RUGBY AT FOXTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20193, 9 July 1928, Page 8

RUGBY AT FOXTON

BEBBINGTON SHIELD A MEDIOCRE DISPLAY HOROWHENUA DEFEAT RANGITIKEI. [ Special “Chronicle” Service ] Horowhenua, holders of the Bebbington Shield, soundly defeated Rangitikei (challengers) at Foxton on Saturday by 20 points to nil. There was a large attendance but the play was of a poor order. JRangitikei were beaten fore and aft, never being in the picture. Horowhenua held the advantage in weight and this, combined with their speed, gave the Rangitikei rearguard few opportunities. Tatana was the best of the home forwards while in Taylor and Roberts they possess two first-class three-quarters. Ryder was safe at full-back. Adams and Ellery worked hard in the Rangitikei pack, with Shanley and Hartley the best of the backs. R. Lourie replaced Gibbs, who was hurt shortly after half-time. Rangitikei (green) kicked off, Horowhenua (red and blue) coming away in a passing rush. Bad passes by Johnston and Cameron gave the blues an opening but Hartley retrieved the position. Horowhenua heeled from a loose scrum, the ball going from W. Parata to T. Parata, to Westwood, to Taylor, the last-named being well grassed by Uru. Shanley took a good mark and Rangitikei forced a minute later. Rangitikei were penalised for off-side play, Taylor’s kick from 1 alf way going wide. Horewhenua Draw First Blood The blue backs came again to the attack, Tatana gathering in Higgins’ kick to go over in the corner. Taylor’s kick just passed outside.—Horowhenua 3; Rangitikei 0. Rangitikei came through but a free sent them back to neutral territory. Taylor kicked high to Shanley, who mulled, and Horowhenua compelled the greens to force again. From the drop out the ball went into touch. The blues got the leather from the ensuing line-out, aJI the backs handled in turn, but Higgins grassed his man in good fashion. Once again the blues’ formidable back machine was set in motion, Westwood capping off a good movement with a try. Taylor’s kick failed—Horowhenua 6; Rangitikei 0. The greens made a half-hearted attack, Hartley short-punting, but Warren was favoured by the bounce to clear. Horowhenua were nearly over, a knock-on saving the green line. Three green forwards were caught off-side but Tatana’s kick at goal missed. A lineout near the green goal line saw Taylor secure to drop over. The same player failed to improve.—Horowhenua .9; Rangitikei U. Parata took a pass off-side and Potaka made an attempt to goal but the ball fell short. Giobs broke through but over ran the Feather and Roberts put in a sensational run down the side line. He short-punted over Higgins’ head, Uru running round to effect a good clearance. Hakaraia got off-side, Tohu finding touch. Higgins essayed a pot at goal but the wind stopped the flight of the bail. Half-time was called soon after. The second session again saw Horowhenua in the role of attacker, but Warren handled in the scrum, Timmins lining. Hartley gained further ground, and Potaka had a shot from a free. He found the distance too great, however, and Ryd.er cleared. Higgins kicked well *own field Ryder kicking out on the full. At this stage Gibbs, who had received an injury to his ribs, was forced to retire, Lourie coming on in his place. A Further Lead. Horowhenua carried play to green territory where Roberts scored well out. G. McDonald failed to improve.—Horowhenua 12, Rangitikei 0. Johnston sent out to Shanley but the five-eighths kicked instead of opening up play. Tatana knocked on when a score looked certain, and Taylor made an opening for T. Parata to score under the posts. McDonald added the major points.—Horowhenua 17, Rangitikei 0. Rangitikei transferred play to blue territory but the Horowhenua line remained intact, their defensive work being quite as sound as their attacking movements. The Rangitikei back division was caught at sixes and sevens but a knock-on again saved the situation. The green forwards were penalised for off-side play, Taylor raising the flags with a good penalty goal.— Horowhenua 20; Rangitikei 0. Ward obstructed Johnston and Timmins had a shot at goal but his kick went widg. Roberts took play to halfway with a swerving run, showing up the weak defence of the greens. The blue and reds were attacking strongly when time was called with the score unaltered:— Horowhenua 20 Rangitikei q