Oroua’s Great Finish At Kimbolton.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2713, 22 June 1925, Page 8

Oroua’s Great Finish At Kimbolton.

Te Kawau Win at Sandon.

School Victorious Over Wanganui College.

Though Manawatu defeated Oroua at Kimbolton, eleven of the winner’s fourteen points came from goals. Oroua crossed Manawatu’s line twice in the second spell, and kept its own intact. Te Kawau, after Thursday’s showing against Oroua, sprung a surprise by putting, Manawatu 'down 16-—ll at Sanson, Palmerston North Boys’ High School repeated last September’s success in winning handsomely from the Wanganui Technical College fifteen that has made a great reputation for itself the last few teasons. At Sydney there was no score at half-time in the second Test between New. Zealand and New South Wales; and the All Blacks just got home at the finish by a potted goal.

iMANAWATU (14) T. OROUA (8). BLUE-AND-BLACKS’ BATTLING FINISH. COMBINE WELL AND WIN ALL WAY SECOND SPELL. (By “Fonty.”)' There wer e excellent conditions for the ■ first Manawatu representative match of the season, when Oroua was tackled at Kimholton. The barrackers. a fine gathering from the surrounding country, enjoyed themselves to their hearts’ content: in the second spell and must have gone home well Satisfied with the showing of Oroua against what was considered to be a Strong side, excepting the green fiveEigh’ths. In fact, Manawatu scored only one try in the game. On the other hand, Oroua not only improved this by 100 per cent., but did the trick in a single spell. As eleven of Manawatu’s points came from goals, it will be seen that the win was a trifle lucky. It could hardly be clamed as a moral victory for Oroua, because the blue-and-blacks played without dash in the first spell. At the interval, Manawatu led 11— 0 and it was too much to expect the home 'side to reverse its form to such a tremendous extent. That the Oroua representatives did what they did especially as Manawatu was first to score with another penalty in the second spell, reflects the greatest credit upon the blue-and-blacks and their selector, J. McNae, the Manawatu forward in the North Island successful side of 1907 (South was put under 12—0 at Christchurch), Benge’s Boot at Work. Manawatu took the field as the side tvas originally chosen, but A. Waldin and N. Short were not available for Oroua, Harris and Parsons replacing them. Heisse went out to the wingforward position. The loss of two such useful forwards was a serious handicap after the pack had hunted so well together against Te Kawau on Thursday. When the teams had sparred for a while and sized each other up, Spence, (the Manawatu representative centre, for a moral) kicked through and Cowie misfielded. Boddy led the blues down and a strong rush carried the ball over the line. Deroles fell on it, too, but there was great disappointment when it was seen to slip away before he could get his hands on to it for the try. This taste of blood whetted Oroua’s appetite and McNae sent the forwards scampering back to the corner. Benge cleared and Wells (full-back) had a canter on his own, side-stepping a couple of greens like an inside back. Parsons gave Manawatu relief with two successive free kicks and Manawatu invaded home territory. The visiting forwards shook things up for a while End one onslaught promised to overwhelm Oroua, when Wells marked at the feet of the opposing vanguard. ♦The respite was only temporary, as Manawatu resumed the pressure and (rom a penalty forty yards out Benge kicked a great goal. Manawatu 3, Droua 0. Shortly after the restart, Shannon fnade a bad miss and Brophy was dribbling up the blind side with an open field, when the ball trickled out •And a score was lost. Eyre-Benge-ftVasley had a fly from a scrummage but deadly tackling stopped them before Gifford and McArthur could get a chance. Back to the left wing the play veered and Brophy was nearly set again when Harris blocked progress, but Anderson led the green forwards away, Spence saving well. Eyre centred and the greens had a .nice opening in mid-field, when again Oroua was penalised, a high, straight shot by Benge falling under the bar, Spence getting touch to half-way. Wasley turned the blue forwards and a mistake by Hartley let Manawatu back to the attach. A fine kick biGifford from the twenty-five’s, where the blues’ forwards had approached,, put Manawatu in a strong position again and a pass from Eyre to Brophy must have had results had it not been ruled off-side. Boddy and McNae relieved the two succeeding sorties and the first-named, with P,usBCll and Shannon, rushed through to the greens' sector, where Brophy saved the day. AH this time, Cowie had been shining in the exchange of kicking, his judgment in a difficult light - being, magnificent. Hard Luck, Oroua, Next was one of the best efforts pi the match, although Oroua supEdied any number of them in the econd spell. McNae-McDougall-Nor-ris-McNae handled the ball in that order and McNae had to be held up on the line .to prevent him falling, across

to ground it for a try. This bit of real hard luck took the ginger out of the Oroua’s for a while and they were caught napping’ when Benge slipped through and fielding a kick on the bounce, set off for the line. A try was a certainty had he passed to Hope, his nearest attendant, but McDonald apparently called for the transfer and in essaying to steer it over the heads of several intervening players the chance was lost as McNae fielded it, instead and momentarily had Cowie in trouble. ’McDonald’s Successful Dribble. Eyre got his (backs going again, but a fine bout was ended when Gifford dropped his pass and a likely try. The play crossed to the opposite side where Hope and McDonald broke away. This over-ran the blue rearguard and dribbling all the way for thirty yards or so McDonald scored for Benge to convert. — Manawatu 8, Oroua 0. The greens were soon in again and Jackson broke through the ruck with ball at toe, Spence saving with a smart mark. Eyre Turns GOal-klckcr. From a line-out Eyre took a good mark and although a long way out he sighted for a drop and sent a pretty loft footer well and truly home. • Manawatu 11, Oroua 0. After Heisse had had a penalty kick at goal Jackson made a strong run up the centre and was so well supported that while deciding what best to do to .turn the advantage to scoring account Spence arrived and relieving him of the ball got Oroua out of a nasty predicament. The bines charged Brophy down and Boddy with Heisse led the way goalwards but Cowie was too safe and again stemmed the tide when Norris made a run up the left wing. Boddy broke away and McNae dashed in for a flying break through—had it come off there could have been only one verdict—“try” —but he missed it by a trifle. The blues were getting their second wind and two more difficult situations were only saved by free-kicks to Manawatu and half-time sounded with the score; Manawatu 11, Oroua °. Greens Kc-opcn "With Penalty The visitors assumed the offensive after the lemons, and after Brophy had taken an also impossible pass he cut through to McArthur’s wing. The latter made a strong run up the line but sent a bad pass infield, a freekick against Eyre for kicking out o! the scrum enabling Oroua to clear Shannon missed a high kick and had Algar and Anderson down on him quick, a remarkable save by Norris making the welkin ring with applause. Anderson led the next charge and from the ruck Eyre cleverly passed to Brophy on the blind. The Old Boys’ flier (in his proper plac.? at wing) cut in beautifully and actually crossed the line, first one and then another blue taking a turn at holding him up until there was a surging match which Oroua won ,the ball coming out at the back and over the lino for the blues to get out with a lucky force. Spence-Norris-Hartley got away but good tackling by Brophy stopped the winger. Then Norris (who had come in to five-eighth), McNae taking the left wing) made a supreme run, but it ended with him being pushed out on the corner flag. Oroua was having no luck at all. Manawatu took a turn again and Eyre nearly shot another goal with a long left-foot drop. Where he failed Benge succeeded for within a minute Oroua was penalised for lifting and the Feilding crack kicked a fine goal from fairly short range but an acute angle.—Manawatu 14 Oroua 0. Blue Barrackers Still Confident. Although it began to look like a debacle'there were many hopeful Oroua barrackers and their fancies began in earnest to give them cause for confidence. McDougall-Spencc-Hartley-McDougail was a fine movement in which the number one got around like a tradesman. Norris sent Spence away, a jolting run through the centre nearly succeeding. McNae had a long shot from a penalty, Cowie replying by getting touch at half-way. Hartley nearly scored from a rebound and next Norris-McDougall-Spence-McNae had afly and after play had veered across the ground and back again. McNae put in a solid run for glory at the corner flag, missing a try by feet only. Manawatu Getting Socks. The whole chain of Oroua backs was now working in unison and after the ball had been handled by the lot Hartley was brought down. First Spence nearly crossed then McNae got over but was penalised for off-side — he appeared to be alright, though in an off-side position, the greens having left him behind. It is all a question

of whether a green over-ran it or n blue kicked it through to McNae —in the former case the try should have been awarded. Prom a penalty McNao had a pot 40 yards out —a poster being the verdict. Another splendid movement soon followed. Wasley centred but McDougall was too quick and took the ball at top. He beat an opponent and passed to Spence-Hart-ley; though no score resulted it was a capital effort. Over at Last, Manawatu could not hope to keep the blues out for ever the way the Oroua backs were combining and throwing the ball about. Spence cut in from near half-way and McNao raced up at top, took his pass well, and cutting in crossed for a pretty try,, but did not improve from a favourable position: Oroua 3, Manawatu 14. Russell lead the blues to the visiters’ twenty-five and with Boddy gave the greens an anxious time. They had to concede a penalty which Heisso could not turn to account although ho made a good effort, as he did again presently. Norris and Spence set up a likely looking aback but the supporting back was standing when he took his pass and IManawatu forwards buried him. The greens varied their defensive work with a flying rearguard action. It went through the chain, a slightly forward pass, Gifford and Brophy robbing Manawatu of a'try. Brophy was too fast and had a tendency to over-run before a pass was available. From a scrum Oroua got the ball, as they did practically every time now, and McDou-gall-Norris-Spence set the way for a score but the pass ,to Hartley went astray. Heisse Takes Advantage of Cowic’s Error. Time was getting on when a pass from Spence to McNae was blocked after the former had beaten his man. A kick-through found Cowie at hand right in front of Manawatu’s goal. Heisso, Russell, McDougall and Norris were all following fast, spread out ike a fan. The green custodian misficldcd it —the two Oroua vanguardsmen dribbled past him and Russell picked it up. A comrade ran round to Cowic’s assistance but Russel] passed to Heisse who side-stepped the defender and scored under the posts. i ae made 'no mistake with the kick and the board read: Oroua S, Manawatu 14. Manawatu made a final sortie. Jackson (the best forward on the field) broke through about half-way and gave Brophy a chance. The winger made a lovely run and Hope was at hand to carry on when they got to his club-mate. Hvery other green had, however, stopped and there was nobody to back Hope up for what would have been a spectacular try. The last scene of all was another opening by Eyre. Ho put Benge in a handy position but the Foildingite hung-on with McArthur unmarked two yards from the line. Oroua got out of it with a force and time was called at once, the game ending: Manawatu 14, Oroua 8. Mr. W. li. Hesseltine was referee. All that need bo said in conclusion is that Spence, Boddy and Russell should soon be wearing groen-and-white jerseys. Of Manawatu’s fifteen, those certain to retain the selector’s confidence arc Cowie, Brophy, Eyro, McDonald, Algar, Anderson and Jackson. After the match the teams dined together, when the usual toasts were honoured. Now that Oroua has done so well, perhaps the Manawatu selector might be able to pop up occasionally to sec a cup game. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ CURTAINRAISER. CHELTENHAM-KIWITEA (28) v. APITI (nil). Played before the big game at Kimbolton the primary schools’ match between Apiti and Cheltenham-ICiwitea resulted in an easy victory for the combined team, which scored eight tries, two of which wore converted. For the "conquering heroes,’’ four players got a brace of three-pointers: Ken Kilgour, Ron. Muir, Sid. Row and Tom Sandilands. The two goals ■were shared by Dick Brown and Ken Kilgour. Mr. E. Edwards was referee. MANAWATU v. TE KAWAU. ■COUNTRY’S SURPRISE WIN. BLACK FORWARDS TOO GOOD. The other Manawatu team journeyed to Sanson to meet the Te Kawau SubUnion representatives and suffered defeat at the hands of the country players by 14 to 11. Taken ail through, the game was disappointing so far as Manawatu was concerned. The green forwards were well and truly beaten, but nevertheless, did not get their tails down. The home forwards were superior on the loose work and laboured excellently as a team, but the pack contained no brilliant players. The form displayed by the home forwards was better than the exhibition given at the Showgrounds and Te Kawau would have been unlucky to lose. Te Kawau won the toss and elected to play with t.h/. sun at its back. Mullins kicked off, the green forwards bustling Tattle and this marked the commencement of a tussle between the forwards. The play gradually worked to the corner, where a free, kick to Howell relieved the pressure slightly. The black forwards worked their way up field but a hard kick to Chadwick allowed him to get the green backs in action. The rush ended at Mullins, who fumbled a good pass and the forward battle was resumed. Tohu and the Richardson brothers worked hard and turned the scale until Darragh cleared with a long kick close to the line. Amadio made a good attempt to gain a penalty goal, and was followed by a lesser effort by Scott. McKelvie secured the leather and made a dash for the lino, but Evans saved with a brilliant collar a yard from the goalline. From a gcrum, Rang! started the packs Into action, but a forward pass by Darragh after he had sidestepped his man, stopped the play and from the resulting scrum the hall again came out to Rangi, who passed to Evans, but Staltc smothered the latter. Mullins attempted to kick a goal from a mark, but it was faulty in direction. Hill and P. Richardson

led the blacks on a crusade, but a knock-on spoilt their chance of scoring- and McKay, aided by Smith, stopped the tide. A Tricky Try. Bailey and Rangl worked the five yards throw-in cleverly and after each of them had handled the ball twice, Rangl scored five yards from the flag and with a beautiful kick added the major points amid cheers. — Manawatu s—^o. The blacks resumed the attack and in quick succession, Darragh, Bailey and Evans wore called upon to to save, but the homo forwards returned to the fray. Te Kawau Opens Account. The greens had' forced play to halfway but McKelvie stopped the attack with a mark. Fast following up saw P. Richardson gather tip the ball and by using his weight he forced his way across the line to open the account for To Kawau. Amadio failed to increase the score. Manawatu 5—3. The greens assumed the attack and for a while, the forwards appeared on the verge of scoring but Cameron forced. From a passing rush Scott intercepted. With the hall at his feet, Strange raced down the sideline but McKelvie rescued and kicked into touch. Darragh and Bailey made individual dashes, but every time Pomarc brought them to the ground. McKay next led an attack which made E. Gust force, but the blacks came back like a pendulum and Darragh and Evans were compelled to find the line. A passing rush by Manawatu was spoilt by Mullins being collared with the ball, an all too frequent occurrence, while a “blind side” attack by Rang! failed through deadly collaring. Following-Up Rewarded. A cross-field punt landed into Bailey’s arms and he passed to Boddy, after beating his man, Boddy stumbled, but Darragh kicked the ball clear and Glendinning raced after it, to score a try in a difficult poslion. Rangi Just failed to convert and the score road, B—3.8 —3. The blacks sot up a determined onslaught which taxed, the green backs to the utmost and a passing rush, which looked a moral score for Te Kawau. was spoilt by Goldfinch's failure to take a well-delivered pass. A Gift to To Kawau. However, the forwards continued to press and fumbling of the ball by Evans brought play on the, goal-lino, but Evans retrieved his mistake by kicking out. From tlie subsequent lineout, the ball was kicked over the goalline and in a dash for it by Darragh and Scott, the bounce of iho ball favoured the Te Kawau man and Scott scored a, lucky try, and he had no difficulty in making the score 8 all. A forward struggle ended in favour of Manawatu and Rang! failed in an attempt to kick a penalty goal. Shortly afterwards Scott and McKelvie looked dangerous, but Mullins and Strange collared them close on the goal-line and from the scrum near the lino, Howell dived over underneath McKay and Smith but the referee (Air. S. Reeve) awarded a five yard scrum. Potting Epidemic. From a scrummage, Rangl kicked to Pomarc, who nearly brought off a splendid “pot" from half-way, while shortly afterwards ho again made another attempt, followed by Amadio coming pretty close to gaining one. After mid-field play, Evans and Glendinning led a green attack in which Strange smartly picked up the leather and rushed over the line to score. Mullins made a good attempt to convert, but failed and interval was called with —Manawatu 11, To Kawau S. Scotts’ Root Equalises. The play for the first ton minutes in the second spell was uneventful, Te Kawau being mainly on the attack. A display of “booting” gave Manawatu the advantage and from a cross-field kick, Mullins, Darragh and Strange gave a brief displaly of short passing, but a forward throw to Mullins lost a sure try. The green forwards fought hard, hut their opponents were too good and kept play in Manawatn’s twenty-five. A mark by Scott gave him a chance to equalise the scores, which ho did quite easily— 11 all. Following the kick-out, the play centred near the home goal-line, but no score eventuated and the fast and collected work of the black forwards brought play into neutral territory. The Manawatu backs commenced a series of passing rushes, being well fed by Akuira, who played consistently well, but the passing was faulty and Smith, Rang! and Glendinning had to act as supports. Play was fairly even until Amadio broke away and essayed a field goal, the kick Just failing to reach the cross-bar and Chadwick forced. The black forwards then commenced to exercise pressure anq a titanic forjward struggle ensued for some time near Manawatu’s goal-line. The Winning Try. The visitors were only able to gain a few yards, but an exchange of short punts somewhat relieved matters until' Goldfinch, after fast following-up, fell over the lino to score the winning try which Scott Just failed to convert. Immediately atferwards time was called and Te Kawau left the field the winners by 14 —11. THE CURTAIN RAISER. The conflict between Central and Hui Mai Juniors was not a very inspiring game, but it was a very even fight. No score was registered in the first spell and it was not until towards the end of the game that Robinson scored for Central, and gave his side the victory by three to nil.