SHANNON'S CONVINCING WIN

Chronicle (Levin), 27 May 1946, Page 7

SHANNON'S CONVINCING WIN

WANDERERS SENIORS BEATEN | ■ i The main game at the Levin ! Domain on Saturday was the senior ! clash between Wanderers and • Shannon, and it created considerable interest among the sporting1 public, a large crowd attending. Wanderers looked the perfect team as they took the field with their black jerseys all having the correct numbers. The game was very ragged and fast, and some promising movements were spoilt by bad handling. The packs were evenly matched, although Shannon hooked the ball cleaner and more often than Wanderers. The Shannon backs functioned perfectly and threw the ball about to good cffect. The Wanderers rearguard did not go as well as usual and when the ball came out, individual play too frequently spoilt opportunities. The Shannon full-back, Pederson, played a model game and saved the situation by his faultless handling and line kicking. The final score of 14 — 3 in Shannon's favour was a fair indication of the merits of the teams, which lined out as foliows: — Wanderers: Seymour, Kuiti, Edmondson, Broughton, Heremai, P. Winiata, Wehipeihana, H. and B. Adams, L. Winiata, Hobson, Meads, Milroy, Tatana and Nepia (captain) . Shannon: Pederson, Gadsby, Fuller, Higgott, Mortimer (captain), Aitchison, Rahihi, Chester, Rolston, Pratt, Cowley, Callesen, Campbell, Speranzo and Woods. The First Spell Heremai kicked oft for Wanderers and Shannon promptly returned the ball down the line. Shannon fprced the pace and were unlucky not to score early in the game. After some very rugged play a scrum was set down and as the ball came to Mortimer, the red captain, he dodged in and took an unsuccessful attempt at a field goal. Shortly afterwards Wanderers were awarded a penalty for an infringement and the ball was put out. As a result of some extremely "hard play, Broughton was mjured and was repjaced by Williams. Wanderers were now forcing the pacc and some particularly ragged play continued until after a loose ruck, from which Wanderers gained their only points of the game. The ball came out of the ruck and travelled to Kuiti on the wing, who scored in the corner. The attempt failed. Wanderers 3, Shannon nil.

Following the kick-off, Shannon came back forcing the pace and determined to score. Some hard play followed and after a set scrum the ball passed through the hands of the whole back line to Aitchison on the wing, who raced down tne line and passed infield to nullify the movement. Some tense moments which kept the crowd on its toes followed and they were crowned with success when the Shannon forwards aribbled the ball from the defending twenty-five over the line for Pratt to fall on it. The kick fell sliort. Wanderers 3, Shannon 3. Both sides were now playing hard football, equally determined to improve the points and gain the lead. Territorial advantage was fluctuating from one end of the field to the other, when Mortimer raced through and kicked, but he was penalised for an early tackle. Half time came soon after with the score still three all. The Second Half Shannon kicked out on the full and a set scrum was ordered back on the half-way line. The game was still very ragged at this stage, 'with the Shannon backs trying go get, a chance to break through. A little later the ball was kicked upfield and Edmondson and Rahihi dived for it. The both missed in the first attempt and Rahihi turning quickly fell on the ball to score. The kick failed. Shannon 6, Wanderers 3. Wanderers came back still determined, but they did not seem to be as fit as their opponents, who appeared to be untiring. The ball was punted through and Wanderers were very unlucky not to score. A scrum was set down a few yards from the red line, but Fuller beat Wanderers to the ball and kicked through a gap. Play changed " to the other end of the field and Wanderers were compeiied to t'orce. Shannon came back from the twenty-five and Pederson broke through and scored by the posts. Pederscn added the extras .to his own try, bringing the score to Shannon 11, Wanderers 3. Wanderers took the game into ■ Shannon's territory and a penalty raised their hopes, but the kick, ■ which appeared' a certainty, went a little to one side and Shannon forced. Following some hard tussles, Wanderers kicked to a gap and had a seemingly clear field, when Aitchison came across from the far wing and fell on the ball, saving a certain try. Soon after Gadsby picked up the ball and, supported by Speranza, he made a short dash and scored by the posts. The comparatively easy kick screwed off and

fell short, leaving the score at Shannon 14, Wanderers 3. Some further extremely hard football followed. Wehipeihana received an injury and came off, being replaced by T. Winiata, who had already played one game previously. Wanderers once again came very near to scoring when a scrum was set down on the Shannon line. Winiata, playing at half-back, received the ball and threw a pass to the wing. It had scarcely ieit Winiata's hands when Aitchison cut through and intercepted perfectly. He dashed for the opposite end of the field, but Seymour, at full-back, was waiting and saved the situation by a timely tackle. The whistle blew soon after leaving Shannon the winnex*s by 14 points to three. Mr. W. Williams carried the whistle.