THREE POINTS BETTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 4

THREE POINTS BETTER

WELLINGTON’S ADVANTAGE WIN OVER TARANAKI. SPARKLING lIAWEItA MATCH. [ Per Press Association.] HAWERA, June 29. A crowd of between 4000 and 5000 witnessed the visiting Wellington Itugby representatives win by a margin of three points over Taranaki in a. sparkling display this afternoon Wellington compiled 18 points (three converted tries and a goal from » mark) and Taranaki registered four unconverted tries and a penalty goa* Both sides played the 32 —3 scrum Taranaki holding the advantage in this department and in general forward play, though Wellington fielded the more impressive rear division. The opening stages were dull but after a drab quarter of an hour both teams settled down to a fast, enterprising game. MacDonald (wing*. Killeen (centre) and Tindiil (half) were the outstanding Wellington backs and Diedrich, Stiver and Reid the most impressive forwards. Gudgeon (half), Pretty (centre) and Johnston (five-eighths) were Taranaki’s star backs, Wetero being the outstanding forward.

In tho first spell, which ended 19 to 9 in Wellington’s favour, Taranaki had everything in their favour, but on the change-over Wellington gave flashes of brilliant combined movements and were rmye consistent and better able to maintain the pace. The Taranaki forwards tired and lacked the sting which had characterised the loose rushes of the earlier stages, while the visiting backs showed more initiative and better handling. . their display meriting the narrow decison. Taranaki opened the score when, following a scrum near the line, tho back-row forward, Lusk, thrust his way through the ruck for an unconverted

Killeen, the Wellington centre, ran from half-way and transferred to MacDonald, who used a clever side-step to score Wellington’s first try alongside the posts. Neil converted. Taranaki’s half, Gudgeon, worked the blind side to go over at the corner, but the kick again failed. Three morf points came to Taranaki when a scrum sent the ball to the wing, Watson who crossed for another unconverted try with a spectacular run. Before half-time the Wellington back division asserted itself in a melee following a throw-in. An attempt to clear was charged down and Killeen bullocked his way over for Masters to convert.

The Taranaki forwards opened the second spell with an attack which ended in a scrum in Wellington’s twenty-five, where a splendid penalty kick allowed Johnston to put Taranaki two points ahead. Then a Taranaki clearance kick was marked in a good position by MacDonald, who raised the goal flegs. The next honours came to Taranaki when Gudgeon set his backs going. Hunter and Johnston handling to send Watson across. The angle boat the kicker. Taranaki were two points ahead, but with ten minutes to go Wellington registered the winning try. A scrummage five yards out found Taranaki hard pressed, the ball travelling to Tindill, who made an elusive run to score beneath the bar. Killeen converted, making the final score:— Wellington 18 Taranaki 15 THE REPLACEMENT RULE

AUCKLAND’S ATTITUDE. COMPLYING WITH REQUEST. [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 29. A circular letter was received from the New Zealand Union at last evening’s meeting of tho Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union asking for co-operation in carrying out the wishes of the English Union re injured players being not replaced and that players be not permitted to leave tin field at half-time without the referee’s permission. After a brief discussion among members it was decided that the wishes of the Now Zealand Union be conformed with, but that the New Zealand Union bo asked to take up with the English Union the question of deleting in the rules the details which do not affect the actual playing of tho game.