ANOTHER WIN

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1931, Page 5

ANOTHER WIN

TARANAKI A V. WANGANUI SIXTEEN POINTS TO TWELVE TARANAKI BACKS SUPERIOR HOME FORWARDS BEATEN. Outplaying the visitors in speed and three-quarter line attack, but meeting more than their match in the forwards, the Taranaki A Rugby representative team defeated Wanganui A at Pukeknra on Saturday by 16 points to 12. Wanganui, a 50 per cent.' better team than the one that took the field against Taranaki' last year,- drew first blood early in the first spell with a penalty kick, but Taranaki took the lead and for a long time had a substantial margin in their favour. In the second spell, however, Taranaki lost their sting. The forwards tired, and Wanganui drew, up until they were only one point behind. In this position the game progressed until the final minute, during which Clarke increased Taranaki’s margin to four points-with a penalty kick. The game. was. played in fine, weather, but on a heavy* ground- Play was bright at intervals, but the Taranaki team did not give such a good exhibition .as against < Southland, nor . was the game as interesting or full of spectacular incident. At the • same : time, the vast improvement in the Wanganui team and the evenness of the scores made the afternoon’s entertainment an enjoyable one. Taranaki’s strength lay in- their halfback,. Gudgeon, and in the three-quarter line—Jonee, Watson and Hunter. Gudgeon played a splendid game, making numerous openings, whipping the ball out like lightning as opportunity offered; and successfully:exploiting, an invaluable faculty'for doing■ the unexpected. His one fault —at least according to the theory of Rugby it is a fault —was a tendency to run too far with the ball. That. a “running half” is notoriously a bad half is a Rugby axiom. Yet Gudgeon’s, fault in this direction on Saturday was transformed into a virtue, for almost invariably, when he chose to run, he made a lot of ground.

THREE-QUARTERS CHAMP AT BIT.

Mean while away back in the outfield were' a trio of fast and dangerous threequarters straining at the leash and thirsting for blood. But for a large part of the game they thirsted in vain, owing to lack of opportunity. That there was such a lack was largely due to the five-eighths, who did not show to particular advantage except on comparatively rare occasions. Peterson, though hardly a failure, did not'reproduce fiis convincing form of the. Southland match,* and. his inability to get the ball out to. the other backs may have been largely instrumental, in putting Fookes rather out of - joint. . At the ' same time there were occasions when Fookes tried the stab-kick through, or pot at goal, when, there was a potential' tty waiting for the three-quarters to claim.' One, should not judge too harshly, however, for the ground was very heavy. Watson, Jones and Hunter, particularly Watson, were in great form, and with their speed and power would ■ have stood up to ■ anything in New. Zealand. Jones did not get many chances,'*'hut created a, -very favourable impression when he did- have an open--ing. As in the Southland game, Collins was; inclined to take things too easily, and on. at least two occasions his sauntering'inclination. allowed the ’ ball ’to bounce, and the bounce to beat him, with, the result that Wanganui: were let away. He did not give a-bad. exhibition, but he has played ' ■

Wanganui backs as a whole were not as good as..Taranaki in either defence or attack. The king-pin was Morgan, who was outstanding. Time and again he., saved his side, and when there was any tit-bit of attack on.the part of the Wanganui rearguard it was almost invariably he who promoted it. The diminutive Duncan was a clever half, and‘pleased the crowd immensely in the second half, particularly when he executed one delightful solo effort, but it took him half the game to learn to handle, the heavy ball with accuracy. Like most of the other backs, he impressed one as: being essentially a dry-ground-player, and the whole team would probably have been a more formidable combination on a naturally dry and light ground such as Spriggens Park- in. Wanganui. Gibbons tackled much better than he used to, but is not the player he was at the New Plymouth High School, or in Wanganui club football prior to the British match. Downs and Bullock-Douglas possessed a most useful turn of speed, but lacked the magnificent stature of their Taranaki opponents. Wanganui’s most pronounced improvement was in the forwards, and it was’ no pleasure to the’ Taranaki supporters to see their pack definitely outplayed by the visitors for the second time in succession this season. At one stage Taranaki outshone Wanganui in the loose; at one stage—after one of the Wanganui hookers had been carried off the field unconscious—Taranaki hookers secured the ball for a time; and during one brief period Taranaki regularly secured the ball from the lineouts; but for the majority, of the game the Wanganui pack, led by Heise, McIntyre Glenn and Charles, had the better of the exchanges in every department of forward play. Clarke, Walter and Baldwin were the backbone of: a pack that lapsed visibly in the second spell, and it seems the selector will have to consider a reorganisation of his scrum and renew his anxious search for hookers if Taranaki is to maintain its reputation in this department of Rugby. On neither side was the tackling firstclass, but Wanganui were the better. Taranaki were too inclined to clasp opponents round the neck, while Wanganui, although they made several expensive mioses, also -mode several notable low flying tackles. i The teams were:— ;• " WANGANUI. Narbey Bullock-Douglas Gibson Downs Gibbons Morgan > . Duncan Wald in (capt) Glenn Lockett Water* Mclntyre Heise Charles Tasker TARANAKI Collins Hunter R. Watson Jones K. Fookes Peterson C. Gudgeon A. Guy C. Wills R - Lusk J. Walter (capt.) R. Clarke W; Baldwin Young Corney THE PLAY DESCRIBED. Taranaki chose to defend the northern end and an exchange of fruitless kicks ended in Bullock-Douglas giving Wanganui the advantage by kickingout on the Taranaki twenty-five line. Wal-

ter, leading the Taranaki forwards in a rush, obtained, the ball . but . passed wildly'and Tasker ' from a " free kick brought play to half-way. Taranaki were quickly, into their stride with a passing rush , in which Fookes over-ran the ball. Glenn and Gibbons ■ dribbled the ball to a dangerous position from which it was carried back over the Taranaki goal line. Wanganui made their first" essay at passing, but the handling was poor. Downs, though he. received the ball almost standing" still, was hard to pull down. Gibbons from near the : side line placed a fine goal from a penalty kick awarded for offside Taranaki play. Wanganui 3 Taranaki ........ 0 The Taranaki forwards were well oh to the kick off. Walter made good use of a free kick and Narbey kicked out on the Wanganui twenty-five line. Pet-, erson held on too long in the passing rush that developed from the line-out, and Was" tackled by Bullock-Douglas. The first' Taranaki back attack with any real- sting came when Guy obtain-; ed the ball'at top speed and passed to Fookes, whose pass to Jones was forward. Morgan, playing a dashing game, handed to Downs, who after a splendid dash was soundly tackled by Watson ten yards from the goal line. Morgan issued forth again from a loose scrum and Narbey attempted a drop kick. WATSON TACKLES WELL.Watson was again responsible for a solid tackle as he brought down Morgan after the Wangpnui backs had indulged in some of their best handling. Prominent immediately again, Morgan was well grounded by Hunter, who broke away with a tricky swerving rim and passed to Walter, who made a mistake by ■ kicking the ball straight into Narbey’s hands. The Taranaki backs were twice well into their stride with smart passing runs in advantageous positions, Hunter being tackled. Twice Guy burst through with the ball out of loose serums close to the Wanganui line. The first time he was off-side and the second he passed the ball into emptiness when a yard frpm. the line. Heise’s 'kick made the position easier for Wanganui, nlay centring just inside the Wanganui half-way line. Gudgeon cut out Fookes in passing but Watson sent a poor pas" to Jones. Gudgeon was away again but was grounded. His third attempt was brilliant. He snapped up the ball from the ground and passed to Fookes, who was coming up at top speed, but who sent a low pass to Hunter. -aveiling at a. fast speed Hunter made a wonderful pick up and sent on to Guy and Watson, who had raced round in support. Watsons speed was too much for the Wanganui backs coming across, and he scored ten yards from the side line. Collins failed to convert. .' Wanganui. 5 Taranaki 3 Gibbong missed with a penalty from a scrum infringement 40 yards out and

Jones, taking the ball, galloped.; to halfway ■ before he was stopped. Watson in -a Taranaki’back attack failed to hurdle Gibbons when travelling fast. ff. free kick for obstruction was .put out by. Gibbons on. the Taranaki twentyfive, and from loose play a drop-kick from Morgan’s boot fell just under the bar. TARANAKI GAINS ADVANTAGE. Taranaki- were having the better of the play and the lorwards dribbled downfield, where Baldwin sent a long pass to Fookes. Wanganui were all out of position and Guy, racing up, took Fookes’ pass,and handed on to Hunter and Watson, who crossed the line without opposition well out and ran round to touch down under the bar. Collins converted the try. ' f Taranaki 8 Wanganui 3, Scrappy play that followed was enlivened by a smart run by Gibson,Then, after all the Wanganui backs, had lian•dled, Downs beat Collins badly, but was forced out ten yards from, the Taranaki line. Passing by the Wanganui backs was spoilt by the Taranaki forwards who, led by Clarke, bustled the ball from Bullock-Douglas. Play drifted to the Wanganui side of half-way. The ball went through the Taranaki backs to Watson, wh sold a perfect dummy to Gibson but withheld his pass too long and was tackled by Narbey. Peterson’s attempt to pot was a grubber and the ball by going “dead” beat both Jones and Buhock-Douglas in their race for it, Bullock-Douglas’ dash along the side line and Glenn’s dribbling carried the ball close to Taranaki’s goal, but Taranaki’s tackling and spoiling defeated the Wanganui backs’ efforts when they were in a good position. Fookes placed the ball handily in the empty space between Narbey and Bullock-Douglas, and Hunter and Bullock-Douglas succeeded in obstructing, each other while the ball rolled out. Tasker, who had received a knock on the head a minute previously but had played on, suddenly collapsed and was carried off, his place being taken by Agnew. Once again the Taranaki backs displayed a touch of-the sting they could put into their work. Ten yards inside the Wanganui half Gudgeon seized the ball in the loose, made an opening and passed to Watson, who showed a fast turn of speed. Watson passed at the right moment to Walter, who after a slight hesitation ran in without opposition, going on to touch down near the posts. Collins’ kick was true. Taranaki 13 Wanganui 3 Heise dribb .d to the Taranaki twen-ty-five, but Gudgeon saved. Morgan beat Fookes but war. tackled by Jones, who wrested the ball from him and dodged and swerved his way through the Wanganui team to the half-way line. His dash was so sudden and so fast that there wore no Taranaki play-

ers to ■ support him. Wanganui pushed play to tne Taranaki goal, and several attempts failed in the corner until Duncan snapped up the ball in the smart manner he had been playing . all . the game and passed to • Bullock-Douglas who, though tackled on the line, managed to ground the ball with Collins draped around him. .Gibbons’ kick was , a poor, one and half-time sounded with the scores: — ■ ’ 7 ; Taranaki ...13: I, Wanganui’, ... 0 WANGANUI RECOVER. . ■ The second spell opened with :,tlie same exchange of kicks, as the. first uqitil the ball went out on the Wanganui twenty-five. . Taranaki essayed passing but Gibson intercepted and after a spirited run passed to Gibbons, who found the line ten yards from the Taranaki goal line. Gibbons missed with a free ' kick 35yards out and, in front ofthe posts, and from the drop out Guy and Lusk bustled Wanganui until, Narbey cleared to half-way, Wanganui 'commenced ope, of their best passing rushes, but Gibbons kicked. Collins was tackled in possession and Watson saved. v , . What seemed a doubtful decision against Lusk for off-side was given near the Taranaki goal-posts, and Gibbons goaled. . Taranaki ............... 13 Wanganui ............. 9 Baldwin, Lusk and Guy dribbled the ball to Wanganui territory, but Agnew, Heise and Mclntyre replied in like fashion. Fookes passed to Watson, who passed to Hunter, but Hunter’s pass illfield when close to the Wanganui goal was intercepted by Mclntyre, who cleared. The Taranaki rearguard began to throw the ball about very freely until Waldin kicked, followed up and charged down Collins’ kick, Charles running out with the ball. Morgan put the ball out with a good line kick 20 yards from the Taranaki line. Obtaining possession, Fookes kicked clean into the hands of" Bullock-Douglas, who made a mistake by waiting for support. He passed to Gibson, but the ball was lost and from loose play tha*- followed Morgan received the ball. He passed to Downs, who in a spirited effort was toot fast for Collins, and touched down for a try near the corner. Gibbons missed with the kick, which might have put his team in the lead Taranaki . ... 13 Wanganui ............. 12 When Fookes kicked to Narbey Hunter came up at great speed, but Narbey kicked as he was tackled and cleared to the Wanganui twenty-five. Fookes attempted a drop-kick at goal from an impossible position and the ball was forced down. From the drop out Morgan transferred play to the Taranaki twenty-five with a good line kick. Collins waited for the bounce of another kick and when he secured the ball he was tackled near the line. Morgan kicked across th field in front of the Taranaki where several Wanganui

players,, were waiting. Waldin spoilt a chance ,of a good run in by mishandling. Morgan/tried -to “pot” from well out, and a- free kick enabled Taranaki to clear ./to half-way. Taranaki continued to push Wanganui back to near their line, but. Gudgeon threw out a poor lob pass';, and Duncan cleared. ' ■ WANGANUI NEAR SCORING. Glenn and .Waters were hard on the ball and Collins had to run out just inside his own half. Wanganui almost scored twice through misunderstandings among the, Taranaki players. Duncan was the spark that nearly set the tinder alight on each occasion. He shot cleanly out of a scrum and galloped 20 yards until he was floored by Fookes. Duncan was immediately again in possession of- the ball and passed to Waldin, who, seeing his way blocked in one direction, turned and ran through half of the Taranaki team before he was brought down. Taranaki-cleared to halfway. The Taranaki backs carried the ball to ' the ‘Wanganui twenty-five, where Agnew was off-side. Collins’ kick fell short. Desultory play followed in midfield until Guy,’ following up, tackled Narbey, the fall incapacitating him. Blyth was coming on to replace Narbey, who was walking off, when the full-back decided to continue. ' , . Narbey- tried to drop-kick a goal from too far out, and Jones cleared only just in time. A Wanganui passing rush in midfield Tacked drive and the ball travelled across th field from one side to the other. B- '1 teams exchanged kicks and Taranaki -worked to the Wanganui twenty-five, where Narbey saved by a mark on his gc-l line. When Taranaki essayed another attack Peterson clung on too long, and was well grounded by Gibbons. . A drop kick by Collins from 40 yards out fell just below the bar, and Downs ran round to the side line with the ball. Bullock-Douglas followed and put Wanganui on the offensive. Taranaki were making the game as open as possible, ' t Peterson chose to kick instead of to pass. When the ball went out th© line, umpire’s decision was not

greeted favourably by the eastern terrace. Peterson made amends by a gbdd run but was floored by Gibbons. Wanganui were bac in the Taranaki half, and Peterson’s hesitation again spoilt Taranaki’s chance of getting into a good attacking position. Play at this stage was on the eastern side of the ground and the line umpire’s decisions proved unpopular. A second decision given by , him and later a third met with vociferous roars from the spectators on that terrace. . With play just inside the. Taranaki half Morgan broke away, and when tackled by Lusk .passed to Downs, who handed on to Waldin. The. trio •of Wanganui players.' were in a position dangerous ■ for Taranaki, but Waldin’s pass back to Downs was forward.. From a line-out Duncan .was away again like a. shot, from a gun, but Charles attempted to play the play off-side. Collins kicked to the line and Jones reached it just too late to pick up when he was in a haridy position. It was time for the bell 'to be. sounded, but a free kick awarded Taranaki had to be taken. Clarke , made no mistake from 30 yards out, and the game ended immediately with the score:— ' Taranaki 16 Wanganui -12 Mr. F. J. Eggl&ton refereed. - -

LAST-MINUTE VICTORY SCORED. CANTERBURY BEAT SOUTHLAND. . By Telegraph.—Press. Association. , ■ Christchurch, Last Night. Canterbury scored a last-minute victory, over Southland in the first Rugby representative match of the season. The ground was greasy but the'weather fine. Canterbury scored ten- points ’ early. Then the Southland forwards took command of the game and at' half-time the >score .was Southland 21. Canterbury 10. Canterbury’s attack and defence improved Th the second half,' while the Southland forwards weakened and gradually the home side’s score crept up ■until, a minute before the call of time a' try scored near the Southland goal which Mullan converted made the final score: Canterbury 24, Southland 21. AUCKLAND COMPETITION GAMES Auckland, July 25. Rugby competition matches to-day resulted: Grammar 22' beat Mar is t 6, Ponsonby 3 drew with University 3, Manukau 5 beat Technical Old Boys .0, Grafton 6 beat College Piffles 0, Training College 20 beat City 8.