Waituna West

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 157, 5 July 1945, Page 6

Waituna West

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Feilding their strongest team to date, Apiti upset calculations by defeating the Waituna football team in the second round of the Beard Cup competition by 5 points to J. Waituna’s defeat can be attributed to two factors, the superiority of the Apiti forwards and the inability of Waituna to gain a reasonable share of the ball either from the lineouts or the set scrums. Under these circumstances Waituna backs had little opportunity to get going, the game being mainly a duel between the two packs. Apiti backs had a feast of the ball but after several abortive attempts to open play, D. Harland at first five-eignths wisely elected to kick for tlio line. These tactics though not perhaps very spectacular, undoubtedly paved the way for Apiti’s win. Front the kick off, play for the first 20 minutes was very even. Eventually R. Meads broke through in a good rush and, gathering the ball from a lucky bounce, scored after a good run, the try being unconverted, in the second half play continued to be very even for some time. Eventually Apiti by close rucking play and good line kicking by D. Harland set up a hot attack on Waituna J s line. Following a scrummage near the line Nicholson battled over to score for Apiti. G. Doughty converted with a good kick to give his side the lead 5 —J. Waituna then livened up, making desperate attempts to score, but Apiti continuing to play a tight game were successful in holding the lead, the game ending with no further change in the score. For Apiti, Nicholson was the outstanding forward and gave a good all-round display and on such form will be hard to keep out of the representative team. D. Harland also played a solid game, his kicking being an outstanding feature, while G. Doughty was very safe at full-back. F»r \Ytaituna, B. Meads played his best game to date, while J. {Shannon also showed con sistent form. Apart from the Waituna forwards’ inability to gain possession in the set scrums, there was a noticeable slowness and lack of compactness in their packing. One or two forwards showed a distinct liking for hanging round the fringe of the scrum. D. Williamson was again a tower of strength to his side but the backs generally had very little opportunity of showing their attacking abilities. A. Gumings, at fullback, had a busy time and gave a creditable display. Mr. W. Munro was the referee.

Tlio Apiti ladies’ basketball team were also successful in winning their match against Waituna by 8 goals to 6. Waituna had many opportunities to goal in the early part of the game but failed to make the most of their chances. TRY ZANN AT OUR EXPENSE 9d. stamps brings generous trial package of ZANN pile treatment. Simple, easy relief. .Zaun Pty., Box 9525, (B. AL Appleton, 15-1 Featherston Street), Wellington.