RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 248, 17 September 1936, Page 14

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MANAWATU BEAT WAIRARAPA. BIG LEAD OVERHAULED. MASTERTON, Sept. 16. After leading by 27 points to 13 with only about 10 minutes’ play remaining, the Wairarapa senior Rugby representatives went under to Manawatu at Masterton Memorial park to-day by a margin of one point, the score being 28-27. The home team’s condition gave out badly in tho dosing stages and Manawatu piled on the points, scoring three tries under the posts, all of which were converted. The weather was beautifully fine, and the ground favoured last, open play. Both teams opened up the game on every occasion and many bright incidents were witnessed. From the kick-off Wairarapa took play to the visitors’ territory, and after a few minutes Donovan opened his side’s account with a pretty solo try from the twenty-five yards line. The kick missed. Manawatu went to the attack immediately and following a scramble near the home goal-line Brinsden crossed under the posts for Findlay to convert. Up and down play followed, and from a melee on the visitors’ line Donovan snapped up to go round near the po-.ts lor his second try. The kick again missed, making the score Wairarapa 6, Manawatu 5.

Manawatu were not long in regaining the lead, a nice passing rush resulting in Campbell scoring under the posts for Findlay to convert,. Wairarapa again forced matters, and Peterson (Wairarapa) stab-kicked through to the full-back, who attempted to clear, his kick going back over his own goal-line. In a race for the ball Peterson secured and went round under the posts for Ward to convert. The next score came when a good passing bout between Peterson, Dyer and Clarke saw the last named cross under the posts. Ward converted. Half-time sounded with tho score. Wairarapa 16, Manawatu 10. On the resumption the visitors set up a promising passing rush at halfway, but Peterson intercepted and went through to the full-back before stab-kicking over that players’ head, J. Holland (Wairarapa) was on hand to secure and go over under the posts. Ward conveited. Wairarapa further increased their lead with an unconverted try by S. Brooks. The home players were then caught badly out of position and quick passing by Manawatu saw Nicol secure an unconverted try. Howard (Wairarapa) then intercepted a pass at half-way, and went to the visitors’ line before handing to Grantham, who rail round behind the posts. Ward missed an easy kick. The Wairarapa forwards were begin - ning to tire badly and Manawatu were continuously on the attack. A high kick by Buick (Manawatu) saw the Wairarapa full-back caught in possession and from a melee Buick went over in a handy position. Findlay converted. Another passing rush broke down on the Wairarapa line, but Crawford was handy to secure and dive across for Findlay to convert. The filial try was the result of a good effort by Campbell, who sent a high pass to Brindseu, the latter juggling the ball over his head before racing across. Findlay converted and made the score Manawatu 28, Wairarapa 27, Wairarapa fought hard to regain the lead, but the game ended with tho score unchanged: Manawatu 28, Wairarapa 27.

Mr IT. Matson was the referee

In the second half Wairarapa were without the services of Lang and Gillespie, who retired injured. They were replaced by N. Harding and D. Catt.