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Territorial Honours To Kaierau; But Blacks The Better Team

Kaierau had the better of play against Pirates, but the blacks were the better team. Pirates won by 11 points to six after a stern struggle. It was the hardest match seen in Wanganui this season. The game was dominated by the forwards, who all played with vigour and determination. Some outstanding forward play was seen. Many of the public appreciated that type of football, others did not. Both the teams were pleased when full time was called. The first 20 minutes of play favoured Pirates, who appeared set for a comfortable win. However, the Kaierau forwards took charge and for me greater part of the game they held the territorial advantage. The Kaierau backs could not exploit the opportunities that their forwards gave them. The maroons missed Luoni, whose presence could easily have altered the result. The Pirates backline played constructive foot call and were always dangerous. Even in their own 25, they were looking for chances to start an attacking movement, Pirates do not play negative football, and it is the ability to capitulise on everything offered that has kept them on top during the past few seasons. The Kaierau forwards gave a great exhibition. Their loose rushes and rucking was a grand sight. Their efforts deserved a better reward. Bellis and Gerrie played first-class games. These two forwards have few superiors in Wanganui football. Ward and McConachie were always prominent. The rest of the pack did a good job. Except in the lineouts and Beard, the Pirates pack was overshadowed. Nevertheless they all gave of their best and never let up when the maroons were on thb attack. Beard was of great service to his team. His cover defence was up to his usual high standard. He also did a better job m the tight. His penalty goal from just inside halfway, nine minutes after play had commenced, was probably the turning point of the game. Kaierau would have been pleased with tne first three points. Whatmough was one of the best forwards on the field. Pedley played a solid game, and Ben is improving every match. Of the decisive scrums. Kaierau won 21, Pirates 17. When the blacks hooked, the ball came out to slowly and the Kaierau flankers caught Dixon on numerous occasions. Pirates won the lineouts by 11 to 7. Les Head and Anderson stood out in the Pirates backline. In addition to his hard running, the former was of great value on defence. Anderson is the best winger in Wanganui. Against Kaierau he scored two tries. The Kaierau backs had no penetration. They gave a poor display. However, in all fairness, a forward had to playfirst five-eighth in the absence oiLuoni. A newcomer to the senior side, a junior, D. Penn, looks a promising player. A feature of the game was the frequent stoppages for injuries, mainly facial ones. Unfortunately, J. Taunton was taken off on a stretcher.

The teams were:— Pirates: T. Bristol; N. Anderson, J. Hickling, D. Cotton; Les Head, J. Taunton: M. Dixon; Len Head; N. Brown, V. Bell, B. Pedley, D. Beard; B. Whatmough, K. Howe, T. Hall. During the second spell Taunton was injured and he was replaced by T. Eden. Les Head moved in to first five-eighth, Hickling to second. Anderson to centre and Eden played on the wing. Kaierau: W. Dawson; D. Penn, J. Price, K. Dunbar; I. Whale, W. Williams; J. James; J. McConachie; J. Whale, R. Ward, E. Bellis, G. Gerrie; F. Wanahi, R. Crombie, D. Bates. Referee, Mr. N. Neilson. Beard opened the scoring with a good penalty from just inside halfway and 15 yards in from touch. —Pirates 3, Kaierau 0. Shortly afterwards Beard and Brown took play to near the Kaierau line. From a ruck Pirates obtained possession and the ball travelled along the back line to Anderson, who ran and scored. Beard converted.—Pirates 8, Kaierau 0. After 20 minutes of play the Kaierau forwards took charge and hammered the defence. Gerrie missed a penalty and James, Dunbar and Williams were stopped just short of the line. Maintaining the pressure, Kalera were rewarded when Gerrie ran, fended and barged 15 yards to score a well merited try near the corner flag. The kick missed.—Pirates 8, Kaierau 3. Kaierau had the better of play for the remainder of the first spell and with a bit of luck might have scored. The maroons attacked strongly on resumption and had Pirates in trouble when Bristol failed to clear. However, the blacks eventually cleared and a combined passing and dribbling movement took play up»to the Kaierau 25. The ball came out to the Pirates backs and finally to Anderson, who scored in the corner. The kick missed.—Pirates 11, Kaierau 3. It was a complete change of fortune, but it showed that Kaierau could not afford to give the blacks many opportunitides. Six minutes of play had gone. The remainder of the match was in Kaierau’s favour and yet they could only increase their score by three points and these points came in an unusual manner. With 25 minutes of play remaining, Pedley went off to receive attention. He had blood on his face. At the same time the whistle had blown for a lineout. Anderson, the Pirate winger, was to throw' the ball in. Realising that Pedley would be off for only a short time, Anderson did not throw the ball in immediately. However, the referee told the wringer to get on with the game, but he waited until Pedley ran back on to the field to join the lineout. Anderson was then penalised for wilfully wasting time and Gerrie goaled from the 25-yard line.—Pirates 11, Kaierau 6. Kaierau kept on top, but good defensive work by Les Head and Beard prevented them from scoring and the game ended in Pirates’ favour.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19490725.2.52

Bibliographic details

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1949, Page 6

Word Count
976

Territorial Honours To Kaierau; But Blacks The Better Team Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1949, Page 6

Territorial Honours To Kaierau; But Blacks The Better Team Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1949, Page 6