MATCH AT TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 155, 3 July 1934, Page 4

MATCH AT TAIHAPE

HONOURS ARE DIVIDED A DRAW, EIGHT ALL. (Own Correspondent). Taihape and Rangitikei, rivals of old, played a drawn game at Taihape on Saturday, each side scoring 8 points, made up in both cases of a converted and an unconverted try. The match was played on a sodden field and players experienced great difficulty in keeping their feet. Snow fell during the closing stages of the game, but this did not appear to dampen the enthusiasm of players or spectators. Considering the conditions the match proved much more interesting than was expected and there was quite a lot of back play. The Rangitikei backs impressed more than the Taihape rearguard, and played with better combination. Follas, McPhee, and Dickson (wing) were outstanding. Dickson is a fine type of wing-three-quarter and gave the impression that he would be very dangerous on a dry ground. He scored for Rangitikei in the first five minutes of the gajpe, chiefly as the result of fast following up. Dickson almost scored again in the second spell, when he put in a spectacular dash down

the sideline only to lose possession on the Taihape goal line when a try seemed assured. M. Down, on the other wing, made few mistakes and scored Rangitikei’s second try, but is certainly not the Down of old. The Rangitikei forwards were shaded to some extent by the Taihape pack. Murphy, the Taihape and Wanganui representative, played a slashing game and enhanced his reputation. Dcrbidge, Kilkolly and McLennan were often in the limelight, but the other forwards also went well. Tn fact the play of the whole pack was excellent. The Taihape backs lacked the combination that characterised the Rangitikei rearguard- Brogden showed glimpses of his best form, while Raukawa was better than usual. Chase seemed unable to handle the greasy ball and threw away an almost certain try on one occasion by knocking on, after Woodhead had made a good opening. Wereta did all that was

expected of him on the wing, and scored both of Taihape’s tries. Steedman, on the other wing, did not impress a great deal. Doug. Thompson, the Taihape custodian, made few mistakes and gave a display that was certainly better than that given by him in recent club matches. Considering the conditions, it. was a good game, and had the ground been dry, thrills galore would probably have been, provided, and the match would undoubtedly have been played at a very fast pace. There was little to choose between the teams on Saturday, and a draw was a most satisfactory ending to a match played under adverse conditions. r J’he teams lined out as follows: Rangitikei (green): H. Taiuru, Down. McPhee, Dickson. Lambert, Follas, McDonald, Bridge. Davies, M. Taiuru, O. Williams, R. Walker (captain), Hamilton, J. Taiuru, Barrell. Taihape (maroon): D. Thompson (captain). Steedman, Chase. Wereta, AVoodhead, Raukawa, Brogden, Derbidge, W. Thompson, MclCarthy, Clinton, McLennan, Murphy, Spooner, Kilkolly. Soon after the commencement of activities Murphy figured prominently in a forward rush tjiat gained a lot of ground for Taihape. The visitors gradually forced the home team back and a scrum was held in Taihape’s twentyfive. McDonald gained possession but. gave Follas a bad pass, and the lastnamed was unable to get his hands on the ball. McPhee, however, raced up, and secured possession but was caught by Raukawa before he (McPhee) could get rid of the leather. Raukawa and Woodhead penetrated the defence but the latter’s pass to Chase went astray. Dickson provided a thrill when he kicked the ball along the ground and followed up fast and kicked over the line and scored after having run about 60 yards. It was a fine solo effort that was greeted with loud applause- McPhee converted and Rangitikei were five points up after as many minutes play.—Rangitikei 5; Taihape 0. Soon afterwards M. Taiuru was injured and retired. He was replaced by Bromley. Brogden cut in and passed to Raukawa, who ran right into the Rangitikei forwards. Barrell and Hamilton broke away with the ball at their feet but Chase stopped the rush and kicked into touch. Soon afterwards Rangitikei became aggressive, McDonald sending his backs away in a spectacular passing rush. Follas, Lambert, McPhee and Down handled in turn, but Down’s pass infield to McPhee went astray. The visitors pressed hard and a line out was held on the maroon’s twenty-five, but that fine forward Murphy saved the situation for Taihape by dribbling to half-way. Brogden, who was playing a good game, initiated an attacking movement which, however, was spoilt by Woodhead giving Chase a shocking pass, and Mclfhee secured and found touch. Taihape came again, Brogden, Raukawa and Woodhead handling in turn. The last-named cut in beautifully and transferred to Chase, who knocked on when a try appeared to be assured. Brogden secured from the resultant scrum and passed to Raukawa on the •blind side. Raukawa in turn passed to Wereta and the winger raced over and touched down near the corner. Chase converted from an acute angle to make the scores equal.—Taihape 5; Rangitikei 5. Following a scrum in midfield Lambert gave McPhee a long pass but Chase was on the Rangitikei player in a flash and McPhee was obliged to get rid of the ball. Davies, Williams and Walker, however, were handy, and dribbled well into Taihape’s twentyfive. Follas rushed up but kicked too hard and D. Thompson forced. Bridge. Davies and Bromley headed a forward rush, which carried play dangerously near the maroon line. Spooner, Kilkolly and W. Thompson forced the visitors back to half-way, where a lineout was held. Raukawa secured following the throw-in, and sent a long pass out to Chase, but the Taihape centre failed to get his hands on the ball. D. Derbidge, however, carried on with the ball at his feet, and nearly got .over, as did also McLennan and Murphy. The maroons kept up the pressure and D. Thompson tried a “pot” from close to the goal, but missed. The Taihape forwards headed by McCarthy, Clinton. W. Thompson, and Spnoner gave Rangitikei some anxious moments but a free kick brought Rangitikei relief. Taihape came again, the maroon forwards dribbling over the line but kicked too hard and Derbidge made a valiant but unsuccesful effort to get his hand on the ball before it became “dead.” The greens now took a turn at attacking and Dickson caused a stir when the sideline and followed up. but Woodhead got there first and kicked into

touch. Half-time sounded soon afterwards with the scores still The first incident of note in the second spell occurred when Woodhead exploited the short punt and followed up. fast, but Follas was a little too quick for him and kicked into touch. Soon after the line-out Follas gained possession and kicked through a gap in the defence, but Chase got there first and kicked out. The greens pressed hard but good defensive work by Thompson, the Taihape custodian, kept the invaders out- The visitors came again, Lambert sending his backs away for Dickson to put in a good run down the sideline. The Rangitikei winger eventually passed infield but W. Thompson took the pass and kicked into touch. The greens became aggressive again, Barrell, Walker, and Bridge being in the limelight. McDonald secured -the ball from the ruck but gave Lambert a bad pass and the movement broke down. The Rangitikei backs, however, moved into action again and Lambert drew the defence and sent Down over in the corner for a try. . Dickson failed with the kick—Rangitikei 8; Taihape The green forwards dribbled well into Taihape twenty-five, but Steedman saved with a well-judged kick. D Thompson, the Taihape full-back, put in a good run but his pass to Steedman went astray. The maroons attacked strongly, Brogden, Raukawa, Woodhead, Chase and Steedman handling in turn, but the last-named was well collared by Dickson. Snow started to fall at this stage and remained falling until the end of the spell. Dickson brought the crowd to its feet when he put. on a great run down the sideline but lost possession on the Taihape

goal lino. It was a lucky escape for Taihape. The maroons came with a rush, Chase penetrating the defence before passing to Steedman, who was collared a short distance from the corner. The maroons kept up the pressure, D. Thompson, Chase and Wereta handling in turn, but the Taihape winger slipped over on the sodden ground. Kilkolly showed surprising speed and booted the ball along the ground. Down secured but found the leather very slippery and dropped it near the green line, and before he could recover possession Wereta rushed up and touched down. It; was now snowing heavily and everything depended on Chase’s kick at goal. The Taihape centre made a good attempt to convert but just missed, and the match finished with honours even Taihape 8; Rangitikei 8. Mr. J. Graham was referee. ALL BLACK TRIAL aebangements eor to-morrow GABRISON BAND TO PLAY A ery keen interest is being displayed in tire AU Black trial match, which is to bo played on Bpriggens Park, tomorrow afternoon. The teams chosen incluuc all bar two All Blacks of the North Island, and will pave the way to the selection of a North Isand team to play the South in a trial match at Auckland next Saturday. The ma tv*h will be attended by Messrs E. McKenzie and V. R. Meredith, the two North Island selectors. Three Wanganui players are participating, G. A.°Bul-lock-Douglas (wing three-quarter), H.

Brogden (half-back), and I. Mclntyre (forward). The referee will be Mr W. 11. Rowe. The Wanganui Garrison Band will render a programme of music during the afternoon. Seats may be reserved in the stand, but tickets for all seats must bo claimed before 11 a.m. to-mor-row (Wednesday), otherwise they will be sol'd. The box plan is at. Mr C. S. Swan ’s office. THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION MATCHES. DRAW FOR THURSDAY. The Primary Schools’ Rugby competition will be continued on Thursday next, July 6, The following is the draw;— Seniors. UpC’kongaro v. Taylor House, at Wiliams Park, at 2.45 p.m. Campbell House v. Wanganui East, on No. 2 Racecourse, at 2.45 p.m. Aramoho v. Gonville, on No. 3 Racecourse, at 2.45 p.m. Marist r. Ratafca, on No. 4 Racecourse, at 2.45 p.m. Ballance v. Wakefield, c-n No. 1 Racecourse at 2.45 p.m. J umors. Wanganui East B v. Gonville A, on Spriggens Park, at 3.30 p.m. Westmere v. Wanganui East A, on Spriggens Park, at 2.45 p.m. Gonville B v. Aramoho, on No. 5 Racecourse, at 2.45 p.m. Queen’s Park v. Marist B, on No. 5 Racecourse, at 3.30 p.m. Marist A—A bye. All matches to start punctually to time and winning captains to notify the results to secretary of the Primary Schools’ Rugby Union. TO PLAY KAIERAU THE MANGAWEKA TEAM The following team lias been selected to represent Mangaweka v. Wanganui Kaierau senior fifteen at ypriggens Park, Wanganui, on July 4, 1934, kick off at 1 p.m. snarp:— Curtain-raiser to the North Island Trial Mr. Hugh Johnson. Manager. 51r. Leu Moyle and Johnsen, Full-back: Don Barrell, Three-quarters; Dickson (capt.), Downs, Taiuru. Five-eighths: Hartley Potaka. Half; Noble. Forwards: MicNie, Dickinson, Turnbull. Dickson, Sutherland, Matson, N. Barrell, Wooclgyer. Emergencies: Backs, Smith, Say well; loi wards, Jack Hamilton, On account of several of the Mangaweka players suffering from injuries. the Rata Club has kindly supplied three of their backs for the occasion. The team is a fairly strong one ami should give a very fair account of themselves. Players will receive instructions before leaving and if earned out will assist the manager greatly. Dinner is arranged for th c team at Mclntyre’s Hotel. Wanganui, after the

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