THE NATIONAL GAME

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 222, 20 August 1931, Page 10

THE NATIONAL GAME

MANAWHENUA BEATEN. GAME FULL OF INCIDENT. Manawhenua made tlieir first appearance for the season at Masterton yesterday when they opposed Wairarapa, a fast, bright and free scoring game finding the home representatives successful by 29 points to 17. Poor goal kicking lost the visitors points, for, of the five tries scored by Manawhenua, only one was given the additional points, whereas in the case of Wairarapa the extra points were forthcoming on four occasions out of the seven opportunities. Both combinations played bright, open football, but Manawhenua’s strength lay in its fast forwards, who severely tested the opposition on occasions. The rival full-backs, Roach (Wairarapa) and Ryder (Manawhenua) both showed to advantage, the latter following up his earlier displays with yet another splendid performance. Elliott, the Manawhenua winger, effected two crossings, but a readjustment in the defence restricted his activities thereafter. The teams which took the field were as underi — Manawhenua.—Ryder, Elliott, Fletcher, Broughton,- Warren, Graham, Winiata, Parata, Gordon, Findlay, Williams, McKenzie, Satherley, Henry, Roddick. „ tti r< Wairarapa—L. Roach, G. Udy, LStringfellow, Fitzgerald, B. Clarke J. Trapp, I. Hart, M. Parker Gaudin, N McGregor, W. Taylor, K Fairbrother, Fraser-Smith, K. Reid, F. Anderson.

ELLIOTT OPENS SCORING

First blood was drawn by Manawhenua, who played against the sun in the first spell. The ball went from a line-out through the Manawhenua backs out to Elliott, who crossed in the corner. Roddick failed to convert Wairarapa swept the play downheld again, Udy gaining territory with a good kick, but bad handling spoiled a promising movement. A score came a few minutes later, however, Clarke securing and passing to Stringfellow, who cut in. I'itzgerald converted. Manawhenua scored its second try almost as soon as the ball was in play again. Winiata handed the dummy beautifully to Tidy and transferred to Elliott, who left Roach standing with a sidestep and scored. Fletcher’s kick failed.

RYDER BRILLIANT

Another score nearly came Manawhenua’s way shortly afterward when Broughton ran through, but stepped out within a foot or two of the line. Manawhenua almost scored from the line-out, but Clarke intercepted a pass and cleared with a kick. Wairarapa followed up well, and with only Ryder defending the Manawhenua line it looked as if they might score, the full-back neatly dodged three TVairarapa men, however, and kicked clear. Play fluctuated lor a period, \\airarapa generally taking the offensive, but the Manawhenua forwards were breaking through on occasions. ~ Wairarapa scored again when Rem secured from a ruck and passed out to Fitzgerald who croissed. Fitzgerald converted, making the half-time score: Wairarapa 10, Manawhenua 6. A QUICK REPLY.

Manawhenua attacked immediately on the resumption of play and scored within two minutes. Graham secured and made a good run toward the corner; when within a few yards or the line he passed to Fletcher, who cut infield to score a pretty try. Warren failed to convert. . Wairarapa retaliated a few minutes later. Hart got the ball away from a serum to Trapp, to Clarke, to Stringfellow, who just managed, to touch down. Fitzgerald’s kick failed. Udy received an injury to his hand at this stage and retired, McKay replacing him. , , Manawhenua was kept on the defence almost continuously for a. period. A spectacular run by Stringfellow which took him through practically the whole of the Manawhenua team preceded another score. Ho transferred to Parker, to Fraser-Smith. The latter wa« brought low, but seut out a pass from the ground. Parker secured again and bullocked his way toward the line, only to step out within a few feet of it. From the resulting line-out, however, Taylor broke across, Fitzgerald failed to convert. Wairarapa continued to throw the ball about freely, and before long Trapp added another three points to his side’s tally. McKay converted and put Wairarapa 12 points m the lead. In no way disheartened Manawhenua attacked strenuously and scored two tries within a few minutes o.f each other. Tlio first was scored by Gordon, following a strong run, and the second by Findlay. Warren converted the former, but not the latter. Fitzgerald scored a spectacular try for Wairarapa shprtly afterward. Hart passed out to him at halfway and lie ran for some distance, then punted; the ball hounded across the Manawhenua line, and he beat three IVlanawhenua men in a race for it and touched down. McKay’s kick failed. Wairarapa scored again within a minute of time, the ball coming out of a scrum to Trapp, who scored between the posts, McKay converted, making the score:—

Wairarapa ••• 29 Manawlienua 17 Full-time was called immediately Mr W. Grantham was referee.

HAWKE’S BAY WIN

LAST MINUTE VICTORY

HASTINGS, Aug. 19

A try within two minutes of the close of the game gave Hawke’s Bay a win over the touring Canterbury representatives at Nelson Park, Hastings. At the interval Hawke’s Bay, whose forwards and backs had displayed sux>erior form, had 12 points to their credit, Campbell, Wilson, Setford and M. Howell scoring tries. In the second spell Canterbury improved and A. W. Roberts turned two penalty shots at goal to profit in close succession. Then Hart scored a fine try and the visitors subsequently wrested the lead when K. Brown scored for A. W. Roberts to convert. Just short of time Canterbury, were on the attack when Cooke broke away to kick over Roberts’s head. Although the ball bounced too high for him, Wanoa, who had followed up, caught it to score. Grenside converted and Hawke’s Bay won through by 17 points to 14.