Rangitikei On Top Territorially, But Wanganui Better Team

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 May 1949, Page 6

Rangitikei On Top Territorially, But Wanganui Better Team

Though Wanganui Probables scored two converted tries in the first half against Rangitikei. the country team held the territorial advantage. Rangitikei gained six points in the second spell; Probables scored nine. However, the Metropolitan team generally looked the superior combination. Packing low, the Rangitikei forwards held the upper hand in the rucks, but were inferior in the loose play. Crombie, the Probables hooker, gave his backs a monopoly of the ball.

The scrum statistics read: Probables 25, Rangitikei 9. At half-time the scrums were 13 to 1 in favour of Probables. The line-outs finished with honours even—l B-all. Outstanding forward of the game was D. Morrison, of Rangitikei. He played back of the scrum in the first half hut moved into the lock position in the second spell. His work in the tight and loose was first-class. His lineout was good and he was rewarded with a great try from a lineout near the Probables’ goal line. More should be heard of this vigorous all round forward.

Rowley, the Rangitikei captain and Wanganui and Bush representative, showed that he maintains his good form of previous seasons. He was in everything and did it well. J. Bartlett and Meads were other hard-work-ing Rangitikei forwards. Granville and Ward, the Probables’ forwards, had a keen duel with their opposites in the line-outs. The former gave the best all-round display o\the team. Jordan and Goldsbury were prominent in the loose. The handling of the Probables backs was not always clean. However, on occasions they pleased the spectators with some bright moments. Les Head played up to the high standard he has set this season. He was clearly the best of the three second five-eighths, who made their appearance on Saturday. Hickling played his best game to date. However, at the present time he still falls short of requirements for a representative centre. Hughes, the tall winger, tackled hard and low. He was also dangerous on attack. This backline would undoubtedly have scored

more tries if the service from the base of the scrum had been good. The Rangitikei back line was not a happy combination. Smith, their halfback, invariably sent out good, 1 fast passes. Those outside of him ' could not take advantage of this. Star Rangitikei back was the winger, GoldI smith, who appeared the soundest of I all the wing three-quarters. Sherlock was disappointing, He was caught in ; possession a number of times. ' The teams were:— • ! Wanganui Probables: N. Wallace, P. Hughes. J. Hickling, A. Webby, Les Head. G. Luoni, J. Olliver, Knofflock, R. Head, V. Bell, R. Ward, F. Jordan, S. Granville, R. Crombie, D. Goldsbury.

Pvangitikei: G. Sherlock, T. Goldsmith, H. England, W. Towler, L. Gibbs. M. O'Connell, K. Smith, D. Morrison, J. Bartlett, I. Hemi, G. Meads, H. Rowley, G. Bartlett, W. Tocker, J. Hartley. In the second half England went to first five-eighths, O’Connell to second five-eighths, and Gibbs to centre. Morrison changed places with Hemi. Referee: Mr. J. Ross.

The first 25 minutes of the first spell I saw Rangitikei hold the territorial advantage. The rucking of their forwards was good to watch. Al this stage the country team looked the superior side. However, Probables gained the first try. With 12 minutes left to the end of the first half. Hickling received the ball on the Rangitikei twenty-five. The centre beat England and raced over to score 10 yards from the corner flag. Webby was there in support. Webby converted with a good kick—Probables 5, Rangitikei 0.

Five minutes later Probables back line started a movement on the halfr wav line. Hickling again received thfc ball and after making ground sent on to Hughes, who ran around Towler. When challenged by Sherlock Hughes passed back to Hickling, who carried on to score between the posts. Webby converted—Probables 10, Rangitikei 0. The early stages of the second half were evenly contested, with play ranging up and down the field. Rangitikei narrowly failed with two attempts to goal from penalties. Webby placed the town team further ahead when he

kicked a penalty from 35 yards out— Probables 13, Rangitikei 0. Good play by Morrison saved a possible try when Webby beat Goldsmith. The Rangitikei forwards took play to near the Probables goal line. From a line out Morrison secured the ball and dived over to score with about four Probables forwards trying to prevent him. The kick missed —Probables 13, Rangitikei 3. Wanganui returned to the attack and at one stage did everything but score. Soon afterwards R. Head, Jordan. Crombie, and Goldsbury broke away with the ball at their fcoes. Jordan carried on until five yards from the line The ball rolled loose and Luoni, who was backing up, gained possession and scored 15 yards from the posts. .The kick missed. Three minutes later Webby made a run from half-way and reached the twenty-five before he was tackled. The ball rolled loose and Les Head raced up, gathered fhe ball in, and outnaced the opposition to score a good try. The kick missed —Probables 19, Rangitikei 3. Probables kept on attack. Webby again made ground with a bright run. However, Goldsmith stopped the Probables winger. A loose ruck developed and Rowley gained possession. Catching the opposition out of position he ran 30 yards down the sideline. When tackled by Wallace he passed to Goldsmith. who dived over near the corner. The kick missed. The game ended soon afterwards with the score: Probables 19; Rangitikei 6.