Rangitikei Win Smillie Cup

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 166, 16 July 1936, Page 8

Rangitikei Win Smillie Cup

TE' KAWAU DEFEATED AT

SANSON.

Playing at Sanson yesterday in glorious sunshine the To Kawau senior representatives met the Rangitikei representatives in the annual match for the Smillie Cup, tho game resulting in a decisive win for Rangitikei by 27 to 13. The Rangitikei team played a good typo of football, the forwards taking every opportunity of opening tho game up anu they were well supported by their backs who cut the To Kawau defence decisively by their straight running. Good football was played by the Tc Kawau forwards, but they had no support from tho backs whoso tackling on every occasion was weak. The teams lined out as follows: —

Rangitikei: Harry, Taru, Wilf.ams, A. Bush, M. Bush, M. Follis, F. Cutts, Pine, Walker, Ireland, Blair, Dallis, Rowe, Davies and Poppe. To Kawau: Petersen, Bromley, Scott, Gayler, Gust, Kent, Mudford, Sanson, Davis, K. Henson, O. Gardiner, M. Gardiner, Williams, H. Henson, George. Tho Rangitikei forwards from the very outset attempted to open up the play, but the Te Kawau forwards led by O. Gardiner smothered the attempt. A period of rucking play took place in the centre with Rangitikei having, perhaps, tho best of the play. After numerous attempts tho Rangitikei backs broke through to the Te Kawau 25 where they were halted temporarily and a scrum was ordered. The Te K2wau forwards broke through and cleared their line and Davies and K. Henson were prominent in a movement which took play deep into Rangitikei territory.

A good counter-attack was set up by the Rangitikei (green) backs by clearing their line and taking play deep into the Te Kawau territory. From a lineout the Rangitikei forwards worked their way over the line and Pino scored a gift try. Harry converted with a good kick. Rangitikei 5, To Kawau 0.

The kick-off saw the green players open up play and soon had Te Kawau in difficulties with- a devastating rush, which ended in Pine going over for his second try. Harry’s attempt at goal missed. Rangitikei 8, To Kawau 0.

Within a lew minutes after this try the Rangitikei bacUs with a great passing movement burst tkrougii tho Te Kawau defence with a beautiful passing movement for A. Bush to score in tho corner. Tho kick failed. Rangitikei 11, Te Kawau U. From tho urop-out the Te Kawau forwards took control and worked thoir way through to green territory where Cutts saved the situation for tue visitors by finding the line with a welljudged kick. Led by O. Gardiner, who was playing good football, again broke away and rrom a loose melee on the Rangitikei line K. Henson secured ana dived to open up Te Kawau’s score. Scott found tho uprights with a good kick. Rangitikei 11, To Kawau 5.

By opening up piay Rangitikei had the Magpies m difficulties, but several knock-ons cost them a try. Te Kawau then took a turn and had Rangitikei on tho defence, but they were unable to finish the movement off. From a set scrum mid-field the Rangitikei backs forced matters which resulted in Bush scoring in a handy position. Rangitikei 14, Te Kawau 5. Rangitikei were de-’ finitely superior at this stage and the score was further enlarged by a try by Williams which Harry had no difficulty in converting. Rangitikei 19, Te Kawau 5. Half-time was then called.

When play was resumed the Te Kawau forwards took charge and had Kangitikei on the defensive, but the green defence was sound Bucking play took place in midlield for a period and Te Kawau gradually worked then way into the Kangitikei quarter line, where K. Henson and W. Sanson burst through for Sanson to carry oA and score a good try. Scott’s kick was an excellent one and he added the major points. Te Kawau 10, Kangitikei 19. The Rangitikei forwards were now getting a majority of the ball from the line-outs and set scrums and they gave their backs every opportunity to increase their score. The tackling of the Te Kawau backs improved at this stage and they kept the speedy Kangitikei backs out. A beautiful attack on the right wing saw Taru, tho speedy green winger, outstrip the defence and race round underneath the posts for a splendid try. Harry converted. Kangitikei 24, Te Kawau 10. Kangitikei improved their position when a Te Katvau player was caught off-side in a handy position and Harry made no mistake with the kick. Kangitikei 27, Te Kawau 10. Te Kawau now made a desperate attempt to improve their score in the

dying stages by launching a series of attacks on the green line. They were rewarded when a defender was penalised and Scott put over a good kick to make the scores Te Ivaw’au 13, Kangitikei 27. Tho closing stage saw the scoro unaltered. Mr. R. Scott controlled the game in a very able manner.