PIRATES (16) v. WANGANUIS (3).

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11648, 28 August 1905, Page 2

PIRATES (16) v. WANGANUIS (3).

A fairly large number of people were attracted to the Kec. in anticipation of seemg 1 a good game between the above teams. Taken altogether the play was of an interesting description, with occasional flashes of brilliancy. The Pirates had. the eun in their eyes in the first spell, and this handicapped the backs considerably. As a result of good line kick by Southcombe, the red and blacks quickly invaded the Pirates territory, but Holland and Seeling took play back to the centre, from where Small, Thompson, and Eobertson dribbled to the Wanganui's 25; Hero McDonald got possession, and racing round the black forwards cleverly cut through the opposing backs, and sped down to the Pirate full. Just as the latter went to tackle him McDonald sent a beautiful pass out to Meuli, who gathered in safely and ran on and over the line, securing a try, after a very pretty bit of play. McDonald was accorded a well earned round of applause. Southcombe took the kick, which failed. Shortly after the kick out Southcombe made a miskick, the ball going towards his own goal line, and this gave Mellior and Clover a chance to gain furtker ground for the blacks, whose forwards, headed by Dustin, Wainwright and McGregor swept over the line, but a force only resulted. A capital line kick by Mitchell put the Wanganuis on the defensive again, but their^ backs got away with a passing rush, which Seeling ended by grassing McDonald in good style. Aitken then got offside, and Hoi land kicked to Meuli, who marked and put out at centre. A poor kick by Horiti. was followed by a nice line kick by Mellior, who put out near the Wanganui line Holland then had a shot. from a free, but failed, and play in centre followed. ThePirate forwards were having all the best '. of matters, but mulling by Mellior spoilt a chance or two, while the defence war sound. The Pirates kept their opponent.penned down, but could not score. At length the Wanganuis cleared their lines, and Gilbert, Wall, Pickering and Aitker dribbled to the Pirate 25, Seeling relieving with a capital line kick. Tlk blacks then got on a passing rush, Dov to Holland to Seeling to. Mellior, wh< mulled. Then Holland lost a chance through hanging on too long. This sam< player- had a shot at goal from a penalty but though the kick was an easy one hi failed to find the posts. The Pirates re turned to the attack, ' " Holland anc .Mitchell carrying thfc leather to within i few yards of the fine, biit JR. McDonalc dribbled- out to neutral, •territory, and th« .spell ended with the score — Wanganui 3 Pirate nil. The second spell had not lonj been entered upon before Mitchell distinguished himself by following up a kiel fast, and Meuli waiting' for the bounce tht form«r secured and .dashed over the lint at top. Holland was entrusted with th: kick, but it was an "off" day for him, anf once more he missed the uprights. Tht Wanganui forwards now put a Tittle mor< life into their work, and a .period of givand take play^followed, neither side beinj able to claim any advantage and a dray seemed more than likely. At length th« Pirates began to assert themselves, anr Mitchell headed,. a rush to close to th' Wanganui line. Wanganui had' an anxipu. time of it, as the Pirates commenced t< throw the ball about in great style. Qi • one occasion Thompson got possession, an( sent" on to Wainwright- to McGregor, wh< t was collared within a few feet of the line.

Southcombe relieved the pressure with a j kick out to midfield, and the Wanganuis assumed the aggressive. However, Meuli foolishly punted over the line, and the blacks got relief by forcing. Seeling and , Mitchell next distinguished themselves by rushing the ball to tho red and blacks 25, and Thompson dribbled on further. Dunkley secured a mark, and this checked tho Pirates. Good play by Holland and Mitchell again put the Wanganuis on tho defensive, McDonald collaring Mitchell well. A Pirate passing rush was spoilt by" Mellior mulling and then Seeling had a shot from a free, without success. It looked as though 'the Pirates luck had coin'pletly deserted them, as though they had several chances they "had failed to take advantage of them. With but ten minutes' to go a draw appeared probable, but McGregor suddenly dashed through the Wanganuis with the ball at his feet, and scored right behind the posts after as fine a bit of dribbling as had been seen here for many a day. Holland piloted the oval over the bars, and the scores now stood — Pirates 8, Wanganuis 3. From this out the Pirates had matters all their ! own way, their forwards getting- on some great passing rushes. Clover dashed away from a line out at half, and after a good run passed to Wainwright to Brady to Dustin, who got over. Holland failed to add the major points. Gilbert, Wall and Pickering aided by the McDonald Bros, carried the ball to near the Pirates lino on resuming, but Mitchell saved cleverly. The combined Pirate rush swept the red and blacks back to their own quarters, and another fine passing rush in which several Pirate forwards participated ended in Robertson scoring-, and Holland converting the score read — Pirates 16, Wanganui 3. The whistle sounded shortly afterwards, with the scores unaltered. Mr George Brown refereed satisfactorily.