WANGANUI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 93, 23 April 1946, Page 7

WANGANUI RUGBY

PIRATES IN WINNING VEIN AGAIN On Spriggens Park yesterday the Wanganui Pirates defeated Kia Toa (Palmerston North) by 14 points to ■n. The game demonstrated that Pirates, winners of last year’s senior championship, have great material from which to mould their team. The pack is as good as last year, probably better and the introduction of Leh Head to the live-eighth line indicates that attack will he sharpened up. Kia Toa, however, was not in full strength, and it is as well io remember that in assessing the merits of a winning team the calibre of the opposition must be taken into consideration. The teams were: - Pirates—N. Ahern; N. Anderson. W. McPike, J. Smith; L. Head (Ist), D. Co.ton; R. Best; B. Buckley, A. Northover. W. Green. K. Parnell, C. Cross; W. Stewart, D. Und and B. Pedley. In the second hall .1. Tauton played at half-back in place of R. Best, F. Tauton at 2nd live-eighths instead of Cotton, and R. Phizacklea went into the pack in place of W. Green Kia Toa. —A. D. Leader; A. White, A. Fitch, F. Mitcheli; K. Gudsell; K. Hardie; L. Wallace; J. Fitch; G. Brew, R. Elackwell, V. Richardson, K. Becker; C. Os.en, S. Brew and F. Cattrick. The referee was Mr. W. Broadhead. In the lira spell the black pack had a hard tussle with the visiting forwards, and the game was largely confined to the packs, with the backs not seeing much of tne ball. Towards the end of tne spell the Pirate backs were showing up. Ben Pedley scored a try for Pirates, which was not converted and the half-time score was Pirates 3, Kia Toa 0. In the second spell, light at the -tart, the Pirate hacks got away, McPike running well at centre, to hand on to N. Anderson. The winger was collared, but the ball came infield again to K. Parnell, and he scored. Phizacklea converted.—Pirates 8, Kia Toa 0. Toa got to Pirates’ line as the result of a run by Brew. Wallace, the half-back, was nearly over, but was held up and Buckley cleared. W. Stewart followed up smartly and although Leader, the Kia Toa full-back, held the attack up, straggling play developed in midfield. From this Cross broke away and ran 30 yards to score. Phizacklea’s kick missed.—Pirates 11., Kia Toa 0. The Kia Toa pack, led by G. Brew, Blackwell and Richardson, attacked solidly and the backs made three thrusts at the go3l. Wallace again beirg tackled over the line, resuming fn a live-yard scrum. The heavier black pack again assorted itself, however, and from a line out Phizacklea got possession and transferred the ball to Pedley, who scored his second try. Phizacklea’s kick failed.—Pirates 14. Kia Tea 0. The game ended shortly afterwards.