COLLEGIATE BEATEN BY BACK PLAY OF PALMERSTON B.H.S.

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 July 1947, Page 6

COLLEGIATE BEATEN BY BACK PLAY OF PALMERSTON B.H.S.

The inability of the Wanganui Collegiate School's back line to handle the ball and their lack of penetration cost them the game in their annual match with Palmerston North Boys' High School. The match was played yesterday on the Collegiate grounds oetween the first fifteens of the schools and was won by Palmerston by "eight points to three, Palmerston scoring two tries with one converted and Wanganui a penalty. The forward packs were evenly matched and both sets played hard, solid football. The only section in the forward play where Wanganui was beaten was in the hooking. Petersen, playing at centre hooker for Palmerston, seldom made a mistake although several penalties were awarded against him for using his feet too soon.

In the back-line section Wanganui was hopelessly outclassed by the speedy, deeply-penetrating Palmerston inside backs. Wanganui's inside backs failed in their handling and were not off their marks quick enough. They were frequently caught flat-footed and when the ball did reach either wing they had lost ground. The Palmerston back line played well and particularly good games were played by Irwin, the first five-eighths, and Heaphy, the centre. Irwin combined an elusive dodge with a good speed to cut deep holes in the Wanganui defence. Heaphy also combined his powerful stride with a good dodge and fully deserved his try. He was also responsible for the other try. Buckley, the Palmerston full-back, saved his side on many occasions with his powerful and accurate line-kicking. His only weakness was Ills slowness in moving and this factor nearly brought trouble to his side. The best back in Hie Wanganui team was the lull-back, G. E. Reisterer, who on several occasions moved up into the back-line making an extra man. His line-kicking was good and his taking of the ball while moving at speed also attracted attention. The two breakaways in the Wanganui pack, Munro and Blennerhassett, played good games and frequently worried the Palmerston half, Clark, in getting away his dive passes. Palmerston scored in the urst 15 minutes when, from a scrum on thenown twenty-five, the ball went out along their back line to Heaphy. Heaphy cut through and made a gap before sending on to Mewett, the winger. Mewett went over comfortably about 15 yards from the posts, enabling Irwin to convert. —Palmerston Boys’ High School 5; Wanganui Collegiate 0. Shortly before half-time Irwin opened up another gap and threw the ball straight to Heaphy who scored three yards from the corner flag. Irwin’s Kick failed.—Palmerston North Boys’ High School 8; Wanganui Collegiate 0.

On the resumption of play Wanganui forced the pace in an endeavour to make up the leeway. They held a definite territorial advantage throughout the whole half and were unlucky on several occasions not to score. The only points this half came to Wanganui when Hanna converted a penalty from three yards outside the twenty-five and directly in front.— Palmerston North Boys’ High School 8; Wanganui Collegiate School 3. The teams were:

Palmerston North Boys’ High School: Buckley, Mewett, Heaphy, Smith, Andrews (captain), Irwin, Clark, Joblin, Ellis, Bourke, Dale, Trail, Liddell. Petersen, Hollows. Wanganui Collegiate School: G. E. Reisterer, D. French, M, Hanna, D. King, R. Short, R. Beamish, C. Nevill, P. Munro, D. Hassell, R. Tylee, B. Blennerhassett, B. Wilson, J. Hogarthy, R. Parr. Referee: Mr. N. Neilson.