RANGITIKEI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 August 1946, Page 8

RANGITIKEI RUGBY

RANGATAHI WIN SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MARTON DEFEAT RATA. (0.C.) Marton, Aug. 10. Although two more series of matches yet remain to be played, to complete the final round, Rangatahi, by their victory to-day over Athletic, won the 1946 senior Rugby championship in Rangitikei. Hunterville, last year’s winners will be runners-up. Marton, who, the previous week, went under to Bulls, a team on the last rung of the ladder, came to light to-day with an unexpected win when they accounted for Rata, a team lying third in the championship. The junior and third grade competitions are still undecided, although Rangatahi and Bulls respectively, are warm favourites. The Marton junior team to-day, had to forfeit to Hunterville, owing to illness among the players. The Flock House-Marton A.T.C. game was not played as the Flock House ground was unfit for play. It is very unlikely that this match will now eventuate, as both teams are well out of the running fol* championship honours. What was probably the highest score ever recorded in a championship match at Bulls, was put up by the home team when they ran up a cricket score of 60 to nil against Hunterville thirds. Grounds were heavy to-day after overnight rain, and a high wind did not improve conditions for either players or spectators. Results at a glance:— Senior. Rangatahi 12 v. Athletic 3. Marton 3 v. Rata 0. Hunterville 9 v. Bulls 8. Ohingaiti a bye. Junior. Rangatahi 6 v. Athlteie 3. Hunterville won by default from Marton. Thirds. Bulls 60 v. Hunterville 0. Rata 19 v. Marton 5. Flock House-Marton A.T.C. match not played. M.D.H.S. a bye. Poor goal-kicking marked the Ran-gatahi-Athletic senior match at Kakariki. Both sides missed comparatively easy shots, but the high wind which was blowing added to the difficulties. The game was evenly contested, being mainly confined to the forwards. Whereafc the visitors laboured earnestly but as individuals, the Rangatahi vanguard hunted more as a pack. There were spasmodic bright patches of play, but otherwise the standard never rose above mediocrity. The visitors made herculean efforts in the final 15 minutes of play, and had Rangatahi hard pressed, but the defence held. T. Wrigglesworth and F. Calkin were the leaders in the Athletic pack and the pick of the backs were K. Coles and M. Whale. In a hard working vanguard, N Williams and J. Poutama were always to the fore while P. Williams was the star in the home backs. For the winners, tries were scored by P. Williams, N. Williams, D. Anderson and F. Kumerda. Atheltic’s points came from a try by T. Reremoana. MABTON WINS A SCRAPPY GAME. Characterised by many wild passes, plenty of fumbling and a poor standard of play, Marton seniors surprised their supporters when they defeated Rata in the only game at ■ Marton Park by 3 points (a penalty) to nil. The visitors can count themselves unlucky in not winning the match, as they held a territorial advantage throughout the second spell. Only on two occasions Marton see the inside of the Rata twenty-live. The game was very scrappy, and the many infringements retarded the pace. Rata dominated the scrums and rucks, but the lighter Marton forwards led by E. Zander, D. Stewart, K. Lampp and L. Hamer were superior in the loose. T. Green played in top gear throughout for Rata and received good support from W. Gill, R. Stevens and R. Pickford. Stevens was a grand worker in the lineouts. The rearguard moves by both teams were weak, the ill-directed passing contributing much towards the slowing up of the geme. Rata backs were presented with many opportunities, through gaining a larger possession of the ball, but with the exception of T. Potaka, who produced some strong runs, they failed to make the most ot them. The Marton hacks were poor on attack, but their defence was generally sound, though Q. Kingham found some difficulty in marking Potaka. K. Green on the wing for Rata, who played a fine game against Athletic the previous week, again revealed that he is a player of merit. Once in possession he takes a power of stopping. His counter-part, N. Northover, had a strenuous time, and did well to keep Green in check as much as he did. E. Nicholson was shaky at full-back, having difficulty in judging the flight of tlie ball in the strong wind. M. Wysocki, who retired in the second spell, after’ receiving a nasty knock on the head, did not have as much work to do at lull-back as his opposite number. The Rata player won plaudits for his lengthy touchlinders in the second half. S. Hartley, at lirst live-eighths, had a penchant for diving back amongst his forwards, alter receiving the ball via his haltback. Better results would have been achieved had lie led Potaka more often. Only once during Hie entire game did the ball travel from the half-back to Hie wing three-quarter on either s.de, without a halt being called tor an infringement. The game was more strenuously fought between the vanguards. The spoiling tactics adopted by the last breaking Marton forwarcis proved a source of annoyance to Raia’s inside backs, and it: was here where most movements broke down. Both teams were not at full strength, the local side being without lite of its regular players, and had to prevail upon juniors to till the ranks. Tlie teams lined out: Rata: E. Nicholson: K. Green, G. Tuluru, H. Hurst; S. Hartley, T. Potaka; U. Potaka; B. Stevens; T. Green, K. Downs, 1:. Pickford, R. Stevens; 11. Bradnock, J. Woodman, W. Gill. Marton: W. Wysocki; N. Northover, L. Coleman, I. Stewart; Kingham, D. McLennan; D. Kane; L. Hamer; D. Stewart, D. Kinlock, R. Fittier, N. Miles; F. Morrison, E. Zander, K. Lampp. Rata had the better of Hie opening exchanges, but the Marton forward:; gradually brought play back into Rata

territory. Kane sent the ball to McLennan to Kingham, who kicked for the gap. Nicholson endeavoured to get possession, but the Marton forwards beat him to it. However, Hurst gathered the ball from the toes of the converging blue men, and kicked for touch, but the ball fell into the arms of McLennan. The Marton captain sent Zander away but his pass to a supporting player went astray and Rata had a lucky let-off. From a line-out a scrum was ordered and Rata was penalised. I. Stewart kicked an excellent penalty from the side line to allow Marton to draw first blood. Marton 3, Rata 0. Rata retaliated with a swift move. Hartley, after receiving from his half, U. Potaka, changed direction, and made for the blind side. A pass was accepted by K. Green who streaked up the sideline and when cramped tossed the ball infield to supporting forwards, who carried on the play to inside the goal-line where the referee ordered a drop-out. Rata continued with their aggressive style and it was not long before T. Green set sail for the line. As he was tackled by Wysocki he unloaded a pass to K. Green, but the ball was intercepted by Zander, and a scoring change was losi. A hefty kick by Northover took Marion into foreign territory. There was a lot of indeterminate play until the half-time whistle.

Fortunes fluctuated for the opening minutes of the second spell, but once Rata judged the strength of the wind, by judicious kicking they had Mari'on penned in their territory. Nicholson had a chance to equalise with a penalty but the ball fell short. The heavy Rata forwards were now playing with undiminished vigour, but Marton countered with equal determination. However, the visitors gradually won the upper hand. Stevens beautifully gathered in a rolling ball and set sail for the line. He crashed into Wysocki on the line and there was a “sacks-on-lhe-niill.” The Marton fullback had to be assisted off the field by the ambulance man, and J. Barry, nursing an injured shoulder, came on and took up the custodian role. A kick infield by T. Potaka, caught Marton on the wrong foot. The ball rolled over the goal-line, but in the race for the ball, 1. Stewart got there first. Kane was not getting his passes away in his usual cr.sp style, and when a Rata forward beat Kane for the ball, after Marton had hooked it, a dangerous situation developed for the blues. There was a scramble on | the Marion line, and when the local side was penalised, it gave Nicholson a chance to goal, but he missed an easy kick. With time slipping by, Rata were now making desperate efforts to pull the game out of the fire. All the Rata backs handled to let Potaka break through, but Ins pass to Hurst was dropped and Kingham booted upfield. I. Stewart had a final flutter up the field to cross into Rata territory for the first time for 20 minutes, but il was short-lived as Nicholson gained 40 yards with a prodigous punt from a penally. When the final whistle blew, Marlon were on the attack, but the score remained: Marton 3, Rata 0. Mr. J. Orgias was Ihe referee.