RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 254, 26 September 1931, Page 12

RUGBY FOOTBALL

REPRESENTATIVE CONTESTS * CONCLUDED. (By “Cross Bar.”) The 1931 Rugby season, so far as representative fixtures are concerned, was closed on Wednesday rvhen Manawlienua ran out narrow winners over Wairarapa to give the homesters their secoind success in seven matches. At their earlier meeting at Masterton, Wairarapa had had the benefit of having previously taken the field, whereas Manawhenua had been assembled for tho first occasion and had not been furnished with the opportunity to develop combination. Victory went to the greens on that occasion by 29—17 and, with tho scoring being 26—22 on Wednesday, it would seem that the defence is not over robust on either side. Although emerging with but two successes to their credit, Manawhenua nevertheless made exoellent showings against Hawke’s Bay, Otago and Taranaki, three, five and four points being the dividing margins at the respective meetings. As the team only came together on match days, the record for the season might w r ell have been worse. As a moans to conserving funds the authorities controlling the Manawhenua Union decided not to assemble its representatives this season for practice purposes. The move appears to have been a case of “spoiling tho ship for a half pennyworth of tar” for it thus became impossible for the team members to map out tactics and essay the finer little strategic moves which make for better football. The authorities apparently declined to consider the prospect that brighter displays would havo been made possible and that greater enthusiasm by players and tho public would havo brought in its train better gate returns. Under tho existing conditions, it is doubtful whether the amalgamation with Horowhenua has proved a success, even though it brought to the district the Itanfurly Shield temporarily. With the players scattered over such a wide area, the assembly of tho team presents difficulties and, with tho authorities declining to entertain the system, it would be preferable for us to confino ourselves to our own meantime. It would at least supply opportunities to get together lor practice purposes, and also permit of the making of experiments in order to ascertain whether players could be coached to fill positions other than those they have been accustomed to in club football. MANAWHENUA’S RECORD. Manawlicnua’s record for tho season is as under:—v. Wairarapa: Lost 17—29. v. Hawke’s Bay: Lost 10—13. v. Otago: Lost 11—16. v. Wanganui: Won 20—C. v. Taranaki; Lost 9—13. v. Wellington : Lost 21—33. v. Wairarapa; Won 26—22. Scoring registered.—For: 26 tries, 4 penalty goals, 12 goals from tries, equals 114 points. Against: 23 tries, 6 penalty goals, 15 goals from tnes, equals 132.

NUMBER OF APPEARANCES.

Only seven members took the field in all seven games, the detailed appearances of the players being: — Seven games: Ryder, Fletcher, Broughton, Winiata, Itoddick, -McKenzie, Williams. Six games: Elliott, Satherley, Johnson. Bight. Five games: Graham, "Warren, Le Quesne. Four games: Gordon, Payne. Three games: Henry, Miles. Two games: T. Parata, Robb. One game: Findlay, Youle, Amadio, Dalzell. Twenty-four players donned tlio jersey for Manawhenua during the course of the season, while five members had to leave the field through injury.

PALMERSTON NORTH v. WANGANUI BANKS.

The annual Rugby football match between the banks of Palmerston North and Wanganui for the Rodgers Cup will be played on Monday, at the Showground at 10.30 a.m. The cup is at present held by Wanganui and as their team is very strong, including four River City representatives with the addition of Bullock Douglas (this year’s North Island wing-three-quarter), the local Banks appear to have a hard fight to gain the coveted following will be the local team: Harrowfiekl, List, Carter, Fookes, Reid, Grant, Cope. Beverly. Gardner, Fraser, Yortt, Waldegrave. Woodward, Caley. Emergencies, Louisson, Guiness, McCulloch.

THE CONTRIBUTORS. T. P. C. Total. Fletcher 5 1 2 22 Johnson .. 1 2 4 17 Elliott 3 — — 9 Gordon 3 — — 9 Broughton 3 — — 9 Lo Quesno 3 — — 9 Amadio i 3 9 McKenzie 2 — — 6 Right 2 — — 6 Roddick — 2 4 Findlay .. 1 — — 3 Graham .. 1 — — 3 Williams .. 1 — — 3 Payne 1 — — 3 Warren .. 26 4 i 12 2 114