TAIHAPE SUPERIOR TO RANGITIKEI RUGBY REPRESENTATIVE TEAM

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 May 1947, Page 2

TAIHAPE SUPERIOR TO RANGITIKEI RUGBY REPRESENTATIVE TEAM

(0.C.) Taihape, May 7. By 13 points to six, a Taihape Rugby representative team beat Rangitikei an the Taihape Recreation Ground this afternocl.i. The weather was fine and the ground was in good condition followil.ig overnight rain. The attendance was good for a mid-week match.

Both teams received an ovation on taking the field. There were two changes in the Taihape team, Leary and W. Hencry replacing Beckett and O’Neill in the forwards. McDonald replaced Barton in the backs lor Rangitikei early in the game. Faulty passing by the Taihape backs let Renshaw through a gap and he was unlucky in not crossing Taihape’s line. From a midfield movement all the Taihape backs, from Rehia, halfback, to Thompson at centre, handled, going at top speed. When challenged by Nicholson, the Rangitikei full-back, Thompson sent an infield pass to McCarthy, who scored a well-merited try. McCarthy converted.—Taihape 5, Rangitikei 0. An exchange o£ kicks saw the Rangitikei forwards attack with purpose and in turn Adams and Linton tried to get across, but were held out. Corcoran, the Taihape full-back, saved his side twice in succession with judicious kicks. From the defence Taihape went to the attack, the backs outflanking their opponents. Swift passing between Thompson, McCarthy and Bell resulted in the last named sending an infield pass to Thompson, who scored. The kick Jailed.—Taihape 8, Rangitikei 0. Playing with more vigour and skill than their opponents, Taihape were using their backs to good advantage and when play was being waged between halfway and the!'*, twenty-five flags in Rangitikei tqrpitory, Thompson opened up a gap in An® defenders’ ranks and scored lot "McCarthy to convert. Taihape were thus leading 13-0. Whiskey, McNicol anti, Goldsbury forced Rangitikei to give .ground, but Hammond, the Rangitikei centre, went down to the rush and halted a likely movement. The gfcme, so far as a spectacle, had not been impressive, and was marred by-«everal penalties. Before half-time, Rangitikei rallied and excitement prevailed when Corcoran was collared in possession in front of his goal, but no score resulted and Taihape still led 13-0. at the interval. Opening the second’half, Rangitikei teamed to better purpose and success came when Nicholson goaled from a penalty at an acute angle.— Taihape 13, Rangitikei 3. Gaining possession of the ball in the scrums Rangitikei came again, and only desperate tackling held the attackers out. Twice well placed kicks by Renshaw caught the Taihape backs unprepared, but Berrett got back in time to save. In turn, both back lines had lapsed in passing and with frequent infringements play again became medicore. Nicholson reduced Rangitikei’s deficiency in points when he goaled from a long-range penalty. —Taihape 13, Rangitikei 6. Rangitikei gained ascendency in two forward attacks in which Cross and Taiuru were prominent. From a linc-out McNichol, Berryman and Cashel made ground for Taihape, but the covering defence held. In the closing stages both sides tried to gain further points, but without success. The final score was Taihape 13, Rangitikei 6. Mr. C. H. Transom was the referee.