ARMY TEAM’S WIN

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 38, 30 August 1940, Page 6

ARMY TEAM’S WIN

Wanganui Beaten 15-9 With their forwards playing impressively, the Trentham Army Rugby team beat" Wanganui by 15 points (one converted try, one unconverted try, a penalty goal and a field goal) to 9 (two unconverted tries and a penalty goal) on Spriggens Park today. The weather was perfect, and the attendance about 2000. Though beaten, the Wanganui side gave a good account of itself and produced many spectacular movements, which were, to the liking of the crowd. , : The line-out play of both sets ot forwards was up to representative standard. The Army forwards handled the ball better than their opponents and supported the backs well in passing rushes. The strength of the Wanganui forwards lay in their loose rushes, which often gained a lot of ground. Both sets of backs combined to good purpose at times, but had the speed of the Army five-eighths line been greater the score would have been higher. D. G. Barton, the former Wanganui representative player, led the Army team admirably and his speed and penetrating runs collected winning points for his side. After an uncertain start F. E. Donovan, full-back, played soundly, his handling and kicking being of great value to his side. , R. Natusch and A. I. McAneny were . other solid backs. In a notable pack of 1 forwards A. W. Bowman showed the 1 great, capacity for hard work which has made him a valuable member of Hawke’s Bay teams. F. Fraser-Smith, G. P. Purdue, J. Finlay and J. Lester were tireless followers of the ball. R. Petersen, second five-eighth, and C. Taite, centre, were Wanganui’s best backs. They had much to do and did it creditably. A. G. Davidson, R. MeKnight. R. Phizacklea and E. V. Bellis were lively forwards who played tin loose game constructively. Points for Army were scored by D Barton (a try and . conversion and a penalty goal), R. Natusch (a try) and A. S. Rennie (a field goal). For Wanganui R. Phizacklea scored a try and kicked' a penalty goal, and W. Firmin scored a try. ' Curtain Raiser. In a curtain-raiser the Wanganui B representatives beat a team from the territorials in camp on the Wanganui racecourse by 16 points to nil. Tries , were scored by M. Grogan, E. Leydon and D. Valentine; Grogan converted three tries.