RUGBY FOOTBALL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4873, 21 July 1936, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

KING COUNTRY’S MERITORIOUS WIN.

DEFEAT OF TARANAKI REPS.

There was an exceptionally large attendance of the public in the Taumarunui Domain on Saturday to see Taranaki B play King Country in the first inter-union match of the season in that district. It was-fast and open. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, but the King Country backs had a definite superiority in their five-eighth line with the result that scoring opportunities were made and taken full advantage of. Crossman played an outstanding game for King Country, particularly in the first spell, his first try being a brilliant piece of work. He had got men outside him and he made the play for them. The Taranaki forwards worked manfully, but with the exception of Sangster, the half-back, their back line lacked penetration. In the first spell it looked as though Taranaki would get over King Country in the line-outs and loose rushes, but the local men held their own in the second spell and gave the backs the chances they were looking for. Considering the fact of the heavy ground and greasy ball the game was fast and spectacular. Had the ground been dry the local backs no doubt would have added further points to their score as'they were better as a combination and individually than their opponents (says the Taumarunui Press). King Country kicked off facing the town and Hunt sent Crossman away. He kicked high and Hunt, the visitors’ custodian, fumbled, but the King Country forwards were too slow to get on to him. Sangster cleared and Bryers fielded the ball nicely. He changed his pace cleverly and then fended Cochrane to race past Hunt and score a great try in the corner. McLeod failed with the kick. King Country 3, Taranaki 0. The Taranaki forwards took charge, West and Longstaff leading them to the King Country goal line where, after heavy rucking, Hunt swept a pass to Gilbert and the five-eighth lined beautifully. McLeod missed a high ball badly and as a result Hayward made an opening for Cochrane who went over in the corner. West hit the post with a good kick. King Country 3, Taranaki 3. ’ Then near the 25 line the Taranaki half, Sangster, opened up a passing movement, but Gilbert intercepted cleverly and Crossman swept through like lightning to take his pass, beat three men and scored spectacularly under the posts. McLeod failed with the easy kick. King Country 6, Taranaki 3. In King Country’s 25 Gilbert lay on the ball and West had an angle shot but his direction was faulty. Back past half-way Bryers fielded a bouncing ball cleverly and drew Cochrane to in-pass to Coffin, who passed forward to Box. Passing by the Yellow backs saw Ross break away down the line, but Phillips pushed him out. Then Box led a fast forward rush and Gilbert made a fine opening for Crossman, who went through and just missed in a dive for the line. Erickson was handy and he snapped the ball up to score in the corner. McLeod failed with the kick. King Country 9, Taranaki 3. At half-way Sangster dummied Crossman and broke through to pass to Arnold, but he dropped the greasy ball with a clear field ahead. In the ruck that followed King Country were penalised and West kicked a goal from in front. King Country 9, Taranaki 6. Kicking high by Arnold saw McLeod fumble badly again and the teams scrummed. King Country hooked and Hunt sent Crossman away. Bathgate was lowered by Hayman as he went to pass and the visitors’ forwards, led by Smith, went off with the ball at their toes to the King Country line where a force-down saved the Blues. The yellow forwards, led by Smith, Bocock and Coull, came through in a solid phalanx, McLeod going down to them. He held on and from the penalty Arnold found touch near the corner flag. From under the King Country posts Crossman broke away and gave Phillips a break. The wing went away with his head down and was tackled. Box broke away but a penalty was awarded Taranaki, West failing with his shot at goal. Then Coffin and Fleming were associated in pretty passing and Bradshaw just failed to take the latter’s transfer with the corner waiting him. Bathgate opened up a passing movement but his transfer to Bryers was low. Sangster whipped round a scrum in King Country territory and was almost over, Erickson and Nelson clearing. Taranaki continued to attack and Arnold had a pot which missed narrowly. A passing rush among the forwards was spoilt by Peterson, who threw out a wild overhead pass. In Taranaki’s territory a penalty was awarded the Blues and Fleming just missed with a shot at goal. The Yellow forwards, led by Smith and West, came up the paddock in a great rush and McLeod held on. West had a sitter but missed it. Play was at half-way at the spell whistle and the score: King Country 9, Taranaki 6. From the kick off the King Country forwards went to the attack. From a line-out Hunt shot the ball. to Crossman, who made a lovely opening for Gilbert. He cut in and as he was tackled on the line sent a high pass to Bathgate, who took it nicely to score well out. Fleming failed with the kick. King Country 12, Taranaki 6. Fielding a kick by Surgenor nicely Phillips went off down the line in a line dash. He fended Ross and inpassed to Crossman, who raced past

Hayman and Hunt to score a great try in the corner. McLeod failed with a long kick. King Country 16, Taranaki 6. Coming through a ruck Coffin bustled Hunt but the Yellow forwards came round to save. The Yellow forwards, led by Smith, came away, McLeod sending them into the corner on the other side of the field with a great kick. Box was off-side and West put the ball into the air. Bathgate took it sweetly and drew Hayman to send Phillips away. The wing put his weight and his fend into Ross but could not get through. Then as play swept acfoss field Cochrane broke away down the line and clever passing by him, Hayman and Arnold saw the Yellows almost away, but a dropped pass spoilt the movement. Intercepting Sangster’s pass to Arnold, Bradshaw was well away but Peterson missed the pass in a great scoring position. Bathgate snapped the ball up in a scrambling ruck and after beating a edible of men sent it in, and Gilbert was there to take the ball and dive over for a nice try. McLeod failed with the kick. King Country 18, Taranaki 6. Time came not long afterwards with the score unchanged.