RUGBY TRIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 184, 3 July 1930, Page 4

RUGBY TRIAL

GAME AT JOHNSTON PARK. VICTORY TO COUNTRY TEAM. Confronted with the recurring difficulty in presenting a fully representative team, tho Manawatu selectors were compelled to field but a skeleton side at Johnston Park, Feilding, yesterday, when a trial game with the sub-unions of Oroua and Te Kawau was held. The match was staged to give the selectors an insight into the capabilities of the country players, a source which has not been fully exploited in the past. However, in view of the team fielded by the major body, there was not a very satisfactory basis' for comparison, and the question arises whether it is advisable to engage in mid-week matches, for only seven of the original 15 players selected took the field for Manawatu. There was little to enthuse about in the exhibition provided, it being rather the opportunism of Moffatt, of the country fifteen, which gave the country players so defined a victory. THE TEAMS. Conditions were excellent for the game, tho turf being reasonably firm, while there was an almost entire absence of wind. The rival combinations which filed out were as under: Sub-Unions (blue and black). —Berkliam, Moffatt, Roach, Dais, Goldfinch, Drummond, Fuller, Pratt, Cawood, Miles, Gust, Viles, Payne, Beard, Rivers. Manawatu (green and white). —S. Bramwell, Kells, Fletcher, Cochrane, N. Bramwell, Pawson, MacLeod, N. Amadio, 0. Hight, Henry, O’Keefe, Anderson, Waugh, Baxter, Campbell, Manawatu kicked off towards the western goal, MacLeod’s kick working to touch, but from the throw in Bramwell failed to accept his pass and Gust rushed the ball through to S. Bramwell. Offside by the greens was not taken advantage of by the blues, and Bfamwell’s return kick passed to touch. The forwards swept goalwards, but again offside play spoiled tho movement, although failure to find tho line brought little material advantage to the country team. Henry transferred, but Berkham got back to save a dangerous situation. Holding an advantage on the line-outs, the subunions came through from one and, with MacLeod failing to halt them, the drive went to S. Bramwell before being stemmed. The handling on both sides was indifferent, but an essay by the blues carried them into foreign’ territory and the greens submitted to a force from a high kick by Berkham, who had declined a shot at goal from a penalty, he electing to punt high. However, with the green forwards- rushing to the opposite end, the blues had to force in turn. Henry led the greens again to the assault, but Fuller secured from a scrum to lineout. A kick to the open side enabled Roach to feed Moffatt and the blue winger went hard for the line, but Kells got back to save very opportunely. A handling bout by tire greens found them with the extra man, but Fletcher handed on rather high and Cochrane failed to accept when he had a clear run in. Again MacLeod opened, Fletcher cutting in prettily, but Kells dropped the final pass. Twice in succession knock-ons recalled the greens after they were over, while opportunity following opportunity in close succession went unaccepted. The blues finally transferred play, following a long period on the defensive, and in turn attempted to bring their backs into action, but without avail, although pretty cut-ins by Goldfinch and Fuller were promising momentarily. Play, while fast, was scrappy and the opening score was a long time in coming. However, from midfield, Moffatt finallv secured close to the touch line and lie broke through to turn infield. He had S. Bramwell turning and twisting without avail, and he went over under the posts in a tackle. Drummond failed with a “sitter.” Sub-Unions 3, Manawatu 0. Pawson and N. Bramwell were proving weak in the inner ranks and failure to field rolling balls allowed the blue scrummagers to pile through. Payne sent the ball on to Moffatt; Kells made an attempt to halt him, and the winger burst through for his second try in almost as many minutes. Berkham failed. Sub-Unions 6, Manawatu 0.

The blues were continuing to carry the advantage, but N. Bramwell came across to open up to Fletcher to Cochrane, but with the winger under way Roach grassed him deep in foreign territory where half-time found them. SECOND SPELL. On resumption it was found that Viles and Drummond had given way to Glassford and Walker in the subunions’ ranks, while Griffin replaced Kells on the green side. A period of give and take play ensued for some minutes until a kick through saw Cochrane follow up fast to gain a simple try. N. Amadio failed with an angular shot. Manawatu 3, Sub-Unions 6.

A cross kick by Amadio from over on the left touch line caught the blues astray and, with Griffin robbing Moffatt for the ball, he turned inwards, but his liand-on was accepted offside. “Rabbiting” by Miles gave Amadio an opportunity to equalise, but his shot went astray, tho blues forcing. The greens were now holding tho territorial advantage, but Moffatt and Berkham were doing good sendee for the country fifteen. A fast breakaway by tho blues saw forwards and backs handle tho ball, and they went to the opposite end before being halted. In a flash the greens were off in turn, only tp meet with a like fate, but from .a line-out Cochrane came away in possession to dash past Dais and Berkham to score wide out. Amadio made a good attempt to goal, but failed. Manawatu 6, Sub-Unions 6.

The referee was, if anything, proving a little easy with the country players, offside and forward passes being allowed to pass, but there were endless infringements. The blues were able to go to the attack as the result of Pawson fumbling a ground ball and Rivers threw a wide pass to Moffatt, who gathered in the leather to fling himself over at the comer. The kick failed, but the country players had again wrested the lead. Sub-Unions 9, Manawatu 6.

The end was, however, not in sight so far as'the scoring was concerned, for Dais came across to feed Moffatt and tho winger centred. Payne prevented S. Bramwell’s return and Moffatt came in again to snap up the leather and go over for his fourth try. Once again the extra points were absent. Sub-Unions 12, Manawatu 6. And so the final whistle found them. Mr R. E. Hatch controlled tho game. WELLINGTON BEAT TARANAKI. SUPERIORITY OF BACKS. Per Press Association. HAWERA, July 2. Wellington’s representative fifteen defeated Taranaki’s elect this afternoon in the first of the annual home-and-home fixtures by 18 points to 14. At half-time the visitors led by 8 to 5 but Taranaki played a much improved game in the second spell. The attendance was 4000. The Wellington back-rankers were decidedly superior, and frequently set up brilliant and spectacular passing movements. Taranaki forwards were a better combination than tho opposing vanguard, though the scrum advantages were about even. Wellington opened the game facing a weak sun, and play hung at midfield for some minutes until the line was found in Taranaki’s twenty-five. At midfield the Wellington backs broke away with a good turn of pace, and Foley raced to Taranaki’s twentyfive before handing on to llushbrook, who scored easily. The kick failed. Almost immediately on resumption Wellington got away once more, and again Foley made an opening for another try. Cutting in well, he paced his way to Taranaki’s twenty-five and sent a beautiful pass to Broderick, who had a clear run in. Heazlewood converted. A long-range kick and close following placed Wellington on the defence, and Taranaki opened its tally when a crosskick was accepted by Footes, who had only to dive over to score. Brown added the extra points. The spell ended without further score. The play was carried to the visitors’ twenty-five early in the second spell, Foley saving from a tight situation with a long kick into touch. Taranaki hooked the ball from a scrum and Petty cleverly evaded a tackle to cross the line. The kick failed. Owen brought the crowd to its feet as ho picked up the leather and weaved his way through the defence before handing on to Robinson, who capped a splendid passing bout by diving over well out. The kick was unsuccessful. Snapping the ball up from the loose the Wellington half (Coman)_ cleverly cut in with a dodgy run and worked through a bunch of opposing forwards. He handed to Ball, who raced from midfield along the line to touch down. Heazlewood converted from a difficult angle. Heazlewood (full-back) was caught

in possession almost on his line, and in attempting to clear kicked the ball up in the air. Petty took the ball on the full and scored at the corner. The attempt to convert again failed. In a brilliant and spectacular passing bout—the best of the game—the whole of the Wellington backs handled the ball consecutively. Broderick put in a run from over half-way, and, in a jinky effort, beat the defence badly to score between the posts. Heazlewood converted and the game ended. Wellington 18; Taranaki 14. Time was called almost immediately after. Mr J. S. King was the referee.

MAORI TRIAL GAME. FREE SCORING MATCH. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 2. Bright open play -was seen in the Maori Possibles v. Probables match here this afternoon. There was little in the way of combined football, but each side had versatile players who individually provided the spectators with plenty of interesting movements. The Probables team was 22 points down at half-time, but put on 16 points in the second spell to six by the Possibles, the final score being 31 —19 in favour of the Possibles.

In the first spell tries were gained for the Possibles by Watson (3), Ropata, Walker, Reid and Kaliu, two tries being converted. Howell scored for the Proables. In the second spell the Probables held their own much better, and towards the end of the game attacked much in the same style as did the Possibles in the first spell. Watson scored his fourth try for the Possibles, and just on time 'Walker got across. For the Probables tries were scored by Bell, Maniliera and Oxley (2), one try being converted. Ivahu, one of the Possibles forwards, was badly hurt in the second spell and was carried off suffering from slight concussion. Mr J. A. Wilson (Wellington) refereed. MAORIS TO PLAY AT WESTPORT. WELLINGTON, July 2. The Maori team will play a match with Buller on July 12 at Westport. A telegram from the Buller Union accepting the match was received at this evening’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The team will leave Wellington on -Thursday, July 10, the day after the match with Britain. The Maori team will not be selected till Saturday.

WELCOME TO BRITISH TEAM. ELABORATE MAORI PREPARATIONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 2. Elaborate preparations are proceeding for a great national Maori welcome to the British Rugby footballers in tho Wellington Town Hall at the conclusion of the British-Maori match on Wednesday. Distinguished Maoris from'the whole of New Zealand are attending. Sir Apirana Ngata is chairman of the organising committee.

SATURDAY’S TEST. SALE OF TICKETS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 2. The Rugby Union held a special meeting this: evening and decided to sell tickets to-night for Saturday’s Test here, as by ten o’clock hundreds of people were waiting. The plan was opened at 11.20 o’clock and sales proceeded rapidly. A queue began to form at four o’clock this afternoon, the first person being a boy aged 12. By six o’clock there were 150 people in the queue, and by nine o’clock fully 170. Sixty were unemployed returned soldiers, each with £2 to buy two tickets costing 10s lid each. At the head of the queue was a young woman in her early twenties. She arrived at eight o’clock but was allowed to take first place. Some of the men brought boxes and rugs. Groups are playing cards and singing.

MR HOLLANDER TO REFEREE.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 2. A telegram received at this evening’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union stated that Mr S. Hollander, of Christchurch, had been selected as referee for the second Test match at Christchurch on Saturday next. Mr Hollander was the referee for the first Test at Dunedin, as well as the Otago-Britain match.

FOURTH TEST AT WELLINGTON,

APPLICATONS FOR SEATS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 2. Already there is every indication of a record attendance at the fourth Test match between Britain and New Zealand, to be played in Wellington on August 9, and applications __ for reserved seats are causing the New Zealand Union some trouble. Members of tho management committee at last evening’s meeting discussed at length the position that had arisen through a considerable number of the 10s lid scats being booked by post from the country districts, the opinion being expressed by the chairman, Mr S. Dean, that only the special £1 reservations should be received direct by the New Zealand Union. The other applications should be included in the quotas set aside for the various unions. Mr E. Wylie moved and Mr McKenzie seconded: “That people who have applied for 10s lkl tickets be supplied with them, these to bo deducted from the quotas granted to all unions, such quotas to be decided upon by the chairman of the New Zealand Union and the chairman of the Wellington Rugby Union.” After some discussion this was carried. There is a total seating accommodation of 4218 on tho main stand at Athletic Park, not including the official enclosure, and of these probably some 450 will be set aside to form the union’s quotas. BLENHEIM MATCH STANDS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 2. The correspondence between the Nelson Progress League and Mr James Baxter, manager of the British Rugby team, concerning the cancellation of the match at Nelson was before the meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union this evening, having been forwarded by Mr Baxter. In a covering letter Mr Baxter suggested that if it was the opinion of the New Zealand Union, under the circumstances, that it would now be better to revert to the original itinerarv and complete the tour with the final Test match at Wellington on August 9, lie would be only too happy to accede. . 'This, however, was not the union s opinion. In the words of the chairman, Mr S. Dean, “the match stood.” Mr Baxter enclosed the Nelson Progress League’s letter to him, in which the cable sent to Sir Thomas M ilford and the reply received were set out and in which it was suggested, in view of the information brought to light, that the whole position should be reconsidered and the match played at Nelson. . Mr Baxter’s reply to this was to the effect that he had forwarded the letter to tho New Zealand Union, as all such matters should come through that body. “I will content myself by saying that it is not my custom to make misleading statements, and that the information conveyed to the deputation headed by Hon. H. Atmoro was correct,” the letter concluded. The date for the match at Blenheim is set down for August 12, and this was confirmed by the letter from the .Marlborough Union received at last evening’s meeting. HOROWHENUA COUNCIL. MATCH ARRANGEMENTS. The Horowhenua Rugby District Council met this week. Reporting on tho Koputaroa v. Shannon juniors match, played at Shannon on Saturday, the referee, Mr P. McLeavey, wrote that the ground, though not previously played on this season, W'as a credit to the Shannon The secretary reported that Mr C. D. Fraser, secretary of the Manawlienua Union, had informed him that the council’s conditions for the Maori All Blacks v. Horowhenua match in Levin next Saturday had been confirmed by the N.Z. Rugby Union. The council’s share of the gate would bo £2O. Mr Maclean was appointed manager of the Horowhenua team. It was decided that the competition fixture between the Levin District High School and Shannon intermediate teams be played as a curtain-raiser to tho representative match, provided that the condition of the ground is suitable for two games on that day. Tho secretary stated that the

N.Z.R.U. wished Mr T. Parata to act as referee in the match against the Maoris.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Likely representative matches in the lower grades had been mentioned by Mr Fraser to the secretary. The Wellington Union had suggested that Horowhenua juniors play Wellington thirds at the end of August. It Had also been suggested that Manawhenua juniors play Wellington juniors, an Mr Fraser had thought that tins might be a curtain-raiser to the fourtn Test, on August 9th. Mr Fraser had also intimated that Thames Valley were not touring this year, owing to lack of funds; consequently, the date, July 12th, when they were to have played Manawhenua, would be left open, and he would suggest to liis council that the return match between Horowhenua and Manawatu bo played on that day. The secretary stated that in this district there had yet to be played the junior trial match, North v. South, from which the team would be selected to play the Manawatu juniors. On the players’ showing would depend the choice of those to go to Wellington to take part in the curtain-raiser to the fourth Test. MANAWATU RETURN MATCH.

On the motion of Mr Robinson, seconded by Mr Jones, it was decided to offer the date of July 12th to Manawatu for the senior return match. July 19th and 26th were set aside as possible dates for the North v. South junior trial game. The committee resolved, on the motion of Mr Richards, seconded by Mr Maclean, that nominations be called for the Nash Cup competition ; each

entry to he accompanied by a fee o£ £1 which will be retained by the council’in the event of a team forfeiting a game. Application was made by Mr Jones, and was granted for the Horowhenua XJ S to play Wellington schools on Saturday August 2nd. at Wellington.