Manawatu Get Verdict Over Hawke’s Bay

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 217, 14 September 1936, Page 8

Manawatu Get Verdict Over Hawke’s Bay

One-point Margin in , Great Rugby Display

SATURDAY’S CLASH FULL OF

STYLISH RUGBY In one of the best representative Kugby fixtures seen in the city this season, Manawatu beat Hawke’s Bay by 12 points to 11 on Saturday. There was an attendance of nearly 2000 at the Showgrounds; the day was fine with a light wind blowing that gradually abated during the afternoon.

Manawatu were perhaps flattered by the result, as the Bay team indisputably possessed a better scoring rearguard. Ouco again, however, it was a rugged and unflagging set of forwards that determined the issue. Particularly on Saturday the- Manawatu men distinguished themselves for smothering opposition thrusts after losing the advantage in the scrums. The gamo was played at a great xato all the way; there, was no dearth of spectacular changes in the play, and the ball was seldom kept tight. Dernier, Manawatu custodian, played a great gamo until injury compelled his retirement at halt time. Campbell, who replaced him,' shared the honours with a splendid display. Buick and Waugh functioned excellently in wing positions, while Brinsden was a great asset behind tho scrum. L. Findlay was a tiger for work, and started endless movements; J. Pinlay, Crawford, and Sullivan were perhaps the best of the others:

But once again Manawatu proved themselves in patent need* of a consistent place-kicker. Hawke’s Bay started many brilliant attacks from their own 25, playing fearless football. They often had a ipan to spare in the passing rushes, and this' gained them points. Miller, O’Brien, Exeter and Bolls were outstanding forwards. The Teams. The teams were: — Hawke’s Bay (black and white): Hutchinson, Apsey, Aldrick, Johnston, Robins, Bradley, Clothier, Rolls, Wilson, Bowman, Miller, O’Brien, Flannagan, Ireland, Exeter. Manawatu (green and white): Dormer, Waugh, Fletcher, Buick, Thurston, Nicol, Brinsden. L. Findlay, O’Dea, .J. Powell, W. Powell, Williams, J. Finlay, Crawford, Sullivan. Hawke’s Bay kicked off against a light wind, and although they heeled from the first scrum, Brinsden soon got the ball out to Thurston and Buick, who made good progress. A head-on crash between Eobins and J. Powell compelled the latter to retire. Latham replaced. The Bay forwards gavfl a taste of their power with a brisk invasion to the 25 line, but Nicol returned them with a long kick. The whites were having the worst end of the stick until a bright attack from well inside their own territory swept the greens off their feet. Clothier got the ball from a scrum, and, with a clever dummy, made ground before transferring to Bradley. Tho ball traversed the line to Johnston, who clapped on tho pace land went over wide out. Hutchinson’s kick failed. J. Finlay was the life of a strong frontal attack, but Hutchinson called a halt and 'the ball went right back to Dermer, who cleared magnificently. The visitors sent tho game along at a rattling pace, handling freely from every position and following up in great style, with Bradley and Rolls well ia the picture. Findlay led a concerted

green rush, tho forwards keeping the ball at their feet, but they lost possession in transferring to tho backs. A penalty against Hawke’s Bay gave Manawatu a chance to equalise, and W. Powell proved equal to tho occasion with a good kick. Millar went across at the end of a fast sweep by tho Bay but was recalled for a forward pass.

Tho game was singularly full of action, and Nicol returned the Bay to their own quarters with a long kick. Apsey narrowly beht Buick iu a swift skelter for the ball, and a moment later Findlay just failed to get across after cutting through the defence. Clothier brought tho ball round from a mid-field scrum, dummied his way past Buick, and passed infield to Rolls, who eluded Dernier’s tackle and scored. Bradley’s kick made the tally S—3. Manawatu Miss Chances.

Brinsden halted tho blacks wnen they threatened again and launched a count-er-offensive, but W augh failed to take a high-flung pass. Manawatu missed two great chances in quick succession, once when Thurston knocked on in an easy position. Tho green forwards made some grand openings from which the rearguard failed to profit. Waugh made an attempt along the outside, but was grassed. Ho had better luck shortly after. Nicol sent him out a long pass, and this time Waugh beat Hutchinson and ran round nicely before grounding the ball. W. Powell misdirected slightly..—S—o. Manawatu experienced a severe loss when Dermer, in stopping a rush, received slight concussion and had to retire. Campbell replaced him just before half time.

Exciting Football

Manawatu went straight to the attack, and when the ball came out the proper way Brinsden gave it to Nicol, to Thurston, to Waugh. Crowded near the line, Waugh sent a long pass back to Thurston, who secured tho try. Powell’s kick was wide of the mark. 9—S. Hutchinson had a shot at goal from a penalty kick, but could not pilot the ball home. O’Brien was in the picture with a fighting run through a weak defence, but was finally hauled up. Hutchinson gave Manawatu a fright with a field goal that just missed. Clothier fed ris line well, and with a man to spare they had an easy avenue to scoring, but the last pass to Rolls was forward. Another attack was cleverly defeated by Findlay and Fletcher. A line out in tho corner threatened Manawatu, but the defenders succeeded in forcing down. Campbell twico drew his side out of a ticklish position with astute line kicking. The magpies were also hampering their thrusts with offside play, for which they were several times penalised. Crawford wa3 in tho limelight with a great tackle that halted the racing whites on one occasion. Waugh ran through a bunch of Bay men and kicked deep upheld, but Hutchinson saved tho situation. The change of avenue was a help, however, and when Thurston made a poor fist of a shot at goal, Fletcher gathered up the ball on rebound and sent a long pass to Waugh. The winger took tho ball on his finger tips and raced over smartly to score. Tho kick failed. 12 —8. Thurston made a solo burst from midfield to goalposts, but the anti-climax came when he was recalled for an infringement. Johnston made a great sally with all speed on, but was grassed on the lino by J. Finlay. Clothier amended by slipping round the scrum to score. Hutchinson’s kick went outside to leave tho teams one point apart. Crawford and Sullivan put the stopper on a Bay rush with a bout of tackling. Campbell was applauded for a series of great saves, and when Manawatu carried the offensive again Buick, Waugh and Findlay figured in the highlights, testing Hutchinson severely. Manawatu were almost across as the bell sounded.

Manawatu 12, Hawke’s Bay 11. Mr. A. Gordon refereed.

The Curtain Raiser ST. FAT’S THIRDS BEAT NAPIER MARIST As,a curtain raiser to the representative fixture, a match was played between Marist (Naxfier), fourth grade, and St. Patrick’s (Palmerston North), third grade, the latter emerging victors by 17 points to 0. Tho teams were: — St. Pat’s: McDowell, Nicholls, Hood, Moffatt, Singleton, P. Fitzpatrick, Warne, Barry, McDonald, Clifford, Goodall, Miller, T. Fitzpatrick, Hermasson, Tutty. Marist: Brown, Larrington, Jacobson, Downing, Byford (capt.), llanlin, Stack, Madden, Pickering, McGrath, Swiggs, Moore, Doran, Stowe, Freer.

St. Pat’s had the better of the game almost throughout, and scorers were T. Fitzpatrick (2), Miller (2), and Nicholls. Wurne converted one.

Kia Toa Fourths Successful Kia Toa fourths met the fourth grade team of Wanganui Pirates on Saturday, at tho Showgrounds, winning 20 —S. Scores for tho winners were Storey,* Wills, Mouldey, Broughton, Watson, Richardson. D. Wills converted one try. The referee was- Mr. A. Jewett. S»

Successful Reunion of Old-time Players

There was a most successful reunion on Saturday of old-time representative and other players, and the Manawatu Rugby Union’s, initiative in arranging the occasion was well rewarded. Prior to the representative game they assembled at the Showgrounds entrance and with the Highland Band sounding a march, paraded into the grounds and round the oval. Thero was an excel-

lent parade, well over 100 strong. Later, there was a time of convival fellowship, when the usual refreshments were provided and reminiscences ;were i

exchanged. Tho afternoon was voted a great success by all who participated.

Wellington Beat Taranaki

EIGHT POINT MARGIN IN RAGGED GAME.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The return match between Wellington and Taranaki on Saturday was won by Wellington by 20 points to 12. Tho gamo was far below representative standard. There were few' bright movements and all tho scoring came front looso movements. Both packs worked hard in tho looso and some good inter-passing was seen among the forwards, but tho dull play of the backs robbed tho game of its interest. The Taranaki back lino did not put on a single really concerted movement, while the -work of tho Wellington rearguard was spoiled by the failure of tho inside backs. L. H. Edwards, tho centre three-quarter, was tho best of the Wellington backs and in tho forwards J. Lamason shone in the loose work. J. Armstrong and D. Euakere wero hard working Taranaki forwards, but none of the backs wero impressive. C. Brown, the half-back, was right off and the full-back, A. Collins, mado many mistakes.

For Wellington, Edwards (2), A. G. Hansen, R. Nees and J. Fleming scored. Lamason converted one try and kicked a penalty goal. For Taranaki tries wero scored by E. Smith, the centre three-quarter, and E. Smith, the forward. Collins converted one try and L. West potted a goal. Wellington won the toss and played with a strong north-easterly behind them. After four minutes’ play Collins failed to force when tho ball had been kicked over tho Taranaki line and Edwards raced up to score. Lamason converted. —Wellington 5, Taranaki 0. E. jW. Tindill then raced down the line from a scrum but E. Barry dropped a pass when he had only to walk over. C. Dowdle, the Taranaki first fiveeighth, sent infield to his forwards and the attack was dangerous for a while. Collins failed to take several high kicks at this stage and Wellington had won 17 scrums and Taranaki three.

Lamason goaled from a penalty and Wellington led by eight points. O. R. Young was doing good work in the line-outs, Taranaki winning most of them. Fleming then tried to take a pass with his leg and in a flash E. Smith was racing downfield in possession, Edwards overhauling him. In the second half Taranaki pressed but the attack was disorganised and Edwards and R. Nees broke away and from a scrum H. Baldwin tried to cut in. The ball came out to Edwards, who handed on to Hansen, the latter going over. Lamason failed. —Wellington 11, Taranaki 0.

Armstrong and D. Ruakero then broke away from a line-out and the latter nearly went over. Then a weak clearing kick by Taranaki enabled Lamason to run away on his own. He passed to Nees, who scored. Lamason missed.—Wellington 14, Taranaki 0. E. Smith scored an easy try for Taranaki when J. Tartan failed to take a high kick. Collins converted, making tho score Wellington 14, Taranaki 5.

Lamason threw a long pass to Nees, who was forced out near tho line. The Taranaki defenco did not hold, Edwards crossing. Lamason again failed.—Wellington 17, Taranaki 5.

The next score came from interpassing by tho Wellington backs and Fleming’s try was not converted.— Wellington 20, Taranaki 5. Taranaki heeled but the backs could not get going. T. Fowler mado a bold bid and was nearly there. Then E. Smith, the Taranaki forward, picked up from a serum and scored. Collins’ kick went under tlio bar.—Wellington 20, Taranaki 8.

With three minutes to go, West, who had replaced O’Dowda in the Taranaki forwards, kicked a great field goal and tho game ended: Wellington 20, Taranaki 12.

Mr J. Moffitt (Wellington) was the referee.

Wanganui Score Last-minute Victory Over Poverty Bay Per Press Association. GISBORNE, Last Night. In brilliant sunshine with a calm day Wanganui secured a last-minute victory over Poverty Bay by 13 points to 10. The play was very even in the first half, but Wanganui did most of the attacking in the second, a bright display being given by both sides. There was not much between the two packs though Wanganui gained the ball more frequently from tho scrums. The Poverty Bay backs showed better combination, although Wanganui was responsible for fine individual efforts. Tho home forwards played well in the tight and tho loose, Mathieson being outstanding. The visitors’ vanguard was good in the loose and McClenaghan was most prominent. For the winners, Burgess (2) and Davidson scored tries, two being converted by G. Bullock-Douglas. Sharp scored twice for Poverty Bay, Campbell converting both.

WEST COAST Defeat Canterbury. .//

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. By eight points to nil West Coast beat Canterbury, their fast bustling coast forwards playing all over the home pack in tho loose and harrying the Canterbury inside backs unmercifully. The Coast, who scored in each spell, did not try much back play, being content to let Canterbury get tho ball and then crash through when

dropped passes and other mistakes, of which there were many, gave them an opportunity. Tho Canterbury forwards, until the last quarter of an hcpir, showed little aptitude for tho hard rucking and fast work in the loose, while the backs spoiled chance after chanco by wild passing and poor handling. Nolan, the Canterbury full-back, was the outstanding player on the field, saying his side time and time again. Brooks, the live-eighth, played a line attacking

game, whilo Hattersley was a great worker in tho pack. The West Coast backs defended splendidly and backed up the flashing work of their forwards,