RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 739, 22 June 1923, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WOODYILLE DEFEAT M.A.U

GAME IX THE MUD,

Conditions wore fur from ideal for the Rugby contest, Woodvillc versus Maori Agricultural College, at the Showgrounds yesterday, the ground closely approaching ii slate of quagmire, hut despite this a very fair standard of football was attained ami the Woodyillo representatives (idly merited their win. As the teams filed out they presented a marked contrast, the visitors a picturesque spectacle in the royal blue uniforms, white shorts and blue hose with white lops, while tlio ‘homo team displayed different lined jerseys and shorts. Both teams prior to commencement lined up in front of the closely packed stand while tlio Maori boys delivered a lengthy and spirited war cry which found strongfavour with the crowd. THE PLAY.

M.A.C. kicked oil' towards tlio south cud, hut a man in front resulted in a scrum and nluy settled in neutral territory, there being three successive lino outs without marked advantage to either side. Woodviilo broke away in a loose rush and the defending custodian hurriedly found the lino. M.A.C. worked hack and a froo kick assisted them to enter foreign territory. Their stay was of hut short duration, fur Weitzoll set his hacks in motion and Mair short punted over the close up attacking line and L'owie and Rigby carried on to directly in front of the goal. A melee ensued, which culminated in a force. Several other attacks followed, one of which the defending full-back cleared with a wonderful speculator. M.A.C. transferred play with a rush that went the end of the field and when within close range of the line Napier picked up uml swung out to Tipi Kopuu, who grounded. A good kick passed outside.—M.A.C. 3, Woodville 0. Woodville hurried to the attack and Oxon--Imm figured prominently in carrying on clown Hold. From a loose scrum the ball was kicked across to Bailey on the right wing, who took the ball at his toe and scored. Taking the kick himself lie found the uprights.—Woodville 5, M.A.C. 3. The closing minutes of the spell witnessed a good solo effort by Sly, hut when within u few yards of the lino ho lost control of the hall, a force resulting. Halftime found ■ the score unaltered. During the spoil McNeill, the Woodville hooker, was injured and retired. Woodville kicked off on resumption, but M.A.C. temporarily assumed the aggressive, The homo team worked hack and set up a long sustained attack, but although within an ace of scoring on several occasions could not actually cross. The pressure was maintained for about 20 minutes, temporary respites by way of marks and free kicks easing the attack for the Maoris. The home backs wore playi'tig safe, Cowio’s taking being very sure. Play, despite the mild, was keen and at times fast. Just prior to the end there wore many anxious moments for Woodville. and repeated serums took place close to the line, Woodville finally worked clear and from a scrum within the Maoris' twenty-live the Woodville half passed out to Rigby to Oxenhum, who crossed, but the referee halted the attack for an infringement. Final time found play in the visitors’ territory with the scores: Woodville 5, Maori Agricultural College 3, Mr T. Purata ably controlled a difficult game. “REP” TEAMS ENGAGED. To-morrow will be an off-day in Rugby circles locally, the sole attraction being the Kia Toa-Old Boys’ match which will be played on the High School grounds. Three representative teams will, however, be engaged in the first trial of strength against outside unions and a good deal of interest will be centred in these games. The A team will visit Levin and the showing of the local men against Horowhenua will in big measure decide the number of representatives to bo included in the combined Wellington-Mnnawnfu-Horowhcnua team to meet New South Wales. The B fifteen who are composed in big measure of Woodville and Bedding players, will meet Oroua at Kimbolton, and the 0 team will journey to Sundon to pit their strength against the newly-formed To Kawnu sub-union. Provided the full selected teams make the trip it. is confidently expected that they will give good accounts of themselves. The following will represent Old Boys juniors v. Kia Ton at the High School grounds at 3 p.m.:—White, Snell, Sol lift, Garry, MacGregor. Stamiard, Smith, Dale, Pacey, Peters, Fleming, Hope, Hoddcr, Sorenson, Johnstone, Palmer. Lovelock. Kia Toa juniors; loway, G. Davidson, N. Dixon, M. Franks, T Williams, G. Marshall, A. Bambory, Pullen, K. Korsoll, G. Hancock. B. Bruce, W. White, C. Grinstead, J. Mahoney, J. Laurie, H. Weston, IT. Rodges.