Wanganui Rugby Team Beaten By Hawke’s Bay, 14 to 10

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 September 1950, Page 6

Wanganui Rugby Team Beaten By Hawke’s Bay, 14 to 10

It Was A Bright Game, Honours Being Evenly Divided

NAPIER, Last Night (O.C.) —Wanganui’s winning sequence in inter-provincial Rugby this season was broken today when the touring team was defeated by Hawke’s Bay at Napier by 14 points to 10. It was a splendid game, evenly contested and exciting, with the honours fluctuating throughout. Hawke’s Bay started off promisingly and within six minutes were as many points up.

Indeed, in the first quarter of an hour only twice did Wanganui get anywhere near the home quarter-way. During this period the Hawke’s Bay forwards enjoyed almost a monopoly of the I ball from the scrums and the ’Bay backs had a real feast of the ball. However, the Wanganui forwards were gradually settling down in the tight and though not securing possession they at least tended to neutralise the scrums. So successful were they in this regard that eventually they could claim supremacy. In the line-outs Wanganui were at a disadvantage despite appearing to be taller. It was this failure possibly more than any other that enabled Hawke's Bay to emerge victors. The battle between the two forward packs was spirited, very much so at times, and there was some solid rucking by both packs. The Hawke s Bay backs, as a division, were superior, being more orthodox. Wanganui appeared to be determined to give their All Black winger, Peter Henderson, every opportunity to shine. Indeed, they were so imbued with this idea that they neglected other opportunities to score on at least three occasions. The best Bay forwards 'to show out were Mildenhall, Horton and Russell in the loose. Wanganui’s best for- ’ wards were Rowley, Beard and Gibbs. The last-mentioned gave an object lesson in jumping for the ball. Beard was in every way a leader and was ably supported by Rowley. Both figured in some splendid sorties and also provided excellent, cover defence. But it was among the backs that individualism shone. Henderson provided a big thrill with his try, and he was seen in action several times. His performance entirely satisfied the Bay crowd. He was marked by Barry Sweet, but actually his most dangerous opponent was the Bay centre, Price, who floored him twice at critical stages. Next to Henderson in merit was the Hawke’s Bay half-back, Ingram. His try equalled that of Henderson, though it was of a different type, being engineered from a scrum close to the line, whereas Henderson had to cover the best part of 30 yards and jazz his way past half a dozen opponents. Two other Wanganui backs to | impress were O’Connell and Goldsmith. Both infused life and thrust into the Wanganui rearguard with revealing tricky runs and the ability to turn on the pace to avoid tackles. Hunter, too. was enterprising, and the fact that this trio quite frequently pierced the Bay defence but failed to finish off was largely due to the fine cover defence of Ingram and Chapman, supported by Wishnowsky at full-back.

Takarangi, the Wanganui half, had a gruelling time throughout and stood up to it well. He was too eager, however, 'to get round the side of the scrum and was frequently caught offside. Webby had little to do on the left wing, other than to tackle Motley and this he did effectively. Jones, who was a last-minute substitute for Pull at full-back, was sound and safe. The teams were:— Hawke's Bay: Wishnowsky; B. Sweet, R. Price, D. Motley; E. Sutcliff, F. Chapman; T. Ingram; D. Yule, L. Mildenhall, H. Frazer, P. Bodwen, J. Horton, T. Rasmussen, G. Parahi, B. Russell. Wanganui: P. Jones; P. Henderson, T. Goldsmith, A. Webby; M. O’Connell, M. Hunter; T. Takarangi; H. Rowley. D. Beard, P. Oldfield, D. McGregor, B. Gibbs, S. Granville, M. Griffin, V. Bell. Scorers for Hawke’s Bay wore Chapman (two penalty goals, a try and a conversion), Ingram (a try). For Wanganui, Henderson and Gibbs, tries each. Beard two conversions. Referee, Mr J. McCormick.