RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 237, 3 September 1927, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

CURTAIN-RAISER TO -SHIELD FIXTURE. WON BY WELLINGTON. Glorious weather conditions prevailed this afternoon for the Ranfurly Shield game between Manawlienua (holders) and Wanganui (Challengers) although the playing area had not fully recovered from the deluge of Wednesday. The big match was preceded by a curtain-raiser between Wellington fourth grade representatives and Manawatu thirds, the visitors playing towards the south goal at opening with the sun and breeze at their backs. They opened the more confidently and, employing their forwards to good effect, immediately. pressed, being aided to that end by indifferent fielding of ground balls by the home backs.. Following a period of defensive work, Mitchell broke up a.passing bout of the visitors and a fast follow up by the same player saw him just fail to prevent Davies getting in his kick. From a pass out immediately following, he cut in prettily, but his pass was ■ l l ercepted at the critical moment. The blacks fought their way back and Arthurs fielded a high clearance by McKay in brilliant style to dash the last 15 yards to score wide out. Morgan goaled with a beautiful, kick.—Wellington 5, Manawhenua nil. On the ball coming back into play, Dustin badly fooled the opposition and, although his short kick was halted, the blacks again opened from a five yards scrum and Morgan ran in between the posts. Taking the kick Pollock goaled.—Wellington 10-0. Obstruction by Davis gate McKay an opportunity to open the greens’ account, but the range proved just too great. Their reward came later when Udy was tackled in possession and' in a flash Smith was away and, althoughDavis brought him to earth, he went over. McKay’s shot dropped underneath the bar.—Manawatu 3-10. Wellington continued to carry the advantage, .the attacks of the greens being very spasmodic and their opponents were throwing the ball about among their speedy back division in highly attractive manner, but halftime found the scoring unaltered, although Wellington had had all the best of the exchanges. HOME TEAM IMPROVES. Pollock set the ball in action on resumption and, following a brief period of give and take play, Bramwell broke away and exchanges between backs and forwards terminated in Mitchell going over in good position, but an easy two points were lost by the kick going astray.—Manawatu 6—lo. The home team were now playing a bigger part and, from an opening, Smith snapped up the leather to go over right in the corner. McKay made a great attempt to goal, but narrowly failed.—Manawatu 9 10. An immediate reply was forthcoming from the visitors, Pollock cutting in and, although Bailey tackled him, he let him go and the five-eighth went on to score alongside the posts. Morgan goaled.—Wellington 15 —9. With play at midfield, Morgan had a long shot at goal, a good effort narrowly going astray. Wellington worked to- the assault and a hot series of “sacks on the mill” saw the visitors held out on more than one occasion when almost in. Finally the siege was lifted and Smith again “burst into the picture” when ho dashed away and, with the defence beaten, swung a low pass infield, but Mitchell failed td hold it. In the closing moments the blacks returned to foreign territory and a bout among backs and forwards saw Dustin score wide out. Morgan failed.—Wellington 18—9. Before time was called Dustin added another trv, the weak and high tackling of the home players assisting to that end. The kick failed, but Wellington had run out well deserved winners by 21 points to 9. Mr I. D. Parsons refereed.