RUGBY TRIALS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 205, 28 July 1928, Page 1 (Supplement)

RUGBY TRIALS.

Inter-Council Trials ; Brilliant Conditions; Victory to Each District in Seniors ; Play in “A” Trials Opened Brilliantly; Degenerated as it Proceeded ; Hard Ground and Slack Ball Play a Part; Second Half Scoreless Spell; Whistle in Continual Evidence. Splendid playing conditions—a bright sunny afternoon, little ■wind and a playing area in good order —favoured the contestants in the return trials between .Horowlienua and Manawatu at the Showgrounds this afternoon, the A and B representatives of the two districts being seen in action. siderable interest was centred in the fixtures owing to their important bearing upon the selection of the fifteen to do duty for Hanawhenua at Wanganui next Saturday and to make the southern tour next month. The B game which preceded the A contest was fairly bright and the succeeding struggle opened full of spaikle, but it degenerated considerably in the second spell when there was a preponderance of forward play, the rearguards not being seen to advantage. The rival, combinations were guilty of committing breaches at close intervals and the whistle was very much in evidence which did much to detract from the game.

TEAMS RE-SHUFFLED. HOROWHENUA AGAIN SUCCESSFUL. ■ Changes had been made in both the i divisions from the sides which had iaken the field at Shannon 1 a month igo, Horowhenua making two alterations while Manawatu had effected no less than eight. The day itself saw Manawatu have to replace Fearnley, Wasley substituting him, and the following fifteens took their places on the field to do battle for the two councils. Horowhenua (blue and red). —Taylor, Warren,' Westwood, Roberts, McKenzie, T. Parata, W. Parata, Gleesori, Hakaraia, Moody, Ward, Tatana (captain), Satherley, McDonnell, Daltell. i Manawatu (green and white). —Wasley, Dais, Williamson, Strange, Robb, Akuira (captain), Shapleski, M. Waldin, Bowler, Crawford, Conrad, Parsons, Payne, Miles, Galpin. ■ The home team elected to face the sun and breeze at opening, Tatana setting the game in operation by kicking off towards the opposite side of the ground, and, from the return, the green forwards swept to the attack. From a melee Parsons emerged in possession to come round the blind side and hand on to Dais, and the winger burst over the top of Taylor. Akuira failed. Manawatu 3, Horowhenua 0. With the ball coming into play Roberts danced his way into the home zone and the ball -went across the goal front before being halted. From a succeeding scrum, W. Parata attempted to force his way over, but was held up on the line. HOROWHENUA LEAD. The forwards came to the rescue only to be driven back by Warren dashing away in a short burst prior to kicking, and only a splendid save by Wasley kept them out. The blue securing the ball from the scrums and a bout set Warren en route for the line, but he was swept out at the corner. A free kick brought relief, but the visiting forwards came back and Wasley failed to field the leather with the result that Tatana, who was handy, picked up to go over in good position. McDonnell made a poor attempt to goal. Horowhenua 3, Manawatu 3. A fast open movement by the blue forwards again placed the green awkwardly and Crawford coming in offside gave Taylor a gift three points. Horowhenua 6, Manawatu 3. The visitors returned to the attack and a hand back from Ward to W. Parata set the blues away in a sparkling movement, the ball working out to Roberts and infield to Westwood for the centre to complete. Taylor failed. Horowhenua 9, Manawatu 3. The blues were quickly back, plenty of ball from the scrums enabling Parata to set his backs moving, while on one occasion he worked tiie blind side with Warren, the half taking a return pass to hand in to Gleeson, the rover being, however, ruled offside. With the visitors hard on the attack, two free kicks for offside brought temporary relief to the greens, while a free kick' for premature lifting by Hakaraia let the greens work free and the forwards swept to the opposite end before being halted. The referee was very severe in his interpretations, but the greens worked back following a free kick, only to be halted right down in the corner. Gleeson, who was repeatedly offside, came round the scrum too quickly, but Alcuira’s kick passed just outside the near post. Back piled Horowlienua, marks by Shapleski and Akuira pulling them up right down in home territory where, following a period of forward struggling, the greens submitted to a force. Wasley was again called upon to save, while Williamson found the line from a kick to the corner by Tatana. Halftime found the game in neutral territory, the spapkling display of the early portion of the spell having developed into a long struggle between the scrummagers. GREENS OVER ANXIOUS. The Manawatu forwards were proving over anxious at the kick outs and immediately upon resumption they committed the same breach, but from the resulting scrum Shapleski secured from his hookers to open up to Akuira to / Robb, to Strange, but the winger did

not have enough room in which to work and was crowded out. The advantage was maintained, a second effort along the blind side being likewise crowded out. A series of knock-ons which passed unnoticed enabled the blues to invade, but off-side by the visitors halted them. A burst by T. Parata, aided by poor tackling, let the blue five-eighths clear and a handling bout went over the green line only for close control of the ball to be lost and Wasley got back to force. With Horowhenua back on the attack, Warren was unfortunate enough to kick the leather when attempting to field a rolling ball from a kick by Wasley and it passed into touch in his own zone. From a clearance by Taylor, Roberts came in offside, but Akuira’s shot went sligh|SjSas|ttiiy. An attempt to open from iSßmartPpick up by Robb set the greens moving, but after Waldin handing on to Williamson, the centre lost possession. Roberts intercepted a pass on by Akuira to Strange to dance his way through to the in-field, but his hand on to Gleeson was ruled offside and the kick found touch, at the centre, A solo effort by Warren set the blues back in foreign territory until Wasley sent them back with a long liner. The advantage was immediately lost by Parsons getting offside, but failure to field a ball right on the touch line by Taylor saw it pass into touch inside his half. A melee followed from which Galpin emerged in possession, but liis kick was allowed by Taylor to pass over the goal line to be forced. Play was very scrappy, there being but fleeting attempts at open rearguard play, while the whistle was in evidence almost continuously. LOST OPPORTUNITIES. The homesters were taking a greater share of the play, but it lacked finish. Holding on at the twenty-five line by T. Parata gave Waldin a shot at goal from an easy position, but the deplorable kicking was again strikingly illustrated. A still further opportunity to goal from a penalty for premature lifting in the scrum was furnished Akuira, but it went the way of the others. The visitors were being kept penned in their own territory, but Manawatu never looked like scoring, although one movement along the right wing in which Strange figured tested Taylor, the fullback lining out nicely. Full-time found the home team still hard on the attack, but with the score sheet for the second spell still a blank, the honours thus resting with the visitors by a margin of six points. Horowhenua A 9, Manawatu A 3» Mr F. S. Hewitt refeieed. THE B GAME. MANAWATU SUCCESSFUL. An unfortunate state of affairs was revealed in respect to the composition of the home team in the curtain-raiser game, for as on the former occasion defections at the eleventh hour were numerous, no less than six players _ withdrawing. The composition of the rival fifteens which eventually filed out were as under: Horowhenua (blue and red). —Robinson, Graham, Wallace, Bryant, Stevenson, Mete, Walls, Nahona, Andrew, Renata, McDonnell, K. Dalzcll (captain), Knox and Skelton. Manawatu (green and while). —Powell, Field, Riclclell, Griffin (captain), Evans, Goldfinch, Cochrane, Biel, Summers, M. Hight. Stratford, Lynch, C. Hight, Read and Heatley. Horowhenua elected to play with the sun and breeze at their backs at opening, Manawatu kicking off towards the northern goal, and the visitors immediately evidenced a preponderance of weight; in the frontal division and the greens were called upon to defend. From the first scrum down, the greens heeled, but Goldfinch dropped his pass from Cochrane. A pretty movement by the blues was opened by Stevenson, who cut through prettily, but, with his forwards in line outside him, he elected to pass infield and the advance was halted. A solo effort by Wallace again set the blues on the attack and matters looked dangerous for the homesters when Powell was .prevented from clearing, the ball going into touch just short of the goal lino. Across field the play worked, an overhard kick forcing the greens. From the kick out, M. Hight worked upfield with the ball at his toe and Goldfinch opened up to Field, but the breach could not bo found. The advantage was maintained when a movement by the I blues broke down and the green back line went away in a handling bout, Riddell | attempting to side step the opposition only to lose the balL i j

FIRST SCORE TO MANAWATU. The visitors were throwing the ball about and a wide swung pass to Mete 6aw Stevenson cut through prior to handing on, but Bryant dropped his pass and a dangerous movement came to nought. With the scene of hostilities right down in the home zone, the Manawatu forwards swept clear, over-running the ball halting them. Knox came in offside and from an ensuing kick Griffin followed up fast _to secure and go on to Robinson before being forced into touch. A beautiful cut through by Wallace took'the blues to the home territory, but a fa6t, open rush carried them back, and a series of passes across the goal front saw tho ball finally go from Stratford to C. Hight to Griffin for the winger to go over wide out. .Powell made a good effort to find the uprights, but the ball fell short. Manawatu B 3, Horowhenua B 0. Although Hoix-whenua. wen* to the attack, the homesters again broke clear, Stratford goinjj straight for the line with an open field before him. Robinson, however, upset him from the rear and a certain try was lost. The greens were now taking a greater share of tho play, although they suffered the loss of Stratford —Hutchins coming on later —and tho backs were throwing the leather about freely. SCORES EVENED. However, tho blues were the next to score from a finished handling bout along tho right -wing wherein the ball passed from Walls to Stevenson, who cut in prior to handing on to Ryder. .Wallace came round tho outside of the winger to accept the final pass and go over wide oue. Mete failed. Horowhenua B 3, Manawatu B 3. Stimulated by their success, Horowlienua returned to the attack, but Goldfinch came round tho blind side of the scrum to hand on to Griffin, the winger giving a return pass only for the movement to bo .halted when dangorou6. Steve/.ison was insirumental in setting the blues again on the attack, two fruitless attempts to goal from pots being cleared by Powell and Riddell, although the latter nearly got his side into trouble by dropping the leather. A smart acceptance of a short kick by Mete set Stevenson and Ryder en route for the lino' but Evans came across to floor the winger. The spell ended with the scores unaltered. POOR GOAL-KICKING. Horowhenua opened spiritedly on resumption following the. interval but a ground kick by Evans finally lifted the siege, although Robinson carried play back with a nice centre. Riddell was almost clear when he snapped up a pass from Stevenson to Wallace, but. in a flash Mete was away in turn and a hand on to Stevenson to Ryder set tho winger en route for the line, but ho lost conufrl. A solo effort by Cochrane bustled Stevenson off the ball and the forwards joining in play worked into foreign territory. Cochrane open up to Evans who- 6hort punted and Riddell and Goldfinch followed up hard to swarm over Robinson, Goldfinch scoring. Powell made a poor attempt to find the uprights. Manawatu 6, Horowhenua 3. Evans danced his way, through to open up to Biel’ to' Field, but the winger was halted. Tho pace was quickening and a counter assault saw Ryder kick through, but in the race to ground the ball Powell reached the leather before Wallaco and a force resulted. Good work by Goldfinch set Field away, but the substitute winger was halted by Robinson. The acceptance of a pas 6 out to Mete saw the five-eighth work the blind side to Stevenson to Ryder, but tho winger’s kick was charged down and play halted in the corner where a free kick was awarded the blues. Stevenson made a good, but fruitless effort to turn it to account. SCORES' AGAIN EQUAL. The kick out did not bring relief to the greens and an over hard kick again forced Them. A beautiful kick out by Ileatley found touch at the centre flag and C. Hight charging down a clearance the greens piled to the attack, but a force resulted. From a drop shot at goal from a mark by Riddell, Robinson elected to bring the ball out and, his clearance failing to find the line, Cochrane accepted, but a stereotype movement broke down before it threatened danger: Three free kicks in close succession were halting the greens and bringing the blues muchneeded relief. A further one following upon an advance by the blues gave Stevenson a shot within easy range and he made no mistake. Horowhenua B 6, Manawatu B 6. From a cross kick by Griffin, a bouncing ball beat the opposition, but it in turn beat the kicker who had followed up fast and a great, opportunity was losL MANAWATU IN THE LEAD AGAIN. A dash by Griffin gained a groat stretch of territory and, although floored, he again went on only to be finally halted right down in foreign territory. From the throw in the ball was snapped up by Hutchins who dived over. C. Hight failed. Manawatu B 9, Horowhenua B 6. A promising movement opened when Evans dashed *away, but Goldfinch dropped tho leather when lie had a clear field before him. He gained his reward when ho snapped up a non-acceptance by Stevenson to swerve through tho opposition ' and ground between the posts. Evans could not add the major points. Manawatu B 12, Horowhenua B 6. A Manawatu break-away was halted just short of the line, but C. Hight secure” the ball from the melee to score a simple try. Tho Gcorer and time was immediately called with the honours resting with the homestefts. Manawatu B 15, Horowhenua B 6. Mr A. Gordon was the referee. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. MANAWATU BEAT HOROWHENUA. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Standard.”) LEVIN, ' July 28. In a junior representative match Manawatu (26) beat Horowhenua (17). The visiting forwards were faster and the backs handled the ball better. Both sides’ form was nearly equal to senior standard. Horowhenua (black) opened with a try by Croon at the corner. Picard failed to goal. Rose equalised with a penalty goal. Farrell next sscored a try for the blacks, but the kick missed. The greens then got a converted try. Near half-time Benge increased the score with a 6010 try behind the posts. Rose converted. In the second spell there was a try to Horowhenua by McKenzie, followed by a try to tho greens by.. Cope, which was converted by Benge. Waugh then scored and Rose missed the kick. Faa-el and Pratt scored for Horowhenua, the last one being converted by Picard. A try was scored for the greens by Benge, who converted, shortly before time. • THE MIDGETS. The B teams of Central and Terrace End School furnished ithe-attraction at the interval to the senior game, the former eight proving their pronounced superiority, Allerby early registering a try, while Fletcher goaled from a penalty. Before the spell closed Fletcher registered a profty *ry and Miller adding the major points, the teams crossed over with Central holding an 11 point advantage. The second spell saw no score registered.—Central B 11, Terrace End B 0.

INTER-CLUB GAMES. Third Grade. Bunnythorpe 19 v. St. Patrick’s 9. Feilding 12 v. Old Boy 6 B 6. Woodville 18 v. Kia Toa 3. West End 0.8. won from Athletic by default. Fifth Grade. Phoenix 3 v. Gordon 3. Kia Ora 15 v. Technical 6. Sixth Grade. Phoenix 16 v. Gordon 0. Technical 11 v. Kia Ora 3. SUB-UNIONS AT PLAY. TE KAWAU BEAT'OROUA. At Kimholton to-day in perfect football weather, and in tho presence of a large crowd of spectators, a team from the To Kawau Sub-Union defeated the Oroua SuhjUnion’s representatives by 14 points to 6 after a fast and open game. The first spell produced nor score and on the play tho teams seemed very evenly matched. In tho second spell however, To Kawau gradually assumed the upper hand and tries were scored by Amadio, W. Gust and Hartley, two of which Amadio converted. Strenuous work by the Oroua forwards resulted in P. McKenzie and W. Parsons getting over, but the kick at goal failed. In the closing stages of the game To Kawau spoiled further chances to score by faulty handling. Mr N. J. Short refereed. In a junior game, North v. South, of tho Oroua Sub-Union, the former won by three points to nil, H. Pretious scoring lute in tho second spell for the victors. The game revealed a high standard of football for junior play and was never lacking in interest. Mr A. J. Tompkins carried the whistle. SEDDON SHIELD MATCH. NELSON RETAIN TROPHY. Per Press Association. NELSON, July 28. After a fast and interesting game in which West Coast had tho best of tho first spell Nelson retained the Seddon Shield by 22 to 13. At half-time Nelson led by 11 to 9. Tries for tho winners wero scored by Snodgrass, Fowler, Reid, Max and Carven, while Snodgrass kicked a penalty and Reid converted two tries. For West Coast Houlston scored an unconverted try and King kicked two penalties and potted a goal.

RESULTS IN OTHER CENTRES. Pahiatua. —Pahiatua 14 v. Alfredton nil; Hukanui 10 v. Mangatainoka 3. Wellington.—Senior A: University 16 v. Old Boys 13; Ponekc 19 v. Bcrhampiore 6; Petone 15 v. Oriental 10; Marist 9 v. Eastbourne 7; Athletic 14 v. Wellington nil. Senior B: Hutt 6 v. Johnsonyille 5; Training College defaulted to Porirua; Oriental 7 v. Selwyn 3. Dunedin. —’Varsity A 3 v. Kaikorai nil (’Varsity win tho championship with an unbeaton record); ’Varsity B 8 v. Southern nil; Alhambra 12 v. Zingari 6; Union 9 v. Dunedin nil; Pirates 8 v. Taiori 5. Taranaki. —Old Boys 22 v. Okato 9 ; Star 11 v. Tukapa nil; Stratford 8 v. Inglewood 6; Clifton 3 v. Eltham 3. Timaru. —Wairarapa 14 v. South Canterbury 11. Invercargill.—lnvercargill 20 v. Pirates 18; Star 23 v. Southern 3. Wanganui.—Toohnical Old Boys 9 v. County 4; Marist ' 7 v. Ratana 3; Pirates 13 v. Old Boys 3. Christchurch. —Christchurch 15 v. Varsity 8; Merivale 11 v. Linwood 11; Old Boys 19 v. Technical 10. Auckland. —Championship final: ’Varsity 14 v. Ponsonby (champions 1927) 14. Other results: King’s College 19 v. Grammar School 11; Grafton 15 v. College Rifles 6; City 6 v. Marist 5; Training College 22 v. North Shore 6. i