WANGANUI v. MANAWATU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 61

WANGANUI v. MANAWATU.

PALMERSTON N., July 27. The Wanganui representatives met Manawatu before a large orowd of spectators. Before play had been going half a minute Meuli, of Wamganui, scored. Manawatu then warmed up, and kept on the attack with vigour, and after a splendid forward rush Wingate scored for Manawatu, and Downes converted, making Wanganui 3, Manawatu 5. Play for the next 15 minutes was up and down the field, Wanganui beating Manawatu in the loose. The Wanganui forwards brought the ball from a line-out to the goal-line and Jones scored, making Wanganui 8 points, Manawatu 5 points, just as half-time sounded. On resuming the ball was carried down to Wanganui c twenty-five, and loose play gave M'Nae an opening, adding three more to Manawatu, making 8 all. Play was then choppy for a considerable time, and Wanganui was on the defence, when Downes, from a free kick, added 3 more to Manawatu s score. No further score resulted, and the game terminated: Manawatu 11, Wanganui 8. Both teams were on a par as regards weight but Manawatu was far superior in the line-out. The Wanganui backs on several occasions gave a poor exhibition of passing in the first spell, but i improved towards the end of the game. The Manawatu backs were also defective. In getting the ball from the scrum Wanaganm paralysed Manawatu.