WANGANUI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 6

WANGANUI RUGBY

FIRST ROUND TO END. TO-DAY’S THREE MATCHES MARIST CHALLENGING WAVERLEY. (By Cross-bar.”) The first round of the senior competition in the Wanganui Metropolitan Union concludes to-day. Kaierau has been matched against Pirates in the three o’clock game on Spriggens Park, while Ratana ' will challenge Technical Old Boys i in the match at 1.30. .At Waverley | Marist will make a stern effort to ! lower the Waverley team two points. ; Whenever. Kaierau. and. Pirates.. 1 meet there is always a high degree of ' rivalry. This season, of course, the margin separating the teams is a big | one, Kaierau, as usual, having won io ' the top of the ladder, while the blacks have apparently fallen on lean times harder than ever. On paper, however, Pirates have a stronger team than they had last Saturday. They will need it to-day, notwithstanding the fact that Kaierau may be inclined to take things a bit cheaply, seeing that the blacks arc down under and the maroon flag has a proud position on top. Under the circumstances there can be only one prediction. Ratafia and Technical 0.8. This match, if it was played at - three o’clock, might produce some good play. As the early fixture, however, it will probably lack the sparkle both teams are capable of producing. Ratana was no match for Wverley last Saturday, mainly because of lack of condition. The same story is likely to be reproduced to-day, because, taking things by and large. Technical Old Boys have the fittest side in the union. It may give something away in weight to-day, but will amply makqe up for that in fitness and speed. Therefore, the prediction must be: A win for Technical Old Boys! Match at Waverley. Particular interest will attach to the match at Waverley, where a stern test will be offered the Waverley forwards. Marist have a very keen pack, prob|ably the hardest to counter in the union, and there is just a suggestion of doubt that the Waverley forwards are all they are reputed to be. Undoubtedly the side has a very fast, tricky back line, but if the pack is countered effectively by the greens today the probability is that the match will resolve itself into one of defence so far as Waverley is concerned. Man for man the home backs will be better than the greens on attack, but if the Marist forwards dominate the play, and it remains to be seen whether they will, attacking prowess in the Waverley backs may avail the side little. Marist may also show improvement in the attacking quality of their backs. A win against Old Boys last Saturday has encouraged them, and it is certainly within their power to beat Waverley to-day, never mind what may be said to the contrary. Jn the earlier part of the i season the Afarist back line was more or less a defensive one, and because it i grew up, so to speak, with defence always its first thought, not a great deal of attention seemed to be paid to attack. Then, in a tussle against Kaierau, the side suddenly realised that he had three-quarters and scored , a really good try by bringing the backs into action in proper style. Jack Morgan ’s boot was the devastating force against the greens that day. But for him the score would have been six to •three in favour of Kaierau instead of 1 I to three. However, on form, WavA rley should win, to-day, and the prediction cannot be otherwise than: A •win for Waverley.