WANGANUI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 88, 15 April 1935, Page 5

WANGANUI RUGBY

PREPARING FOR SEASON PRACTICE MATCHES. Wanganui Rugby talent is sorting itself out in preparation for the approaching season, and on Saturday three practice matches afforded club team-builders, critics, even selectors, an opportunity of adjusting measurements to form. It is early yet to cast an inquisitorial eye over the clubs and pretend to answer the question, •‘Who’s who in the teams?” The clubs themselves do not know, though they may have some idea, but it is impossible to be accurate, particularly as “new blood” has been introduced ami changes have been made from one club to another by some player?, ana others contemplate so moving. Wanganui and Old Boys played Feilding Old Boys at Fordell on Saturday. the home side winning by 19 points to 11. It was quite a hard game for an opening of the season. Feilding, a side which won the Manawatu championship last year, handled the ball better than Old Boys, bat they tired badly against the wind in the second half, and, encouraged by Dick Steere’s leadership, the home fifteen played more strenuously. Feilding scored three, clear-cut, rather spectacular tries in the first spell, one of which they converted. The game gave some indication of Wanganui and Old Boys’ back line and pack, and “Crossbar’’ will review the position next Wednesday. Ratana Defeats Bulls. The newly-fledged Ratana sei/ior fifteen accounted for Bulls on Saturday by a rather substantial margin. It was a good, clean game, and the teams were even until half-time, when the score read eight-all. From that on the young Ratana players showed better condition and the score in their favour mounted considerably. It is hoped that a return match will be played at Ratana next Saturday, and officials of the Metropolitan Rugby Union are to be invited to view the Ratana ground on that occasion. The Maoris were the guests of Ihe Bulls fifteen to afternoon tea., A Win for Waverley. Pirates journeyed to Waverley and were defeated by 17 points to three. The scores did not give an indication of the run of play. Club officials looked upon the match as being of an experimental nature. Waverley made changes in positions. IDustin played an excellent game for Pirates and Campbell, the ex-North Auckland representative three-quarter, was impressive in the Waverley backs. Waverley fielded quite a lot of players who are being tried as likely members for the Cup team. Pirates did likewise. Win for County Juniors. After a hard game County jutiio!'-, fielding a very likely side, accounted for Wanganui and Old Boys juniors i y three to nil. The score was a nicelyregistered try, which topped -‘ff a fast passing rush. Ready for Easter. Kaierau is sending a team io Wei lington at Easter to engage the Orien tai senior fifteen in an annual match of long standing. The maroons hope to get a good side away and that the match will prove of value to them ir. claying the seniors into form for the opening of the Cup competition. Marist will rely on the annual Easter tournament an,,)r lg Marist Clubs at Napier to sh<ke Tne green fifteen into shape. AT CHRISTCHURCH opening of season. PLAY IN VARIOUS CODES. f Per Press As-oelatlafl. 1 CHRISTCHURCH. April 11. The football season opened on Saturday in beautiful weather. At Rugby last year’s champions. Albion, wore beaten soundly by Old Boys by 27 to 5. Other results were: Merivale 11, beat Christchurch 3; University 22. beat Linwood 14; Sunnyside 21, beat Athletic 8. League results were: Hornby 23, beat Sydenham G; Addington 19, beat New Brighton 3; Ruru 5, beat Waimairi 2. Association results: Western A 2, beat Nomads 0; Linwood 2, drew with St. Alban’s Thistle 4. boat Rangers 1; Western B 5, beat Technical Old Boys 0. _____