RANGITIKEI RUGBY REPS. HAD TWO WINS AND A DRAW ON SATURDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 August 1950, Page 2

RANGITIKEI RUGBY REPS. HAD TWO WINS AND A DRAW ON SATURDAY

Two wins and a draw was the creditable record ot the three Rangitikei representative Rugby teams which were fielded on Saturday. The seniors and juniors won their matches against Oroua at Marton, while the thirds drew with Manawatu at Feilding.

The weather was fine for the early part of the afternoon, but rain set in just before half time and made conditions rather unpleasant for both players and spectators. The following were the results:— Representative. Rangitikei seniors 12, v. Oroua seniors 6. Rangitikei juniors 13, v. Oroua senior colts 6. Rangitikei thirds 11, v. Manawatu thirds 11. Senior Club.

Marton Old Boys 10, v. Rata-Bulls 5; Athletic 11, v. Ohingaiti 0.

The Rangitikei thirds played above expectations to draw with the heavier Manawatu team. It was a fast, game with plenty of incident, in which Ranfigured in many rousing moves. Each side scored a converted try, a try and a penalty. For Rangitikei, P. Whale was responsible for eight At the 11 points, scoring a try. which he converted, and kicking a penalty. The remaining points came from a try by L. Simpson.

RANGITIKEI SUPERIOR TEAM Never losing control of the game, especially in the forwards, Rangitikei defeated Oroua in the senior Rugby game at Marton by 12 points to six. For 80 per cent, of the game, the home team were on the offensive and but for a number of mistakes, would have doubled their score. Rangitikei scored three tries and a penalty to Oroua’s try and a penalty. As a spectacle the game was disappointing, in fact it was ragged for most of the 80 minutes. The greasy ground, especially in the second spell, when several heavy showers fell, probably contributed towards this, but all the same Rangitikei's performance was not very impressive.

Rangitikei dominated the scrums and lineouts and the backs had a regular feast of the ball. However, the rearguard just lacked that extra polish to bring reward. Nevertheless, credit, must, be given to Oroua’s defence, which was almost watertight.

Orout passessed a centre of considerable promise in B. Rowlands. He had tons of pace and scored all the visitors’ points. As an attacking unit the Oroua rearguard was rarely seen in operation and this restricted Rowlands’ activities somewhat. He was starved all the afternoon. He might easily have been a thorn in the Rangitikei side had the ball come his way more often. The other Oroua player to impress was the full-back, W. Roberts, who handled the wet conditions much better than his vis-a-vis, G. Pull. The Rangitikei full-back had an off day, and besides handling lapses, his boot was astray, no less than seven shots at goal being missed. However, he was responsible for half the winner’s points with a try and a penalty. The half, M. Owens, played splendidly and fired out long passes, despite a wet ball. D. Westwood, on the wing, had a great tussle with his opposite, the diminutive B. Rowe. Westwood, on the day, took the honours. The Rangitikei forwards have played better football, but B. Gibbs and H. Rowley gave the Oroua players no chance in the lineouts. Gibbs, besides his good work in this department, broke off the side of the scrum quickly and led many dribbling rushes. W. Tocker, hooker, outclassed his vis-a-vis, J. Nesdale, by four to one. G Bartlett and D. Morrison were other prominent Rangitikei forwards. The best Oroua forwards were the lock, T. Nesdale, and the front row man, H. Thompson. Oroua were un fortunate in losing their captain and Manawatu rep., B. Meads, in the first spell with an injury. H. Mclntyre, side row, broke fast from scrums and upset the Rangitikei inside backs, especially in the second spell. Oroua were awarded 11 penalties and Rangitikei eight. However. Oroua’s penalties, with the exception of two, were taken from defensive positions. The teams were:—

Oroua: W. Roberts; B. Clare, B. Rowlands, B. Rowe; V. Thompson, M. Shannon; A. Cuming; M. Nesdale; H. Mclntyre, T. Nesdale, T. Short, B. Meads (capt.), H. Thompson, J. Nesdale, C. Shoemarck.

Rangitikei: G. Pull; D. King!, J. McNab, D. Westwood; W. Kingl, K. Graham' M. Owens; H. Rowley (capt);D Stewart, T. Oldfield, D. Morrison, B. Gibbs; G. Bartlett, W. Tocker, J. Hartley.

From, the kick-off Rangitikei attacked, and after 10 minutes’ play Pull opened the alternoon's scoring with a penalty when Rowe was penalised for not allowing the ball to go free aftex a tackle. Just before this Pull had missed piloting the ball through the uprights from a more difficult position. The first try of the match was wen earned by Rangitikei. Inside the Oroua 25. Rangitikei won a lineout and the ball travelled neatly in swift chain-passing, to D. King!, on the wing. He clapped on the pace, and when crowded bv the covering defence, whipped the ball out to Pull, the full-back, who had joined the l-ack line. Pull just brushed off Roberts' tackle and scored an easy try. Tho scorer failed to improve the tally and Rangitikei led 6-0. Play had been in progress some 30 minutes when spectators made a dash for cover as a heavy shower set in. Oroua’s solitarv try was the result of a splendid run’bv the centre, Rowlands. Just inside the half, from rucking play. Meads gained possession, ran 10 yards and then unloaded to Rowlands. The centre suddenly accelerated, leaving the Rangitikei defence standing. Pull made a weak effort to halt the Oroua flyer, and Row-