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Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6945, 26 June 1929, Page 9

Saturday’s Rep. Games. Last year, Manawatu senior representatives lad considerably tic worse of tihedr two encounters with their neighbours of Horowhenua. At Shannon, on June 23 they wore boaten C —ls -while in the return game on July 28 they were again beaten 3 —l). Tho 1929 wearers of hho green and white, however, have retrieved tlhe honour of Mauawatu, Which was better team, despite the rumours of Horowhenua’s formidable strength which were current before the game.

Both A and B games on Saturday wc-ro quite attractive exhibitions .oi the code, and departing from district, rivalry, the wider application of the test in its relation to Manawhenua’s 1529 strength reveals a satisfactory condition of affairs.

The selectors had before them some promising material and the indications aTo that when the combined team takes tho hold for its first representative game against Wairarapa on July 17, a strong combination will oppose the Banfurly shield holders. Mullins Was Good.

The Mauawatu backs were indifferent during the early stages of tho game, chiefly duo to the sluggishness of lioiso at first ’eighths. When the Kia Toa man was injured, however, he was replaced by his skipper, Mullins, who went to second 'eighths, with Bramwell moved in-siio him.

Mullins’ arrival made a groat difference to the Mauawatu rearguard, which commenced to show better -combination and general enterprise. The Kia Toa skipper played one of the best games in his career and handed the leather along very attractively. His defensive play is always good and this occasion was no exception, but it was in his work on attack that he was most impressive on Saturday. Bramwell Also.

Bramwell, of Feil-ding Old Boys, vent better as first' ’eighths than a-s second. Ho opened up the play well on a number of occasions and altogether played a very useful game. This player was one of the strongest inside backs on the field and will merit consideration for his Manawhenua jersey. A Good Half.

Thompson the Manawatu donkeyman had an advantage over his vis-a-vis, Pa rata, in that his forwards gave him 80 per eont. of the leather from the serums. Setting this advantage aside, however, the Kia Toa half played one of tho most useful games on tho ground. He sent the leather away with a minimum of delay and in a manner which made things as easy as possible for his five-eighths. He made many useful openings and two of them definitely resulted in tries. The selectors will have a difficult choice to make for thi-s position as tho claims of Parata, of Horowhenua, who so capably filled the- donkeyman’s position last season for Manawhenua, cannot be ignored. Thompson’s play would appear to make him eligible for a position in the five-eighths line, however and a compromise might bo effected by giving luni an opportunity in this department. Fletcher Disappointing.

The youthful Old Boys recruit, Fletcher, was frankly disappointing. This player has but recently come into prominence and has played some excellent games, but Saturday was not one of his days. He considerably disorganised the Manawatu back line by his persistent crowding of his threequarters. As centre, he stood too far out from Mull-ins throughout, with the result that Strange had not enough room in which to work. Strange, himself made the most of what opportunities were given him, his try being a meritorious effort. His partner, Elliott on the other wing, ■was far from impressive and locked that determination which is essential in a scoring three-quarter. A Reliable Custodian.

S. Bramwell, the Manawatu last lino of defence was a very reliable custodian who gave his side an enviable feeling of security. This Peilding Old Bays nominee should give the selectors food of reflection. Manawatu Hooking.

One of the surprises of the day was the fact that the lighter Manawatu pack secured by far the greater proportion of tho ball from the set serums. This superiority appeared to be very largely due to the clever hooking of Crawford and Boldt, who were a great pair of leather-getters. Tho green and whites did not noticeably pack better than their opponents, so that the greater credit is therefore duo to tho hookers. Both these forwards were also good in their general work. Indeed, Crawford was probably the bost scrummager on the ground. Tho Kia Toa pair, after their exhibition of Saturday will seriously challenge the selector’s attention as a combination. The Forwards.

Conrad again played a game out of the box and in all departments his work loft little to be desired.

McKenzie, of Woodville, was disappointing. At no stage of the game was his work convincing and ho appeared to shirk the hard stuff whenever possible. His fellow clubman, Hutchinson on the contrary, played a good game and lived up to the reputation he has earned for himself during the season. As a rover for Manawhenua, the Woodvillc man will merit consideration. Milos of Oroun, was another good forward and on his showing should make a strong bid for the Manawhenua colours which lie wove creditably last year. Horowhenua Backs.

The Horowhenua rearguard was not imnressive as a combination and its

weakness in this respect appeared to be duo principally to the deadness of the inside backs.

Byder at full back gave a good display although he lacked the certainty of Bramwell. Stevenson, at centre, was disappointing, his defensive play bring weak and his offensive tactics nothing to write homo about.

Taylor, on one wing, gave everything a go and made the most of his few opportunities. Robinson who was opposite him was the weaker of the two Horowhenua wing three-quarters and- was not very much in tho limelight. Parata Useful.

P. Parata played a really useful game behind the scrum and despite the fact that he had to make most of his play from (he field, contrived to give his backs the leather whenever possible. Satherley, Tataria and Hakaraia were probably tho best of the red and black forwards. The B Game. The B game also furnished a fair exhibition in which the Manawatu team was the better combination both fore and aft. Payne was the outstanding forward in the Horowhenua ranks and played a better game than some of his colleagues among the A’s. Waslcy the Manawatu full back was very safe and played his usual reliable game. Pago on one wing, was good and showed pace and determination as a scoring three-quarter. Pawson did not got into things and was fai from impressive. His fellow ’eighths Ormond, on the contrary played attractively and made a number of useful openings. The Athletic man shows much promise. Dewe, at centre, was inclined to overdo the cut-in and to hang on to the leather too long. Fuller the Manawatu donkeyman was good only in places and on several occasions foiled to feed his backs sufficiently. Cochrane who was on the opposite wing to Page, played another attractive game. Both the Manawatu wingers showed up well and had their inside backs been of the some standard might have made a still wider margin in favour of the green and whites. The two forward packs were well matched and fought an even battle. Snell, Lynch and Wells were perhaps the three best for Manawatu, while Payne, Andrews and Moodie were in the forefront for Horowhenua. One of the best exhibitions in either game was given by Johnston, the Horowhenua full back, who undoubtedly saved liis side from defeat by a far wider margin.