HARD-FOUGHT DRAW.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 225, 22 August 1938, Page 9

HARD-FOUGHT DRAW.

ST. PATRICK’S v. TE AUTE

Fast running, sure handling and ability to seize opportunities on the part of the St. Patrick’s team, had the Te Aute side i defending for the greater part of the first half. Speedy dive-passes from Luoni, the St. Patrick’s half-back, bad the ball well away from the scrums before the Te Aute forwards could block it. Taking the back-line generally, the Silverstream players were faster than their Maori opponents. In addition, the St. Patrick’s pack were taking the ball more readily from the scrums in the first half and this gave tlie backs a further advantage. Spurred by the equalising of the scores in the second half the Te Aute team put on a much improved display and threw the ball about almost with abandon. The weight of the Te Aute team was also telling its talo at the close of the match. The result, a draw, was a fitting end to a fine game and was a true indication of the respective play of the teams. The teams were:— '

Te Ante.—Christie, Smith, Whaanga, Taite. Mntaira, Kaiinanu, Kaanga, Waititi, Marsden, E. Christie, Rota, Patterson, Hainama, Karaka, Ranga. St. Patrick’s. —McCarthy, Quirk, Butler, Taripo, Ransfield, Whittle, Luoni, Sullivan, Quickenden, Rankin, O’Donnell, Dunne, Browidie, O’Donnell, Herbert. Attacking first, St. Patrick’s took play to the Te Aute twenty-live, Ivansfield finding the touch-line. He took a free kick at goal soon afterward, but it missed narrowty. St. Patrick s kept on the attack and Ransfield made a great opening, Quirk scoring with fast following-up. Ransfield’s kick did not improve the score. Co-ordination between AVhaanga and Christie allowed the latter tg clear, and AVhaanga was instrumental a little later m lolling a sharp attack.' Te Aute found the side-line with a free kick St Patrick’s returned play to the twenty-five and To Aute had to force down. Solid defensive play kept the St. I a trick s attack at the twenty-five yard line, and a free kick, by McCarthy proved unsuccessful. For the first time the le Aute hacks handled in mid-field in a passing bout, but could not break through. Forced back to their twentyfive again, Te Aute found respite in a free kick only to , see the attackers return. A knock-on when Ransfield received the ball spoiled a promising passing movement. Mataira prouded the next interesting movement when be intercepted and went awav on his own He could not reach his own short-punt and St. Patrick’s came back to the attack, Rankin failing with an attempt to kick a penalty goal from long range. Te Aute stormed into the St Patrick’s half, where McCarthy earned a round of applause with n clever side-step which cut out several opponents. St. Patrick’s paid the price of a free kick against them for obstruction when they again swung play into the Te Aute half le Ante worked the plav to the middle of the field again, Hainama taking a long kick coal which just fell short. Rota broke through in mid-field and a loose passing rush was carried through to the twentv-five. Dunne secured and kicked hard, hut Christie retrieved and forced down when pressed Oil "la" returning to the middle of the field Rota a coin made an opening, ]' m '2 snp P nr ' ed hv several others. Half-time followed.

FASTER MOVEMENTS. Having a free kick cal-ly in the second half, Te Aute had ill-luck m not equalising, Hainama’s effort hitting an upright with considerable force and bouncing Hack into play. St Patrick s staged a sally upfield, Te Aute then swarming to inside .the St. Patrick s twenty-five. The latter broke out and a free kick aided them further, transferring plav to midfield. In an exchange of‘kicks Christie found the line deep in the St. Patrick s half. The defenders played strenuously to _ relieve, several mis-passes by Te Aute •aidin'" them. 'The To Ante players were“t)ien placing their faith in a more open passing type oi game and the play was much more interesting Hi tin formerly, unorthodox running and speedv transfers quickening the tempo of the game to a .considerable decree. Mutfliru lifid to leuve the field with an injured ankle and Halbert replaced him. St. Patrick’s made le Ante force down, but the Maori pla\-ei-s countered with a fast forward rush which ended at the Silverstream twentv-five. Hainama attempted to goal from another free kick halt-way between the middle of the field and I the twenty-five, but the ball went to one side. Fast as the Te Aute players ! flung men into passing bouts, tit. 1 at- ! rick’s countered with sure defence. Christie came up on one occasion, however and provided the extra man to o-ive’ Taite the chance, which was taken to score in the corner, Hainama’s kick failing. The passing prior to the score was a brilliant piece of coordinating individualism. With twentvfive minutes’ play remaining, both teams entered a new phase of mcreas-

ing vigour. To Aute displayed brilliant handling, the backs throwing the ball about in grand fashion. Kaanga kicked to the corner from a iine-out and St. Patrick’s burled back tire attack to make it defence, Butler at. ccutre-three-quarter, being pulled down very hard, when in full flight. ’Taite and Taripo had a, thrilling race down the line, running pace for pace for 3o yards. Taite won the contest in keeping clear of the defender and scoring in the corner. Hainama’s kick went outside the goal-posts. McCarthy attempted to reach the goal with a long free kick, the effort failing, but St. Patrick’s kept up the pressure and Te Auto survived a scrum practically on the line. A free kick to St. Patrick’s in front of. the To Ante goal resulted in McCarthy bringing the scores equal again at 6—6. Halbert was carried from the field with an injured ankle. There was no further score, the totals remaining at: —

To Ante 6. St. Patrick’s 6. The referee was Mr A. AVeston