TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19914, 9 August 1927, Page 3

TAIHAPE

FOOTBALL. [ Special “ Chronicle ” Service. ] On Saturday followers of the junior competition were treated to a very bright exposition. of Rugby football when Afangaweka and Hautapu met in what was practically the deciding match of the competition. During the week both teams had been training assiduously and consequently took the field in good condition. The game was fast, open and spectacular and the spectators frequently voiced their approval of the many bright incidents. From the first whistle to the last neither side relaxed its efforts and it was training that enabled the battle for supremacy to be maintained at such a pace. The first spell was decidedly in favour of Afangaweka who did most of the attacking and had the blue and blacks hard pressed, especially in the earlier stages. The manner in which J. Wright set his backs in motion was a treat to watch and Ramsay’s “cutting in” tactics were very effective, and yet the yellow and blacks could not score during the first spell chiefly because Hautapu possessed one of the greatest assets in football—the ability to tackle clean and low. Towards the end of the first half Hautapu, after having frequently defended their citadel against the most determined yellow and blaek onslaughts, gradually forced their opponents back and during the last ten minutes of the spell Mangaweka were hard prssed and on one occasion Evans nearly scored. Hautapu were attacking strongly when half time sounded with no score on either side. About ten minutes after the commencement of the second spell, the opening exchanges of which were very even, Warren gained possession of the ball and kicked it high up into the air. Evans followed up fast; gathered up the leather and dived across amid tremendous applause from the Hautapu supporters. Le Lievre made a good but unsuccessful effort to goal.

Hautapu 3, Mangaweka 0. Nettled by this reverse Mangaweka rushed play into opposition territory and Wright, Ramsay and Dickson were responsible for some good work but the Hautapu defence was sound. Gradually the blue and blacks forced their opponents back and Patrick set his backs in motion and Warren gained much ground by strong running. A few minutes later the ball was kicked over the Afangaweka line and in the race for the leather Evans was successful and scored his second try. Reilly converted, Hautapu 8, Mangaweka nil. With their opponents eight points in the lead Mangaweka made a determined rush into enemy territory but they were soon forced back and Wright was frequently called upon to defend his citadel. Gathering up the ball just as the blue and black forwards were almost upon him Wright’s kick for touch lacked elevation and the ball hit and rebounded off Ireland, who dribbled it over the Mangaweka line and touched down. Le Lievre added the major points. Hautapu 13, Afangaweka nil. Although 13 points behind Mangaweka were by no means “done” and immediately carried play into their opponent’s territory where J. Wright secured, and after a tricky run he raced over and scored a fine try which Dickson failed ot convert. Hautapu 13, Afangaweka 3. The yellow and blacks appeared to be greatly cheered up by this score and immediately set up another attack which culminated in Ramsay scoring a brilliant try. Once again Dickson failed witn the kick. Hautapu 13, Afangaweka 6. Time sounded soon afterwards with play in neutral territory and no alteration in the scores. Air R. C. Tuke was referee.

Junior Representative Team. The following team has been chosen , to represent .Taihape against Rangitikei at Hunterville to-morrow:—Full-back, D. Wright (Afangaweka); threequarters, Le Lievre (Hautapu), Aleipana (Railway), Dickson (Afangaweka); five-eighths, Ramsay (Afangaweka), Stevens (Old Boys); half, J. Wright (Mangaweka); wing-forward, W. Healey (Mangaweka); forwards, Pritchard (Hautapu), T. Dickinson (Mangaweka), Carpenter (Pirates), Blockley (Railway), Appleton (Hautapu), Jones (Mangaweka), Sharp (Hautapu). Emergencies: W. Wright, Garmonsway, Eagle, Warren, Linton, Johansen. School Football. A match between the Taihape and Ohakune secondary school fifteens was played at Ohakune on Saturday and resulted in a win for Taihape by 19 poihts to 3. Despite the difference in the scores the game was a good one to watch and was fast and open. The Taihape rearguard was too good for the opposing backs and four of the five tries scored by Taihape were the result of bright back play. The forwards were fairly evenly matched and keenly contested every inch of the ground. F. Thompson and F. Woodhead both played a great game and each scored two tries. Price was one of the best of the • Taihape forwards and was the only member of the visiting vanguard to get across the home team’s line. Thompson converted two tries. A ball match between the Taihape and Ohakune secondary schools was also played and resulted in a win for the latter by 24 points to 4. The winners gave a fine exhibition and were too good for the Taihape girls, who nevertheless put up a better fight than the score indicates. Mr D. Kelly was in charge of the local teams, who speak highly over the hospitality enjoyed at Ohakune. There was a fair attendance at the Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon to witness a keenly contested game between the Northern and Southern Rangitikei school teams with a view to making the final selection to meet the pick of the Wanganui primary schools at, Marton on Saturday. Hurley, Anderson and Still scored for the winners and Nuttall converted one of the tries. For Northern Rangitikei Mercer and Woodhead (both of Taihape) scored tries and Peacock (Mangaweka) drop-kicked a field goal. Siddle, F. I Woodhead, Nicholson and Mercer (all i of Taihape) Farr (Utiku), Liddicoat, T. Blake and Peacock (all of Alangaweka) and Davey (Alataroa) have been selected to go into training for next Saturday’s match at Marton. Pownall Trophy The Pownall Trophy (a’handsome silver football mounted upon a black stand) which was won by Taihape on Saturday, is at present on view in a local shop window. Presented in 1920 by Air G. H. Pownall who was president of the Wan-

ganui Rugby Union at that time, the first match for the trophy eventuated in 1920, when Taihape defeated hangitikei by 11 points to 9. Later in the same year Rangitikei had their revenge beating Taihape B—6.8 —6. In 1921 Rangitikei beat Taihape 6—5, but the latter regained possession of the trophy in 1922 and held it until 1926, when it was carried off by Rangitikei who defeated Taihape 3—o. The latter had their revenge last Saturday when Rangitikei were beaten by Taihape B—6. In all probability Rangitikei will enter a challenge for the trophy this season. PLUNKET SOCIETY The monthly meeting of the Taihape branch of the Plunket Society was presided over by Mrs G. N. Mae Diarmid, and there were also present Mesdames Afatthews, Beale, Fenton, Henricks, Illingworth, Alunro, Hill, Condor, Davies, Fitzsimmons, McCormick, Haden, Sister Allison and Airs Ongley (acting secretary). During the month a sub-committee had been elected to make arrangements in connection with the coining of the Raetihi Amateur Theatrical Company to Taihape to give a performance on behalf of the Society. At the monthly meeting the final details were completed. After the entertainment the performers will be entertained at supper by the Society in the Plunket Rooms. The annual reports have been completed and are being distributed amongst members. Nurse Gray reported that the roll number is 231, being made up as follows:—Taihape 162, Afangaweka 38, and Hunterville 31. This includes five new cases. Visitors to the offices are as follows: Taihape: Adults 58, babies 38, children 12. Mangaweka: 45, 28, 11. Hunterville: 24, 15, 7. Although colds are still prevalent the general standard of health is good. PERSONAL Prior to his departure for Hastings, Mr D. Von Stunner was presented with a handsome pocket wallet on behalf of the Hautapu junior football team, of which he was a member. Mr J. Eteveneaux (president of the Hautapu Club) made the presentation and said they were sorry to lose Air Von Sturmer.