MATCH AT TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 135, 9 June 1937, Page 5

MATCH AT TAIHAPE

THE PLAY IN REVIEW ex-linwood half plays well Taihape have no excuses to offer for their defeat at the hands of Wanganui last Saturday. The maroons were decisively beaten on their own ground which is as slow as Spriggens Park is fast. The maroons were conquered by better handling, superior combination, and last, but not least, speed. The Wanganui backs were too fast for the slow moving Taihape rearguard, and had the ground been dry, the visitors would probably have doubled this score. The maroons tired perceptibly towards the close of the game and faded completely out of the picture. They seemed to lack training. The weather was on its worst behaviour but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of Rugby fans who turm d up in their hundreds to see Taihape [make a Lid for the coveted Pownall Trophy. The "silver football” was on view on the grandstand while . the match was being played, and the big crowd present hoped that it would remain in the town that produced "Moke” Beiliss, Taihape's greatest footballer. Such hopes were dashed to the ground when Barton and Co." began lo pile up the points in the second speel. Barton was here, there, and everywhere; brilliant on attack, and is the best centre seen in Taihape for many a long day. Burgess showed surprising speed on the wing and paved the way for one of Wanganui’s tries by means of his great pace. Thomas arid Welsh combined well as five-eighths and the latter was chiefly responsible for the last try scored by the vistors when he cut in brilliantly before transferring to Barton, to Berryman who scored. Berryman was sound rather than brilliant, but failed to take several of Barton’s passes. McCormick experienced difficulty at times in handling the greasy ball and more than once he was caught in possession. His vis-a-vis, Vic. North, handled much better and is a player with possibilities for the position of custodian but seems to lack the hefty punt that is expected of a full-back. He was inclined to go for speculators too often and should not have waited for the bounce. R. Johnstone, the Taihape halfback rose to great heights at times and put in one or two sensational runs, but unfortunately, he was not supported when he broke away. On the day he played a better game than Chamberlain, the Wanganui pivot, and can consider himself unlucky in not getting a trial behind the Wanganui scrum. Johnstone played half for Linwood, Christchurch, before coming to Taihape. His selection as half-back for the Taihape team was criticised in some quarters, but his display on Saturday proves that the selector was right and the "know-alls” wrong. Dickson and “Wally” Thompson stood in the Taihape pack and it is pleasing to note that the Taihape captain has retained his place in the Wanganui representative team. "Wally” played in every Wanganui representative match last year, and judging by his present form, he should repeat the performance this season. Jackson and Gabolinscy also went well in the Taihape pack. Tommy Chase displayed some of his old-time versatility as centre and, with R. Johnstone, was the pick of the Taihape backs. Hekenui, on the wing, was trick and was unlucky in not scoring a second try when he beat the opposition but was brought back by the whistle. Paul has a neat sidestep, and on his day, is a dangerous winger. Marshall was tool slow on the other wing, and should never have been played in this position. He is better when played closer in. Rangi Chase put in some good work at times but seemed to be greatly handicapped by the wet ground. Hotua was weak at first five-eighth. Amongs the Wanganui forwards, Hutchinson, Firmin and Davidson were prominent.

A word of commendation is due to Mr. J. N. Graham, for the excellent manner in which he performed the duties of referee. The manager of the Wanganui team (Mr. H. Whiting) at a social gathering after the match, referred to the control of the game and eulogised the standard set by the referee.