RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 169, 17 June 1940, Page 10

RUGBY FOOTBALL

MANAWATU BEAT WANGANUI. A HIGH SCORING GAME. In the first representative ltugby match at Palmerston North this season, on Saturday, Manawatu beat Wanganui by 22 points to 11. The match was played as the final feature of the Winter Show and there was a large attendance. Showing superiority in both backs and forwards, Manawatu’s winning margin was three tries and a conversion. Particularly in the first half, the game was held up continually by infringements, and no fewer than 29 penalty kicks were awarded by. the referee. Lifting in the scrum by the visitors cost them much valuable ground. With an infringement occurring oil the average every two minutes, plus the delays of line-outs and scrums, the temjro of the game was not fast in the first half and compared unfavourably at that stage with the exhilirating exhibition given by the High School— Te Aute College players earlier in,the week. Later,- the speed of play increased and the back movements were considerably brightened. Lack of penetration held back many possible thrusts bv the Wanganui team in the first half. Numbers of passing movements did little more than cross the field. Brogden, playing at half-back, was probably the best at penetrating of the Wanganui backs. He cut through the opposition like a knife oil several occasions and Wanganui’s sole try came from a brilliant dash in which he flashed through a small opening and grounded the ball at the goalposts. Brogden and Edlin (the home side’s half-back) both played well. Edlin was more the orthodox attacker and solid defender. He used the sideline when pressed and gave good passes to the first five-eighths. Bernier fulfilled expectations playing outside Edlin and linked up well with Sargisson, the next in the line. Surgisson played his usual game, was fast, quick on his feet when hemmed in, and used his head in attack. More than once he exploited liis manoeuvre of drawing the play and then sending the hall buck to the middle of the field with the opposition out of position. Stewart (centre three-quarter) completed the triumvirate of hacks which is the -most promising Manawatu has put in the field for a long time. He was resourceful and moved well about the field, kept up with the play and passed and hacked up well. In addition, he was responsible for six points for Manawatu by way of penalty goals. Bowler and Waugh, the .wingers, proved to he both strong 'and fast runnel's. When either,-secured the ball lie went for the line, while not forgetting there were other players on the field. Waugh was responsible for one piece of very good play. Manawatir were sweeping a lightning rush with relatively few players in front. Stewart, opposed by Valentine (wlio was always dangerous) sent the ball on to Waugh and the latter ran a good distance before he was stopped. Instead of passing to Stewart (with Valentine beside him), Waugh kicked ttf’the centre and Knight was on hand to finish off the movement with a thrilling try. Clarke showed himselr a shade better than the opposition fyll-back, Duncan, although the latter did a lot of good, sound work. The difference was only that Clarke’s best was a little better than the other’s. On one occasion Clarke gave the spectators a thrill when he gathered in a high kick at full speed and found the line well up the field without delay. It was fine handling. Outside of Brogden, Welsh and Valentine were the pick of the Wanganui backs. Welsh impressed particularly with well-placed line kicks and sharpness of movement in tight corners. Valentine, although the smallest back in the line, was very hard to upset and used a strong fend. He hurt an ankle early, hut carried on gamely until the dying stages of the game, when Collins went on the field. Berry impressed with his work in the forwards, and Whillans. another of the vanguard gained eight points through two penalty goals and one conversion. The Manawatu forwards played well as a machine and showed that they were faster than their opponents. However, Wanganui secured more of the hall from the scrums and line - outs than they should have done. Spence and Knight were seen often in the open. Dustin worked strenuously, a 6 he always does, and Waldegrave wa6 hard when on the ball. The others all played well to complete a good pack. THE SCORING MOVEMENTS.

The teams were : Manawatu— E. Clarke, Bowler, Stewart. Waugh, Sargisson, Dermer, Edlin, Dustin, AVallace, Waldegrave, Spence, Nicholson, Powell, Knight, Seeley. Wanganui.—Duncan, Percy, Valentine, McPike. Dickie, Welsh, Brogden, Whillans, Voullaire, Berry, PhizaClea, Firmin. Morgan, Callaghan, Pedley. The first score came when Edlin centred with a high punt and Powell got to the hall as it bounced from a defender. He passed to Bowler, who scored. Clarke’s kick failed. Stewart centred shortly afterward and the forwards went it- fast for Spence to touch down. Clarke converted. Whillans soon' afterwards put over his third attempt at a penalty goal. Play went straight to the other end and Stewart gained three similar points from practically an identical distance and position. After a brief period Stewart repeated the performance, and half-time came with the score: ' Manawatu 14. AVanganui 3. In the second half Stewart and Waugh handled in a long passing rush;

Waugli centred, and Knight gathered in the hall to score. Clarke converted. Knight -was sent from the field 'for allegedly striking a Wanganui player, Voullaire. Whillans kicked an easy penalty goal for Wanganui. Spence then scored from a ruck after a lineout, hut Clarke did not convert. Mcj Pike opened the.-way for a scrum in a nice position and Brogden flashed over the line when Wanganui hooked the ball. Whillans converted and the final whistle a little later left the scores: Manawatu 22, Wanganui 11. Mr A. Weston was the referee.