NOT SO BRIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 120, 27 May 1946, Page 7

NOT SO BRIGHT

MATCH AGAINST TAIHAPE

MAINLY A STRUGGLE AMONG FORWARDS

Play in the second match, in which Wanganui A defeated Taihape by 13 points to nil, did not reach the pitch of interest expected. The first half, which ended without score on either side, comprised mainly of a battle between the two forward packs, with only an occasional back movement coining to light. Taihape forwards were a particularly solid lot, and although D. Lind provided Wanganui with more than their share of the ball from the set scrums, his forwards were as often as not pushed off the ball. McNichol, a very heavy lock, was the outstanding pack man from up-country, his work in the line-outs and scrums, as well as in the loose, stamping him as a prospect for the Wanganui representatives.'

The metropolitan forwards worked out quite well, their efforts in the loose being particularly meritorious. G. Gerrie, on the side of the scrum, played his best game of the season, his work in the loose being ol a particularly high standard. D. Goldsbury played well in the front row and C. McNicol, in the back of the scrum, was also a hard-working forward. Behind the scrum, R. BeM was not at his best, and did not play up to representative standard. The Taihape breakaways were fast in coming around the scrum, but even so, Best on numerous occasions, fumbled the ball, and his understanding with J. Bailey left much to be desired. The blame for the breaking down of many back movements, however, does not fall entirely on Best. On occasions when the ball did not connect between half and five-eighths, Bailey would run across the field, and did not straighten up before passing the ball out, and the men outside him had little space in which to move. K. Dunlop was the spearhead of all attacking movements. He always took the ball on the run, his fast swerves and penetrating cuts-in paving the way for more than one score. E. Bligh (centre) kept well up with Dunlop, and although reasonably safe with his hands and used his head well, was marked with deadly precision by T. Aiderton. The wingers (N. Anderson and K. Donald) playCTd up to their usual form, the former, before retiring early in the first spell with an injury to a hand, showing up the better of the two. Donald would go better as an inside back. H. Pidwell, who replaced the Pirate winger, made several determined dashes, but was never allowed much liberty by Collerton, his opposite number. Duncan’s positional play was all right, but his goal-kicking was poor. He was well backed up in a match which did not call upon him for as much as Ahern had to do in the earlier game. Taihape backs were, except for the wingers, a poor lot. Reiha, behind the scrum, was inconsistent, and the handling of the five-eighths (Punch and Sinclair) was anything but good. Collerton and Hytana both showed great speed on the wings, the latter particularly being a tricky man when in possession. Mortland, at full-back, was safe with his hands, and he carried out his difficult task without disgracing himself. Once or twice, however, he was caught in possession by the fast-breaking Wanganui forwards. Things looked bad for Wanganui in the first few minutes of play, when Taihape forwards were pushing the blue and blacks well into their own territory. However, when Wanganui backs got possession, the scene changed and in their first run, the ball was sent smartly out to Anderson, who made a determined bid for the corner but was forced out right in the corner.

Wanganui looked dangerous again when, following a line-out, Gerrie ran past the scrum, passed on to McNicol, to Best, to Dunlop, who cut in. He sent on to Bligh, who passed to Donald, but the winger knocked it on, and play was stopped mid-way between the twenty-five and the goalline. Wanganui kept up the pressure, but Taihape forwards allowed them no chance of getting away and play was taken from the Taihape line. Deep in Taihape territory, Wanganui were awarded a penalty. Duncan took the kick, from just outside the twenty-five, but the ball fell short. A chance was missed shortly after by Taihape, when a free shot at goal was taken by McNicol from the twenty-five yard line. An infringement Jost Wanganui a try towards the end of the spell. The forwards had hooked the ball, which went through to Dunlop, who stab-kicked. Bligh and Anderson caught Mortland in possession, turned him over, and the ball was carried on by Gerrie, who gave it to his forwards, who knocked it on. Anderson was replaced by H. Bidwell on the wing, the Pirate man having injured a wrist. The spell ended with both teams lighting a hard, but unspectacular, battle, and neither team had been rewarded with a score. Scoring was opened, however, shortly after the resumption of play. Taihape forwards kicked Ihrou-h, but the ball was picked up well by Dunlop and kicked out into touch. * From the throw-in Wanganui backs were sent away, and ihe ball was received by Pidwell, who was caught in the corner. Taihape forwards again broke right, through with Ihe ball at tor. Once again Dunlop was there to pick up. He sent on to Donald, who passed to Bligh, and the ball went out again in a coiner. From Ihe line-oul, Goldsbury dived across for a try. Duncan missed the kick. Wanganui A 3, Taihape nil. Taihape backs were sent away from a scrum, but a wild pass by Ihe centre enabled Donald to kick through. He caught Mortland with the ball and from the ensuing ruck the ball came tout to Wanahi who, unopposed, picked up and scored. Duncan missed the I kirk again. Wanganui 6; Taihape 0. [ Taihape forwards were still doing I Ihe best of the Iwo packs in Hie light, and play went deep into Wanganui

| territory. Dunlop came in and with another' of his clever penetrating moves, he picked up. stab-kicked, folI lowed up. secured again, and, with another short kick, got past all but Mortland, who got his hands to the ball and put it out into touch. Bailey secured from Best and made the best break he had done all day before passing on to Bligh, who gave it to Pidwell. the last-named racing for the corner and just, sliding in with nothing to spare. McNicol was unsuccessful with the kick. 9-0. Play went deep into Taihape’s twenty-live again, and there Mortland kicked into Duncan’s hands, who, from Ihe 10-yard mark and a few feet in from touch, dropped a spectacular goal, bringing the score* to Wanganui 13; Taihape (). The teams were as follows:--Wanganui A, Backs: A. Duncan I (full-oack), N. Anderson, W. Bligh. iK. Donald (throe-quarters), K. DunI lop, J. Bailey (live-eighths), R. Best H half-back). Forwards: D. Goldsbury. D. Lind. F. Wanahi 'front row), G. Gerrie, S. Granville (breakaways),

K. Parnell, V. Bellis (locks), C. McNicol (back). Taihape. Backs: Morl land (fullback), Collerton, Aiderion, llylama (three-quarters), Sinclair, Punch (live eighths), Reiha (half-back). Forwards: Sievers, Berryman, Garlick (front row), Leary, Whisker (breakaways), McNichol, Wham 'locks), McCulloch (back). The referee was Mr. N. Nielson.