UP-RIVER AFFAIRS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 176, 28 July 1932, Page 4

UP-RIVER AFFAIRS

MAKIRIKIBI SHIELD PA MOANA AND MORlKjftl The Morikau team, under the managership of Mr. T. Karauti, journeyed by horses to Koriniti last Saturday and played Pamoana in tho second match of the Makirikiri Shield competition, writes the special up-river correspondent of the “Chronicle.”

Tho clay was fine and the ground in good order, but only a small number of spectators watched the match. It was very unfortunate that Morikau could field 11 men only, the full number being made up from the side-line. Though they played a losing game the team as a whole battled hard to the finish. Pamoana, on the other hand, were at full strength, but in general they gave a very poor display. Indeed, a far better exhibition of the code was expected of them. The backs had very little of that understanding with each other which they should have by this stage of the season, while the forwards had no combination at all. There arc one or two “young blood” players in the Pamoana team who appear to be very promising, but from reports received they have no hope of gaining knowledge of the game or knowing their proper positions for they have been changed about to practically every position on the field. The Pamoana backs could be moulded into a fast attaching line with good combination, but if the men are always being changed about to different positions every Saturday there’s no hop*' of gaining that combined back play of previous seasons. The teams were as follow: Pamoana (blue). —R. Pirita, R. R. Pokiha, D. Nikoruna, P. Raki, M. Pokiha, R. Oxley, Teu, P. Ranginui, J. Tuka, T. Brooks, T. Park, P. Potaka, If. Tahana, D. King, H. Matcna. Morikau (black and white). —T. Wanihi, Rongonui, T. Raki, D. Box, Tingi, T. Tamakehu, T. Taura, T. Karauti, G. Turei, M. Raki, Tawina, P. Tiako, C. Huiana, J. Ngatoa, G. Pukehika. Uninteresting Play. The game in the opening stages was of an uninteresting nature, neither team seeming to strike its best form. T. Wanihi opened Morikau’s scoring account by a beautiful left-footer dropped goal from within the 25-yards line. The same player had attempted a drop at goal a little earlier and failed but his second attempt was a beauty. Morikau was having a territorial advantage through mishandling by tho blues. Pamoana endeavoured to open up the play but the handling was not sure and the passes at times were erratic.

The score at half time was: Morikau 4, Pamoana 0. The second half commenced in more promising style with tho blues attacking hard. From loose play Oxley secured to pass to Park, who finished the movement with a neat swerve to score near the goal posts. R. R. Pokiha failed with the kick.—Morikau 4, Pamoana 3.

Pamoana were showing better at this stage and when in the Morikau twentyfive M. Pokiha secured the ball from straggling play after a scrum and passed out to R. R. Pokiha, who cut in and, sidestepping, passed three players and scored in a handy position. The kick at goal by Brooks failed.—Pamoana 6, Morikau 4.

Immediately after Pamoana were again on tho attack. From a scrum rear half way M. Pokiha secured the ball and, cutting out one opponent, passed to Oxley, who, with determination, outpaced the opposition to score under the posts. Matcna’s kick was a grubber.—Pamoana 9, Morikau 4. Morikau came with a strong rush, taking play deep into Pamoana territory, but it was only temporary. Pirita passed to R. R. Pokiha, who kicked high and Brooks, following up fast, picked up to dive over for a try. Rang’nui goaled with a beautiful leftfooter. —Pamoana 14. Morikau 4. Pamoana were taking things as they pleased and Nikorima secured the last try, tho kick at goal being a failure. The game ended soon afterwards with tho scores.—Pamoana 17, Morikau 4. Mr. D. Te Huna was the referee. WELLINGTON WINNERS DEFEAT OF WAIRARAPA DECISIVE VICTORY SCORED 1 Per Prew Association, j MASTERTON, July 27. A triple alliance of speed, tactics and combination enabled the Wellington Rugby representatives to score a decisive victory over Wairarapa in a matvh played at Mast er ton to-day, by 26 points to 3. Though they worn handicapped by thp vor- unfavourable weather rondi-

tions the visiting backs gave a finished display and provided the high lights of the game. The final score, however, does not give a true indication of the respective merits of tho two teams. Territorially, play was fairly even and it was only towards the close of the second session, when Wairarapa w’ere playing fourteen men, that Wellington forged ahead, putting on 15 points in quick time. Wellington settled down quickly and with their backs plentifully supplied with the ball lost no time in carrying play to Wairarapa territory. The defence held and the Wairarapa forwards soon cleared to neutral territory. Wet lington, however, were going well and Lamason and Reid took play to the Wairarapa twenty-five, where an infringement saw Fuller open the visitors’ account. Wellington camo again shortly after and MacDonald dribbled through from tho ruck to touch doirn. Fuller goaled. Wairarapa had tho visitors pinned iu their twenty-five for practically the whole of the remaining twenty-five minutes of tho spell, juet before tho end of which R. Devine scored for Wairarapa. The kick failed. On tho resumption, Lamason capped off the Wellington forwards* rush with a try. The kick failed. Wairarapa retaliated hotly, but MacDonald intercepted a pass and initiated a glorious movement from which he scored for JEhiller to convert. Shortly after. MacDonald again crossed for a good try. Ful’cr goaled. An effective use of the blind made by Tindell saw Lamason score Wellington’s final try, which Fuller converted. Wairarapa attacked desperately in the final stages, but no ride sounded with the scores reading: Wellington 26; Wairarapa 3. UNDER THE LEAGUE BANNER ENGLISH TEAM'S FIRST MATCH WHANGAJIEI OVERWHELMEJ) [ Per Press Association.] WIIANGAREI, July 27. The opening match of the English Rugby League tour of New Zealand was played at Kensington Park this afternoun before 2500 spectators and resulted in an overwhelming win for the visitors by 56 points to 5. For twenty minutes the much lighter Northerners held their own but could not stand up to the wearing away tactics of the tourists, who, in the second spell revelled iu spectacular open passing. The homo side was quite outclassed and it was not uncommon to see one blue man have to come to • team mate’s assistance before a hefty Englishman was lowered. The Englishmen’s backing up was perfection. Time after time the ball passed right along the back chain and the wingers, Hudson and Woods, made the most of the opportunities. Hudjjn eiacked a rib and England finisl.cl a man short, Sullivan, whoso tremendous line kicking was a feature, made himself a unit in the attack and several scoring movements had their genesis in the English twenty-five. Once the full-back ran from behind his own goal Jin© and the ball was handled thirteen times before Hudson touched down between tho posts at the opposite end of the field. Atkinson, right centre, initiated many most brilliant essays, but the greatest back of all was Davies, flyhalf. He was superb. It was his thrustfulncss which straightened out most of the English attacks. The forwards had a two-stone advantage in the pack, and when fending off tactics were exploited left their tacklers lamenting. Hodgson was the lender of the pack. to show up were Silcock and Fonder. Scorers were: Hudson (3), Woods (3), Fender (2). Davies. Pollard. Atkinson nnd Wright. Sullivan kicked a pcmdty and converted nine tries, several from tho side-line. The Northerners did surprisingly well in the scrums, thanks to tha hooking of Wells, hut found the whitejerseyed backs like a moving ptone wall in defence. Fenny ran fearlessly and White was the best forward. The tackling of both sides magnificent. Twenty minutes after the game started Keith scored for North, C. Hamilton . onverting.