RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 116, 17 April 1939, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL

WANGANUI OLD BOYS v. F. 0.8. Rugby football made its 1939 debut at Eeikling oil Saturday afternoon at •Johnston Park, when Feilding Old Buys and 'Wanganui Old Boys were engaged in a “pipe-opener” game. The respective teams were: Feihlmg Old Boys.—Ewart, Freeman, Craine, J. Finlay, Hills, Hancock. Robertshaw, ltaven, H. Dewe, Hurdle, Parsonson, Harford, Crump, Dashwood and lleeve. Wanganui Old Boys.—Sutton, Northover, McGregor, Bourke, Robinson Pleasants, Brock, Cook, Moore, Hun- ( ter, Barton, Grace, Nicholls, Carrols. Welch. Early in the game Finlay made a spectacular run through the opixising rearguard but was repulsed by Welch. The Wanganui players found strength in their aggressive and well packed forwards, but their backs were not united in their efforts, although the first score came from fine work by them, the hall being sent to Barton who broke through the opposition and scored. The try was converted. Barton scored again ten minutes later after a patch of ragged play which ended in a scrum 20 yards from Tedding Old Boys’ goal-line. The kickmissed.

On resumption after the interval the local fit teen got down to serious work and challenged the defence of their opponents in an attack which carried them to a handy position, play being confined principally to the front row men. Harford found a weak spot to dash through to touch down. Parsonson’s kick failed. Needing only a converted try to equalise Feilding Old Boys tried hard to force the* play, hut Wanganui Old Boys withstood the thrust. At an opportune moment the enterprising Barton initiated a coun-ter-attack which ended in Hunter crossing. The kick at goal missed and tlie game ended with the scores: Wanganui Old Boys 11, Feilding Old Boys 3. Mr J. Dewe was the referee.