RANGITIKEI RUGBY

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

RANGITIKEI RUGBY

WINS FOR NORTH JUNIORS AND SOUTH THIRDS. With the idea of giving the selectors some indication of the talent available in Rangitikei, trial third and junior Rugby football matches were played in Marton on Saturday while the senior team was in Wanganui. Play was of a mediocre standard, there being flashes of bright play, but dropped passes frustrated any possibility of successful play. Results were:— Junior. North Rangitikei 10 v. South Rangitikei 6. Thirds. South Rangitikei 3 v. North Rangitikei 0. The first game, the third grade trial, was the best match to watch. It was fast and even with a fairly rich supply of rearguard action. South owed their victory to the superiority of their inside backs—Westwod, Torrens and Gribibens, the Bulls trio, whose understanding was ctlightful to watch, These three players were easily the pick of the backs, while the forwards who played ’.veil were Price, Howard, Cato and Roach, the last mentioned showing tip-top form in Ihe loose. D. Barr, from the A.T.C.,, gave the best exhibition in the North backs with Lethbridge. Howard and Signal showing up to advantage in the vanguard. South's three points came from a try by Gribbens, which was scored in the first half.

Playing more as a united force in the forwards North won their game against South in the junior encounter. They played a bustling game throughout, whereas the South team laboured more as individualists. Gordon and Gibbs, the North inside backs were in the best of form, and both tries which were scored from near half-way were initiated bv tNese two Hunterville men. South held a territorial advantage, but could not cap off their oack movements with tries, because of erratic passing. Gibbs and Ihe centre scored tries for North, both of which were converted by Bartlett. Two penalty goals by R. Dailey made up South’s six points. The half-time score was 5-0. WANGANUI BEAT MARTON IN CASCADE MATCH. In a hard-fought struggle, mainly confined to the lorwards, Wanganui beat Marton Railway in the Cascade Cup match at Marton yesterday by an unconverted try to nil. There was much mis-handling among the backs, with the result the three-quarter line had limited opportunities. Marton had the heavier pack, but the visitors hunted better and when they heeled the ball it came cleanly from the scrums and rucks, whereas the ball came sluggishly from ihe scrums won by Marton, enabling the fast Wanganui side-row men to smother the live-eighths, P. Rush and D. Aubery. Spectators were expecting some fireworks from these two Feilding playei’s, but were disappointed. The forwards toiled hard all the afternoon. the winners procmg superior in the loose rushes particularly in the first spell. Ther<' was a certain amount of weak tackling on both sides. Players who should have been grassed soon after receiving the ball, were allowed too much latitude. Failure of the Marton forwards to go down on the ball, lost them valuable i erritory. Summed up. Wanganui deserved their win. They played aggressively throughout and the margin i.l victory could have been greater. With Ihe exception of a short spell sunn alter l lie commencement of the second session, Wanganui were nearly always camped in Marton's half. A. Wilson, J. Reed and R. ingr.im were perhaps the pick of ihe Wanganui forwards, although the first named was prone to keep off-side too much. L. Waldin, second live-eighths, was easily the best back on both c.tlack and defence, his kicking being a feature. B. Belts played a conspicuous game after (he interval at first live-egihths. Once he ran from his own twenty-live inlo Marton's twenty-five with a spectacular weaving gallop. B. Wilt at full-back was sound, while T. Anthony, on the wing, once in possession, was a hard man to stop. W. Bettridgo. al full-back for .Marton, was inclined to be too slow, bu: h s kicking was reasonably good. Marlonians know him belter as Win Te.rr.v. R. Linden, on the wing, cor more opportunities than A. Schofield, and ran with determination. Scho-

field, however, was the only player who really went down on the ball. P. Paul was by far the best Marton forward; he grafted well throughout tlie game, while 11. Thoresen and J. McManus gave valuable support. Wanganui's try was scored in the first half, just before the inters al. Obtaining from a set scrum, the half. J. Black, slipped round the open Mde of the scrum and passed to a supporting forward, Reed, the latter going over for a pretty try. The teams were: Marton: W. Belt ridge: R. Linden, J. Liddell. A. Schofield P. Rush. A. Aubrey; V. Hughes; A. Flitcher; R Kirby, T. Pommel t, P. Paul, H. Thoresen; A. Nicholls, J. McManus, J. Barnes. ’ , , T Wanganui: B. Witt; P. ITaddoc.;, J. Edwin. T. Anthony; B. Belts. L. Waidin: J. Black: L. Lind; .1. Reed, R. Ingram. J. Glenworth, A. Wilson; O. Murphy, .1. Enwright. . Grainger. The reefree was Mr. F. S. Adams ,1. Barnes, who injured a hip and h. Kirbv, who received a nasty smacK on the leg retired and were replaced by T. Allen and P.