WANGANUI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 224, 19 September 1944, Page 3

WANGANUI RUGBY

WARD MEMORIAL SHIELD MATCH On Saturday a Rugby match for the J A. Ward, V.C.. Memorial Shield will be played on Spriggens Park between Wanganui and a Royal New Zealand Air Force team from New Plymouth. The following is the personnel of the Wanganui side: Full-back, Dimcan; three-quarters, Howard, Larkins, Walden; five-eighths, Hunter and Best; half-back, Matenga; forwards. O'Leary; Gerrie, Hunt. Allen, Cross; Crombie, Northover. Larkins. Emergencies: Backs. Christian, Kenny, Church, Downs; forwards, Pedley, O'Keefe. Daley. Any player not available is to advise Mr. H. Whiting, ’phone 3007. There is to be a practice at Spriggens Park to-morrow at 7.30 p.m. RANGITIKEI SENIOR B RUGBY MARTON OLD BOYS DEFEAT PIRATES By “Drop-kick.” Continuous steady rain and a cold nor'-westerlv marred the game, held at Marton Park on Saturday afternoon between a visiting Pirate team and the Marton Old Boys. Some very fine play by both forwards and backs was spoilt by players being unable to finish off. their movements owing to the slippery nature of the ball, which was practically uncontrollable, especially when the game was played in eight inches of grass. To quote one player, “the ball was very difficult to find at times.” • , Marton Old Boys kicked off, and the game commenced at a very even pace, both teams being unlucky in not managing to go over. Wanganui were awarded several free kicks, but failed to utilise them to the best advantage. Some very fine dribbling rushes by the Marton pack failed, to reap results as in the scramble for possession nearing the line Wanganui defence was too solid. At half-time neither side had opened an account, and conditions were so bad that the teams changed straight round. The scoring was opened for Old Boys by A. Bostock, who forced the ball after a scrummage on the Pirate goal line, giving Marton a 3-point lead. Shortly after this the same player drop-kicked a beautiful goal from 20 yards out from a very difficult angle, making Marton 7, Pirates 0. Marton had a very unlucky period for a team after some spectacular dribbling, crossing the line five or six times but failing to touch down, L. Head then kicked a penalty goal for Pirates, which semed to put new zest into his team mates, but their hopes were shattered by M. Whale, an Old Boy winger, who, after a good run, scored five yards in from the side

WANGANUI DISTRICT QUOTA £1,040,000

line. D. Aubrey converted with a beautiful kick, giving Marton an unquestionable lead of 12—3. Mr. A. Ward was referee, and is to be commended on the practical interest he displays by always making himself available. Once again the presence of the Rangltikei Rugby Union was very noticeable by its absence, and Marton Rugby enthusiasts have a lot to be thankful for, in that they have such unsung heroes as Messrs. A. Head, L. Barry and H. G. Stewart, who look after the interests of the game unsupported in this district.

NEW ZEALAND v. SERVICES

One of the most important matches of the year will round oft the 1944 Rugby season on September 30, when New Zealand will play the New Zealand Services at Athletic Park, Wellington. The follovring two strong sides have been selected to oppose each other:— New Zealand.—Full-back, Sewell (Bay of Plenty); three-quarters, Dunn (Auckland), Roberts (Wellington), Fox (Auckland); live-eighths, Rae (Auckland), Murdoch (Otago); halfback, Tetzlaff (Auckland); forwards, Birchfield (West Coast), McKenzie (Canterbury), McHugh (Auckland), Gunning (Auckland), Mclntosh (Otago), Christian (Auckland), Catley (Waikato), Connolly (Otago). Reserves: West (Taranaki), White (Wellington), Hewitt (Canterbury). N.Z. Services.—Full-back, T. C. Morrison (Wellington); three-quarters, W. McHugh (West Coast), A. V. Wiles (Auckland), J. K. McLean (Auckland); live-eighths, R. D. Everest (Waikato). G. Delamore (Manawatu); half-back, D. Barchard (Auckland); forwards, H. H. Beadle (Manawatu), F. J. Green (Wellington), captain, H. Frazer (Waikato), K. G. Elliott (Wellington), D. H. Herman (Uanterbury), B. Waldegrave (Auckland), A. Johnston (Auckland), M. M. Smith (South Canterbury). Reserves: Backs, W. Dougan iMarlborough), P. R. O'Callaghan (Canterbury); forwards, V. A. Ensor (Canterbury), A. H. Avery (Canterburyi. AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP TO UNIVERSITY (P.A.) Auckland, Sept. 17. The Auckland Rugby championship was finalised on Saturday, University

being the successful team by a single point from Ponsonby.