MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 3

MARTON

1 BUGBY IN EANGITIKEI (Season Reviewed by “Observer.”) The past Rugby season has, in somj respects been a disappointing one. Taken right through the play in the senior games especially has been of a low order, with the result that .the spectators ha-, c not suffered from overenthusiasm. This lack of keenness on the part of the followers of the code was not infectious, however, as the players themselves demonstrated exceptional keenness, the issue of the competition being in doubt right up to the final week, when Bulls emerged triumphant from the season’s activities. There were five playing fields available this year, both Marton Park and the Halcombe ground being greatly improved, » that the five centres —Marton, Hunterville, Rata, Bulls and Halcombo —all had a fair share of the 16 playing Satur-’ vs. The main source of revenue of the Rangitikei Rugby Union, namely the “gates” of the senior games, must have s ’jred a considerable decrease this’ season, there seldom being more than a handful of spectato r present at Alarton, although it is the centre of the district. In Representative Matches. The low standard of play in club games was reflected in representative engagements, and although Air N. G. Glasgow got the best sides available together, with one exception, that of their first meeting with Taihape, they did not inspire confidence. In all, Rangitikei paly cd 6, won 1, lost 4, and drew 1.

As stated, their first match with Taihape was easily their best, when after a hard, fast game the result of a high scoring game was a draw—2o all. This match was played at Hunterville, and was one of the few occasions when there was a record attendance. Then the representatives travelled to Foxton, and in a feeble attempt to carry home the Bcbbington Shield were soundly defeated by 20 points to nil. The match with Central Hawke’s Bay at no stage reached representative sta. lard, Bay eventually winning by 12 points to 3.

Then Rangitikei journeyed north in quest of the Pownall Trophy, but found Taihape too strong for them, the holders running up 25 points to the grot .’s 6. Their solitary win was at Kimbolton, defeating Oroua by 20 points to 3. The last representative encounter was at Sandon with To Kawau, the home side winning by 13 points to 7. George Hartley led the side in. every game. B. Cameron was perhaps the most consistent back, while C. Ellery was a long way ahead of the other forwards, although Adams, Gibbs, Tohu, Timmins and Walker were good at times.

Besides the representative fixtures the annual North v. South game for the Glenn Cup was played at Marton early in the year, South winning after an exciting game right on the call of time, defeating the Northerners by 11 points to 9. Around the Clubs. There were six teams in the senior competition this year, at the end of the season there being very little to choose between the respective merits of Bulls, Rata, Hunterville and Athletic, with Alarton and Tokorangi much weaker. Bulls.—The premier club of 1928, the “All Blacks” of Rangitikei, have played consistently good football, owing their pride of place firstly to their strong V’i with one or two good scoring backs to put the polish on things. Wini Wereta led the side this year, proving himself to be quite a good skipper. In Ellery, Tohu, Wereta, Brown and Timmins, Bulls have five forwards of class. AlcKcnzio was very safe at full-back, having improved in that position. Bulls were considerably strengthened in the rearguard when D. and R. Cameron turned out for them late in the season. As usual Westwood played consistently, Whisker was brilliant at times, while Holmes and Hakaria worked hard on all occassions. In. fourteen games Bulls scored 172 points, having 59 put up against them, which is quite a good record. Rata. —It was generally expected that Rata would carry off the honours again this season, but after being successful in their first six games things slumped badly so that the greens eventually had to be content as run-ners-”.p. Terry turned out again as full-back for the erstw’hile champions, but did not live up to that promisj he showed several seasons .wack. George Hartley, too, has lost form, seldom playing with his old dash. Jack I’otaka has the makings of a first-class winger, being very hard to bring down. B. and J. Cameron, playing senior football for the first time this season, created good impressions, giving promise of mor to come. Rata’s chief weakness lay in their forwards, for after losing Taiuru they were a much weakened pack. Stan and Jack Gibbs were very often the best, although the former has gone off a bit.

Hunterville. —The m-roons took third place, but may have been higher had they been able to field their best team each week. G. Shanley w-as the best back, winning his way into the Wanganui team, and giving a good account of himself. “Mick” Higgins played as well "s ever, while Bob Simpson proved an inspiring and popular captain. C. Bowick turned out again after a season’s rest. Lumsden, and Walker, a young player of promise, gained representative honours. Athletic.—This young club is without doubt the most improved in the Union, and with the same team should win the competition next year. Fitches, Dobson, Ledingham, Ern Greenwood, and Handy, are all pace merchants, their threeyiarter line being the speediest in Rangitikei. Adams, at half, is a very plucky and sound defensive player. The red and black pack is also very strong, as was demonstrated in their final game with Bulls when they successfully held the southerners under ideal forward conditions. Dawbin, Stevens, O’St-cn and Major did great work in the van, the first-named being a vastly improved player. Dawbin, Stevens, Major AtcLellan and Eru gained representative honours. Tokorangi.—Like Hunterville, Tokorangi very often found it difficult to field a good team, hence their lowly

position on the championship table. Led by that capable veteran, Nero Kane, the club started the season well, but after the suspension of Bert Johnston, their brilliant half-back, the team went all to pieces. Wini Kane, Hurst and Iwikaw all played good football, Kane always being to the fore, initiating many passing bouts and being quick to get among the opposition backs. Marton.—The town team could not do a thing right this year, succeeding only in winning one game and drawing one, the other being a forfeit to them. For the most part they were without the services of Clarrie Gibbons, their best forward. Thomas, Gibson, Bush, Blair and AlcDonell played well, while Adams improved so much this season that he was chosen for all the representative engagements. Walker battled well behind a weak pack, Smith and Cairncross doing fine work at times. Junior Teams. The junior competition was won by Old Boys, which team went right to the last game of the season before being defeated. There w r ere seven teams this season—Old Boys, Halcombe, Hunterville, Athletic, Ohingaiti, Bulls and Rata. In representative matches the Rangitikei juniors acquitted themselves well, playing 4, winning 3 and losing 1, defeating South Taranaki by 12 points to 6, Oroua 22 points to 8, L’aihape 6 points to 5 and losing to Wanganui, the visitors winning by 16 to 0. Old Boys.—Being very strong both fore and aft the blues easily finished at the head of the competition. Besides winning the championship Old Boys won tne Bailey senior seven-a-side cup, and the junior seven-a-side tourney. Hamer, Harre, Mcßeth and Dickson, with perhaps one or two more, will be promoted to senior grade next season.

Halccnibe.—The yellow and Hacks had a very good side this year, Nuku Williams, Kcwai, L. and N. Anderson, and Rosser being among their star performers. They hold the Bengal Cup, winning the trophy from Old Boys. Hunterville.—Quite a respectable side, but lacking in combination, which is so essential to good Rugby. D. Abel, A. Lourie, hitevens and Powell were the best backs, with A. and H. Aidworth and Mclntyre fine forwards.

Athletic. —The Junct’ -n team were considerably weakned through s_»eral of their best players going up to senior. Muir had a useful boot that often placed Athletic ahead of their opponents.

Ohingaiti.—Except for the two Potakas and Maher the blue and black backs were weak, while their forwards were not above average. Bulls.—A shortage of material to choose from made the clubmates of the senior champions very weak. The Lower Grades. Hunterville thirds won the club championship, being well ahead of the other teams. Halcumbc fielded a team this season, having .ite a good record for a new club. Old Boys won two trophies, the Hosking Cup and the third grade seven-a-side cup. There was also a fourth grade competition inaugurated this year, three teams entering, High School, Athletic and Turakina, the last-anmed club being the winners. Well, the season has ended and football “fans” can discuss the prospects of next season through the peace and quietude of the summer months. TO-NIGHT’S PICTURES At the Alarton own Hall this evening a double programme will be screened. “Get Your Fan.” is the story of an American girl, who is out to “get her man,” even though he has been betrothed to a French girl since he was five years of age. White lawn is ca&t as the heroine, Zimbo as thu heavy and Mutt as the comedy relief in “Wolf Fangs,” Fox Films’ picture featuring Thumder. the pedigree German police dog. who covered himself with glory with his performance in “Wings of the Storm” last season. All of the dogs are well known in Hollywood for thc»r ability to act, having been trained by Frank Foster Davis, internationally known dog trainer. BULB AND SPRING FLOWER SHOW The above show will be opened in the Alarton Town Hall to-morrow aftenoon at 2.30 till 5, and again in the evening fom 7 to 10 p.m. There is every indication of the show being a great success, as a number of outside exhibitors have already entered their blooms. A special attraction will be the display of a number of blooms exhibited by Air A. Gibson at the National Daffodil Society’s recent show at which he secured first place. The annual sale of work in connection with St. Stephen’s Church Guild will aso be a feature of the show and a number of stalls will be conducted by the ladies for the adults and children. On both Thursday and Friday evenings a concert will be held. RANGITIKEI MOTOR CLUB The meeting hekj on Alonday evening to resuscitate the motor c ub was well attended and there is every prospect of a successful meeting being conducted by the club on Wednesday, February 6, 1929. It was originally intended: to hold the meeting on Saturday. February 9, but in order to allow the business people of Marton and surrounding districts an opportunity to attend it was altered to Wcilnesday. February 6.

The officials elected are well acquainted with the running of a motor cycle meeting and as it is probably that the programme committee will adopt the classified riders’ system, the public should be well catered, for. It is hoped that the club will receive the patronage of fhe residents of the district as the club is no doubt extremely lucky in securing the Alarton Jockey Club’s racecourse on which to hold the meeting, as when the delegates of the New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union visited it on the occasion of their annual conference in August last they were unanimous in declaring it to be an ideal course for motor cycling.