OTAGO DEFEAT MANAWHENUA BY FIVE POINT MARGIN IN FAST, INTERESTING GAME

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6644, 3 September 1931, Page 8

OTAGO DEFEAT MANAWHENUA BY FIVE POINT MARGIN IN FAST, INTERESTING GAME

The Better Team Won But Home Side Was Unlucky

The representative Rugby match, played at Hie Showgrounds yesterday in the presence of a large gallery, resulted in a win for the visitors, Otago, who took the honours from Manawhenua by 16 points to 11 in a fast, open game. The weather was delightful and the ground in perfect order.

While it is generally conceded that the better team won, it is also admitted that the result might easily have been the other way for Manawhenua were unlucky is not being given another try, which should have been converted, and they failed to get the extra points from a try under the posts.

The game was played at a fast clip and, for the greater part of the time, was open, both sides taking advantage of every opportunity of gotting the ball away to the backs. The Otago team started off at a great rate and were all over Manawhenua during the first part of the game, the great speed of the backs suggesting that they would run up a cricket score beforo the end of the game. It was not long beforo they had 13 points on. Manawhenua then settled to their work and after a period of oven play were definitely superior for the rest of the spell, the half time score being 13 —3 in Otago’s favour. A try to each side early in the second spell left the margin unchanged but the visitors ,were- slowing up and found it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep Manawhenua at bay. A few minutes before time Le Quesne scored after one of tho best movements of the day, tho try being converted leaving the final score 16 —11. The following teams were fielded:— Otago (dark blue): C. Nicholson, J. Mackenzie, H. F. Fookes, A. Procter, H. Smith, W. Bathgate, A. T. Francis, R. Laing, J. Hore, W. Lucy, O. Finlayson, W.-Coulston, J. Miller, H. Hartnell and R Allen Manawhenua (red, white and blue): Ryder, Warren, Fletcher, Broughton, Johnston, Graham, Winiata, Lo Qucsno (captain), Williams, Satherley, Payne, Miles, Mackenzie, Henry and Roddick. The Game.

When the game started there was no wind. Otago won tho toss and Le Quesne set tho ball in motion towards the western goal. The kick was recalled and a scrum went down. Tho home sido secured possession and a high kick was marked by Bathgate whoso kick was charged down by the home forwards who were nearly over within two minutes of tho start. Laing cleared the lino but Ryder sent them back with a good line kick. Then 1 rancis and Laing broke away to the 25 where Manawhenua were penalised and Nicholson had,a shot which lacked direction. Play hung in midfield ‘for some time and then Procter kicked deep to put Otago in an attacking position again. The forwards, rushed tho game to the goal front and then sent the ball out to the backs, Mackenzie making an electric dash to tho corner, where he was grassed. Otago then opened the game up on tho other. side and Procter pushed the full back into touch at the flag. A penalty brought relief but only momentarily for the ball, went out to Mact kenzio who made another good run. Manawhenua worked back to neutral ground and Graham found the line well down with a nico kick. Manawhenua kept Otago on their side of half way for a period but, obtaining from a scrum Smith and Procter went away down the side lino and after some pretty short passing and tricky running, Procter broke clear and raced for the corner, scoring a brilliant try. Nicholson s kick hit an upright and went over, Otago then being five points on. Otago went very close to repeating tho dose a few minutes later when Bathgate came round tho back of the scrum to send the backs away. Smith made a very nice run and fired the ball out to bis wing but the pass infield was gathered in by Fletcher who forced. Shortly after the drop out Johnston and Warren electrified the crowd when they broke away down tho line, their short passes being a delight to behold. After penetrating to the corner the ball was sent infield and the movement broko down, Otago shifting the scene of operations to the other end. Henry then broke away with the ball at his feet but slipped when the way seemed open. Another Pretty Try. Play hung in midfield for some timo and then Otago opened up from a scrum in midfield. The home side hooked tho ball but Winiata’s pass to the blind aide was gathered in by Francis, who short-kicked to tho full back who was smothered. Coulston then obtained and kicked across the field to Smith, who side-stepped his man before sending tho 'ball out to Mackenzie who raced across to score in a handy position. Francis kicked tho goal. Otago 10, Manawhenua 0. A few minutes later Nicholson addod another three points from a penalty about 35 yards out. Otago 13, Manawhenua 0. Manawhenua worked up tho field following the kick and Winiata made a spectacular dash but could not get the ball which bounced over his head. Two long kicks put Manawhenua back on tho defence but Payne broke away ail cu his own and after a great run, short punted over the full back but lost tho race to the ball, Nicholson forcing. Mackenzie Scores For Manawhenua The home side was going well at this stago and they rushed the game to the corner where Le Quesne secured and got the ball along to Mackenzie who broke through and scored a great try nnder the. posts. Roddick missed an easy kick. Otago 13, Manawhenua 3. Manawhenua were more than holding their own at this stage and had tho honours for the rest of the spell. Otago tried to get some passing rushes going hut they were met with solid tackling and were - never allowed to get very far. The Second Spell. . Bronghton failed to field the kick and Otago immediately pressed -home I the advantage, having Manawhenua penned down for some time. The ball was eventually sent back to half way where the home backs went away in one of the beet a&vegijents of the. .day., Thu.

ball went along the line to lietehcr and then Johnston got it again and cut through the opposing backs and twisted his way to tho lino where he was grassed just short. Otago were then penalised and Johnston had a shot, the ball striking the upright and rebounding into play and then bounced back over tho line. Henry made a dive for it and appeared to score a try but tho referee, who was not in a position to seo whether Henry or Nicholson had got it down first, had no option but to rule a five yards scrum. There was nothing much between the teams for a while but Roddick had a shot from half way, the ball dropping short. Williams followed fast and chocked Otago but Mackenzie made a good run back to half way. A scrum formed and the ball went out to Warren on the blind side and Warren fired a long pass in to Johnston who made off for the lino with Fletcher and Broughton in attendance. The ball was handled by Fletcher and Broughton and then came infield again to Graham who rounded off a great piece of work with a try in a handy position. Johnston missed the kick. Otago 13, Manawhenua 6. Otago then took the game to the other end but Le Quesne and Johnston promptly sent them back to half way, Le Quesne then finding tho lino at the corner with a great kick. The bail went across tho field and then back again, Mackenzie feeding his backs. Graham fired the ball out to Le Quesne who streaked over by the posts only to be recalled for a forward pass. Otago celebrated the let off, the forwards carrying all beforo them in a rush to the other end. They were halted, but Francis got the ball away to Procter, who raced across at tho corner. Nicholson’s kick missed. % Otago 16, Manawhenua 6. The game was very even for quit 6 a while but Otago nearly scored again when a long pass infield went astray and their forwards dashed for the line. Ryder halted them, however, and then both, sides started to throw tho ball about again. Henry Injured. Henry received an injury and had to leave tho field, his place being taken by Hight. A Great Try. Tho next try, which was scored by Le Quesne, was the result of easily the best movement of the game. Otago had the ball and short kicked to Warren who side-stepped three men and then set off for the line. Threatened, he passed to Graham who made further ground before sending out a high pass which was taken by Le Quesne in his stride and the Manawhenua skipper grounded the ball beside tho posts. Fletcher made no mistake with the kick. Otago 16, Manawhenua 11. Miller, ono of Otago’s pack, received a bad knock and was carried off, Gifford going on in Ms place. With only a few minutes to play the home side made desperate efforts to make up the leeway but without success and a good game ended in Otago’s favour, tho winning margin being five joints.

Mr. A. McKegg had control of the game.

THE CURTAIN RAISER. OLD BOYS BEAT ATHLETIC (PAHIATUA) The curtain raiser was provided by tho junior teams from the Palmerston North Old Boys and Athletic (Pahiatua) clubs and it was won by Old Boys by 17 points to 8. The teams lined out as follow: —

Athletic (green and black): Bentley, R. Mills, Bellshaw, J. Mills, J. Tait, A. Mills, M. Richardson, J. Gunn, H. Vile, C. Harvey, Crewe, Lamont, J. Richard: son, Forster and Gray. Old Boys (black): Berquist Pulclowski, Turner, Penman, Kells, Olliver, Small, Manderson, Nathan, Cutler, O’Farrell, Shaw, Sandman, Lovelock and McNeil.

Athletic won the toss and elected to play against the light breeze in the first spell. Old Boys obtained the initial advantage and the backs immediately started to throw the ball about. A promising rush broke down when KeilsJ watching his opponent, fired a rotten pass out to Turner and O’Farrell broke right away to the other end of the field, a scrum being ordered on the line. The ball was hooked cleanly and was sent out to Olliver, who drew the defence before sending Kells over near the posts. Kells again missed and Old Boys were six points on. Athletic again took charge and M. Richardson, the nippy half, instituted two very nice passing rushes, the second penetrating to the line where their efforts bore fruit when. Vile dived across from a melee near the posts. J. Tait made no mistake with the kick. —Old Boys 6, Athletic 5. With, only a minute to go to the interval, Old Boys were all over their opponents and when the full back failed to field a long kick, Puklowski was quickly on to Mm and smothered him. Berquist dashed up and, securing the ball, made a dive for the line only to lose the ball. Puklowski then joined in and put the finishing touches on to the movement, scoring well out. The kick again missed and at half time Old Boys led by four points. Second Spell. .

The visitors started off the second spell in a businesslike way and. with hustling tactics it was not long before they had Old Boys in trouble. The home gida defended .desperately; for

some time but Athletic were not to be denied. Finally they broke away with tho ball at their feet and Berquist was forced to hand on, being penalised. Lamont had a shot from near the side line and raised the flags with a great kick, tho margin again being reduced to one point in Old Boys’ favour. Old Boys again retaliated and following a passing rush which broke down near the 25, Turner again got the ball away to McNeil, fending off an opponent, scored near the corner. Once again the try was unconverted. Old Boys kept at it but Athletic’s speedy winger (Mills) intercepted and made a great run down the line, his pass infield, however, going astray. Tho Old Boys’ forwards were more than holding their own in the tight play and they gradually worked downfieid. The greens were quick to turn mistakes to good account and Puklowski and Olliver were called upon to stem several dangerous rushes. Then tho green backs started away in a passing rush, Bellshaw kicking deep to the line where Old Boys were hard-pressed for a time. They worked back to the 25, however, and Lovelock and Cutler broke away to tho half way where a scrum formed. The ball came out to Small who sent it along to Olliver. The ball went right along the line to .Penman who sprinted across for a fine try. The kick missed.

Following the kick the Athletic pack, working well together had the Old Boys forwards on the run for quite a whilo

The game was getting faster as it progressed and there were some very exciting exchanges. Finally, after a succession of pretty lino kicks, Cutler obtained from a line-out and fell over. Turner made no mistake with the kick. Old Boys 17, Athletic 8.

Just before the game closed two very fine solo runds wero made by Kells and Olliver, both of them, however, were upended a few yards short of the line. Timo was called when Old Boys were attacking, the game finishing 17 8 in Old Boys’ favour. Mr. Hancox was the Teferee.

TO PLAT WANGANUI. The following team has been chosen to represent Manawhenua in the match with Wanganui on Saturday: — Ryder. Elliott, Fletcher, Broughton. Graham, Johnson. Winiata. Lo Quesne. Henry, Roddick. Miles. Payne, Graham. Williams, McKenzie. Emergencies: Warren, Robb, Simple ski, Hight, Eatherley, Findlay. Maoris Beat Marlboroagh 9-6 Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Last Night. Jhc Maori team touring the Seddon shield districts defeated Marlborough by 9 —6 on a wet field. A draw would have been a good indication of the game in which the Maoris held a slight advantage in play in tho first speii which ended threo all.

The fast Marlborough forwards played up well in the second spell, keeping the Maoris on the defensive 75 per cent, of the time, but were just unable l£ ggPlfls .The game, was gonfijaed cMcf-

ly to the forwards in tho first session, the heavier Maori pack being superior in the tight but wero outplayed iu the loose. Fleming scored a penalty goal for Marlborough in the first five minutes. Half way through the spell Kana scored an unconverted try for the Maoris. In the next session Reid scored for tho Maoris in a forward rush and Patchett bolted 30 yards and scored for Marlborough. Both easy goals were missed. Hohaia won the game for the Maoris by slipping round the scrum and scoring a solo try which was unconverted.