BRIGHT FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 228, 25 August 1938, Page 9

BRIGHT FOOTBALL.

WANGANUI’S BIG SCORE. Showing superior knowledge of the game, Wanganui , played spectacular football to run up a score of 22 points against Manawatu. The local forwards held their own, but the backs were outclassed by probablj’ the cleverest primary school rearguard —consisting entirely of Maori players—seen on the Showgrounds for many years. The teams were : Wanganui. McCarthy, Bennett, Haddon, Nepia, Ratana, Takarangi, Poari, Martin, Bell, Baker, Emia, Payne, Jones, Curtis, Stewart. Manawatu. —Veale, E. Matthews, H. Matthews, Hunt, Kelly, Elliott, Hill, Grant, Pearce, Bailey, Anderson, Charles, Wehb, Thorburn, Adin.

Play was in midfield for a time; then Charles led the Manawatu forwards in a rush which was checked by McCarthy gping down on the ball. Wanganui backs were opening the game at every opportunity and at length Ratana cut in beautifully and passed to Haddon, who scored. Takarangi missed an easy kick. Even play continued, the Manawatu forwards having a slight advantage

with Charles and Anderson prominent. Nepia and Haddon were associated in a good passing rush, taking the hall to within 10 yards of the line. There was another scrum and the Wanganui backs handled for Takarangi to dash over at the corner. He narrowly missed a difficult kick at goal. Manawatu were kept strenuously on the defence, Takarangi being nearly over again at the corner. The visitors were playing bright football, tossing the ball about with great abandon. From a scrum in Manawatu’s twentyfive Poari passed to Takarangi, who threw off a couple of tackles and scored under the posts. He converted the try. In less than two minutes Takarangi beat the opposition again and registered another spectacular try, which he converted, making the halftime score 16—0. Manawatu seemed to infuse new life into their play at the opening of the second spell and they went nearer to scoring than had been the case hitherto in- the game. However, Wanganui turned defence into attack with lightning rapidity. Poari sent Takarangi away and he passed to Haddon, who ran 60 yards to score. Takarangi failed to convert. Wanganui backs were away again, Haddon crossing but failing with the kick. The visitors kept the pressure up and Manawatu had to force down twice. The local side were continually on the defensive, but their tackling was better than in the first spell. The local forwards broke away and were nearly over, but the handling was uncertain and Wanganui forced down. Wanganui were attacking at the final whistle, the score being: Wanganui 22, Manawatu 0. Mr A. Ward refereed.