CLUB RUGBY TO-DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 108, 9 May 1931, Page 4

CLUB RUGBY TO-DAY

KAIERAU IN MAJOR MATCH

DIFFERENT TYPE OF PLAY MAY RESULT

(B\; “CROSSBAR.") An improved Technical Old Boys’ fifteen is to challenge Kiaerau in the major match in Wanganui to-day. Pirates are to face Wanganui and Old Boys in the early match, ami Marist journey to Ratana. All the world will turn out to see a champion in action matched against an opponent even witli supposedly lesser strength and ability. There will be that element of appeal in the encounter between Kaierau and Technical Old Boys on Spriggens Park this afternoon. Recollections of last Saturday’s play left the firm conviction that the maroons were definitely superior to any side in the competition. To-day, however, with Technical Old Boys opposing them there may bo a demand for altered tactics. Will they muster up to requirements if the style of play calls for fast tvork in the open?

That is the question the Rugby fans will want answered. Kaierau proved last Saturday that they had the van, and one must readily admit that today’s encounter looks very forlorn for Technical Old Boys up in front. Against that, however, there must be recalled to mind tho very different aspect of last week’s Pirates-Kaierau encounter when, near the last, Duncan filled the half-back role. The issue then was not nearly s 0 one sided and the maroons were forced to stand up to play that was very fast and called for very effective measures of defence. Duncan was able to give his side possession where tho player previously tried had been unable to. Possession changed the type of game considerably and, it is my opinion that had tho black backs possessed a winger as tricky as Metekingi there would have been more points piled against Kaierau in those

last few minutes. That is pure conjecture, of course, but it seems reasonable enough. Technical Old Boys will hardly depend upon the van for success in this afternoon’s match. They will be more inclined to make the play open. With Peek, Delves and Reid on hand to strengthen the backs, it is quite on the 1 cards that a very much different pro- ' position to Pirates will face Kaierau. ’ Technical Old Boys should profit also from the very sad lapse in tackling . that was manifest in tho Pirate ranks last week. To be effective against a team like Kaierau a side must tackle clean and low. There should be no half measures. To-day’s match should be interesting in that there will be a battle royal for possession, with the odds in favour of the maroons succeeding most of the time. If, however. Peek can keep his back line up to it the match will be interesting in that Kaierau will need every defensive quality the side can command. The Early Match. Old Boys are reported to have a very I- fair team. Comparing their effort . against Marist last week, however, one . is tempted to favour the blacks in tor day’s encounter, more particularly ’ when it is noticed that the Pirate rearguard has undergone a change. Lowe has been brought in to centre, Plank t has moved in to five-eighths to pair with Gibbons, arid Dunean is back at his (dd game behind the pack. Potbury ’ is down to take the other wing position on tho opposite wing to Williams. Smart, last Saturday’s half back, is to be custodian in place of Renz. This is a match which should be productive of faat open play. There is a fervent hope that it will muster up under that heading. Out at Ratana. On the form of last Saturday Marist < should be able to account for Ratana this afternoon, even on the natives’l own ground. It is quite possible, r though, that Ratana will be a little more conclusively organised than they were on Saturday and the outcome of I that will mean improved play. The indications point to wins for Kaierau and Pirates, with Marist and Ratana on fairly even terms. I “ I MATCH AT WANGAEHU TEAM TO PLAY RATANA A match will be played at Wangaehu this afternoon, commencing at 2.30 p.m., between Wangaehu and Ratana. The Wangaehu team will be selected from tho following, and players are requested to meet nt 1.30 p.m.: Hartley (2), Kenny (2), Robinson, Wallace (2), Moto Kingi, Rekowski, Bishop, Jones, Ryan, Martimaru, G. Paki, M. Pod jut- 1 ski. Osman (2). Warren, Kio Porete, WhctHiaroa, IL Fitches. 1 WANGANUI AFFAIRS i RUGBY COUNCIL MEETS. MATCH FOR HAWKE'S BAY. ' The Council of the Wanganui Rugby < Union met last night. 'l’herc wore pre ' sent: Dr. G. .1. Adams (chairman), j Messrs A. G. Mills, C. H. Warden. .I. B. > Rowe, J. Moye and C. Young (secre- 1 tary). | The Hawke’s Bay Union advised that they would accept the invitation to piny I Wanganui at Wanganui on August 26. I The New Zealand Union advised that. 1 G. L. Matson had been re-instated. < An application from A. S. Jones, s Wanganui, for re-instatement was on- I dorsod to be forwarded to the New Zea- : land Union. The applicant stated that he had played League for Newton. Auckland, had never accepted money j for playing League, but preferred the ( amateur game to League.

KING’S BIRTHDAY MATCH

FIXTURE WITH TARANAKI. TRIAL FOR WANGANUI TEAM. In view of tho annual match with Taranaki on Spriggens Park on June 3 (King’s Birthday), an endeavour is being made by the Wanganui Rugby Union Council to arrange for a trial match at Marton on Saturday next. As this will bo the second day of the Wanganui races it will fall on a day when there will be no Rugby fixtures in Wanganui. Tho match will take place provided Taihape and Rangitikei Unions notify that the arrangements arc suitable.

THE GAME UP-RIVER.

MATCH AT TOKAAMI FAST AND EXCITING PLAY A return match was played last Saturday, writes the up-river correspondent of the ‘ ‘ Chronicle/’ between the Tokaanu Maoris and a team from the Ho”ywood Maori Party, the game taking place at Tokaanu. The Hollywood team won by 6 points to 5 after a hard, fast and exciting game which was full of thrills. The visitors played splendid football throughout. The weather was fine. The teams took the field as follows: Tokaanu (red and black). —L. Grace (capt.), Neal, Claude, Keepa, P. Hura, P. Maniapoto; Tuteriua; ID. Maniapoto; Morris, E. Jones, B. Jones, H. Manial poto, Bluey, W. Hika, P. Smallman. I Hollywood (blue). —B. Ngatoa; AmoI rangi, Murray, Tumi; M. Aranga, B. Walden; Winitana; Tamakchu, L. Dick, Tuka, Nathan, Mohi, Maniapoto (capt.). ' To Ika, Huriwaka. Tokaauu kicked off with the sun ’ against them and the local pack took • play to the Hollywood twenty-five. ■ From a line-out the Tokaanu forwards : secured fop ID. Maniapoto to cross between the uprights. L. Grace cuu- • verted.—Tokaanu 5, Hollywood 0. ‘ Amorangi’s kick-off was followed up : fast by Tumi and Murray but a nice ' line kick by Grace saved the situation. ’ At this stage the game was fast and exciting. From play in midfield Ngatoa I found the line and change-over took i place with the score in favour of Tokaanu by 5 points to nil. (Four fO- - spells were played). Maniapoto kicked off for Tokaanu. Ngatoa secured and found the line well up in Tokaanu territory. The cut- ’ look was dangerous for Tokaanu. From the line-out Nathan secured in a loose rush to score wide out. Amuiang, failed with the kick.—Tokaanu 5, Holly- ' wood 3 ; . Mohi kicked off for Tokaanu and from play well up in Hollywood territory Winitana secured and passed to Aranga, to Murray, who cut in for a nice opening, but Tamakchu hung on too long. A scrum was ordered in Tokaanu territory. Hollywood booked cleanly but Tuka was caught offside. A long lino kick by Grace for Tokaanu saved the situation. Walden was injured and was replaced by Patca. The play was now in Hollywood territory. Offside play by Tokaanu for wards gave Hollywood a free kick. I Half-time arirved with the scores [still in favour of Tokaanu by 5 to 3. Fast following up by the Tokaanu ( pack appeared certain to end in a try but Murray picked up to return play to midfield. From a scrum the Tokaanu forwards secured. Claude cut in beautifully for a nice opening, and passed to Grace, but the latter was well grassed by Amorangi. With a scrum in the Hollywood territory matters looked dangerous. Winitana secured and passed to Aranga, to Murray, who clapped on the pace and passed to Tumi, who was tackled heavily. He was almost over but the referee blew his whistle tor “rabbiting o and a scrum was ord- | ered. Tokaanu found me line and the change-over took place with the score I unchanged. I Mohi kicked off for Hollywood but the ball was returned by Claude. Ngatoa was in support of Tumi, Murray and Aranga and the combination took play to Tokaanu’s terirtory. The game was now fast and exciting. A long pass was. sent by Tumi to Murray, who cut in nicely and passed to Patca, to Huriwaka, who scored n good try wide out amid applause. Amorangi made a fine attempt to convert but failed. The whistle sounded for full time almost immediately afterwards, the final scores being: Hollywood 6, Tokaanu 5. -Mr Duff capably controlled the game. Comments on the Playe rfi , For Tokaanu in the back division L. Grace (ex Now Zealand Maori All Black) played an outstanding game. Claude and Keepa also played well. Neal was a weak link in the back di vision and did not play up to senior standard. In the forward# the Jones brothers played well. H. Maniapoto played a solid game right throughout. For Hollywood B. Ngatoa was the best. ba<-k on the field, playing fine football. Tumi and Murray were the next. Walden, Aranga and Winitana all played good football. In the forward division Huriwaka, .Maniapoto, Nathan and Dick Tamakehu and Motj all played a hard game.

PENSIVE “PARAPARA JIM.”

“Hi lost a packet a chewin’ gum on Pirates on Saturday last, forgot me complimentary ticket an’ knocked the gatekeeper hout. S’long as they keep winnin’ hinie seportin’ Kai-rau. Hinie Avearin’ maroon singlets ter prove hit, but hinie ’aving no pick terday.’-’