ZORA (AUCKLAND) BEAT WANGANUI IN RUGBY LEAGUE MATCH

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 October 1949, Page 6

ZORA (AUCKLAND) BEAT WANGANUI IN RUGBY LEAGUE MATCH

In a ciosely-contested senior reserve Rugby League match played in Wanganui on Saturday, Zora Yugo Slav team, of Auckland, beat Wanganui by 6 points to 5. The match produced the brightest League of the season and was watched by a good attendance. In a senior grade game the Zora team beat Wanganui by 33 points to 3. Zora went to an early attack in the reserve game and only stout defence by the Wanganui side kept the attackers out. Attack and counter-attack followed in quick succession, but the covering defence was of a high standard and the tackling solid. There was no score at half-time. Exploiting good team work in the second half Zora went to the attack and gave Wanganui a buffeting. Sue-, cess came when a Zora player scored. The kick failed.—Zora 3, Wanganui 0. Wanganui then combined in some rousing play, but over keenness was a spoiling factor. Wanganui continued to have the better of the exchanges, and after a spectacular passing rush Waitai scored and Paranihi converted. —Wanganui 5, Zora 3. Play was very fast and open and both teams were striving hard to add to their tally, but the defence was too solid. The final points of a good game came shortly before time, when Zora secured from a scrum on their 25-yard line and sent the ball out to the winger; who went over for a nice try. The kick failed and the game ended with the score—Zor a 6, Wanganui 5. In holding this heavier and more experienced team Wanganui gave promise for better things next season.

Players who stood out for the home side were Phillips for a grand game in the backs and Crawford in the forwards Nikor a and Martin were prominent. SENIOR MATCH. Combining skill in the liner points and sounder positional play, Zora outclassed Wanganui in the senior game by 33 points to 3. Players who stood out were: For Zora, Smith, a very fast and penetrating back and good defence. Pivac, who played a good all-round game, and Raos, at full-back, hardly put a foot wrong all day. All in all the Auckland team gave a solid display. In the backs Elake was prominent, making many efforts and got through a lot of defensive work, and Sturzaker did not receive too much chance on attack, but took advantage of all he got and also defended solidly. A good exhibition of Rugby League should be the order of the day next Saturday when two teams from Auckland will meet in Wanganui. These teams are a light combination, average being list 71b., but play very fast football. The fixtures are: Otahuhu v. St. Albert.