RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3829, 9 August 1928, Page 1

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WERAROA v. FOXTON. On the Park Domain, Levin, on Saturday, the Weravoa team proved themselves superior both in the forward and back divisions to the Foxton men, who, although defending gamely, had not the speed in attack nor the strength in the threequarter line possessed by their opponents. Wleraroa (black and white) kicked off against the wind and immediately met opposition, play remaining about the centre of the field for ten minutes or so. Then an .infringement by Foxton (yellow and black) gave the home team the advantage of a penalty, which brought ithem to the twenty-five. Following a scrum, McLennan obtained possession and lost it when making for the line, but Hellamore picked it up and scored in the corner. Warren’s kick across the wind was ineffective. Weraroa 3 —Foxton 0.

The visiting team soon invaded with a forward rush and Weraroa were forced. After a while the local hacks got going, and a concerted rush from half-way ended in a scramble on the line. A penalty in favour of Weraroa gave McLennan a shot at the goal, but without result. The whites continued the pressure, until a free kick for- Foxton shifted operations to half-way. This’ was only a brief respite for the greens, however, and they were called on to defend their line by using their hacks to the utmost. A timely punt relieved them, and, gradually increasing their advantage, the visiting forwards were able to keep well up with the fasttravelling hall as it sped towards the home corner. It was a race between the teams for possession, hut it did not finish, as Weraroa were saved by a clever kick by R. Broughton. Foxton came again, hut after one of their men had picked the hall up from the loose for a dash to the scoring area he was pushed out near the corner. With the aid of a free kick the white regained some lost ground, and after working the ball across half-way they managed a dribbling rush, terminating in another race for the ball, which Weraroa won at the corner, J. Broughton touching down. Warren just missed the goal with a well calculated kick. Weraroa 6—Foxton 0.

An interval of punting up and down the field ensued, and the leather twice went with the wind over the dead-ball line. A combined rush by the whites’ forwards put Foxton’s line in danger, but their backs took the shock well, and after a bit of manoeuvring, the visitors were again on the attack. Offside play spoilt their opportunity when they were close to the line, but after a scrum Weraroa were penalised and Foxton obtained their first score through a goal kicked by Moses. Weraroa G —Foxton 3.

Some fair passing and taking among the visitors’ backs enabled the team to get within striking distance, and a scrum in front of the goal raised hopes among their supporters, but the whites obtained possession. With the return of the ball, Foxton encroached again. A lineout took place close to the goalline, but Wleraroa were again on the ball, with the result that they shifted play back to half-way. From that vicinity they instituted a dribbling rush, which stopped short of the line. A couple of penalties were given against them, and towards half time Foxton were doing most of the attacking. The spell ended, however, with the scores unchanged. Weraroa G —Foxton 3.

In the second half Weraroa played almost as well against the wind as they had done when it was behind them. They were soon in the yellow’s territory, and Norrie made a neat sprint with the ball under his wing, but was brought down when ten yards from his objective. Play returned to half-way, but not for long, and the ball was twice kicked over the dead-ball line. After an arduous spell on the defensive, the Foxton pack broke through the attacking forces, and the forwards handled the ball well in a rush that took them to the vicinity of the corner, where the leather went out of touch. The movement was repeated a little later, and a scrum took place ten yards from the corner, followed by a line-out further up. Effective handling by the visiting backs came to a sudden stop through determined tackling. Foxton gained a free lojck in front of the goal, but no score resulted. Weraroa’s backs threw the ball about freely and at midfield the play livened up considerably. The home team swept on until they were near their opponents’ corner, a scramble, then developing. Just after this a melee took place in front of the goal, and out of the ruck shot Cole, to score a few yards wide of the posts. Taylor’s kick was unsuccessful. Weraroa 9 Foxton 3. .» ._

Weraroa attacked with a strong passing rush, hut a forward pass brought it to a finish inside the twenty-five. The sequel to a scrum was a loose rush, leading to a scramble on the line, from which TJehreeeney scored. The t shot at goal failed. Weraroa 12 —Foxton 3. Again the Wlhites invaded, and Foxton accepted a force. Eventually the visiting backs initiated a movement which carried play to the opposite twenty-five, and from a passing rush Robinson scored. The kick by Moses, from a sharp angle, went low. Wleraroa 12 —Foxton 6. The rest of the play was mostly in the whites’ favour and Foxton were frequently penned against their line. Taylor came within an ace of scoring, and the feat was accomplished shortly afterwards by Graham, who ran round behind the posts. Taylor made no mistake with the kick. After several further attempts by the local team, time was called, with the scores: Weraroa 17 —'Foxton G. Mr. E. Bevan was referee.