RANGITIKEI RUGBY THIRDS LIKELY TO FULLY EXTEND THE WANGANUI TEAM

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 July 1947, Page 9

RANGITIKEI RUGBY THIRDS LIKELY TO FULLY EXTEND THE WANGANUI TEAM

lii view of the fact that the Wanganui representative third grade Rugby team is to play Rangitikei at Marton next Saturday, the following comment on the Rangitikei side, from the '‘Chronicle’s” Marton Rugby commentator, is of interest:

The Rangitikei third grade selector (Mr. K. Kerr) can feel well satisfied with the performance of his team against the Orona junior B representatives at Kimbolton last Saturday. The strength of the team lies clearly in the back-line. The speed and thrustfulness bewildered the opposition to such an extent in the opening phases of the game that the visitors crossed for four tries,'one of which was converted, and a penalty goal, when the game was but 15 minutes old. It was in this period that Rangitikei won the match. After that Oroua shook off the demoralising effect and settled down to keep the game tight which they succeeded to some purpose. In the next 65 minutes of play Rangitikei added only 11 points, while a penalty goal was given against them, Rangitikei running out winners by 28 to three. Just how the visiting backs monopolised the scoring can be judged Hom the fact that 25 of the points were obtained by the rearguard.

The Rangitikei backline handled adroitly, backed up intelligently, and with pace to burn simply swamped the defence in that first 15 minutes that spectators were beginning to visualise a score in the neighbourhood of 50. During this time Rangitikei made the Oroua players look like school-boys, with little knowledge of tlie game. They were completely at sea and shocked by the fleetness of the Rangitikei three-quarter line. However, Oroua made a sound recovery, much to the relief of the Kimbolton supporters. Tlje Oroua forwards, a robust eight, settled down to the task and had Rangitikei penned in their territory for sometime. The thirds can certainly give the seniors a sharp lesson in how to handle and pass a ball. It was pretty to see the ball swinging out from half to wing with ma-chine-like precision. The inside backs varied their play nicely. They knew they had a threequarter line with tons of speed and they fed it whenever the occasion demanded.

Six members of the Rangitikei back-line have all had track experience—R. Torrens, D. Robertson, D. Barr, R. Westwood, P. Gribbin and R. McChesney, and this has benefited their play. Westwood (Bulls) was at the base of the scrum and not at fullback as originally selected, changing place with R. Lowry (Ohingaiti). Occasional P Westwood was engulfed by tne opposing forwards and sent out some low passes, but Torrens’ sure hands were invaluable. Both Robertson and Torrens (five-eighths) were good connecting links and were sound without being brilliant. The latter kicked with judgement, although he was criticised because he kicked too often. One glaring fault with Torrens’ play was his inclination to pass without watching where he was passing, giving Robertson some nasty transfers. McChesney, at centre, was the most dangerous man on the field. He carved great holes in the opposing side and ran his wings, Gribbin and Barr, into position. Both scored good tries. The latter was a little uncertain in his handling and showed some hesitation.

Lowry, at full-back, was safe taking the ball in the air and along the ground cleanly. 'His weakness was line-kicking. He had the greatest difficulty in finding touch. As it happened this fault did not unduly trouble the team but against a stronger opposition, giving possession to an opposing backline might led to serious repercussions, and it is to be avoided whenever possible. A fullbacks task is to find the line every time unless he wishes to initiate a back movement. It also allows the forwards—the hardest worked players in the team—a much needed “breather,” and saves tnem a lot of unnecessary trotting around the ground. 80 PER CENT. BEST OF IT As Rangitikei spent 80 per cent, oi the game on attack, their defensive qualities were not severlely tested. Both Robertson and McChesney missed their opposite numbers on one occasion and once Oroua nearly went across. From Saturday's game it appeared that on defence Rangitikei is not as strong as on attack. The Oroua backline functioned erratically and as individuals W. Still (second five-eighths) and P. Purches (centre) were the pick, while the hall', S. Watkins, also performed well. The team did not have the polish to finish J' attacking movements, nor the pace to match the skill of their opponents. The Rangitikei forwards are on the light side and this was reflected in their play once their heavier opponents had settled down. They will need every ounce in the pack against Wanganui on Saturday if they are to rake the ball to their backline. A certain amount of hesitation will also have to be eliminated. Few players stood above their team mates. A. Simpson (Hunterville), L. Roache (M.D.H.S.), E. Rowan (Old Boys) were toilers all day, while V. Simcox, as last man down, played a good game and initiated one try. A. Thompson, the Ohingaiti lock, excelled in the tight and G. Kane (rake) saw to it that his backs received a fair share of the ball. A nuggety player, he was in the thick of the tight stuff. Two tall players, R. Howard (Bulls) and T. Hunter (Athletic! were valuable in the lineouts, although their taking of the ball was not always clean. Hardest workers in the Oroua pack were H Mclntyre and M. Smith, the two locks, while D. Stewart was another to impress. Tries for Rangitikei were scored by R. McChesney (2), R- Torrens, D. Barr P Griggin, and L. Roache. MeChesney kicked two penalties and R. Westwood converted two tries. J. Sextus the Oroua hooker, who played a serviceable game, kicked a Penalty goal near the end of the game. Mr. K. Gibb was the referee.