TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 158, 9 July 1935, Page 3

TAIHAPE

RUGBY FOOTBALL. PIRATES DEFEAT 11 \fTAPU. Ju \\ bat was piii-tii-nll.v the deriding game of the senior competition, Pirates defeated Hauhipu on Saturday by 12 points to 3, and thereby placed themselves in an almost impregnable position as far as the championship lion ours for 1935 arc concerned. Pirates are now five points in the lead in the senior competition, and the possibility of their failing to win the coveted Senior Cup is extremely remote. Saturday’? game was hard fought and full of incident, with the issue in doubt until the last few minutes of the game, when Bremner clinched the match for Pifates by “potting ’ a goal. The blacks’ score comprised a penalty goal by Collier, a try by N. Woodhead, converted by Collier with a magnificent kick from the sideline, and a [►cited, goal by Brenmer. Hautapu’s three points came from a penalty kick by Fleming. Hautapu had many shots at goal from handy positions but their goal-kickers all had an off day and only one of the many attempts was successful. Kennedy played an outstanding game for Hautapu as five-eighth, and put in some spectacular runs. He was the best back in the blue and black team. F. Woodhead and Bremner, the Pirate five-eighths, were both impressive. The forwards on both sides never lei up and it would be unfair to individualise when all worked so well. Although Pirates won by a margin of nine points, there was not much to choose betwen the teams. The only try of the match was registered by the blacks and they are entitled to credit accordingly, though it was a rather lucky try. The teams lined out as follows: Pirates (black). —Bradley, Foster, N. Woodhead, Collier, Bremner, F. Woodhead, Graham, D. Derbidge, Kilkolly, Bagley, Sisson, C. Derbidge, Bowling, Charles, Alissen. Hautapu (blue and black). —Forbes, Keats, F. Thompson, Casey, Kennedy, Coleman, D. AfcLennan, W. Thompson, Fleming, Hall, W. AlcLennan, Gregory, Boon, Grove, Beiliss. “Drake” Thompson kicked off for Hautapu and the blue and black forforwards led by Grove, Hall and Fleming followed up fast and bustled Collier, the Pirate winger, but the latter managed to get his kick in. Graham, the Pirate half, secured the ball from a scrum in midfield and passed to F. Woodhead, who kicked to Forbes. Bremner, who was playing second five-eighth for Pirates, showed surprising speed and tackled Forbes just as the Hautapu full-back kicked into touch. Pirates pressed hard and Graham, F. Woodhead, Bremner, N. Woodhead and Foster handled in turn but the last-named was well tackled by Keats. Pirates kept up the pressure but a free kick to Hautapu brought the blue and blacks relief. A passing movement amongst the Pirate backs looked dangerous but the attack broke down when N. Woodhead failed to take a pass from Bremner. Keats caused a stir when he completely beat Foster and made a spectacular dash down the sideline before passing infield, but a knock-on resulted. Hautapu now took a turn at attack, AfcLennan, Fleming and Gregory heading a loose forward rush that carried play well into Pirates twenty-five. A scrum was held near the black line and Bill AfcLennan nearly got over. Hautapu hammered away at Pirates line, and the blacks were penalised for picking 6ut of the scrum. “Drake” Thompson had a shot at goal from a handy position but the ball went well outside the uprights. A kick by Coleman a few minutes later was partially smothered by Graham. Kennedy, who was playing an excellent game as five-eighth for Hautapu, brought the crowd to its feet when he cut in beautifully and broke away with Coleman in support. After gaining much ground Kennedy passed to Coleman, but the latter was caught in possession. Had Kennedy passed to W. Thompson, on his right, instead of Coleman on his left, a try would probably have resulted, as Pirates were out of position and there was practically a clear run in.

Hautapu hooked from a scrum in Pirates twenty-five but D. McLennan was tackled before he could get the ball away. Foster speculated and Sisson, Don and Claude Derbidge, and Charles followed up, but D. McLennan came to the rescue of Hautapu and effected a brilliant save. Following a scrum in Hautapu’s twenty-five, Graham sent his backs away and when the ball reached Collier, on the wing, he tried a pot, but the ball failed to rise. A scrum was held in the blue and blacks’ twenty-five a few minutes later, Graham, F. Woodhead, Bremner and N. Woodhead all handled. The last-named short punted but was unable to regain possession and Kennedy kicked into touch. Pirates maintained the pressure and Bradley unsuccessfully tried to “pot” a goal. F. Woodhead provided a. thrill when he dashed through a gap in the defence ami passed to Charles near the line, but the latter was held up on the line. It was a case of so near and yet so far. Pirates never let up and Hautapu infringed in their anxiety to keep the invaders out, and Collier kicked a goal.— Pirates 3; Hautapu 0. The blacks returned to the attack, F. Woodhead, Kilkolly, Charles and Bagley being responsible for some good work. Pirates came again, F. Woodhead and Collier being in the limelight at this stage. The ball went ovej the Hautapu Jiua and N. Woodhead fell on it a.nd scored. Collier landed a magnificent goal from the side, line.—Pirates 8; Hautapu 0. Half time sounded with the scores unchanged. < ‘harles, who was playing an excellent game, broke away with D. Derbidge in support but the latter failed to take a difficult pass. Hautapu worked their way into Pirates territory and Fleming, “Drake’’ Thompson, and Beiliss all had penalty kicks at goal but each attempt was unsuccessful. The Hautapu forwards were working like Trojans, AlcLennan, Hall, and Boon being especially prominent. Hall subsequently had to retire with an injury and was replaced by D. Boyd. Sisson, Bowling, Afissen and Bagley were responsible for some good work in the tight at this stage 1 of the game, which was decidedly in favour of Hautapu. The blue and blacks were awarded another free kick and time Fleming made no mistake. — Pirates 8: Hautapu 3.

With only five points separating the two teams play became willing and exciting. Hautapu tried bard to equalise but the Pirate defence was solid and Bremner put the issue beyond doubt by “potting” a goal when Pirates turned defence into attack and rushed play into Hautapu’s territory.—Pirates 12; Hautapu 3. There was no further score. Air. C. H. Transom was referee. MAJESTIC CINEMA. “MIGHTY BARNUM?' P. T. Barnum, self-styled “Prince of Humbugs,” comes back to a hearty life to-night at the Majestic Theatre in the person of Wallace Beery, who plays the matchless showman in Darryl F. Zanuck’s production of “The Mighty Barnum,” for 20th Century Pictures. The screen play, which maintains the comedy mood best suited not alone to Barnum’s extravagant exploits, but to Beery’s most [Hjpular type of characterisation as well, was written by Gene Powder, famous biographer, and Bess Alercdyth, one of Hollywood’s ablest scenarists. The story opens with Barnum’s entrance into the sideshow' business exactly a hundred years ago when, having acquired a few reptile monstrosities and an aged negress named Joice Heth, purported to be 160 years old and ertswbile nurse of the infant George Washington, he left his failing Bowery grocer, rented a livery stable opened Barnum's American Museum. The famous midget, Gen oral Tom Thumb and his bride Lavinia, The Cardiff Giant, the Bearded Lady, the Fiji Mermaid, the Woolly Horse and all the rest, of the “natural oddi ties” with which Barnum staggered New York a century ago are also seen. His splurge from the grotesque to the sublime with lhe sponsoring of the American debut of Jenny Lind, the lovely Swedish nightingale, at Castle Garden, plays a big part in and picture, with Virgian Bruce charmingly interpreting the golden-voiced Jenny. Adolphe Menjou, Rochelle Hudson and Janet Beecher are also importantly cast in this Joseph AL Schemk presentation which Walter Lang directed for release through United Artists.