Manawatu Beaten in Mud Scramble

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6618, 3 August 1931, Page 2

Manawatu Beaten in Mud Scramble

:.. ; ■ On a ground tliat before the match carried sneets of.water and which soon developed into a sea of mud, iioro■vvhenua and Manawatu representatives met on baturuay m the first mterVmon rnatcn ox tho season. Horowhenua won 9—B as a result of a penalty kick in tne last live minutes of the game, it was impossible to expect anything like representative football under the conditions existing and there were many mistakes on noth sides, 'taken on the whole, however, Aianawatu were a little more versatile and were unlucky in the sudden turn of events. Tho teams took tho field as follow: —

iiorowhenua (blue): 1 Ryder, Gee, Graham, J. Broughton, Johnston, Enoko, Winiata, T. Parata, Pitzgerald, Roddick, Gordon, Satherley, Payne, Ransiield, 'iatana (capt.). . Manawatu (green): Bramwell, L. Moifatt, .M. Moifatt, Griffin, Robb, Fletcher, Bhapleski, Le Quesne (capt.), Henry, Hight, Tend ell, JDalzell, Findlay, Williams, McKenzie. The game had no sooner opened than the rain came down in torrents for five minutes or more. The greens pushed the visitors back and from a scrum Shapleski set his five-eighths in motion. Pletcher, however, after a bright solo run through the blue mob, was pulled down. The opportunity looked promising, but was spoilt by Pletcher failing to pass to men who were handy. Prom a scramble, however, Be Quesno slid over to register Manawatu-'s first try and .Yendell added the extra points; Manawatu 5, Horowhenua 0. Proia the kick-off there followed a series of sliding scrambles, the result of which Manawatu were confined to their own territory. The play was essentially a forward tussle, the backs getting little opportunity .of seeing much of the leather. A line-out a yard or two from the corner flag looked dangerous for Manawatu, but the green pack set a solid defence and finally a free kick relieved the anxiety. It was only «• brief ipell, however, for a free kick to Horowhenua within distance <>£ the posts bjought further anxious moments for tho heme team. Roddick took the shot at goal which was wefi directed, but fell short. It was a good ;effort considering the state of ball and ground. The blues were showing up at the moment as the better side and there was occasional back line movements that would have been more dangerous had the field been dry. There followed a try for Horowhenua by Roddick that was almost purely the result of the greasy ground and ball. About half-way) a fortuitous, kick in a forward scramble saw the ball slithering along to the blue's objective. Several home players attempted. to. .arrest its progress, but it slid out of their reach. Bramwell attempted-to fail on it, but was unsuccessful and the leather was carried at the toe of the blue pack over the line. Here the process of slipping and sliding continued and blues got the luck. Roddick's kick went wide and short: Manawatu 5, Horowhenua 3.

Tlie location of play was transferred into blue territory for a while till Broughton got away On his own right through the green invaders and set off for the Hne. When he came up with Bramwell he short punted, but the ball went out. Manawatu sent the visitors back and a knock-on alone saved Horowhenua from aeknowling a second try by the greens. There followed exciting moments for the stand when the green pack again broke away, but the charge was brilliantly saved by Johnston, who picked up well, but was

brought down. Horowhenua, relieved the attack by finding tho lino. Halftime ended shortly after with the blues stubbornly defending. , There was a spectacular movement early in the second spell. Horowhonua saved a green forward attack by a mark. The kick was held by Pletcher out on the wing and when tackled he transferred to M. Moifatt, who set his brother streaking down tho line, but the latter was pushed out with five yards to go. The greens kept up the pressure and from behind a iooso scrum almost on the line Griffin dived full 1 length for the line, but was an inch or two short. A scrum went down and green hookers shot the leather out very neatly. Robb transferred like lightning to Le Quesne, who had only to cross whero tho blues had left him unmarked. It was a piece of play worth watching. The kick for the extra points did not come off, being disallowed for a technical breach: Manawatu 8, Horowhenua 3. Prom another forward rush Manawatu were within an aeo of scoring. Tho teams were realising that best chances were with tho ball at too and the close'following up of short punts. There was a bright interlude when the two Moffatts, Le Quesne and Pletcher combined in a snappy exchange that was spoilt by a knock-on. It was at this stage of the game that Ryder, the visiting full-back, earned the approbation of the spectators for the the splendid manner in which he saved several dangerous onslaughts. All through Ryder was safe. Then from a blue raid Payne got over at the corner, but Roddick failed with a long kick: Manawatu 8, Horowhenua 6. The advantage continued with the visitors and Manawatu had to force to save. There followed a free kick for Horowhenua which Tatana took, but he did not put enough boot behind the leather. The situation looked dangerous, but luck was with a forward onslaugnt that raised the hopes of green supporters. . Ryder was there, however, as the spoke in the wheel. Prom a lineout Parata, the hefty blue rover, got away and tho greens were unable to stop him till he was well Over halfway. When he was brought down his forwards were in support and the leather was carried right up under the green goal. Here an infringemost cost Manawatu a free kick and Johnston had an easy job putting the ball over the bar and Horowhenua one point in the lead: Horowhenua 9, Manawatu 8. This proved the decisive score of the day and despite brilliant tackling and forward rushes, the greens were unable to beat the bell with a try. Mr. H. Hands controlled the game.