SUNSHINE AFFECTS PLAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 132, 7 June 1938, Page 5

SUNSHINE AFFECTS PLAY

EXCITEMENT AT THE END A KING’S DAY ATMOSPHERE It was a day of bright sunshine when the teams took the field after the Wanganui Garrison Band had played “On the Ball” and the- National Anthem, Imparting a true King’s Day atmosphere to the event. The sun was congenial for the spectators but troublesome to players, Taranaki in the first half, Wanganui in the second. When Spriggens Park was laid out morning Rugby was very far away and in the unknown future. J. L. Sullivan, North Island centre, suffering from an injured leg which requires nursing before next Saturday's inter-island match at Wellington, did not take the field. Meuli, who captained the Wanganui Collegiate School team of last season, was brought on to play at second fiveeighths for Taranaki, and Ngaia moved back a place into centre, the teams taking the field as under: Taranaki Full-back: J. Simpson. Three-quarters: E. Smith, G. Ngaia, A. Pepperell. Five-eighths: J. L. Meuli, R. Arnold. Half-back: L. Arnold. Back Row: J. Coull. Middle Row: A. Richards (capt.) H. Benton, T. Joyce, F. Whitaker. Front Row: J. Longstaff, G. Fowler D. Walker. Wanganui Full-back: D. Thompson. Three-quarters: D. G. Barton, P. Williams. P. Burgess. Five-eighths: K. Welsh, B. Thomas. Half-back: E. Chamberlain. Back of Scrum: J. Morgan. Middle Row: W. Thompson (capt.), A. Davidson, D. Matthews, T. Collins. Front Row: B. Goldsbury, J. J. McDonald, C. Dickson. Referee: Mr Geo. Thrush. Wanganui had a territorial advantage at the start, largely because of the forwards showing up in the loose. Two free kicks for offside play were conceded by Taranaki. Barton, the Wanganui winger, followed up fast when the second kick was taken and beat the opposition to th» ball. A ruck formed and Barton ran through again with the ball at toe. He dived to score and succeeded. Morgan's kick failed.—Wanganui 3; Taranaki 0. The Wanganui forwards, led by Goldsbury, kept worrying the Tara, naki defence, and a great deal of attention was being paid to the Taranaki half. But each time Wanganui tried to make a thrust with the backs the Taranaki rearguard came into the line with deadly tackling, and every move was frustrated. Three times in succession L. Arnold tried to play the running half game, and three times he was upended. Morgan had a shot at goal from a penalty and missed. A promising move by the Wanganu backs brought trouble, but the tackle rule stood Taranaki in good steam The blues tackled the Taranaki inside backs and smothered the solid ana reliable Simpson at full-back. Chamberlain got a good pass away to Welsh, to Williams, to Barton, who ran and was collared by Smith near the line. Barton then made the mistake of picking the ball up to score, and was penalised. Simpson, at full-back, was called on for heavy work for Taranaki and, notwithstanding the sun, stood up ti. his job doggedly, if not spectacularly. Play of an uninteresting nature followed, neither rearguard playing with confidence. Simpson missed goaling from a penalty. Welsh did no better a moment later for Wanganui. Meuli also had a shot at goal, but his kick went wide. Ngaia paved the way for the first Taranaki try by coming into the picture after the backs had broken down. He quickly changed direction in a diagonal run for the left corner flag and was supported by his forwards, Richards and Joyce handling. Joyce kicked and Pepperell, following up fast, dived under the defence to score. Simpson’s kick failed. —3 all. Three times Wanganui’s rearguard tried to function, and on each occasion, Williams (centre) either dropped a pass or was tackled with the ball. But Wanganui remained on attack, and Jack Morgan, getting possession as though he were a half, surprised the opposition with a swerving run towards the posts, and then potted a neat goal.—Wanganui 7; Taranaki 3. Meuli’s good play put Taranaki a point in the lead at half-time. He followed through behind a ball that had been mulled by the home backs and was assisted by Joyce. Meuli kicked into the goal and, in a race, touched the ball down before it landed into the dead ball area. Converting his own try he made the scores at the interval read.—Taranaki 8; Wanganui 7. For a time at the opening of the second spell, Taranaki’s pack held the upper hand. Chamberlain was hurt and Firmin went into the pack as lock, Morgan playing half. A moment later a breakaway was too keen on coming round on L. Arnold and from the resultant penalty, Meuli goaled.— Taranaki 11; Wanganui 7. Play With Wrong Ball The final stages of play saw Wanganui battling grimly for victory. Time after time they thrust at the Taranaki goal, but the backs coula not elude the stern tackling and the forwards were not just capable or pushing the amber and black pack off the last six inches of the field. Once it looked as though the home team had scored, Williams throwing-in quickly to Barton, back to Williams, who short-punted and a forwara touched down for a try. But it was all done with the wrong ball' The silence was crushing when the crowd realised that a try had not been scored. Just a moment or two before that Welsh goaled from a penalty and the teams were battling with a point between them.—Wanganui 10; Taranaki 11. It was then that great excitement reigned, and the play was keen. Twice

Taranaki should have scored, but selfishness robbed the team of reward. When the final whistle blew, Wanganui was on attack and a free kick sailed over the goal fine, but not over the bar, to end the game.