WANGANUI RUGBY WIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 214, 10 September 1945, Page 6

WANGANUI RUGBY WIN

MANAWATU BEATEN VERY CLOSE MATCH I A CONVERSION THE MARGIN OF VICTORY (Special to the Chronicle) Palmerston North, Sept. 8 For the second time this season, the Wanganui senior grade Rugby representatives defeated Manawatu in a return match played at the Showgrounds, Palmerston North, on Saturday, the score being 13 points to 11 in favour of the visitors. The narrow margin of difference in the final outcome was a clear reflection of the closely-contested nature of the game, and the respective merits of the two teams. Both sides scored two tries and kicked a penalty goal, Wanganui converting twice anil Manawatu only once. The weather was fine and the ground was in excellent condition for fast fooWall. The teams were as 'follows:—Wanganui: Willacy (full-back); Anderson, Bligh, McCarthy (three-quarters); Hunter, Dallison (five-eighths); Best (half-back); Bellis, Gerrie. Davidson (capt.), Parnell, Brown, Goldsbury, Lind, Pedley (forwards). Manawatu: Brooker (full-back); Stirling. Stewart, Butt, (three-quart-ers); Gudsell, Harkness (five-eighths), Ediin (capt.) (half-back); Cutler, Gunnell, Mercer, Simmonds, Nichols, . Morgan, McCullum, Jacobsen (forwards).

Wanganui had the advantage of a strong followng wind in the first half, but did not quickly settle down on the strange held. Manawatu showed early signs of aggressiveness and the outlook seemed promising when they opened their account within seven minutes of lhe kick-off. A strong forward rush ably led by Nichols and Mercer carried play to within five yards of .he visitois’ line. The ball went in-field where Harkness secured and covered the remaining distance to the goal line, Ediin converting a relatively easy kick. Lind was doing a good job of hooking for Wanganui who received the lion’s share of the ball from the set scrums in the early stages, but the backs lacked cohesion and sure tackling by the Manawatu men smothered several movements almost at birth. An off-side infringement by a Manawatu forward gave Wanganui a chance to put points cn the board when McCarthy, with a splendid effort goaled a difficult kick from just outside his own 25 yard ar&a.

Advantage in the scrums now passed to Manawatu and their back line featured in some sparkling movements. Stewart played an inspired game and, on the day, was the most outstanding man on the field. Fast, elusive and enterprising on the attack he was also safe and invariably doing two men’s work on the defence. He shewed none of the selfishness which has marred his previous performances. Brooker took a hard fall early in the game and was very shaky at full-back. His opposite number. Willacy, impressed as a safe custodian and gave a great exhibition of good line-kicking. A promising movement developed when Stewart provided an opening which look play to within 20 yards of the Wanganui line. He centred the ball and Jacobsen gained possession but he was solidly tackled by Best on the line and from the resulting scrummage a 5-yard scrum was ordered. Manawatu hooked and Ediin tried to work the blind side but was well and truly muffled by the visiting forwards and the ball went to McCarthy who found touch near half-way with a brilliant kick.

A penalty against Wanganui seven yards inside their own 25-yard territory saw Stewart goal with a good kick against the wind. He was given an oppoitunity to repeat this performance a few minutes later but on this occasion failed. Wanganui came back in a strong rush, both forwards and backs handling the ball. As the movement gained momentum, the Manawatu defences were shattered and from a speculator that sent the ball rolling over the home goal line, Anderson was able to touch clown. McCarthy converted a diflicut kick. Wanganui had found their feel, and the forwards were giving a very dashing display of fast-breaking and spirited rushes when half-time was called with both sides registering eight points.

Wh-jT play resumed Manawatu immediately used the wind advantage with high mid-field kicking, the forwards following up strongly. However, the Wanganui pack was not easily bustled and all efforts at penetration of their defences were smartly counteracted. Once Manawatu fell back on their back lino where their main strength lay. From a scrum Ediin sent the leather out 1o Gudsell who cut. in between Dallison and Hunter before passing to Harkness. The second-live kicked high and the bounce beat McCarthy leaving an inviting gap. Harkness was first to the ball but before he could reach the line he was grounded by Willacy. Given a chance to rally, the Wanganui forwards surged through the perimeter of the attackers in a concerted movement, but Stirling secured and play went back to within a few yards of the Wanganui line. In the rucking which followed Manawatu were awarded a penalty well out from the posts. Ediin failing in his kick.

Brown and Anderson participated in an opening-up movement which failed for the want of adequate support. Both sides were now throwing the ball about in exhilarating fashion and the large crowd was kept on its toes as play fluctuated from one end of the field to the other. Wanganui assumed the lead when they were presemed with a gift try. From loose rucking in the visitors’ 25-yard area, Dallison .sent a speculator into the open about half-way. Brooker waited i'or the bounce, which deceived him •.nd made little real effort to secure the ball. Hunter came swiftly down he field and picked up, passing out to Bligh who set out with a clear field ahead for the Manawatu line. Stewart made a magnificent effort to catch 3ligh but narrowly failed. McCarthy '•ontinued his great kicking performnce by convening. Manawatu were given a chance of • lacing their deficit when Ediin took penalty kick from a handy position .i front of lhe Wanganui posts, hut ho failed. Brooker left the field, . ecessitating a change round in the Manawatu back line. Pot aka came on as wing, Stirling went into the coni re. Stewart to second five-eights, and Harkness took over as full-back. The new back combination worked . uecessfully and after several slabbing •■Geeks. Ediin worked the blind side of lhe scrum passing to Gudsell who carved a passage Inrough the Wanganui defence*?, for a iry well out. Stewart failed to add the two points which would have made the game a draw. In the final analysis the game reI elved itself into a duel between the j Wanganui furwards and the Manawatu backs, whth the former proving slightly more successful. Among the Wanganui foiwards who were prominent throughout the game we e the kipper, Davidson, Brown (who replaced Virile at the last minute), ’arnell (who replaced Phizacklea), Lind and Ben Pedley. The last mentioned showed that he had lost none of the dash and sting which carried him into lhe front ranks of Rugbyin the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in Italy and Egypt last season when, but for’being withdrawn for furlough purposes, he was considered a likely contender for Divisional representative honours.