Hunterville Narrowly Beats Athletic In Last Few Minutes Of Play

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 June 1948, Page 2

Hunterville Narrowly Beats Athletic In Last Few Minutes Of Play

(0.C.) Marton, June 26. Athletic, bottom team in the senior grade, almost caused a major upset in the Rangitikei Rugby competitions today when they Were beaten by the so far undefeated Hunterville combination by a margin of two points. Hunterville clinched victory with a sensational try in the last two minutes of play. The game was reminiscent of the previous week’s match, when Athletic, after leading Rangatahi for most of the game, were robbed of victory with a last-minute try and a brilliant conversion.

Athletic played a great game today, their forwards and backs showing real enterprise at times. The improving Ohingaiti team, and Bulls, advanced further up the ladder at the expense of Old Boys end Ratana respectively, while Rat.a had a five points win over RangatahiBy defeating Rata, Athletic juniors virtually won the junior championship of 1948, bltf. the win bf Old Boys over Hunterville was not altogether expected. In the third grade ill the leading teams won. Perfect conditions again prevailed throughout the district for Rugby. Results were:—

Senior: Ohingaiti 11, v. Marton Old Boys 3; Hunterville 8, v. Athletic 6; Bulls 13, v. Ratana 3; Rata 8, v. Rangatahi 3. Junior: Athletic 9 v. Rata 6; Marton Old Boys 11, v. Hunterville 5; Ratana 9, v. Bulls 6; Turakina a bye. Thirds: Marton D.H- Schcvl 9, V. Marton Old Boys 8; Ohingaiti 9, V. Flock Housj; 3; Athletic 23, v. Hunterville 3; Katana a bye. Each side scored a try in the match at Ohingaiti between Marton Old Boys and Ohingaiti, the home team’s remaining points coming from two penalties and a conversion kicked by H. Cocoran. Had the Ohingaiti full-back had his kicking boots on the winner's margin of points would have been greater, Cocoran missing with lour attempts early in the game. It was a ragged game, neither team being able to linish off their moves. All the scoring was done in the litst half, N. Northover going across for Old Boys and J. Bartlett for Ohingaiti. In the second spell T. Goldsmith (Old Boys) was shifted into centre from the wing and made three great runs. One deserved a try, but Whale missed his pass at the critical moment- However, as in the first spell, there was considerable scrambling play, and the game ended: Ohingaiti 11, Old Boys 3. By eight points to three, Rata defeated Rangatihi, at Rangatahi but it was only in the last five minutes of play that the winners forged ahead when Tau Potaka, on the wing, scored the deciding try, which was converted by E. Nicholson. Early in the game Beard kicked a penalty for Rangatahi and it was not until 15 minutes before time that Nicholson evened the score with a penalty. It was a good fast game with Rata gaining the supper hand In the dying stages. The Rangatihi forwards In the loose were in line fettle and frequently had Rata in trouble. A disquieting feature was the atrocious handling by both teams, time and again, passing movements breaking down through fumbling. ATHLETIC UNLUCKY. After leading to within a couple of minutes before the final whistle, Athletic went under to Hunterville in the main senior game at Marton by six points to eight. The visitors unravelled a brilliant movement down the centre of the field, which culminated in H. Rowley scoring handily for the winning points. At times the game bristled with excitement as first one team and then the other launched their attacks. Hunffirville periodically were kept extremely busy keeping their line intvet especially in the second spell. This was mainly due to the vigorous play of the Athletic forwards in the loose, determined rucking and solid tacklingIt was gruelling football all the way, with the forwards being used mostly as the attacking weapon, although both rearguards unfolded some dangerous moves on several occasions. Athletic had several opportunities to score but lacked the finishing touches and their six points came from two splendid penalties by P. Cruden, who was making his first appearance on the park this season. Hunterville scored two tries’ ,one of which was converted. The best forward on the ground was H. Rowley (Hunterville), who was everywhere, and Hunterville owes much to him for leaving the ground victorious. He frequently extricated his side from dangerous situations With his pace and anticipation. Regularly from the lineous he won possession for his half-back. Other good Hunterville forwards were S. Guinivan, J. Hall, and G. Bartlett. F. Bartlett, the Hunterville half, was a trifle slow in getting the ball away and too often tried to barge his way. through the opposition- Better service might have given the Hunterville backs more opportunities. O. Stevens, at first five-eighths, again showed his capabilities and was always looking for an opening. He scored Hunterville’s first try and had a hand in the sensational last-minute score which won the game for the visitors. N. Illston did net get many chances at centre but I. Bartlett, on the wing, required close watching. At full-back, I. Osman, like his opposite number, P. Cruden, played really well. The return of Jim Hutton made a big difference to the attack of the Athletic backs. That extra snap which he supplied raised the tone of the home rearguard, the remaining backs all acquitting themselves well, although W Towler disappointed with his handling. R. Price, F. Calkin (he replaced P. Wigglesworth in the first spell), L. McDougall, and H. McLean were tireless in an even Athletic pack. The Athletic forwards broke quickly and repeatedly upset the Hunterville backs with their spoiling play. While the honours were evenly divided in the set scrums, Hunterville were the masters of lineouts, mainly due to Rowley’s superlative efforts. The teams were:—

Hunterville. L. Osman, I. Bartlett, N- Illston, H. England, I. McDonald O. Stevens, F. Bartlett, S. Guinivan, 11. Rowley. G Meads, J. McQueen. J Hall, I, Dillon, G, Bartlett, R. Todd. Athletic: P. Cruden, J. Toban, VSantiall, W. Towler, J. Hutton, P. Paurini, D. McLennan, P. Paul P Gibbs, P. Wigglesworth, L. McDougall, R. Price, L. Brooks, J- Elliott, H. McLean.

Right from the kick-off Hunterville were subject to strong pressure on their line, Toban and Gibbs going very close to scoring for Athletic, both Cruden and England missed dilllcult penalties, and then Hutton opened up a move, sending Stantiall and Towler away, but the lastmentioned fumbled his pass and an imminent try was lost. Play continued to ebb and flow but. the defence on both sides was good. Near the end of the, spell Cruden raised the line umpires flags with an excellent penalty from 40 yards out. Half-time arrived with Athletic leading by 3-nil. Soon after the resumotion a loose

ruck in Athletic territory saw the ball come out to the Hunterville backs and Stevens in a very strong run scored near the posts for G. Bartlett to add the major points Athletic made desperate efforts to wipe off the deficit, their forwards hunting in fine style. After missing with two penalties from difficult angles. Cruden placed Athletic ahead with a brilliant goal from I near half-way. Some torrid forward play characterised the remainder (> the spell as Hunterville strived valiantly to regain the lead and preserve their unbeaten record, but Athletic were just as determined to leave the field victors- However, it was not to be. Despite two stab punts in quick succession by Hutton which placed Hunterville in an awkward position, the visitors returned play to half-way where McDonald sent Illston away. The centre sent a timely pass to Stevens, who with a neat side-step evaded Cruden but was caught by the converging Athletic pack and from the developing ruck Rowley gathered in and flung himself over the line. G. Bartlett missed the kick and the game ended two minutes later with Hunterville 8, Athletic 6. Mr. R. Gordon refereed.