RANGITIKEI RUGBY REPS. OVERWHELM OROUA AT BULLS

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 August 1948, Page 2

RANGITIKEI RUGBY REPS. OVERWHELM OROUA AT BULLS

(0.C.) Bulls, Aug. 22. The senior representative match played between Rangitikei and Oroua at Bulls on Saturday resulted in an overwhelming win for Rangitikei by 33 to 3. The visitors were not a happy comoination, and tlie enforced retirement of their half-back, England (who had a badly cut tongue) aid not improve matters, although his substitute Pawson, played dourly—in fact he’ and Dornbuscn were the only blue backs to make a stand against the visitors. Gibbs, the Rangitikei centre, soon found weak spots in the Oroua line and frequently cut the defence to pieces. Apart from a bad patch ot mishandling, Stevens went well and was ably partnered by Kingi. Neither Rangitikei wings got any clear-cut chances, except for a brilliant solo effort by Goldsmith. Patching, the full* oacK tor Oroua, was not impressive, and Rangitikei was well served by Hihira. whose boot was fruitful. The early stages of the game were very ordinary to watch, and as Rangitikei began to win the upper hand th« play of the greens became more impressive. McLennan, behind the green pack, got the lion’s share of the ball, and witn the exception of an odd toose one or two fed the backs splendidly. For Oroua, the Nesdale brothers and Nicholson were the pick of the forwards, while the best of the Rangitikei vanguard were Stevens and Hartley. The opening stages of the game were anything but exciting and it wassome ten minutes before Rangitikei opened their scoring account per medium of Hihira’s penalty goal. The lull-back obliged again soon after when Rangitikei were awarded an» other penalty in front of the posts. A nice movement by Stevens, Kingi, and Gibbs saw the latter streak over for a good try which was not converted. Stevens, the Rangitikei first fiveeighths, then scored a runaway try, which saw him just make it a after a 60 yards run. Hihira converted and Rangitikei led by 14 to nil at halltime. P. Geen replaced Bishop on the wing for Rangitikei, and England for Oroua had oeen replaced by K. Thompson. Smart work by Dornbusch who, together with Pawson. was doing good work for Oroua, saw Clans follow up to get a try at the corner, the kick being unsuccessful. Kingi was next to add to tne green's tally with a penalty goal, and then came a pretty run by King), Stevens, and Gibbs who went over with a nice burst of speed. Goldsmith, whose chances had been few and far between, gathered the ball in irom an Oroua kick and in aflash he hewed his way through the Oroua team to head for the line. Jones came across to get him from behind just as he was at the line. The ball ri» cd clear and Gibbs pounced on it for nis third try, which Kingi converted. r'rom a line scrum McLennan jinked his way past the flat-footed olue deii.’.ders and Kingi added the extra points. The green forwards at this stage began to throw the ball about in the approved Australian manner, and from a grand rush in which Kingi and Hihira were prominent, Hartley raced across for Hihira to convert, making the score: Rangitikei 33, Oroua 3. Mr. J. Dickson refereed. THE CURTAIN-RAISER. Played as a curtain-raiser to the big match the New Zealand Air Force v. Rangitikei B game resulted in a win for the Air Force by 11 to 9. Brown scored first for the blues and Stock, for Rangitikei, put over two penalties. Somerville equalised with a penal!',- in the first spell. In the second half Air Force backs opened up by Brown, got away for Roberts to work a pretty scissors, which saw Brewer battle over for a good try, which Somerville converted. Tamati crowned off a good forward movement by getting across the blue line from a line-out near the corner. Mr. C. Kereama refereed.