RUGBY FOOTBALL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6885, 15 April 1929, Page 5

RUGBY FOOTBALL

PRACTICE GAMES. Palmerston North and district Rugby clubs were busy again on Saturday, preparing for the opening of the season on April 27. All available grounds were occupied by scratch fifteens, while selectors were giving their attention to i all likely newcomers. After the rain during the week, the ground was softer than on the previous Saturday, and with an additional week’s training, the majority of the. players were feeling in better trim for the struggle. On the High Shool grounds Old Boys had a big muster of between 30 and 40 players. Two fifteens played a scratch game and it was apparent that the blacks will be able to field strong combinations in both senior and junior sections.

Athletic, St. Pats., West End Old Boys, and High School also hejd practices and in all cases, drew good musters, KIA TOA AT MARTON. Kia Toa senior fifteen journeyed to Marton on Saturday to meet an Athletic combination. Despite the summery weather prevailing, a close and interesting game eventuated. Marton, after a few minutes’ play, drew first blood when Strachan scored a heady try. The double blues replied with a great rally in which some very fine 'individual play was witnessed. Mullins opened Kia Toa’s account with a penalty, to which Marton replied in kind. Ivia Toa’s fast and heavy pack told in the second spell and with command of the leather, trys came per medium of .Strange, Mullins, Nesbitt and Penney, none of which was converted. A fine try for Marton in the closing stages of the game by Gibbons made the final score 15—9 in favour of the Palyierston North team. On appearance, the double blues will field a strong combination this season The Rev. Mr. Leonard was referee.

WOODVILLE v. DANNEV'IRKE OLD BOYS. Although it was raining heavily in Woodville on Saturday afternoon, the match between Woodville seniors and Dannevirko. Old Boys was played in Dannevirke on a dry ground, resulting in a win for Old Boys by 5 to 3. Gray scored for Dannev-irke in the first half, Brogan converting, play during this spell being mostly in midfield. The game during the second half was confined.. mostly within the Dannevirke twenty-five line and with little time to spare Hayes scored for Woodville, but Charles failed to convert. Outstanding Woodville players were: —Backs, Redwood, Leaky, Hayes and Scott; forwards, Charles, Dean and Grinlinton. The following team will represent Woodville third grade against the Pahiatua third grade team on Wednesday, April 17: —J. McKinlay, A. Murray, D. Andrews, F. McKinlay, M, Gillespie, H. Grinlinton, A. Burlace, J Burlace, J. Wade, R. Walker, MclCir.lay, G. Morgan, C. Hayes, J. Wakeford and J. Peebles.