OLD BOYS AND RATANA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 106, 8 May 1933, Page 5

OLD BOYS AND RATANA

AN INTERESTING GAME. The match between Ratana and Wanganui Old Boys was played at Ratana in favourable weather, Old Boys win uing by U to 3. Tho teams were:— Old Boys.—Reid, Beadle, Gibson, Bullock-Douglas, Egan, Chamberlain (first), White, Halligan, Curtayne, Agnew, Green, Whale, Higgle, Clay, McGregor. Katana Hikonui, Paki, Taniou, Pikani, Enueh, Rio, Kawang, Jones, Henare, Gupwoll, K. Paki, Wache, H. I'aki, Haupiroa, Mangin.

Ratana won tho toss and took advantage of the down grade in the field, Gibson kicking off for Old Boys. Hekenui returned and gained, ground, but over-eagerness lost Ratana what appeared a certain try. A scrum was formed on the Old Boys’ lino but they cleared. Good play by tho Ratana forwards had tho Old Boys defending and from a passing rush Pikari scored at the corner. The kick failed.—Ratana 3; Old Boys 0.

Enlivened by this early succes the Ratana forwards again invaded the Old Boys’ territory but the rush was stopped by Beadle. Offside play by Curtayne gave Ratana a chance but a short punt proved of no advantage. At this stage Curtayne and McGregor led tho Old Boys’ forwards in an incursion into Ratana territory, reaching their twenty-five, but Hekenui found the line with a fine kick. After a period of desultory play Ratana forwards broke through, Reid saving. A serum in Ratana’s twenty-five saw Old Boys secure possession, White playing tho blind side with Beadle, who gained ground with a strong run. The Old Boys’ forwards set up a dribbling rush, and Bullock-Douglas, coming up fast, scored wide out. His kick missed.— Old Boys 3; Ratana 3A passing rush by Old Boys broke down through the ball becoming very greasy. From a forward scramble White set his backs moving. Chamberlain beating his man and passing to Egan, who crossed near the posts. The kick was a failure.—Old Boys 6; Ratana 3.

Play was of a give and take nature for a considerable time, with Old Boys pressing hard, but eventually Ratana worked into their opponents’ territory with a fine dribbling rush. Two Ratana players were injured and were replaced. The Old Boys backs swung into action from a scrum and Chamberlain beat the defence badly to make a 30-yard run and score wide out. Bullock-Douglas could not add the extra points.—Old Boys 9; Ratana 3. Ratana had Old Boys defending stuotly but by this time the ground haf become a quagmire and the game developed into a forward scramble. Halligan took tho ball well into the Ratana territory and Green made a determined attempt but was tackled by Tamou a few feet off the lino. Here Ratana were penalised and BullockDouglas had a good but ineffectual attempt to goal with a greasy ball. From a forward scramble White secured, passing to Chamberlain, to Egan, who potted a nice goal but the ball was touched in flight by a Ratana player. Timo was called with the score:— Old Boys 9 Ratana 3 Mr. J. Richardson was referee. HOW THE SENIORS STAND THREE MATCHES PLAYED. Kaierau ..... fl Pirates fl Old Boys 4 Technical 0.8 .... 2 Ratana 0 Marist o