WANGANUI INSIDE BACKS TOO GOOD FOR RANGITIKEI

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 May 1948, Page 6

WANGANUI INSIDE BACKS TOO GOOD FOR RANGITIKEI

The Barnett-Hunter-Gudsell combination of inside backs behind a fairly virile Wanganui pack, proved the undoing of Rangitikei. Wanganui should have scored at least two more tries from splendid openings made by Gudsell and Hunter, but on one wing was a five-eighths, playing out of position, and he found his new role a bit beyond him. Hunter was the star back of the day, among all those fielded, his reliable handling, accurate passing and covering and tackling proving of tremendous value to the Possibles. Gudsell was the beat attacking back, thrusting through the Rangitikei tine to pave the way to three tries. Rangitikei fielded a team of Maoris as backs, the sole European being Sherlock, the full-back. He was the best custodian of the day. As the match progressed the Rangitikei back line rearranged itself and there was more trust about it, but not sufficient to bring what looked to be a very dangerous three-quarter, Goldsmith, into action. The pack played well, Rowley being a lively siderow man. and Shannon and Meads playing well in the tight. Of the Wanganui pack D. Goldsbury, D. Grant and M. Pettis were always toiling and J. Whale did a lot of spoiling round the scrum. The teams were: Wanganui “Possibles”: W. Mosley, J. Rogers, L. Head, A. Webby, K. Gudsell, M. Hunter, J. Barnett, B. Jones, J. Whale, D. Grant, M. Pettis, G. Gertie, S. Granville, D- Goldsbury, L. Hill. Rangitikei: G. Sherlock, T. Goldsmith, T. Potaka, W. Kingi, T. Matenga, M. Hehira, C. Tamati, J. McDavitt, G. Judd, G. Meads, P. Shannon, H. Rowley, K. Stevens, W. Tocker, O. Partridge. Mr. Le Compte was referee. Raining though it was, Wanganui started the game off with a passing rush, Hunter fielding the ball from the kick-off and passing to Gudsell. A minute or so later Hunter again gave Gudsell the ball and he cut through and let Head away to score. Webby converted —Wanganui 5, Rangitikei 0. The Wanganui inside backs handled and Gudsell again cut through. Head drew the full-back and let Rodger

away to finish the move off with a try, which Webby converted —Wanganui 10, Rangitikei 0. Then the Rangitikei forwards came away, and with a re-arranged back line, Mataenga playing on the wing and Kingi as a live-eighths, they became more thrustful. Goldsmith twice made bids for the line. King) got away and passed to Potaka, who was tackled. From a scrum the Rangitikei half-back, Tamati, tried to run round the side to a try, but was held up. Encouraged by Wangaui having to force, the green forwards, with Rowley leading them, swept down on Wanganui’s line. A penalty to Rangitikei inside half-way gave Sherlock the chance to line the ball near a corner flag. After the throw-in Shannon scored. The angle was to great for Sherlock to convert —Rangitikei 3, Wanganui 10. This was the score at half-time. The second half had only been In progressa short time when Rangitikei were penalised on their side of half-way as the result of one of their players late-tackling Hunter. Webby, who took the kick for Wanganui, but found the ball too heavy to send between the posts. Both teams were excelling in sure handling of the ball under adverse conditions, and Hunter continued to catch the eye frequietly with deft moves and spectacular w’et-day efforts. In one forward thrust by Rangitikei, McDavitt burst through a gap, but was well stopped by a resdlute tackle from Hunter when it appeared that he might score. From defence Wanganui went to the attack, and an infringement by Rangitikei gave Webby another kick at goal, but he missed again. A collision between Shannon and Stevens, two big Rangitikei forwards resulted in both having to leave the field. After treatment by the St. John Ambulance men Shannon was able to resume, but Stevens was replaced by Taniroa. Rangitikei continued to press and a force brought much needed relief to Wanganui. An i exchange of kicks ended in Wan--1 ganui’s favour and from a mid-field melee Goldsbury burst from the ruck and scored near the posts for Webby to goal. There was no further scoring and the game ended Wanganui “Possibles” 15, Rangitikei 3.