RUGBY LEAGUE AT WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 August 1946, Page 3

RUGBY LEAGUE AT WANGANUI

WELLINGTON TOO GOOD FOR TARANAKI FAST GAME DESPITE MUD As part of its campangn to revive tiie code here, Wanganui Rugby Football League staged a representative match between Wellington and Taranaki at Cook's Gardens on Saturday afternoon. Despite the woeful weather conditions a crowd of about 1000 witnessed an exciting, fast game, which was won by Wellington by 10 pointa to 5. A curtain-aiser between two local teams, Pakeha and Maori, was won by the latter by 11 points to 5 after a close contest, which favoured tha Pakehas 5—3 at half-time. The teams in the Wellington-Tara-naki game were:— Wellington.—Full-back, J. Hemi; three-quarters, D. Halford, N. Evans, Jamieson; five-eighths, NuClare, Solomon; half-back, Hawkins; forwards, J. Cootes, Belton, Courtenay, Moses, Andrews, H. Kreyal Taranaki—Full-back, J. Broughton; three-qua:ters, R. O'Shannessey, B. While, W. Walker; five-eighths, P. ( McCullock, E. G. Matcher; half-back, D. Rills; forwards, R. Sutherland, N. Poole, P. Mcßeth, F. O'Shannessey, G. Yates, Hickland. Mr. L. Davis was referee. The game was kicked off by Mr. E. W. Merewether, patron of the Wanganui Rugby League. EVENLY MATCHED. Play was held for some time in midfield, where several scrums were inconclusive. The Wellington back line kept up pressure, however, but was unable to handle the greasy ball to advantage and Taranaki broke clear of trouble. From a scrum on the Wellington quarter line Taranaki forced play up near the Wellington line, but could get no advantage. Wellington broke clear, but a forward spoiled a promising attack. A free kick on their own line got Taranaki out of trouble. Then Wellington got away, and Cootes scored convincingly after a run of about 15 yards. Solomon converted.—Wellington 5, Taranaki O. Soon after the kick-off Taranaki forced the game back on to Wellington’s rear line, and Wellington was on the defensive. For a few minutes Taranaki held the game in front of Wellington's goal post, and after several scrums and exchanges R. O'Shannessey found an opening to notch Taranaki's first try. S. O'Shannessey converted and the score was five-all. Despite the fact that the field was getting more and more churned up as the game progressed, play was fast and open, and there were few delays for scrums or infringements. The ball was very greasy, but the kicking and handling was very good in the circumstances, and the bail was kept in play most of the time. Alter a series of manoeuvres in midfield Wellington got back in front of the Taranaki goal, and a scrum infringement cost Taranaki a penalty right under their own posts. Solomon took the kick and sent the ball over between the bars, making the score—Wellington 7, Taranaki 5. Half-time came shortly afterwards. FAST, DESPITE MUD. Playing conditions were worse after the resumption of play, and there was a muddy struggle for supremacy. Taranaki got play into the Wellington quarter, but could not force the defence. There was little to choose between Lhe two teams, however. Both were handicapped at this stage by the state the ground, but kept the game moving up and down field. Then Halford broke loose, and outwitted the Taranaki opposition to score a try near the corner after a very bright run. Solomon failed to convert. —Wellington 10, Taranaki 5. Wellington kept up the attack and had Taranaki on the defensive fot some time. Then Taranaki got the game into the Wellington quarter, but could make no impression on the Wellington defence. Wellington took the offensive again for a time without scoring, and after some midfield exchanges Taranaki was back in lhe Wellington halt for a spell. Considering conditions, a remarkably fast pace was being kept up by both sides. With five minutes to go Wellington was on the attack again, but Taranaki was defending surely. Just on time Taranaki staged a comeback and looked like scoring a couple of times, but time was called with the score unchanged.—Wellington 10, Taranaki 5. MAORI v. PAKEHA. Both sides were very evenly matched, and tiie game was fast and spectacular throughout. G. Matson scored a try fo.- Pakehas early in the game, and R. Davis converted, giving them a five-point lead. R. Chase scored a try for the Maori team shortly afterwards, but it was not converted, and lhe score was still 5—3 in favour of Pakehas at half-time. In the second lialf D. Downs added another tiy to the Maori score, putting them a point ahead. For the rest of the spell the issue was in doubt, as play ranged up and down the field un--I'l right on time, when Davis scored for the Maoris and J. Waldron converted. making the final figures— Macris 11, Pakehas 5.