening. The forwards joined in and matters looked dangerous but Wellington managed to effect a clearance. Wellington worked back and from a melee Coman secured and tried to force his way through. He was smothered, however, but Ward dashed in to kick across the line and win a race to the ball to score near the posts. Conran raised the tiags with the kick. Wellington 14, Manawhenua 6. Just prior to the scoring movement Mitchell (Manawhenua) and Skilton (Wellington) were injured and had to leave the field being replaced by Amadio and Butler.

Wellington kept up the pressure and Amadio was called upon to make if hurried force. From a scrum in the blue 25, just before no side was sounded Coman secured and dashed through the opposition to dive over and score in a handy position. Neale converted and the game ended: Wellington 19, Manawhenua 6.

Mr Amos McKegg controlled the game in good style.