RANGITIKEI RETAINS POWNALL TROPHY

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 June 1950, Page 2

RANGITIKEI RETAINS POWNALL TROPHY

HUNTERVILLE, Last Night (OC). —Rangitikei retained the Pownall Trophy by the substantial score of 19 points to three in the game played, at the Hunterville Domain on Saturday. In the first spell good football was seen in spite of the wet weather, but the second spell was rather dull, due to the ball being greasy and the ground churned up.

From the opening whistle Taihape began to press hard and a forward rush took place well in Rangitikei territory, but a succession of movements took play into Taihape territory and after 40 minutes’ play from a scrum 30 yards out Smith sent the ball to Graham, who passed to who kicked toward the Taihape goal line. McCarthy, the Taihape fullback, fumbled and McNab, following up quickly, secured possession and after making ground passed to Goldsmith, who raced over to score. Pull converted.—Rangitikei 5, Taihape 0. Play now went up and down field with both sets of backs indulging in good passing rushes. After 25 minutes of play Rangitikei were awarded a free kick about 15 yards in front of the goal, and Pull put the ball clean between the posts.—Rangitikei 8, Taihape 0.

Rangitikei were now beginning to have the better of the game and in spite of the wet ball and slippery ground the backs were linking up well and right on till the end of the spell Rangitikei had the better of the territorial exchanges. With a few minutes to go to half-time, Taihape pressed hard in a determined effort to get a try, but without, success. The half-time score was: Rangitikei 8, Taihape 0. After four minutes of play in the second spell, from a ruck in Taihape territory, Smith sent the ball to Graham, who sent it on to Kingi, Who passed over McNab’s head to Goldsmith, who was waiting with almost a clear run before him, and clapping on the pace he dashed over to score. The kick failed.—Rangitikei 11, Taihape 0. Though play was hard, with both packs playing well, the game now became a bit on the dull side, due to the churned up nature of the ground. When Taihape appeared to be breaking through an intentional knock-on by a Rangitikei player gave Cashell a chance and he made no mistake with the kick—Rangitikei 11, Taihape 3. Rangitikei began to press hard once again and play was taken to within six yards of the Tahape line, where a scrum took place, but an infringement by a Rangitikei player gave Taihape the opportunity to clear. A few minutes later another free kick relieved the situation for Taihape. After 25 minutes’ play a dash by Hirst was spoilt by a knock-on and from the scrum which followed Smith sent the ball to Graham, who went over to score five yards from the corner flag. Pull’s kick hit the crossbar and bounced over.—Rangitikei 16, Taihape 3. The result of the game was now beyond doubt and though Taihape tried hard to add further points to its credit, was unable to do so. After , play had been taken into Rangitikei ! territory, Goldsmith scooped up the ! ball from a scramble near the side | line and passed smartly to Graham, who ran 55 yards be'ore kicking- infield, and McNab, following up, kicked the ball over the goal line, but it went into the dead ball area before he could fall on it, and what would have been a spectacular try was missed. With seven minutes to go a scrum took place in Taihape territory, and about 30 yards from the goal line, in which Ihe Taihape forwards were penalised for coming round too quickly, and Pull kicked a nice goal. The game ended: Rangitikei 19, Taihape 3 Mr R. Lewis was the referee. Of the decisive scrums, Rangitikei won 18 and Taihape 10. Of the decisive line-outs, Rangitikei won 12 and Taihape six. Rangitikei were awarded eight penalties and Taihape n : ne.