RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 199, 23 July 1926, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE CONTEST, HOROAYHENUA v. MANAWATU. Yesterday witnessed the marshalling of Manawafu’s forces in preparation for the return match between Horowhen.ua and Manawatu and, under the direction of Mr N. Perry, a wellknown coaching authority, of Wellington, the members engaged in practices at the showgrounds, both in the afternoon and evening. Unfortunately some few deflections have eventuated, Bodcly and Spence, of the Oroua SubUnion, being among the number, while the prevailing influenza has also made inroads. As a direct result there is a distinct possibility that two or three of the members who had been considered certainties will be numbered among the absentees and the announcement of the team to take the field will be awaited with interest. The game at Levin a month ago found Horowhenua with their forces much better marshalled than Manawatu, for while the red and blues had indulged in practices together, the green and whites had not had that advantage. . The outcome of the meeting disclosed the wiseness of the course taken by the -Horowhenua authorities and, profiting by the lesson, Manawatu has made every endeavour to rectify the position. It is thus hoped that the benefit of. the association of the players at practices will result in Manawatu playing a much more prominent role to-morrow and, if beaten, they should not be disgraced. On the result of the game will depend in large measure the percentage of representation to be gained by the contestants in tire combined team to figure in representative engagements later and thus the contestant* will be virtually striving for honours. The game should prove full of interest to the spectator, while as a curtain raiser, Manawatu thirds will oppose To Kawau juniors which promises to bo fully as entertaining. ' The curtain raiser game is timed to commence ■at 1 p.m. and the senior contest at 2.30 p.m.

TE KAWAU RUGBY SUB-UNION. [From Our Own Correspondent.] Competitions games fpr Saturday next have been arranged as follow: Central v. Hui' Mai, at Rongotea; referee, Mr Stan. Reeve. United v. Awahuri, at Oroua Downs; referee, Mr T. Goodwin. The Hui Mai v. Central game will bo of most interest as tiro result of llie game will have some bearing on the championship. Hui Mai are at present four points ahead, with two games to piay against central. If the latter club can win tho two games a play off will be necessary. Hui Mai have been without a game for three Saturdays, while Central had a good pipe opener. On form Central should squeeze home by a narrow margin. Following is the team chosen to represent Central: G. Hunt, A. Sansou, G. Anderson, M. Amadio, B. Algar, G. Goldfinch, C. Hunt, H. Howell, W. Gust, E. Gust K. Vile, H. Peterson, F. Barnaby, L. Knight, L. Hancox. Emergencies: A. Gardner and K. ■MacAVatters. The above juayers are requested to assemble at their captain’s premises at 2 p.m. The junior competitions being now completed leaves Hui Mai the championship leaders and the team hold 3 the McKelvie Shield for the 1926 season.