WAINUI-A-RUA WIN WHENUAROA SHIELD FROM RANGITIKEI

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 June 1950, Page 2

WAINUI-A-RUA WIN WHENUAROA SHIELD FROM RANGITIKEI

HUNTERVILLE, Last Night (OC). —The Rangitikei Maoris lost the Whenuaroa Shield to Wainui-a-rua Maoris by 16 points to 3, in a Rugby match played at Rata on Saturday. The game was rather dull in the first half, but improved considerably in the second. The first half was evenly contested, but in the second Wainui-a-rua had the game well in hand. From the opening whistle Wai-nui-a-rua pressed into Rangitikei terriotry, and play remained among the forwards for the first five minutes, after which the challengers began passing the ball about but to little effect. A burst by the Rangitikei backs brought play into Wainui-a-rua territory. Play began to move fast up and down the field. After 22 minutes of play, an attack by the Rangitikei forwards brought play into the Wainui-a-rua twentyfive, and a penalty gave them the opportunity to get near the goal line, but the advantage was short lived and the viistors continued pressing until near the end of the first spell. With a few minutes’ to go a good clearing kick by Rangitikei brought a line-out 40 yards from the goal line. The visitors gained possession and sent the ball to Taputoro, who scored. —Wainui-a-rua 3, Rangitikei 0. This was the score at half-time. After- five minutes of play in the final half, a line-out took place and Rangitikei gained possession and Ngahere sent the ball to Down, to Pairata, to W. Kingi, to D. Pingi, who beat a man and scored. The kick failed and the score was 3-all. With the teams even both sides played hard to take the lead and after 20 minutes’ play, from a scrum near the Rangitikei line, Te Weri secured possession and sent the ball to Church, who broke through ‘and scored. Scanlon converted. —Wainui-a-rua 8, Rangitikei 3- Two minutes later, from a ruck near the Rangitikei line, the ball came out to Tapa, who dashed over the line for a try. The kick failed. Wainui-a-rua 11, Rangitikei 3. For the rest of the game Rangitikei were almost continuously on the defensive, and with eight minutes to go to th? end of the game, a forward rush brought play near the Rangitikei line. The ball came to Tapa, who ran well and dived to score. Scanlon converted, and the game ended Wainui-a-rua 16, Rangitikei 3.