FORWARDS’ STRUGGLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 199, 24 August 1936, Page 4

FORWARDS’ STRUGGLE

GAME AT NEW PLYMOUTH TARANAKI DEFEATS WANGANUI | I (Per Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 22. The Taranaki Rugby representatives defeated Wanganui by 13 to nil. The ground was very wet and muddy, and rain fell throughout the match. Early in the game there were some bright movements among the Taranaki backs, but later it became impossible to handle the ball and the game became a struggle between the forwards. Taranaki always had the upper hand. The Wanganui full-back, Welsh, was responsible for saving a number of scores and he played a very safe game. Each of the Taranaki wings, Ford and Smith, scored a try, and Ruakere added another. Two were converted by Collins, who played a fine game at full-back and kicked the heavy ball cleverly. O'Dowda, Ruakere, Armstrong, and Fowler played an outstanding forward game for Taranaki. Lockett and Thompson were Wanganui’s best forwards and among the backs Hunter, Barton, and Chase played well. The Wanganui team was:— Full-back, K. Welsh; three-quar-ters, G. A. Bullock-Douglas, D. G. Barton and L. Burgess; five-eighths, R. Chase and D. Jones (1st); halfback, R. Hunter; back of the scrum, G. Lockett; middle row, Pye, W. Firmin. A. Davidson, Dallas; front, row, M. McGregor, C. Reynolds, “Wally” Thompson.