Wairarapa v. Manawatu.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8248, 18 September 1905, Page 6

Wairarapa v. Manawatu.

(Special lie-porter.)

The Manawatu and Wairarapa representative teams met on the Grey town Reserve on Saturday. Considerable interest was taken in the game, as it was supposed that the teams were well matched, consequently a considerable number of spectators gathered io witness the match. In the first spell Manawatu played with the sun in their eyes and were kept mostly on the defensive. Although Wairarapa only notched live points in the first half, numerous chances of scoring were lost by rather hard kicking. In the second spell Manawatu rallied at the commencement and made a determined attack, but after a time the home team staved it oft', and after that the issue was never in doubt, Wairarapa eventually winning by nineteen points to nine. The teams were as follows: - -

Wairarapa (green). -C. Williams, Wrig_ ley, J. O'Lcary, Miller, P. O'Loary, Logan, Beard, Armstrong, Workman, WieKens, B. McKenzie, F. Johnston, Raisen, Spackman, ami Duggan.

Manawatu (green and white).—Skelly, Scott, Allen. Baker, Findlay, Ongley, Arch. McMinn, Johnston, Alex. McMinn, Adams, Ward, Gordon McMinn, Galloway, Munro, and McXae.

Manawatu kicked-oft and shortly after commencing, from a loose forward rush, Beard scored and Wrigley converted with a line kick. Wairarapa 5, Manawatu ////. Play remained in Manawatu's territory from the kick-out, but the good work of the Wairarapa backs and some good forward rushes only resulted in the visitors being forced down four times in succession. Wairarapa returned to the attack, but Arch. McMinn broke away with the ball at his feet, Williams saving the situation with a good line kick. Good work was then put in by Spackman, Wickens, Armstrong and J. O'Loary. From a penalty Wrigley attempted to place a goal, but the ball fell short. J. O'Leary and were then responsible for play being carried near the Manawatu goal line, but "a good kick by Skelley relieved the tension. Arch. McMinn and Co. then took play to Wairarapa quarters, where, from a kick by J. O'Leary, Baker marked, and Arch. McMinn made a futile shot at goal. Shortly afterwards Manawatu were again fo.'ced. A mark by J. O'Leary and good following up ended by the visitors being again forced. An exchange of kicks took place, and a kick by J. O'leary was smothered by Skelley. but " Joe " found the line just as the whistle went for half-time, with' the scores-Wairarapa 5, Manawatu nil. On resuming Wairarapa kicked oil and attacked. Wrigley missed the ball, but made up" for his error by getting in two short kicks, the latter to line. Arch. McMinn broke away but Wrigley grassed him. Exciting play took place in front of Manawatu's goal, but J. O'Leary found the line with a good kick. Then Manawatu started a fine rush down the field and J. O'Leary fell just on tho point of taking the ball. Williams failed to stop the rush, and Arch. McMinn scored, and taking the kick himself failed to place a goal. Wairarapa 5, Manawatu 3. Manawatu returned to the attack and kept play in Wairarapa territory till Wrigley marked, and from his kick Wairarapa assumed the offensive. From a line-out Wrigley scored a fine try between the posts. J. O'Leary converted easily. Wairarapa 10-Manawatu 3.

Another line-out took place shortly after resuming, and Spackman and Wickcns with a splendid rush carried play up the field. Wairarapa then attacked determinedly. Logan broke away and was collared and passed to Wrigley who was also grassed just on the line. From the scrum which followed Beard scored his second try. Wrigley failed to add the major points. Wairarapa 13, Manawatu 3. The ball being again put in motion, Logan passed to P. O'Leary, who sent it on to J. O'Leary, and tha latter dashed over the line. Beard failed to convert. Wairarapa IG, Manawatu .">. Manawatu then took a hand at attacking, and, from a forward rush down the field, Adams scored near the corner. Arch, ilcMinn failed to convert. Wairarapa IC, Manawatu G. Play remained in Manawatu 25's on resuming. Then J. O'Leary made a short run, and, on being collared, passed to Miller, who sent the ball on to Spackman, and 1. Bob" scored between the posts. J. O'Leary failed to convert. Wairarapa 19, Manawatu G. Exciting play was now witnessed in front of Manawatu's goal. Workman passed to Duggan, who transferred to Wrigley, who was glassed. Wairarapa were not to be denied, but a force relieved matters. From the kick, play was taken to Wairarapa quarters, and Scott, making a splendid run down field, was collared on the line. A loose scramble followed, from which Johnston got over the line. Allen failed to convert. Shortly afterwards time was called, with the scores—Wairarapa 19, Manawatu !).

For the winners Wrigley and J. O'Leary divide honours in the backs. J. O'Leary was very safe, and»got his side out of a good many tight corners. He was always in his place, and never missed a ball. Wrigley played in his usual tip-top manner, and got in some serviceable line-kicks. The Manawatu captain remarked, after the match, that he considered both Wrigley and J. O'Leary should have went Home with the New Zealand team. P. O'Leary and Logan both used their heads well and made some fine openings. Miller and Williams also put in some good work. Of the forwards, Beard played a line game, and his "spoiling" tactics were excellent. Spackman, Wickens and Armstrong played well in the loose, and headed some great rushes, Spackman especially being conspicuous. In the Manawatu backs, Scott and Ongley shone out as the best; while Skelley, Baker and Allen also put in good work. Of the forwards, Arch. McMinn stood out by himself as a fine winger and dribbler. His taking of the-ball on the line-out and his dribbling tactics were a feature of the match. McNae, Alex, and Gordon McMinn, and Johnston ably assisted " Archie."

Mr Evans, of Wellington, held the whistle, and Messrs Garnet McMinn (Manawatu) and D. E. Parton (Wairarapa) the touch-line flags.