RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 154, 2 June 1941, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Unexpectedly high seoring was seen in the three senior matches in Palrnerston TS"orth on Saturday in t.he continuation of the Manawatu Rugby Union's competitions. Ground conditions were excellent. Because of the counter-attraction of the races the attendance at the Sportsground was smaller than usual. UNITED BEAT OLD BOYS.

United beat Old Boys by 20 points to 3 in thn featured match of Iho day. United gained the ball from most of the serums and used this possession to effeet, often running hard and kicking through when IJIO Old Boys defence was drawn. Old Boys were hard pressed at times and their faster opposition severely tried the defence. Brosnahan, who will he in camp for seme time from now on, did well at the base of the United serum and fed his hacks well, using the dive-pas* on several occasions. At the close of the first spell the scores were equal, 3 —3. Whyte having scored for United (Downes's kick missing the posts) and Clarke having kicked a pcnallv goal for Old Boys. This followed a series of infringements hy United in which Clarke made good use of the side-line to gain ground. Early in the second half Ward kicked a beautiful penalty goal from ten yards outside the Old Boys twenty-five. Marsden capped off a strong United thrust with a try, and Ward's attempt at conversion hit an upright; and went back into the field. Porter next scored after a kick through. Ward converting. In another wild scramble at the line Whyte scored again, Ward's kick missing. Near the end of the game .Marsden went away on his own and scored, Mabey, t.he full-hack, having an unsuccessful attempt at conversion. The referee was Mr B. 1 lohlsworlh. KIA TOA BEAT ST. PATRICK'S.

Scoring all their points in the first half, when they had the advantage of the* sun and the wind, Kia Toa heal St. Patrick's by 13 points to nil. St. Patrick's were one man short throughout the match and two short until t.he middle of the fir.-t half. Kia Toa had the better of the game territorially, but St. Patrick's were not, overwhelmed. Barden finished oil a. rush in the first hall with a try and Stenberg outpaced the opposition for the second try. Wishnowski. who played an excellent game, converted both and kicked a penalty goal. In the second half St. Patrick's fared better and although their opposition held play in the St. Patrick's twenlyfive for some time. the defenders broke out and Edlin nearly crossed the Kia. Toa line in a very determined dash. A line-out and a scrum followed before Kia Toa took play back up the field. In a bright, passing movement toward the end of the game St. Patrick's nearly gained the line again, but Kia Toa returned with another passing bout. The final whistle sounded with play in mid-field again. Mr C. Kglinton was the referee.

COMBINED TEAM'S SUCCESS. Greater penetrative ability gave Feilding and Old Boys a comfortable win by 25 points to 3 against University at Rugby Park, but the impression was left that University, making only their second appearance of the season, will yet mould into a formidable side. The game was for the most part dull, with neither side having a distinct territorial advantage, but it brightened towards the close, when University showed more deUVmination and cohesion. Good hooking enabled the combined side to see most of the ball, of which they made good use, and some of the tries they scored revealed excellent cooperation. University, a solid and fit team, showed few signs of working as a combination until the concluding stages, and a distinct lack of goal-kicking talent was revealed, for if they had been able to take advantage of numerous easy opportunities the score would have been much less disproportionate. However, the combined team deserved their win, and their backs functioned well and made the best of opportunities, with the astute play of Dormer always a notable factor. In the opposing rearguard Bowler was outstanding, but. ho had much to do on his own, his efforts being crowned by a fine last-minute unconverted try. With better backing he would have been across on at least one other occasion, but the Feilding side had always the measure of their opponents. This was shown in their scoring efforts, which left little doubt of their mastery of the defence, although solidity rather than brilliancy was revealed by the victors. In the forwards the game saw both sides working well, and except for the Feilding team's superiority in the serums there was not. a great deal between the packs. The combined team scored 10 points in the first half, from tries by Falla anil Dernier, converted by Pollard and Thompson respectively. In the second half Loudon (2) and Falla scored tries which were converted by Thompson (2) and Pollard. Mr J. Holnian was referee. OTHER RESULTS.

Junior.—United 17 v. Old Boys 3; Kia Toa 3 v. High School 3: Bunnythorpe 16 v Feilding Old Boys 15. Third grade.—High School 9 v. Old Boys 3: Feilding 14 v. Feilding High School 6; Kia Toa a. bye. , Fourth grade.—Kia, Toa 21 v. High School 5; Feilding Old Boys 21 v. Marist 3: Technical 13 v. United 3: St. Patrick's 25 v. Feilding High School 0. Senior championship points.—Kia Toa 6, Feilding Old I3oy* 6, United 6, St. Patrick's 4, Old Boys 2, University 0.

I Wellington Results.—Senior, first division- Ilutt 27 v. Ponckc 6; Johnsonvillo 6 v. Eastbourne 3; St. Patrick's 0.8. 9 v. Wellington College 0.8. 6; University 8 v. Slarist Bros 0.8 6: Petono a bye. Second division: Ilutt Army 13 v. Training Coljlegc 3; Athletic 18 v. Miramar 9; Onslow 116 v. Wellington 14.