LAST MINUTE WIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 195, 18 July 1929, Page 10

LAST MINUTE WIN

WAIRARAPA BEAT MANAWHENUA GAME FULL OF INTEREST. Neighbouring unions, the one the present holders of the Ranfurly Shield, and the other a past holder, WairarSpa and Manawhenua enjoyed a preliminary trial of strengtli at the Showgrounds yesterday—their fifth meeting since the opening of the 1927 season. It was in that year that, following upon their suffering a reverse to the tune of 23 points to three, Manawhenua journeyed across the range to capture the Ranfurly Shield in a sensational contest. Manawhenua’s tenure of the trophy was, however, brief, Canterbury stepping into capture it in turn, but Wairarapa went south e'arly in 1928 to recover possession. Prior to their successful descent upon the Canterbury citadel, Wairarapa had narrowly beaten Manawhenua in a big scoring match at the Showgrounds, but the local combination fared badly. in their challenge game at Carterton, losing by 31-10, their showing being very disappointing. Yesterday saw another round of activities entered upon when Wairarapa ushered in the local season’s representative programme by visiting Palmerston North, but the wearers of ' the light green uniform fielded somewhat of a skeleton side on this occasion, the All Blacks’ tour of Australia having made inroads in their ranks, while the versatile Cooke was likewise numbered among the absentees. The home team had also to include substitutes, but in a much lesser degree. Despite this, they played most enterprisingly in the first half, dominating the play throughout and running up 10 points without a reply. However, the: positions were directly reversed in the second spell when Wairarapa, with Mill as their guiding genius in the back line, went great guns and the tiring Manawhenua men wilted under the strain to permit of the visitors securing the honours right oh call of time. It was, nevertheless, a promising showing On the part of the home team—their first appearance for the season. THE TEAMS. , Tho composition of the opposing forces was as under:— Wairarapa (green). Henderson, Burgess, R. Booth, Jury, Fuller, Mill, Hart, Devine, McGregor, Walker, Fairbrother, Willoughby, M. Willoughby. Olliver, Irvine. Manawhenua (blue): JoJmson, Strange, Fletcher, Taylor, Bevan, Ormond, W. Parata, Dalzell, Pratt, Boldt, Tatana (captain), Conrad. Miles, Parsons, Satberley. Manawhenua defended the northern goal with the light breeze at their backs, Tatana sending his forwards on the attack immediately, although Walker led the greens >to neutral territory.. A high return by Taylor from a free kick awarded the visitors saw Burgess line out direct and the advantage passed to the home division. Offside by Boldt lost them the advantage, however, until Dalzell came away in possession to short punt over Henderson’s head, and, in the ensuing play, the blues were almost over twice in close succession. Although repelled, the homesters came back, a force finally bringing relief to the nard-pressed visitors. From the kick-out the greens worked to beyond the Centre line, Johnson and then Fletcher, sending them back. A pass out by Hart to Mill sent the fiveeighth through the press to hand on to R. Booth, but the centre elected to kick, Taylor marking. Failure by Bevan to clear the opposing forwards with his kick got his side into trouble, the greens opening up with a hand to hand bout, but their advance was halted before they, had progressed very far and, with the blue forwards again invading, Parata set his backs in action, Taylor dashing along the wing prior to being halted. The attack culminated in Johnson essaying a drop from the field which went wide. A pass back by Parata was intercepted by Devine, who sent on a low pass to Burgess, blit the winger failed to grasp it when he had an open field before him. Back went the play to the visitors’ territory where Taylor essayed a drop at goal, but without result. Offside by the green scrummagers gave Fletcher a fruitless shot at goal, but Taylor burst away in possession and, without • supports alongside, he swung a pass across to the centre of the field where Boldt accepted only to be grassed. The ball was carried over and Boldt and Pratt got on to the leather. Tatana goaled. Manawhenua 5, Wairarapa 0.

Tho greens went to the attack on resumption, but their stay was brief, a pass by Dalzell to Taylor enabling the winger to send down to Henderson. The kick through saw Olliver follow up fast, but Johnson snapped up smartly to return downfield and the pressure forced the greens back, an over-hard kick passing into touch in goal. Immediately following, a nicely directed kick by Johnson brought with it a like result. A great dash by Burgess along the right wing for the visitors saw him essay to kick over Johnson’s head, but tire ball came infield for Strange to save. He was, however, grassed in front of his goal and matters looked black until the forwards came to the rescue. The home backs had apparently a “Benny Osier” feeling for Ormond was the next to essay a fruitless pot. Johnson snapped up a ground ball on the run to come up and hand on to his supports, Boldt not having the necessary weight to barge his way over. Again Parata opened up, but with his way blocked Fletcher essayed a snap shot at goal, but he failed. A brace of green forwards came through with the ball at their toes, Fletcher outpacing the opposition to save. The defence had some anxious moments, Mill attempting to dance his way through and, although Dalzell cleared, the shield holders came back and only splendid work by Johnson saved a ticklish situation. Mill again gave a taste of his quality, when he cut through brilliantly only to be brought to earth brilliantly by Johnson. In the ensuing play Fletcher followed up on a short kick to secure possession and short punt over Henderson’s head. Dalzell joined in the race to force and won. Tatana added the major points. Manawhenua 10, Wairarapa 0. Conrad accepted the kick out to barge through the advancing press and from a kick across to the opposite wing, Parsons and company followed through hard to sweep into the corner. Hart relieved for the greens and halftime found them on the attack. HOME TEAM TIRES BADLY.

Mill brought the sides into action following the interval, his kick out be% ing recalled, but from the resulting scrum the visitors opened up, their passing, however, lacking precision. Offside by Conrad did not bring any advantage to the opposition, Johnson lining out well upfield. The green backs operated from the throw-in, R. Booth being smothered deep in home territory. Conrad burst clear with the ball at his toe, only to over-run the leather, and the greens secured to sweep to the line, a five-yards scrum being ordered. With play at the cen* tre Wairarapa operated their rearguard and Jury forced his way over on the left wing. Fuller failed with the kick.

Wairarapa 3, Manawhenua 10,

The visitors caine back ' with im>

proved dash, Mill cutting through to feed Fuller, but a final pass went unaccepted when the defence was beaten. A free kick for offside by Devine brought the blues relief. From a throwin Irvine started a* frontal rush to hand on to Devine to Walker, but the latter accepted the ball offside. Mill placed his team in an attacking position immediately, another handling bout catching the blues on the run. The forwards brought relief, but a nice liner by Henderson sent them back until Johnson lined out with a beauty. With Mill again cutting out tho blue inners, the greens had an extra man in the handling bout, but the advance was stayed. Strange cured and was clear of the field when Henderson just got to him. The home forwards carried play further, but over-hard kicking enabled Henderson to line out. Taylor dashed off with Parata in support, but the half-back was taken from behind when ho had the goal line in front of him. Johnson came up to open up to Bevan, who cut in, but his hand on below the goal post was forward and from the scrum-down an over-hard kick enabled Wairarapa to force. Johnson was again enterprising when he dashed along the right wing to feed Strange and then accept the return pass, but the referee ruled a forward pass and the pressure was relieved. A break through the centre by the greens swept past Johnson and Willoughby snapped up to go over in the tackle. Puller’s kick dropped alongside the posts. Waiiarapa 6, Manawhenua 10. The blues returned to the attack undaunted, but a handling bout saw the greens sweep away, the advance coming to a halt at the centre. Johnson, who had been playing brilliantly, retired with an injured rib, Graham going on. Although the blues secured from a scrum, Parata was caught in possesison and playing tho ball with his hand cost him a penalty, Fullers shot going astray. With the homsters sorely pressed, Strange cleared, but Henderson lined out somewhat luckily. Offside by a defender again gave Fuller a chance, but a well directed shot was carried slightly astray by tho wind. The greens were immediately back and Taylor stepped in very opportunely. The visitors with their superior fitness were carrying the major portion of the play and Mill cut through in wonderful manner, but Strange came across to grass him when he had an open field in front of him. Parata and Taylor worked the blind side of a scrum, but Graham, who had come up, spoiled the movement by centring to Devine who marked. The pace was a cracker and Fuller wns offered another shot at goal and on this occasion he made no mistake. Wairarapa 9, Manawhenua 10. The greens were now playing in winning vein and with Mills supplying the openings they were seen on the attack almost continuouslj'. A free kick which was taken by Taylor found the line inside the half-way line. However, the visitors again operated their backs and Booth ran Burgess into position for the winger to go over just inside the touch line. Henderson failed and the final bell sounded immediately after with the honours resting with the visitors by a two point margin.

Wairarapa 12, Manawhenua 10.

Mr J. J. O’Connor refereed very satisfactorily.

RUGBY NOTES,

SATURDAY’S MUD BATTLES.

DAY NOT WITHOUT ITS SURPRISES

(By “Cross-Bar.”)

Saturday was a day for forwards, rearguard members being kept in restraint.

The battles for supremacy at the Showgrounds did not attain jjarticularly high standards,, but spectators wero supplied with plenty of excitement. With Athletic carrying the larger percentage of tho territorial advantage against Feilding Old Boys, the latter fifteen was indeed lucky to register the equalising try after tho bell had sounded. Woodville had the satisfaction of giving Old Boys a fright on No. 4 ground when tho bluo and blacks led 3 —o at the interval, but the blacks eventually won through 6—3—a close enough call for a lending team. That a gamo is never lost until the final whistle sounds was strikingly illustrated in the Feilding Old Boys-Athletie game. With tho bell sounded and pla.y at Athletic’s twenty-five, W'aldin swung a wide pass to Cochrane and the winger bolted over wide out, the defence having been drawn across field. Feilding entered upon the season’s activities in promising fashion when they ran Old Boys to within five points after a hard struggle, but they sluniped at their next appearance when Feilding Old Boys ran up 25 to 6. Since then they have made up the leeway, and Saturday saw them gain the top rung of tho ladder as tho direct result of their victory over Kia Toa.

Both Kia Toa and Feilding possess virile packs with solid, if not brilliant backs, and when these teams meet it is invariably a battle royal. In the first round the honours were shared 3—3 and Saturday’s meeting saw another small scoring total forthcoming, Feilding securing the one solitary try to be recorded. It was a blow to Kia Toa, but the reverse does not place them out of the running by any means. Heavy grounds have the natural effect of restricting tho scoring activities of -competing teams, and Saturday was tho first occasion this season on which one or more of the sonior fifteens has not proved capable of registering double figures. Whereas 77, 54 and 74 had been the totals registered on the three preceding playing days, the contributions from the five senior teams on Saturday totalled but 24. Despite the fact that whereas Feilding Old Boys possess 12 championship points ns compared with Athletic’s 6ix, the latter fifteen has proved a serious contesting force when in opposition to the light greens. At their first round meeting at Johnston Park, the home team emerged with tho laurels by tho odd point in 17, while Saturday saw the local side share tho honours 6—6. On the run of the play Athletic might well have won on Saturday. Although Woodvillo’s position on the championship table is not quite so favourable as that of Athletic, the . blue 'and blacks have proved upsetting influences on occasions. They created a sensation in the first round by beating Kia Toa by 16—14 and then drew with Feilding Old Boys, who proved to be the leaders at the close of the round. They then reduced their one point defeat at the hands of Athletic of the opening round to a drawn battle at the second meeting, - but they have failed to get on tho winning list since, although their effort on Saturday against Old Boys was quite a good one. At their first meeting on the Recreation ground, Woodville, and under similar condiions, these two teams played a drawn battle 3 —3.

Two players whose • presence on the playing areas on Saturday came ns somewhat of a surprise were R. Walker and McKenzie, the former figuring in tho ranks of Old Boys and tho latter with Athletic. Just over a month ago Walker was suddenly laid low with a Bevere bout of pneumonia, but he made a rapid recovery and was able to re-enter the ranks of tho blacks on Saturday to signal hi 3 return by scoring a good try. McKenzie had met with an arm injury against Kia Toa tho previous week, and his removal from the field had indicated that the injury was of a serious nature. Fortunately, such did not prove to be correct and lie was once again in the thick of things on Saturday. ATIILETIC-FEILDING OLD BOYS.

Athletic were in the happy position on Saturday of having a surplus of players and they fielded quite a useful combination against Feilding Old Boys, the forwards revelling in the mud and slush to such good effect that they had the opposition worried vory badly on occasions.

Baker was probably the outstanding figure in the green and blacks’ ranks, he falling back on the defence very opportunely. Possibly it is unfair to individualise further for in the hard going practically one and all toiled like Trojans. Ormond was the outstanding member of the rearguard for Athletic, he being very active throughout, the loose nature of the play on occasions enabling him to nip in and turn defence into attack. It was a nice bit of work which led up to their second try, McKenzie making the initial dash which was carried through to a successful termination by Ormond. Fearnley was likewise a very active agent throughout, but he still refrains from claiming marks when in dangerous positions—a detracting feature of his play when on the defence. S. Bramwell, who had got out of a sick bed to take part in Wednesday’s trials, was far from fit on Saturday and he surprised his club mates by turning out. He was very safe and sure throughout under conditions, which must have tried his physical powers to tho fullest. Dewe, Cochrane and McLeod wero very useful in the light greens’ rearguard, tho interchange of positions by the latter pair for the occasion proving quite a happy one. Waldin proved to be an excellent leader for the Feilding Old Boys, ho being a dominant figure on tho defence as well as attack. McKay played a great game likewise, getting over tho muddy area in great raking strides which made his pace most deceptive. It was not a day to the liking of tho visitors, but despite such they stood up to tho battering of Athletio in good style.

THE KIA TOA-FEILDING STRUGGLE

Tho wearers of the black and tan uniform wero very confident prior to Saturday's game that they would gain tho ascendancy over the hefty Kia Toa combination, and tho final scores found that confidence not misplaced, although tho margin could not have been any narrower, and the most arden( supporter of the home fifteen was only to ready to admit that the double blues deserved a share in tho honours on the strength of their fight, and also that Feilding were lucky on more than one occasion in tho second spell to keep tho visitors from gotting over Ground conditions have probably never been worse this season at Feilding than they were on Saturday and it was evident early in the game tliat the struggle would rest with the forwards, yet, strangoly enough, with fully 90 per cent, of tho game taking part among the frontal brigades, tho only score of the day came from a really nippy piece of work by tho Feilding reraguard, Shapleski launching tho movement from a line-out near tho Kia Toa goal for 11. Darragh to throw himself over with Wasley grasping his legs in a good tackle. Try as they would, the double blues could hot make up the three point deficiency in the second spell, and matters did not go entirely all their own way either for the yellows ventured forth occasionally on some determined raids which took a lot of countering. Wasley seemed quite at home with the wet and heavy ball, and the greasy ground did not seem to worry him greatly, and in this respect ho quite out-shone his vis-a-vis, Cuff, whose defence at times let the yellows into trouble. Both custodians had a heavy day’s toil and the nxengreness of the score conveys an accurate indication of the strength of the defence on both sides. Mullins and Heise were in form on Saturday, the former giving his best display for this season, while Heise was very aggressive. In Sampson the yellows appear to have found a five-eighth to suit their needs, and Saturday’s game saw him acquit himself well. Elliott also was at home in the ’ heavy conditions, but the work of both rearguards was necessarily restricted, progress being made for the most part by kicks to touch. To a man, both packs toiled like Trojans, and the teams must be eager for another meeting for Saturday’s result could hardly have been convincing evidence of superiority to any of the toilers in either the blue or yellow ranks.

SCORING CONTRIBUTORS.

McLEOD TOPS THE LIST.

With the completion of the second round of tho senior rompetition, it will no doubt be of interest to readers to ascertain the scoring contributor's to the various club totals, McLeod, of Feilding Old Boys, has been responsible for 39 of the 113 points scored by the 6ido, his kicking ability playing a big part to that end. Walker, of Old Boys, has effected 11 crossings, the 33 points therefrom being four in excess of those of his fellow clubmats, Akuira. who has contributed 29. Cuff (Feilding) and Strange (Kia Toa.) are both on the 27 mark, although the points are compiled in different manner. Mullins (Kia Toa) comes next with 26, 11. Darragh (Feilding), Ormond (Athletic) and' Goodwin (Woodville) attending him with 24, 22 and 20 respectively. Following are the individual returns: OLD BOYS.

T. P. M. F.G. C. TI. Walker 11 — 33 Akuira 1 4 7 29 Rose 3 — — — 3 15 Fletcher 4 • — — i 14 Snell 3 — — — — 9 Pacev 3 — — .— — 9 Riddell 3 — — — — 9 Williamson 2 — — — — 6 Rage 2 — — — 6 Colling 2 — — — — 6 Robertson 1 — — — — 3 Galpin 1 — — 3 36 4 - - 11 142 FEILDING. T. P. M. F.G. C. Tl. Cuff —■ 5 6 27 H. Darragh 8 — 24 Lynch 4 — 12 Elliott 4 — 12 3 — 9 C. Might 3 — — — ~ 9 G. Darragh 1 1 — Shapleski 2 — 6 Bowler 2 — R. Darragh 2 — 6 Thomas — — — — 2 Waldin 1 _ _ _ 3 30 6 — — 8 124 FEILDING OLD BOYS. T. P. M. F.G. C. Tl. McLeod • ... 1 6 — — 9 39 Wells 4 — 12 Dewo 4 — 12 Waldin 3 — 1 11 Cochrane 3 — 9 McKay 3 — 9 N. Bramwell 2 — 6 Pawson 1 — — 3 Shrimpton 1 — 3 Hoard 1 3 Younger 1 — S. Bramwell — 1 3 24 7 10 113 KIA TOA. T. P. M. F.G. C. TI. Strange 9 — 27 Mullins — 4 7 26 Griffin 4 — — — — 12 Thompson 3 — — — 1 11 Hoise 3 T“ Fitt 0 — — — — Gleeson 2 — — — — 6 Conrad 2 — — — 6 Doherty 2 — — — — 6 Tetley — — 1 Ncsbit 1 — — — — 3 Sutherland 1 — — 3 30 4 — 1 8 122 ATHLETIC. T. P. M. F.G. C. Tl. Ormond 2 4 — — 2 22 Beard — b — — 2 19 McKenzio 2 — 6 Baker 2 — 6 Kells 2 — 6 Brvce 1 — • 3 Sheorin 1 — 3 Annear 1 — , 3 Cope 1 — 3 Fearnley — — — — 1 2 12 9 — — 5 73 WOODVILLE. T. P. M. F.G. C. Tl. Goodwin — 6 — — 1 20 Hutchinson fa — 1 — — 18 Hayes 4 — 1 V 16 Gillespie 1 — 3 McKenzie 1 — 3 11 6 aii 60