RANGITIKEI SENIORSAND JUNIORS LOST TO OROUA BUT THIRDS WON EASILY

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 August 1949, Page 2

RANGITIKEI SENIORSAND JUNIORS LOST TO OROUA BUT THIRDS WON EASILY

MARTON, July 30 (OU)—Three representative Rugby matches against Oroua were played by Rangitikei teams today, the seniors and juniors losing at Kimbolton, while the thirds won at Bulls. In both senior and junior games Oroua camo from behind to score tries in the last few minutes of the match to clinch victory.

The Rangitikei seniors were perhaps unlucky not to emerge victorious. They had the better of the game but failed to apply the necessary finish. Oroua football has improved since last season, when Rangitikei defeated them 33-3. They fielded a line pack of forwards today, who all played with dash and determination, that was sometimes lacking in Rangitikei’s make -up. Also Rangitikei possessed too many “seagulls” in the forwards. The following were the results:— Oroua seniors 14, v. Rangitikei seniors 12. Oroua senior B 11, v. Rangitikei juniors 9. Rangitikei thirds 9, v. Oroua juniors 0. Good Oroua Forwards. Scoring a converted try two minutes before the final whistle Oroua snatched a last-minute victory from Rangitikei in the senior game at Kimbolton, by 14 points to 12. Despite a very heavy ground and half an hour’s rain which stopped just as the teams took the field, the game was played at a lively'gait and raced from one end of the field to the other. The game was kept open mainly due to the initiative of the Rangitikei backs, while Orout depended upon the strength of their forwards, wno all played a rattling good game. Interest was sustained until the final whistle, but Rangitikei, after holding the upper hand for most of the second spell, faded in the last 10 minutes, when their condition gave out, enabling Oroua to fling all their resources into a grand slani for victory. On the run of play Rangitikei should have won. They had the opportunities but lacked polish sufficient to turn many fine efforts into points, and on this occasion turn defeat into victory. The goal kicking by Rangitikei was deplorable, no less than seven shots being missed by the three kickers who attempted the feat. Best back on the field was M. O* Jonnell, the Rangitikei second five-eighth, whose speed off the mark and ability to find gaps, worried the opposition repeatedly. Stantiall, who came into the wing berth when Towler was not available, grasped the opportunity with both hands and scored two fine tries. His defence, however, is not as strong as his attack. J. Garrett was a sound connecting link at first fiveeighths and deserved better success with his well-placed grubber kicks. E. I Henderson, at half, was too slow in getting his passes away, some of which were very poor. Goldsmith ,on the wing, had several thrilling dashes down the sideline but was blocked just when a try seemed imminent. A. Duncan, at full-back, found touch with some excellent kicks, but his slowness in getting to the ball spelt danger for. Rangitikei on several occasions. All I told, the Rangitikei backs looked far more penetrative and dangerous than Oroua, whose rearguard functioned | rather spasmoditally. Pawson, the j captain, at first five-eighths, was al- I ways looking for holes in the Rangi- j tikei defence and found only one. Nay- i lor was another good back, who was • always there to extricate his’ side from difficulties when the occasion demanded. Shapleski, the full-back, was inclined to be lackadaisical in his work and was caught too often. The Oroua forwards hunted as a pack and led by K. Cuming, J. Shannon and J. Nes’dale, were particularly dangerous in the loose. The Rangitikei forwards never seemed to move into top gear, although at times they played well. O. Jacobsen was the pICK with D. Hart, J. Davis and H. Rowley showing up on occasions. Rowley backed up well, but was also well watched. Tocker played well in the tight. Oroua won the majority of the scrums and lineouts in the first 20 minutes of the game, but after that Rangitikei settled down and towards the end the visitors, especially in the lineouts, were dominating these departments.

THE PLAY. There was a further change in the Rangitikei team. D. Morrison, on the injured list, was replaced at lock by J. Bartlett. When M. O’Connell wont off with an injured shoulder late in the game, I. steward came on. Rangitikei were penalised in the first two scrums and this seemed to unsettle the team and for 15 minutes they were on the defensive. Gradually they settled down and when Barton heavily tackled his opposite this put Rangitikei on the attack. Hart won a lineout for Rangitikkei and Henderson sent a long pass to O’Connell, who cut in beautifully to unload to Barton to Stantiall, for the winger to score a good try in the corner, after 28 minutes’ play. Duncan was too slow in getting to the ball and the Oroua forwards surged infield in a devastating foray, taking play to the Rangitikei goal-mouth. A scrum went down and Henderson was penalised for not putting the ball in correctly and Clare kicked an easy goal to level the scores. Rangitikei immediately returned to the attack and the forwards, led by Hart, drove a wedge into the Oroua defence. Hart was obstructed a few yards from the goal line when chasing the ball and Duncan missed an easy penalty. Stantiail’s Second Try, K. Cuming and Naylor figured in a fine dribbling rush and had the Rangitikei defence somewhat bustled, and it was only a speculator by Garrett that cased the pressure. Back came Rangitikei, and winning a scrum, Garrett, with a neat kick, placed the ball into Clare's hands. The winger made a weak attempt io find the line and Stantiall, taking: the ball on the full on the Oroua 25, clapped on the pace to gallop past four defenders to dive over in the corner. Half time sounded soon after and Rangitikei led 6-3. It was Goldsmith who supplied the first thrill after play resumed. Gathering in a ball kicked to him by Pawson, he broke clear away to run to the fullback. He attempted to kick over Shapleski’s head and follow up, but inc Oroua full-back charged down the kick .and Oroua had a lucky let-off. Good work by Pawson shortly after sent the Oroua forwards over to the offensive, which caught the Rangitikei

backs out of position. It was only a timely kick into the dead-ball area bv Duncan that saved Rangitikei. A scrum near the Oroua line, saw the ball come out on the blind side and Jacobsen picked up to go across for an easy try. Costly Misunderstanding. From the kick-off the ball went deep into Rangitikei territory, and while the Rangitikei players held a conference as to who was to take the ball, the Oroua forwards decided tor them, and led by Cuming ana J. Nesdale, dribbled the ball over the Rangitikei line lor the last mentioned to score. It was a costly error on Ralngitikei's part, who now led 9-6. Rangitikei were now winning the ball from the majority of the scrums and the backs were working in unison. Goldsmith figured in a sensational break from his own 25, passed to O’Connell, who centred but kicked too hard and Naylor forced. It was a lucky let-off tor Oroua. The Rangitikei backs came again and O'Connell was nearly over in the corner. He was hurt in the tackle but carried on. Pawson sent the Oroua backs on the attack when he slipped through a gap. The favourable bounce of the bail paved the way for Oroua s next try, Clare leaping high to gather in and pace did the rest.—Rangitikei 9. Oroua 9. O’Connell, who had injured a shoulder earlier, retired and was replaced by Stewart. Eight minutes before time Hartley picked up the ball from loose play and after running io yards passed infield to Wasson, who scored an easy try. It seemed a victory for Rangitikei, but the game was not over yet, and just on time the Oroua forwards unravelled a particularly tine passing rush that had the defence at sixes and sevens and J. Shannon touched down for a try, amid great excitement among the Oroua spectators. When Clare kicked the goal, placing Oroua in front, they cheered even louder. The game ended seconds after the kick-off and Oroua won 14-12. Mr. F. Parkinson (Palmerston North) controlled the game.