TWO WANGANUI TEAMS WIN IN MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 160, 9 July 1945, Page 3

TWO WANGANUI TEAMS WIN IN MARTON

RECOKD ATTENDANCE OF PUBLIC (0.C.) Marton, July 7. A record crowd attended Rugby matches at. Marton Park this afternoon when two Wanganui teams, Colts and Thirds, played Rangitikei teams. All sides showed good form and some fast work and smart tackling was seen. Wanganui Colts beat Rangitikei by 12 points to 9, and Wanganui Thirds won by 3 points to nil. The enthusiasm of the crowd indicated interest in the games. The hope was expressed that more representative rnatches of the kind would be playeu in Marton. THIRD GRADE MATCH The curtain-raiser betwen the Wanganui and Rangitikei Thirds was a lilting prelude to the senior match. The first spell was a series of lineouts and scrums with several passing bouts that failed to end in scores. Play was fairly even and Rangitikei were within an ace of scoring on several occasions. The kicking by the Wanganui full-back was well judged and relieved his side when in an awkward position. Rangitikei lost ground with faulty passing, but their forwards played a sterling game. The first spell ended without a score. Wanganui opened the second spell with a forward rush and had hard luck in not scoring. A misjudged kick enabled Wanganui to force play to their opponents' line. Wanganui now forced the play, but Thompson saved with a good line kick and carried play to Wanganui’s twenty-five. Loose play followed in the centre of the field and bad passing on Rangitikei’s part and good following up enabled Gilroy <Wanganui) to score first blood. The kick was not converted. Wanganui’s half secured the ball repeatedly from the scrums, and kept their opponents busy in tackling their backs. Rangitikei then came to life and battled strongly but unsuccessfully to even the scores, and had Wanganui defending in the last few minutes. No further score resulted and the game ended in a win for Wanganui by 3 points to nil. It was quite an interest in.g game but Rangitikei lacked scoring ability. Mr. A. Ward was referee. RANGITIKEI SENIORS v. WANGANUI COLTS Within a few minutes of starting Rangitikei were awarded a free kick and play went to Wanganui’s twenty-five, where a forward rush enabled Kumeroa to score. The kick failed For holding on to the ball Wanganui were penalised and Young landed a perfect goal.—Rangitikei 6, Wanganui 0. St ant jail put in a fine run and carried play to Wanganui’s line but a free kick relieved. Play then went to Rangitikei’s twenty-live. Wanganui forced the play and Rangitikei touched down. Both full-backs relieved their sides from several tricky positions. A free kick to Wanganui saw McPhail land a perfect goal.—Rangitikei 6, Wanganui 3. Young made a splendid attempt to goal from a penalty, but failed. Kane started a fine passing bout across the field and Illston failed to score, being collared on the line. A kick to Rangitikei’s line was well fielded by Stock who centred to the Rangitikei forwards and from loose play Young crossed the line, but failed with his kick.—Rangitikei 9, Wanganui 3. Wanganui started several passing rushes but the tackling of Rangitikei was too deadly and spoilt their efforts to score. Half-time saw no further score. —Rangitikei 9, Wanganui 3. Wanganui made desperate attempts to score and were within an ace of doing so on several occasions. McPhail (Wanganui) kicked a goal from a penalty.—Rangitikei 9. Wanganui 6. Then Kane started the best passing bout of the day, the ball being handled by all the Rangitikei backs. Loose play followed and the Wanganui backs handled well for Takaran.gi to cross the line. McPhail failed to convert.— Rangitikei 9, Wanganui 9. Another penalty gave McPhail an opportunity to goal, which he took full advantage of.—Wanganui 12, Rangitikei 9. Young made an unsuccessful kick from a penalty and play centred and the game ended in Wanganui's favour by three points. Mr. J. Orgias was referee. BENEFIT MATCH DRAWN A benefit Rugby match played at Wangaehu on Saturday, in aid of S. Andrews, a Wangaehu player who broke a leg in the early part of the season, resulted in Wangaehu (14) drawing with a Kaierau side (14).