PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 201, 23 August 1944, Page 3

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ RUGBY

OPENING MATCHES PLAYED WANGANUI SCORED THREE TRIES, BUT LOST IN KICKING Rugby of good standard was seen on Spriggens Park yesterday afternoon, when the opening matches of the 1944 quadrangular primary schools' tournament were played. In the first match, Rangitikei drew with Taranaki 6-all, and in the second Wanganui were beaten by 10 points to 9. Wanganui scored three tries to Manawatu’s two, but the visitors converted both of theirs. Fine weather prevailed and the attendance for a week day was surprisingly large. The tournament will be advanced a further stage to-day, and will conclude to-morrow afternoon. KANGITIKEI v. TARANAKI Staging a fine recovery in the second half, Rangitikei managed to draw level with their opponents, and shared the points in this game. In the first half Taranaki enjoyed a decided territorial advantage, and itwas only on rare occasions that play penetrated to the Taranaki twentyfive. inc score at half-time was against Rangitikei 6 to nil. The game opened with Taranaki doing all the attacking and the Rangitikei defence was hard put to it to keep the attackers out. When play was being waged between the twentyfive flags, Mayhead, the Taranaki half, sent his backs away. With each boy running hard and taking the bail, the Rangitikei defence was beaten for pace, and Matheson drew the Rangitikei wing and let Kensington away to score. Twice the Rangitikei backs handled, but. the defence of the Taranaki boys was hard to get past. Novak in one dash caused worry to Rangitikei, but he was well taken by the full-back. Before half-time Cameron scored for Taranaki to give them the lead 6 to nil. Right from the start of the second half Rangitikei started to challenge Taranaki, and with their forwards short-passing and dribbling to good purpose, na<l the players' from the north bustled. Taranaki were nenalised and Reid kicked n fine goal. This success spurred Rangitikei to greater efforts and again play surged to the Taranaki end. where a Taranaki player infringed. Despite a dilTicult angle, and 25 yards out. Reid gonled with an excellent kick for a schoolboy. With the score 6-all both teams made repeated efforts to add further points, but there was no further sco-e. Prominent nlayers for Rangitikei were Kane. F.eid. Sinclair, McDougal and Cameron. Or the Taranaki side. Novak. Cameron, Barnard and Matheson were a slmde better than the rest. Mr. A. C. Barnes was referee. WANGANUI V. MANAWATU In a strenuously contested game Wanganui went down to Manawatu by 10 points to 9. The winners’ success was due to converting two tries, while Wanganui was unable to convert any of three. The visitors displayed good vanguard work, aided by a speedy back section, which had ability 'to seize upon Wanganui’s errors.

Manawatu began determinedly and Wanganui were thrown off their balance. In one back move on Wanganui’s side of half-way Lyons cut in, catching the Wanganui backs out of position. Trailing in support was White, who took the ball and got it to Robinson, who straightened up and ran straight through the Wanganui backs to score. White converted. Wanganui retaliated and from defence swung to attack. A scrum went down near the Manawatu line. The ball was heeled to Aitken, the Wanganui half, and he scored a fine try, but it was not converted. At this stage Wanganui were in the ascendancy and Hogg scored to give them the' lead 6-5. This Wanganui try also was not converted. In the second half both teams set a fast pace, attacking and counterattacking in turn. Hogg put in a great run and scored again for Wanganui, putting them in front 9 to 5. It looked as if the home team had the match in hand, but Manawatu came with a final effort in which the ball was speeded out to Robinson, who put in a 50-yards run and scored between the posts. White converted and the ■’erne ended in Manawatu’s favour TT> to 9. For Manawatu. Robinson. White. Lyons, McGill. Doogan and Mallett were best. On the Wanganui side Hogg, Richdale. Aitken. Loader and Mailman stood out from the rest. Mr. N. Reid was referee.

RUGBY CONTROL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING It was reported at last night’s meeting of the Management Committee of the Wanganui Rugby Union that the final of the Wanganui senior club championsip between Pirates and City will be played on Spriggens Park on Saturdy at 3.15 p.m. The curtain-raiser will be between Waiouru and Wanganui B in a J. A. Ward, V.C., Memorial Shield fixture. The meeting was informed that in al probability the return match between Wanganui and Manawatu will be played in Palmerston North on Saturday, September 2. On that date a Wanganui team will play a Featherston Camp team in Wanganui. The curtain-raiser for the game will be Rangitikei and Wanganui senior B reps. A letter was received from the R.N.Z.A.F., New Plymouth, asking for a J. A. Ward, V.C., Memorial Shield match in Wanganui. The match will be ployed on Spriggens Park on Saturday, September 23. The Wanganui Highland Pipe Band was given the use of Spriggens Park -on September 30 for a gala day. The meeting was presided over by Mr. J. Moye. There were also present Messrs. C. Stewart, A. Takarangi, A. Glengarry. A. Lockett, W E. Cole, D. Buck, H. Kench, J. Gilmour, E. Barnett. RUGBY DRAW FOR SATURDAY The following is the draw for matches to be played on Saturday under the control of the Wanganui Rut by Union:— Senior.—Pirates v. City, Spriggens Park, at 3.15 p.m.; referee, Mr. W. B. Boadhead. Waiouru v. Wanganui, Spriggens Park, 1.45 p.m.; Mr. J. Ross. The linesmen for the early game will be Messrs. Mete Kingi and Walton; linesmen for the second fixture are Messrs. Barnett and Walton. Third Grade.—Pirates v. Kaierau. Technical Hostel ground, 1.30 p.m.; Mr. C Spriggens. Marlst. v. A.T.C.. Technical Hostel ground No. 2, 1.30 p.m.; Mr. Stephenson. WAIOURU TEAM SELECTED The following is the Waiouru team to play a J. A. Ward. V.C.. Shield match in Wanganui at 1.45 p m. next. Saturday;—Full-back, Garnett; three-

quarters, Butler, O’Byrne (if available), Foote; five-eighths, Fletcher, and Miller (captain); half-back, J. Wilson; forwards, Bate, Challis, Gunn, Virtue, Rennie, Vrgg, Cameron, Morrissey. Reserves: Forwards, Sloggatt, Watt, Brunton, Stensness, Cooper; backs, Derrick, Carter.