Taihape Notes!

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 2

Taihape Notes!

HUIA STILL LEADING IN TAIHAPE RUGBY DEFEAT OF MANGAWEKA (0.C.) Taihape, May 4. Battering down a stubborn defence in the last half of the match, Huia beat Mangaweka in the feature game of the 'Taihape Rugby Sub-Union senior championship yesterday by 15 points to 3. x The score flatters the winners, for Mangaweka deservedly led by three points to nil until well into the closing stages of the match. Here the defence of Mangaweka began to falter, and they failed to stay the distance, and Huia strode in to collect winning points. It was a rugged game between two even packs of zealous forwards, and from a spectacular point of view, was the best game so far this season. Both teams received an ovation on leaving the field. Huia remain the only unbeaten fifteen in the competition. In the early senior match Pirates accounted for Navy by 14 points to 3. Playing conditions were ideal and there was a large attendance to see the matches. HUIA v. MANGAWEKA. Striving desperately hard all the way to hold their slender lead of three points, Mangaweka faltered at a critical period ol the match against the competition leaders, and had to acknowledge defeat by 15 points to 3. Bustling and penetrating forward movements by Mangaweka from the opening whistle had Huia swung hard on defence. The ball was kicked past Hekenui, the Huia full-back, and swift following up by Hood, saw him score for Mangaweka. The kick failed.—Magaweka 3, Huia 0. Mangaweka forwards were contesting every yard of ground against the rugged Huia pack, while their backs were nailing their opposite numbers with deadly tackling. Berret, was watching McCarthy and toppling him as soon as the ball reached him. The tackling of both sides was rigid. Kawatau was proving a disjointed link in the Huia back chain and McCarthy had to make openings for himself. Hekenui was being called on repeatedly to line under pressure as the result of some slashing forward attacks by the Mangaweka pack. Opening the second half, Mangaweka still held their three points lead, but Huia began to team to better purpost. Scrums and line-outs began to go their way. but their passing was still being faulted by uncertain handling- , Huia drew on even terms when McCarthy goaled from a penalty. Mangaweka 3, Huia 3. Mangaweka began to tiro, and scenting a weakening defence. Huia began to call the tune. McNicol and Cashel led a robust forward attack and McNicol barged his way over the line to score. McCarthy converted—Huia 8, Mangaweka 3. Dominating play both back and forward, Huia were now in the ascendancy. Simmonds and Oulsnan, in the Mangaweka forwards, tried hard to collect further points for their side, but could not hole the defence. Before the final whistle Huia added a further seven points. An unconverted try by Berryman and a field goal by McCarthy. The game ended—Huia 15, Mangaweka 3. The teams were: — Huia: Hekenui; Haiiana. Thompson, Wereta, Kawatau, McCarthy. Rehia, Kotua, Anderson, Cashel, Collerton, Whiskey. McNicol, Marsh, Baker, Berryman. , Mangaweka: Hathaway, V- Canon, J. Carroll, Bell, Berret, Hood, Watson, Western, Murphy, Oulsnan, McNie, Simmonds. Hoskings, Evans, Potaka. Mr. A. Comber (Taumarunui) was referee. WIN FOR PIRATES. After holding Pirates for about 20 minutes, Navy began to fail away in form and failed to foot it with the speed of the Pirate backs. Hamilton was the soundest of the Navy backs and made several penetrating runs, but lacked support when the line was near at hand. Montgomerie and Woods were two hard-working forwards for Navy. For Pirates, Goldsbury and O Neill were the best of the forwards on the dav. Niven was the soundest hack. For Pirates tries were scored by Niven (2), Pearce (2). Thompson Co ¥ho r flnar"eore y iavoured Pirates by 14 M°"c. S l Ciark (Taumarunui) was referee. ,