MANAWHENUA TRIALS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 189, 11 July 1929, Page 10

MANAWHENUA TRIALS

HOROWHENUA TURNS TABLES. FLUCTUATING FORTUNES. With a formidable programme before them, including a Ranfurly Shield challenge match, Manawhenua conducted their second and final trial matches between A and B teams of the Horowhenua and Manawntu Rugby District Councils at the Showgrounds yesterday afternoon. Conditions were far from ideal, the state of the ground lending to forward rather than tu rearguard play, but despite this an interesting display was forthcoming in both matches, the .struggle between the A representatives attaining great heights in the closing moments when the scoring fluctuated in electrical and exciting fashion for Horowhenua to win by four points. The styles of the opposing fifteens presented a striking contrast, the open work of the soutrrerners being vastly brighter than that of the homesters and Horowhenua fully deserved their victory, close though it was.

THE TEAMS. Following the curtain-raiser between the B. teams, the senior fifteens made their appearance, the rival sides being as under : Horowhenua A (blue and red).—Johnson, Robinson, Graham, Taylor, Bull, Bevan, W. Barata, T. Parata, Pratt, Andrews, Sacherley, Tatana, Hanna, Dalzell. McDonell.

Manawatu A. (green and white). — S. Bramwell, Strange, Fletcher, Page, Ormond. X. Bramwell, Thompson, M. Waidin, Boldt, Crawford, McKenzie, Parsons, Miles, Dalzell, Guy. Tatana set the game in action by kicking off towards the northern goal and the blue forwards were soon sweeping to the home twentv-five, but the greens worked free. Offside by Tatana enabled Waidin to line out at the twenty-five line, but from the throw in a kick - upheld went through the attacking line, X. Bramwell getting back to save. A strong burst by Page gained a stretch of territory in reply to a dribble by Robinson, but the blues came back, Bull having a shot at goal, bis kick being charged down. The visitors were throwing the ball about in great style, marks by Ormond and X. Bramwell halting them when danger threatened. Thompson set his line racing away, Ormond cutting in effectively prior to sending on to Page and the winger flung a pass infield when tackled by Johnson, only for it to go unaccepted. A dribbling rush by the blues swept downfield, Taylor having a shot at goal front a free kick against Strange, but the ball dropped in front of the goal. Johnson went clean through tlie home forwards prior to handing on and the ragged defence was seriously tested, but somewhat luckily escaped. A cut in by Ormond was carried on by Fletcher, but the pass infield went unaccepted when the defence was on the run. The pressure was maintained and handling in the scrum oost a visitor a penalty, but the ball fell short. Page snapped up the ball in midfield to burst down to Johnson and, although halted, he swung a pass infield and. following a melee, recovered possession to send on to Dalzell tor the forward to race over alongside the posts. Fletcher goaled.

Manawatu A 5, Horowhenua A 0

'With play back at the centre, Page burst into the picture when he robbed Taylor of possession to whip a pass in to 'Fletcher, who swung a return to Ormond, and the five-eighth accepted one handed only for the referee to rule it forward. Play was fast and furious and the blues, with- forwards and backs handling in close succession, came back to the assault. A clearance of S. Bramwell was charged down, hut he recovered to kick out. Across field the play worked, where from a scrum Thompson lost control of the ball and W. Parata snapped it up to dive over close to the posts. Tatana goaled.

Horowhenua A 5, Manawatu A 5

On the ball coming into play T. Parata accepted to go right through, the blue rover bluffing the greens badly. Ho was finally halted down in the corner. Twice in close succession S. Bramwell drove them back, but the blues were holding the territorial advantage, although just on the call of half-time the greens were carrying the attack.

MANAWATU A TAKE THE LEAD. Manawatu gained the initial advantage on resuming, but a wide pass set the blues in operation only for Ormond to intercept and burst through. He short kicked but Johnson snapped up the ball to line-out inside the centre flag. An unusual breach, Taylor accepting a wide rebound to claim a mark and be ruled offside, enabled Waidin to have a shot at goal, but the ball fell short and Dalzell lined out with a long range kick for Horowhenua. Waidin, fell inches short in a dive for the line, Johnson kicking into touch in goal. The blues came back with a stirring reply, a handling bout catching the defences at sixes and sevens. Manawatu escaped but in a flash the blues were under way for the opposite end until N. Bramwell came away in possession. He did not have quite sufficient pace to reach his objective, but in the ensuing melee, Guy secured to dive over wide out. Fletcher failed. Manawatu A 8, Horowhenua A 5. McKenzie broke clear of a melee in possession, but the advantage was lost when a fellow scrummager got offside. Taylor snapped up in tile loose to dance his way downfield, but coming infield saw him grassed. In the ensuing play a mulled pass was kicked through by Bull, who raced after it to force in good line with the goai. Tatana added the major points. Horowhenua A 10, Manawatu A 8. A pretty cut through by Bull carried the blues again into an attacking position, but offside by McDonell assisted the homesters to reach safer territory. Indifferent work by Page and S. Bramwell let Dalziell away and the blue forward kicked over. He and Page raced to force for botli to miss and Satherley got up to be awarded the try. Tatana failed. Horowhenua A 13, Manawatu A 8. The greens came back with a rush, but McKenzie spoiled a good effort on his part by kicking too hard. Robinson was off for the line when Strange swung him into touch to bowl over the linesman as well. In a desperate effort Manawatu fought their way into foreign territory and Strange was given a late opportunity to show his pace and he threw off Johnson’s tackle to gallop over, although be could not work very far infield. Ormond, however, could not even up the scores. Securing the ball in midfield, S. Bramwell handed on to Waidin, who went through to the twenty-five line prior to handing on to Guy, but the assault was stemned just short of its objective. However, flagrant offside by Taylor presented Fletcher with a shot at goal and lie found the uprights.

Manawatu A 14 v. Horowhenua A 13. However, the end was not vet for T. Parata secured in the loose to barge liis way over for Tatana to goal. Horowhenua A 18, Manawatu A 14. Waldm led his forwards back with a

rush, but Taylor lined out with a beautiful kick and time was called with the honours—fully deserved—resting with the visitors.

Mr H. Hands carried the whistle, he having occasion to order off Chawford (Manawatu) and Dalzell (Horowhenua) just prior to the close of the game.. MANAWHENUA TEAM. TO MEET WAIRARAPA. The selectors. Messrs Winiata and J. Ryan, have chosen the following fifteen to represent Manawhenua versus Wairarapa at the Showgrounds next Wednesday:— Full-back.—Meta Johnson (H.) Three-quarters. Strange (M.), Fletcher (M.), Taylor (H.). Five-eighths.—Bevan (H.), Ormond OF). Half-back.—W. Parata (H.). Wing-forward.—T. Parata (H.). Hookers.—Crawford (M.), Boldt (M.). Lock. —Conrad (M.) Supports.—Tatana (H.), Miles (M.) Back row.—Dalzell (H.). Satjierley (H.) Reserves. —Backs: Page (M-), Thompson (M.). Graham (H.) Forwards: Pratt (H.), C. Hight (M.), Parsons (M.). RUGBY NOTES. OLD BOYS v.TEILDIXG 0.8. COMMENT ON THE GAME. Devotees of fast and open Rugby were not disappointed in the meeting of the two Old Boys teams at Johnston Park, Feilding, on Saturday, and from whistle to whistle there was not a dull moment in the game. Both teams had made strenuous efforts to field their strongest fifteens and the players that filed out on to the ground in the uniforms of their respective clubs were the elite of the talent available.

The green rear ranks had undergone some transformation and the effect was most noticeable, although some were inclined to think that Cochrane is too nippy and safe in the pivot position to be played anywhere else; on the wing on Saturday lie proved that he is a versatile player and he gave his vis-a-vis, Collins, considerable trouble.

On the other green wing'a new recruit in Thurston played a good game, being aggressive throughout, .and Dewe and N. Bramwell revelled in the tight. The defensive work in the second spell altered the blacks time and again. The colts’ forwards met their match in the frontal division of the blacks, but between each pack there was little if any difference, and it was not till late in the second spell that the visitors gradually assumed the ascendancy to pen the opposition in their home area. The visiting rearguard settled down to solid work soon after the first whistle, and the first try was the result of a pretty piece of work set in train by Akuira. From then, however, misfortune seemed to follow their efforts and scoring movements in plenty broke down, chiefly through the plaver next in lino getting out of position to accept the hand on. The second spell when they were constantly on the attack was particularly productive of such instances. It is hard to understand the behaviour of a section of the crowd when the referee, Mr Gordon, awarded Page a try, which was converted by Collins after the first named had bumped into the ball as he was moving to accept a pass from Riddell. The ball struck Page on the head and bounced forward over the line, the winger springing forward to beat X. Bramwell and Dewe to the force. If such constitutes a kn-ock-on, a knock-on occurred, but it Is the first rule in sp-ortsmanship t-o take the referee's decisions as they are given. Mr Gordon’s worth with the whistle was above reproach throughout and not many games have been seen on the Feilding ground that have been controlled so impartially and strictly, and the entire absenco of any rought play or friction between the players during the progress of the game gives convincing evidence that those most directly concerned, with Mr Gordon's work were in every way satisfied. The demonstration that occurred after the game was quite uncalled for and unpardonable and served only to mar a thrilling and sporting game.

THE FINAL ROUND

IN THE SENIOR GRADE

The draw in the final round of the senior competitions was presented at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Council and was adopted without comment. Some variation was found necessary in the order of games to oope with the travelling demands on teams, and last Saturday's games will again be fought out on the 20th inst. The draw is as under :

July 20. —Old Boys v. Feilding Old Boys, at Palmerston North; Kia Toa v. Athletic, at Palmerston North; Feilding v. Woodville, at Feilding. August 3.—Kia Toa v. Feilding Old Boys, at Feilding; Old Boys v. Woodville, at Woodville; Feilding v. Athletic, - at Palmerston North. August 10. —Old Boys v. Athletic, at Palmerston North; Kia Toa v. Feilding, at Palmerston North; Woodville v. Feilding Old Boys, at Feilding. August 24. —Old Boys v. Feilding, at Feilding; Kia Toa v. Woodville, at Woodville; Athletic v. Feilding Old Boys, at Palmerston North. September 7.—Kia Toa v. Old Boys, at Palmerston North; Feilding v. Feilding Old Boys, at Feilding; Athletic v. Woodville, at Woodville.

RUGBY CONTROL

MANAWHENUA COUNCIL MEETS

A meeting of the Manawhenua Rugby Council was held last evening when'there were present:—Messrs J. A. Colquhoun in the chair, W. Hannan, J. W. Procter, F. Robinson, GG. Mitchell (Horowhenua), A. M. Ongky, J. R. Hardie, K. Eglinton, H. Hands and H. Crawford. An apology for absence was received from Mr A. Richards, of Horowhenua.

FOXTON APPEAL. The Foxton Club appealed against the decision of the Horowhenua Council to repeal its decision not to replay the Foxton-Wanderers match played at Levin on Saturday, June o. The dispute in question was against the Wanderers playing McKenzie, a member of a ’Varsity team, Wellington, but whose home is at Levin and who, the Foxton Club considered, was not a schoolboy within the meaning of Rule 9 governing club protests; or, in the event of his being classed as a schoolboy, that he had not first obtained the permission of tho Horowhenua Council to take part In the contest as stipulated in the rules. The Horowhenua Council, when Mr J. Proctor had occupied the chair, had ruled that the game should be replayed, stated tho protest, but at the next meeting the president. Mr Hannan, had given notice of motion that the original resolution be rescinded which after a lengthy discussion, ' had been carried.

The chairman asked whether an appeal was received by the Horowhenua Council, the reply being that it had been brought forward by the Foxton delegates. However, Mr Hannan

pointed out that permission had been given the club to appeal direct to the Manawhenua Union.

Mr Robinson explained that McKenzie was a student at the Wellington ’Varsity and it was considered that he accordingly did not qualify as a schoolboy.

Mr Hannan added that in the absence of a formal protest from the club, he had considered that he had been quite in order in ruling as he had done.

Mr Robinson held that the delegates had a perfect right to bring such matters before the notice of the council, even though there was no formal protest. Permission to waive the lodging of such had been granted by the council.

Mr Ongley maintained that, by considering the matter without a formal protest from the Foxton Club, the Horowhenua Council had acted other than according to the rules and the Wanderers’ Club could appeal on such grounds in turn. He accordingly suggested that full particulars of the matter be invited from the Horowhenua Council.

The chairman held that, by failing to put in a written appeal within the stipulated time, the Foxton Club had acquiesced in the action of the Wanderers club in playing McKenzie. He accordingly moved, and fit was seconded by Mr Eglinton. that a written statement of the facts be secured from the Horowhenua Council.

When put to the meeting the motion was carried without opposition. REPRESENTATIVE DATES. The Metropolitan Union of Wanganui advised that August 24 was suitable as the date of the junior fixture between the two unions, the game to be played as a curtain-raiser to the Taranaki-Wanganui senior game. —Received.

The Wairarapa Union invited particulars of hotel accommodation available on July 17 —the date of the visit to Palmerston North of its representatives—and also requested that the names of four senior referees be submitted. It was further mentioned that August 17th would be suitable for the return match at Masterton —a Ranfurly Shield challenge.—The secretary advised that the necessary, particulars had been sent forward, together with the names of Messrs O’Connor, Gordon, Parata and Skoglund as referees available to control the game.— His action was confirmed. The Taranaki Union advised that its representatives would arrive in Palmerston North on September 10. departing for Napier on the 12th, following the playing of Manawhenua on the 11th. —Received.

The Wellington Union advised that September 14 had been set down as the date of the Match, Manawhenua v. Wellington, at Wellington. August 31 was also confirmed as the date of the junior fixture between the two unions at Levin. —Received. The New Zealand Union wrote in reply to an inquiry whether the governing body would be prepared to subsidise a tour by Manawhenua to Marlborough. Nelson and Golden Bay. stating that they had been given *o understand that Nelson and Marlborough had visited Palmerston North last season, and they asked whether the contemplated tour would be in the nature of a return visit.

The secretary mentioned that lie had replied to the effect that on the occasion of the northern tour by Marlborough, some years ago, the visitors had taken a percentage’ of the gate and a return game was consequently not owing. Neither Manawatq, nor Manawhenua had played Nelson or Golden Bay. A further reply had

not. however, been received. —The matter was accordingly held in abeyance. GENERAL. Mr F. Robinson was appointed manager of the Manawhenua team to meet Wairarapa next AA'ednesday. i In preparation for the shield fixture with AA'airarapa on August 17, it was decided to assemble the team in Palmerston North on the AA’ednesday. proceeding to Alasterton on the Friday. Permission was granted any native . players selected from Manawhenua fo play for the Prince of AA ales Cup at Auckland, on the 31st, to make the trip. An appeal towards the cost of assembling the players was considered a matter for the New Zealand I nion to undertake rather than the individual unions. On the suggestion of Air Ongley. seconded by Air Hannan, it was decided to make a vote of £lO meantime and to peek further particulars from the New Zealand Fnion prior to considering the question of increasing the grant. PLAYERS ORDERED OFF. Air Hands, who had controlled the A. trial match, verbally reported having ordered off the field of play L. Dalzell, of the Horowhenua team, and R. Crawford, of the Alanawartu team, for exchanging blows. He, however, considered that the ordering off the field had been sufficient punishment in itself. AA'hen called before the meeting the players stated that their heads had come into collision and each had been of the opinion that the other had struck him. Both were the best of friends on and off the field, and no malice was entertained. In view of the referee's report, that I the players had been sufficiently punished. no action was taken.