WHENUAROA SHIELD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 167, 18 July 1939, Page 4

WHENUAROA SHIELD

RETAINED BY WAINUI-A-RUA GREAT MATCH PLAYED AT UPOKONGARO NGARARURU NARROWLY BEATEN (Own Correspondent.) UPOKONGARO, July 17. The first challenge match for four years for the Whenuaroa Shield was played between Wainui - a - Rua • holders) and Ngarauru Maoris fWaitotarai on Saturday and, after one of the best games seen at Upokongaro for several years, the holders won by the narrow margin of 8 points to 5. Wainui-a-Rua (green and gold) won the toss and elected to defend the southern goal-line. The ground was in tip-top order. There was a slight breeze blowing across the field. Soon r after the kick-off, Ngarauru (white) ' attacked and threatened Wainui’s line, 1 but an over-anxious forward got off- I side and Takarangi, with a well- v judged kick, found touch in the s visitors’ territory. From the line-out. c Tinirau set his backs moving, but a 1 knock-on spoilt a certain try. Hunt 1 was penalised for being offside and £ Moana relieved with a nice kick to touch, the ball going out at halfway. c The visitors attacked and Wainui ’. as a in difficulties, but Ngatoa gave temporary relief with a kick. From a * scrum in midfield, the Wainui backs c set up a passing rush, but a dropped pass lost another chance to score, and W. Davis broke away and carried ( play into Wainui territory. The J visitors pressed, but the defence "was sound. The home backs, at every opportunity, indulged in passing movements. play eventually being carried r into the visitors’ twenty-five, where, ® from a penalty, Riwai had an unsuc- , cessful shot at goal. From the drop- ' out, Ngatoa broke away, with Mete- c king! in support. He passed to the s last-named, who passed to Brooks, coming up fast on the inside, and the t last-named scored near the posts. Metekingi’s kick was a poster.—Wai- s nui 3, Ngarauru 0. ' Stung by this reverse, the visitors 1 set up a hot attack and carried play into Wainui’s twenty-five, where J Walker picked up and, catching the ‘ defenders out of position, scored well ' out. Skipper kicked a beautiful goal. 1 to give the visitors the lead.—Wainui ’ 3, Ngarauru 5. Wainui then tried to overhaul the

visitors’ score, but J. Moana saved c with good line kicks. Brooks had a long shot at goal, the ball just going wide. The Wainui backs were throwing the ball about, but dropped passes nullified some very good efforts. Wainui was attacking when half-time [ sounded. Immediately after the resumption, the visitors’ forwards, led by B. Apou, carried play into Wainui territory and matters, for a time, looked black for the home team, but a free to Wainui relieved the pressure. Play hovered in midfield for a while and each set of backs threw the ball about in great style, much to the delight of a large crowd of spectators. The visitors’ forwards were playing a great game, and took play into the Wainui twentyfive, but Wainui forwards now asserted themselves. From the loose, Peeti picked up and found touch near halfway. Wainui kept the pressure up. Bailey picked the ball up and passed to C. Apou. to Metekingi, who crossed the line, but ran into the deadball area. Thus another chance was lost. Wainui. however, were not to be denied. Immediately after the backs got going again and Allen scored well out. amid great cheering from the local supporters. Ngatoa 1 kicked a great goal. Wainui 8, Nga- 1 rauru 5. The game ended soon afterwards, Wainui thus stalling off the first chatlenge for 1939. Mr. Geo. Ppretini us.s the referee. (

■HIE PRIMARY SCHOOLS , COMPETITION fixti res 1 DRAW FOR I’HURSDAY The following Primary Schools' ’ Rugby games have been drawn for I next Tliirsday, July 20:— Grade I Intermediate A \. Intermediate C, < to be played later. j Intermediate B v. Waverley, to be , played later. ] Grade II Wanganui East v. Castled iff, on 1 Racecourse No. J ground, at 2.30 p.m. 1 Aramoho v. Upokongaro, on Race- f course No. 3 ground, at 2.30 p.m. f Marists v. Gonville, on Racecourse r No. 4 ground, at 2.30 p.m. Grade 111 1 c Marists v. Queen’s Park, on Race- t course No. 5 ground, at 2.30 p.m. r Wanganui East v. Gonville, on Spriggens Park, at 2.30 p.m. } Westmere v. Intermediate, to be played later. Grade IV Marists v. Castlccliff, on Racecourse No. 2, at 2.30 p.m. Aramoho v. Wanganui East, on Williams Park, at 2.30 p.m. Gonville A v. Gonville B, on Racecourse No. 4 ground, at 3.30 p.m. As Intermediate teams will be away 1 at Napier on Thursday their games will be mutually arranged at a later date.

GRADE FIXTURE

RANGITIKEI THIRDS v. WANGANUI FOURTHS. The following will represent the Rangitikei third grade, against the Wanganui fourths on the Wanganui racecourse on Saturday at 1.30 p.m.: Full - back, P. Johnson (M. 0.8. three-quarters, G. Evans (M. 0.8. G. Bromley (B), H. Best (H); five-eighths, Paratane (F.H.), J. Evans (M. 0.8. half-back, J. Barry (M. 0.8. forwards, Biggar (H), A. Keystone (M. 0.8. M. Buckingham (M. 0.8. Arnold (B), Mansfield (F.H.i captain, P. Toulin (H), F. Anderson (M.0.8.>, D. Bartlett (H). Reserves:—Backs: R. Ellery (B), Marsden (F.H.). Forwards: Tenne (F.HJ, R. Harper (B). Any of the above unable to play are requested to communicate with Mr. H. G. Stewart, phone 5242.