ATHLETIC HAVE CLOSE CALL AGAINST SHANNON

Chronicle (Levin), 21 April 1947, Page 4

ATHLETIC HAVE CLOSE CALL AGAINST SHANNON

Flashes of brilliant individual play were seen on the Levin Domain on Saturday in the senior match between Athletic and Shannon. The game, which was woh by Athletic by eight. points to tliree, was played in slight rain and although the forwards dominated the play, the backs were at all times willing to start passing rushes. The handling of the ball in some cases was poor, and a great deal of it could not be attributed to the greasy ball. The game was fast but a little ragged at times. BOth packs worked hard, but the Athletic forwards hooked better and were faster on the ball than their Shannon opponents. The backlines of each team had a difficult task, and despite the slippery ball they often attempted to open up the play, The teams as they took the field were;: — Athletic (Blue) : De CaStjro, McGregor, Johnsofi, HudSon, Henley, P. D'Donnell, Stevens, Taylor, Fletcher, Lomas, Carkeek, Corbishley (captain), Powell, Denton and MacDonald. Shannon (Maroon) : Aitchison (captain), Chester Robinson, Kiriona, Pederson, Gadsby, Callesen, Ellison, Rolston,' Nepia, Rauhihi, Pigott, N. Robinson, Moynihan and Cameron. Chester who had to leave the field was replaced by Cole. The Game Shannon kicked off and Corbishley, who took the ball,. punted back down field, and followed up quickly. He gathered the ball in and made a good run to the Shannon twenty-five. Play stayed On the Shannon line for a few minutes until the position was eased by 'Shannon forcing. Shortly after Aitchison, who was playing full-back for the first time, was caught in possession and a penalty was awarded against 'him for holding. De Castro had no difficulty in piloting the ball between the uprights.. Athletic 3, Shannon 0. Athletic forced the pace fromthe kick-off and play was soon back in the Shannon, twenty-five, From a ruck O'Donnell, the halfback, broke ' around in possession and transferred to Corbishley, who went over near the posts. De Castro converted. Athletic 8, Shannon 0. Several penalties were awarded against Athletic, but Pederson found the slippery ball too hard to control. Hard rucking play followed, with both teams playing good first day football. Half-time came with ' the 'ball ten yards inside Athletic territory. Several bright movements were seen in the early stages of the second spell, with gbod runs by Johnson and De Castro. Athletic had a slight superiority and were unlucky not to score on several occasions. One of the best moves of the day came when Carkebk' gained possession near the halfway mark ahd started a passing rush. The ball was handled by the whole Athletic back line to Stevens, the winger, who was going too fast to take the pass. Shannon punted back down the field, but the ball was taken by De Castro, who kicked back. He fail3d to find the line and Pedersen rathered the ball in and with the whole Shannon line with him started a rush, but De castro had followed up quickly and he launched a flying tackle which grassed Pederson. Shannon forced the pace soon "■fter and the ball was taken to fhe Athletic wenty-five. A ruck formed and Rauhihi snatched the oall up and dived over in a handy oosition. Pederson could not manage the slippe.^f ball and it went wide. Athletic 8,- Shannon The referee, Mr. w. Williams, ugnalled ' time soon after.