BEATEN BY A SINGLE POINT

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 211, 7 September 1936, Page 8

BEATEN BY A SINGLE POINT

Manawatu Lose to Wellington Visitors

HOME FORWARDS GIVE MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY

Once again on Saturday tho Manawatu forwards justified their claim to be one of the finest provincial Rugby packs in tho Dominion this season. Though the team was beaten 13—13 by Wellington in a representative match played on tho showgrounds, the display' of the forwards was magnificient, particularily in the latter half. The game, before a large attendance, was played in a powerful wind that swept tho field continously. Although much of the first spell was desultory, the second half was devoted to a series of spectacular movements by both sides, with the issue clouded until the last bell. The Manawatu forwards were generally on top in their department, particularly in the loose, where time and again they took sweeping charge. With no exception, they played a great game. In the rearguard, however, despite a number ai pretty and fruitful thrusts, Manawatu had to admit a certain weakness which possibly, reduced their score. An outstanding display was that of Dernier, who never faltered in the custodian’s post and time and again effected a great save. Wellington were well behind at the interval, and even with tho wind at their backs after the interval were late in gaining the lead. Their points came chiefly from a. few versatile members, including Lamason, whoso goal-kicking under trying conditions was a delight. It was, as the score suggests, anyone’s game all the way. The Teams. The teams lined out as follows: — Wellington (black): Crisp, Nces, Fleming, Edwards, Upchurch, Baldwin, O’Halloran, J. It. Lamason (capt.), Barry, Hull, Guy, M. Devine, Trenchard, Wright, Kenny.. Manawatu (green and white): Dernier, Waugh, Fletcher, M. Gillespie, Thurston, Nicol, • Brinsden, L. Findlay, O’Dea, W. Powell, Sutton, Williams, Sullivan, H. Crawford, J. Finlay. Manawatu went into action with a powerful wind on their side, but indiscriminate kicking marred their initial attack. Wellington were penalised for offside, but the ball rolled just as W. Powell got his boot under it. Wellington began to hook from the scrum, but when they attempted to operate the green forwards were smartly among them and broke up the movement. Manawatu caught Crisp with a smart tackle by the posts as the custodian was attempting to clear, but Brinsden who followed up was penalised for picking out of the scrum in his attempt to score. Manawatu were exploring ail possibilities as they operated continuously iu opposition territory, but Fletcher failed to get his hands on a pass when Thurston carved an opening. Lifting in the scrum cost Wellington another penalty, and J. Finlay, with the wind in perfect direction behind him, piloted the ball between the posts. Baldwin was prominent in an invasion that reached well into tho greens’ twenty-five, but he was poorly supported. The black forwards kept the ball as close as possible when it was in their possession, but made no bones about heeling it out to the rearguard from the set scrums. Lamason mado a great effort with a penalty kick near the sideline, from 35 yards out, directing the ball splendidly into the teeth of the wind. He made the distance but the ball carried across the goal, and this was the fate of another attempt a moment later. The green forwards, receiving from Dernier, turned on a lively display, going iu and out among tbe defence and handling prettily. L. Findlay picked up neatly and sent on to O’Dea, who sent Waugh away, but the winger was grassed. Findlay and Fillespie went away in another likely rush, but Crisp was applauded for a good save. The greens’ cumulative attack bore fruits when from an opening Brinsden sent Nicol away for the fiveeighths to transfer to Thurston, to Fletcher, the centre accepting and flashing across. Findlay missed with the kick.

The deficit did not appal Wellington, who invaded by dint of hard scrummaging until from a scrum o’llalloran got Baldwin away. Lamason joined in and Baldwin took a return transfer before giving tho ball to Edwards, who scraped home in the corner. Lamason’s kick tyas narrowly defeated by the wind. Baldwin sold a beautiful dummy to Thurston, and another score looked imminent until tho out’sido of the line faltered. Thurston redeemed himself a moment later ■with a kick that gained a full 60 yards before rolling out by the Wellington twenty-fivo flag. When the division, bell sounded. Manawatu were 3 points ahead. Resourceful Football. ® Manawatu were expected to be more restrained when they came back, ,as the wind was unabated. However, they turned on a great display and soon had the blacks guessing. Tho back line operated from, half way, and when Gillespie received from Fletcher he made a great run before booting infield. The ball was carried right across, and Waugh promptly took possession to go across in the corner. Powell’s kick failed against tho wind. 9 —3. Teh manoeuvre was nearly repeated a few minutes later, the backs handling in splendid fashion until a forward pass upset them. Waught had another try on tho outside, but was carried into touch. Dermer fed tho threequarter line adroitly, and Wellington had to concede a force down before tho pressure eased. Fleming was a danger spot when Wellington invaded in turn, and when unable to run his wings into possession, he drifted down beyond the greens’ twenty-five line. A score was in prospect, but a penalty saved Manawatu from a critical possession. The fickle wind once more took fatal charge of a powerful penalty kick by Lamason, and the score was unchanged. O'Halloran brought the ball round on the blind and gave it to .Nees... The

winger ‘was crowded, but punted high, collected the ball on tho rebound, and wont across in tho corner. Lamason steered homo a beautiful kick.

Manawatu 9, Wellington 8. The weight of play was now against Manawatu, but they wero conceding nothing, and the visitors’ back line went down like tho proverbial ninepins beforo O’Halloran got his men away successfully. Fleming gave a clear transfer to Edwards, and tho winger raced across with little challenge. Lamason converted.

It looked like the turn of tho tide, but Manawatu wero not to be outdone. L. Findlay picked up beautifully and raced into tho open. Going down to Crisp, ho sent a perfect hand on to Waugh, who was running in support, and the winger finished splendidly. The kick was too much for Powell, and the score was: Wellington 13, Manawatu 12. Dernier forced down to save Manawatu from a patch of trouble, and from tho twenty-fivo J. Finlay picked up, and with Sullivan, Crawford and Findlay joining in a magnificent rush, they carried almost to tho goal-lino before tho ball was lost in touch. Devine retired injured and was replaced by McLean. Manawatu had been close to scoring again, but wero gradually pushed off the line and driven back to their own twenty-five. Mulled passes robbed Wellington of an easy try. Manawatu lost the services of Gillespie when he was hurt in stopping a rush. A penalty on tho lino saved Manawatu onco more, and Wellington maintained a sporadic attack until the call of time. Mr. C. Eado refereed. Manawatu Juniors Prove Their Worth HOROWHENUA BEATEN IN CURTAIN RAISER By II points to 3, Manawatu juniors defeated Horowhenua in a curtain raiser to the major fixture. It was a disappointing match to watch, but Manawatu at least were not at full strength and conditions set accuracy at a premium on both sides. Tho winners carried most of tho attack, and led 9 —o at half-time. Thereafter there was no decisive advantage cither way. Tho teams lined out as follows: — Horowhenua (red, white and blue): Morgan, Carmont (capt.), Cole, Evans, J. Porter, Fitt, Young, Fryer, W. Porter, Preston, Kuti, Tee, Pike, Hakaraia, Davies. Manawatu (green): Dormer, Mullan, Crump, Hansen, Carter, Lang, Egdeli, 11. Shearman, Ranford, W. Shearman, Morgan, Shand (capt.), Waters, Wheeler, McLeod. With tho wind behind them, Manawatu immediately launched a frontal attack. They should have scored early, but in spito of territorial advantage they revealed deficiency in handling. After Morgan, who played a great game, had been held up on tho line, Carter registered first points from a penalty. Horowhenua shortly had a chance to equalise in like fashion, but tho ball struck the man on the mark. Lang and Carter initiated a goocl move, but Crump ran into trouble. The greens tried the other tack with more success, sending Hansen across after an incisive run by Carter. Tho kick failed. Backing up better, tho greens handled closely and sent Mullan across by the flag. Lang misdirected the kick. Fitt went off with an injury, Alexander replacing him. On resuming Horowhenua attempted to turn tho tables, but made tho fatal mistake of not using tho wind sufficiently. Porter and Cole were resourceful, but the wings outside them were well marked. It was late in the game that Horowhenua scored after great tackling had delayed their success. Fryer went across after a scrummage, but Kuti was unable to convert. Mullan started a bright move and passed infield to Crump, who outpaced the field and ran round to a central position for his score. Carter converted, making the score: Manawatu 14, Horowhenua 3. Mr. B. lloldsworth refereed. Taranaki v. Manawatu On Wednesday next the Showgrounds will be the centre of tho town’s attractions for the representative Rugby match Taranaki versus Manawatu, timed to kick off at 3.30 p.m. This will give everyone a chance to be in attendance. Taranaki has to date this season a very good representative record and is said to field one of the strongest sides for many years past. Tho football played by them is fast, open and exciting. Manawatu likewise has an exceptionally strong side and have built for themselves a name to be proud of in tho Rugby world. Football full of thrills and excitement will be the order of the day. Bo early and avoid the crush for a record attendance is anticipated for such a fine display as this promises to be. The following team has been chosen to represent Manawatu: — Full-back: Dernier. Three-quarters: Gillespie, Fletcher, Waugh. Five-eighths: Thurston (2nd), Brinsden (Ist). Half; Irvine. Front row: Sullivan, Crawford, Fin lay.

Locks: J. Powell, W. Powell. Side row: O’.Dea, Williams. Back row: L. Findlay. Emergencies: Louisson, Latham Nicol, Bramwell, Campbell, Buick. Members are requested to assemble at the Showgrounds at 3 p.m. Inter-Provincial Rugby NORTH OTAGO BEAT ASHBURTON

Per Press Association. OAMARU, Last Night. In the Rugby game at tho Showgrounds North Otago defeated Ashburton 17 —6. North Otago led 6 —o at half time but they dominated the play in the second spell to increase the margin. For the winners tries were scored by Stichman, McKenzie and A. Newlands. Easton kicked two penalty goals and converted a try. Stephen scored two tries for Ashburton,