RANGITIKEI BEAT TAIHAPE IN MATCH FOR POWNALL TROPHY

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 June 1949, Page 6

RANGITIKEI BEAT TAIHAPE IN MATCH FOR POWNALL TROPHY

TAIHAPE, Last Night (0.C.) -Although they scored only one try, Rangitikei beat Taihape by 14 points to eight in a match for the Pownall Trophy played at Taihape on Saturday. There was little to choose between the two sides. Rangitikei undoubtedly had the better of the firsi half and their forwards were always dangerous in the loose but the whole team dominated play in the second spell with the exception of the last 10 minutes. Wheeler played an outstanding game at centre lor Taihape and scored one brilliant try and almost registered a second try but was stopped by Towler less than a yard from the Rangitikei line. He was always dangerous. Pearce’s try for Taihape was also a line individual effort, despite the fact that he was obstructed near the line. O’Connell went well for Rangitikei. The visitors’ score was made up of penalty goals by England and Wilson, a potted goal by Garratt and a try by Jacobsen in the last five minutes of the game. This was converted by England. In the first spell the Rangitikei for-, wards kept the Taihape backs very quiet, but the maroon rearguard was seen to advantage after the interval when the local forwards also improved. The game had been in progress barely live minutes when England, the Rangitikei full-back, kicked a magnificent goal from near half-way. He tried to repeat the performance a lew minutes later but just missed. The greens attacked strongly, Henderson, Barton, Garratt, and O'Connell handling in turn but the visitors’ lost possession near the line and Taihape forced. All the Taihape backs handled in a spectacular rush but Pearce was crowded on the wing and Rangitikei cleared. The visitors came again and Henderson secured from a scrum near the Taihape line and passed to Garratt, who potted a goal. Shortly before half-time Hoskin sent the Taihape backs away. Wheeler found a gap in the defence and raced over to score a line try. D. McCarthy failed with the kick.—Rangitikei 6, Taihape 3. The score was unchanged at half-time. The second spell had hardly started when Wheeler caused a thrill when he broke through from neutral territory with Miller in support. He beat the Rangitikei full-back, but Towler raced across and brought him down less than a yard from the line. Early in the second spell McCarthy (first five-eighths) and Mortland (second), changed places and Mortland broke clean away with McCarthy and Miller in support but passed too late and a golden opportunity was lost. Taihape kept up the pressure. Pearce shortpunted near the. Rangitikei line and followed up fast and, although obstructed near the line, he fell on the ball to score. D. McCarthy goaled. The home team did not hold the lead for long. A few minutes later they were penalised in their own 25 and Wilson kicked an easy goal from in front of the posts. Rangitikei 9, Taihape 8. In the last few minutes of the game Rangitikei put the issue beyond doubt when they swept down upon the Taihape line. Hartley, Wilson, Morrison, and Jacobsen figured in a loose rush which ended in Jacobsen scoring for England to convert, making the final score Rangitikei 14, Taihape 8. Mr. L. Chapman was referee. After the match Mr. J. Moye, at the request of the president of the Taihape Rugby Sub-Union (Mr. R. H. Dean), presented the Pownall Trophy to E. Rowley, the Rangitikei captain. Mr. S. Ambrose, a Wanganui selector, was present at the match.