RANGITIKEI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 10

RANGITIKEI RUGBY

BULLS HAVE STRONG TEAM TWO LEADING TEAMS BEATEN! (By “Full-back.”) On consecutive Saturdays Bulls seniors have beaten leading teams, Marton Old Boys and Halcombe, in the Rangitikei senior competition, and Bulls can now claim to have the best fifteen in the Sub-Union. Altnougn still down on the ladder owing to a slow beginning, Bulls is now only two points behind Halcombe, and one point behind Old Boys. The future is therefore full of possibilities, and if the Bulls side holds together if has a fair chance of again winning the Rangiti-

kei championship. Stock in Good Form. Fred Stock was in fine form against Halcombe on Saturday, taking the ball ; from all angles and clearing with i lengthy line kicks. True, with a| strung defensive three-quarter line ini front, he generally had plenty of time j to make his returns. Two of his place i kicks with a heavy ball were really i good, the last being put over from some distance, wide out. Culpan showed his old form, anticipating the run of play nicely, and racing up fast to take Hallamore’s well-timed passes. Culpan found H. Searancke hard to pass, but his try was the result of sheer determination, for he fended off three would-be tacklers, and simply hurled himself across the line. Hallamore, after a spell through injury at Taihape, did not shine as usual, 1 though he did a lot of useful work, both of a spoiling nature and in opening up play. Watts was disappointing. Paddy Williams, who has rejoined Bulls, played well, though Kumeroa kept him in check generally. Williams played an unselfish game, and . combined well with Hallamore. Percy' Bending, first five-eighth, received a : good share of the ball from Gray au the base of the scrum, and battled | hard to break through, often beating, Hartley. His defence was also very: sound. Gray sent away clean passes. ■ and, Hiwi hooking from most scrums, ■ the game was very fast and open. The i Bulls forwards, though outweighed i and beaten in the early stages on line- : outs and in close work, ran their op-, ponents off their feet in the loose, and made them very tired towards the end. All played well, Good showing 1 out in dribbling rushes, and Ray Bromley and Cutts following up well. Hiwi' is now in form, and kept up with open play better. Busy Time for R. Hughes. R. Hughes, the Halcombe custodian, nad a very busy time, but cleared well, and did not hesitate to go down to rushes. H. Searancke was the best of the three-quarter line, though all three handled well when the ball came their way. Searancke is a determined runner, and given more chances he would have been \eij dangerous. E. Blunden (centre) showed sound defence, and W. Taite, on the other wing, had Watts bustled before he could get into action. Kumeroa showed splendid form, both in defence and attack,, and broke up many promising Bulls j rearguard movements. S. Hartley received a knock early, and this probably accounted for his moderate exhibition. J. Hughes, half-back, seldom got the ball. S. Pye was the outstanding forward, and rallied his men repeatedly, but the better play of the; Bulls back nullified their efforts. Fay, and Fitness also showed out at times,: but all played solid games. The result was in doubt right to the I

-' end, the scores being 9—5 in favour . 1 of Bulls until Stock kicked a penalty l on call of time. The better side won, _ but there was not a great deal in it. -From a spectator’s point of view it was •• a thrilling game. Bulls led; then Hal- ■ ' combe; and then Bulls again, but the ,; margin of leading points .could have at 1 any moment been wiped out with a ! | converted try.