MANAWHENA’S ELECT; SHIELD GAME TO-DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6991, 17 August 1929, Page 6

MANAWHENA’S ELECT; SHIELD GAME TO-DAY

HEAVY FORWARDS AND FAST REARGUARD,

The elect of Manawhenua Rugby let':. Palmerston North by char-a-banc yesterday afternoon to play Wairarapa for the Ranfurly Shield at Masterton this afternoon. Apart from Conrad and Fletcher, the team all left for Masterton, and these other players will travel ivith a bus load of enthusiasts to the holders’ stronghold this morning. White not wanting to commit themselves, the players are quietly confident that to hold the shield, Wairarapa is going to have a hard tussle. The team is under the managership of Mr. H. Hands coselector with Mr. J. Ryan, and Rugby supporters can rest assured the team will be in capable hands. The team is a very evenly balanced one, the forwards averaging 13 stone 7 pounds, and the rearguard about 10 stone 12 pounds. The team, which is the same as was originally selected, has been doing light training, morning and evening for the last few days as well as having massage treatment. There have been quite a few alterations in the Manawhenua side since it last played Wairarapa on July 17 and the team has been strengthened considerably.' The following is the composition of the Manawhenua team with players’ weights:— Full back: Johnston (10.3). Three-quarters: Strange (10.11), Fletcher (10.8), Page (11.9). Five-eighths: Riddell (9.6), Bevan '(12.2). ‘ Half back: W. Parata (11.4). Rover: T. Parata (15.1). Hookers: Crawford (11.12), Summers [(12.12). Lock: Parsons (33.8). Supports:, Conrad (14.4), Tatana iowt Dalziell (12.11), Miles T13.9)j Emergencies—Backs: Walker (11.13), Bramwell ,(10.0). Forwards: Hanna (11.12), Boldt ,(11.8). As is natural all eyes will be turned on Masterton, but those who are not fortunate enough to travel, will be entertained with, a first-class game between Southern Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu. The Bay will be playing & considerably -weakened team in the green and whites, but Manawatu will go haid to avenge the defeat of last year. For jearly spectators, Old Boys juniors will play Hi a Toa B and whereas the former team will be keen to keep its position at the top of the 1 alder, the double, blues will battle to place their club team which is on the second rung, on the top. Both these teams pay good football and are well represented in the junior Tepresentathat «t fast and interesting geme ifiH be Witnessed. Manawatu side is requested to jgfgßlggfc' Showgrounds by 2.15 p.m. MfytffiMcKegg will referee the xepre-