MANAWATU WINS THIRD GRADE RUGBY MATCH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7013, 12 September 1929, Page 10

MANAWATU WINS THIRD GRADE RUGBY MATCH

WANGANUI BEATEN 11—6. The Manawatu third grado representatives travelled to Wanganui yesterday, where they defeated the Wanganui thirds by 11 points to six in a fast and even game. With the wind behind it, the Manawatu side secured 11 points to the river city team’s three, and by strenuous defensive work, only allowed the Wanganui-ites to register an unconverted try in the second half. The match was played on Spriggen’s park as a curtain-raiser to the OtagoWanganui match.

Tho teams lined out as follow; Wanganui (blue): McGonagle, Potbury, Stuart (capt.), Bishop, Casey, Gallaghex - , Wakeling, Ditchfield, Stoddart, Halligan, Delves, Phillips, Edwards, Barnes, Byres. . Manawatu (green and white): Berquist, Grfer, Delaney, Hoddinott, Bramwell, Wild, Handley (capt.) Trask, Lane, Bamberry, Rumble, Gavin, Thomas, Burton, Clarke. Wanganui kicked off against a fairly strong breeze and a long period of play in neutral territory followed. From the set scrums and linoouts Manawatu was having the bettor of matters, and although Handley was whipping tho ball out to his backs on every possible occasion, Bramwell persisted in kicking high and getting under it, instead of varying the play to give his backs a run. Handley secured the leather from a scrum at midfield and came round the side to send Greer away, but the home custodian, McGonagle, was equal to tho occasion and play returned to Manawatu’s twenty-five, where for oilside play the visitors were penalised. Stuart kicked a good penalty goal. Wanganui 3, Manawatu 0.

Manawatu forwards came away in a lively movement and the blues were penalised on the twenty-five line. Berquist raised the flags with a splendid goal.—3 all. Wanganui looked dangerous for a period, but the greens cleared and Berquist kicking high and following up fast, beat McGonagle and kicked over the line to beat Stuart for the force. Ho converted his try. —Manawatu 8, Wanganui 3. Manawatu was making uso of the wind and continued to be aggressive, the forwards breaking aivay from a Jine-out, Lane, Rumble and Gavin combining in a splendid passing bout which ended in the last-named scoring. Berquist missed the kick.— Manawatu 11, Wanganui 3. Half-time sounded with the score unaltered.

After the oranges, the home side, with the wind assisting it, was eon-

stantly on the attack, and gave Manawatu many anxious moments. Time after time Wanganui hammered at its objective, but Manawatu was defending in great style. Finally their efforts were rewarded when Potbury finalised a back movement by diving over in good position. Stuart’s attempt to convert went astray.—Wanganui 6—ll. From the half-way kick, Manawatu kept the play in neutral territory and Lane, receiving the ball from the ruck, made a bright run out to Greer, the winger, however, was too far up and a golden opportunity was lost. The blues went to attack again and despite the fact that the visitors were compelled to force three times in quick succession, the home team could not cross. The green and whites did a great amount of spoiling work, playing havoc with the Wanganui flying squad’s movements. From a passing bout, Bishop on the Wanganui right wing, came infield, but Bcrquist came across in the nick of time to grass him within a foot of his objective. The final bell, sounded shortly afterwards. —Manawatu 11, Wanganui 6,