20-YEAR-OLD RUGBY GAME

Chronicle (Levin), 7 June 1947, Page 3

20-YEAR-OLD RUGBY GAME

PLIMMER TERRACE DEFEAT BALANCE STREET Suggestions have been circulating recently that the rugby veterans should again compete in the Plimmer Terrace-Ballance Street rugby fixture, so as to arouse some interest among the "vets" of the sport, Mr. James Curran has supplied a copy of "The Shannon News," dated July 26, 1927, in which was published a description of the fast and furious match between the two main streets of the town. Worthy of mention is a paragraph in the local and general notes of the same "issue, advising that during the progress of the match, Mr. J. Curran sustained a broken rib in scoring the winning try. The proceeds of the gate, which amounted to £5, were handed over to the Shannon Athletic Club. The Game To show the interest taken in the annual rugby fixture between residents of Plimmer Terrace and Ballance Street, played on the domain during the weekend, a crowd larger than what is usually seen at a senior cup fixture was present. Each team had its army of supporters who, urging the players to give of their best, caused the contestants to put up a great fight for supremacy. The pace was a cracker uhroughout and the number of new methods introduced for handling — or not handling — the ball were astounding, several of the players confusing the rules of soccer and rugby. An outstanding feature was the formation of the scrums, in which about six forwards would often be seen fighting for the two positions in the back row; these players had evidently been studying the "safety first" rule. The "obstruction rule was infringed on occasions, but the cleverness with which it was carried out evaded. the vigilant eye of the referee. The game had not long been in progress when Ballance Street, favoured with a cold wind, made a raid on their opponents' territory, but owing to loss of breath in their effort, they were unable to penetrate the delence put up by the whole of the opposition, which went to show what proper training will do. However, from a scrum, the winger, J. Curran, dribbled his way through and Lockett (the unknown) gathered it up, and kicked well down field. It was here that Perry showed how the Ballance Street backs could handle the ball, but unfortunately for them each man was carefully marked and not much advantage was gained. By this time quite a number of players were enquiring if it was orange time. Realising that they had to get a lead in the first spell to win the coveted cup, Ballance Street made another effort, but they had not counted on Murdoch (Waikato) and Bovis (Silent John) nor the King Bros. (West Coast and Spider) and the' veteran Curran, and it was not until they had been forced several times, Silent John being responsible for two, in one of which he accidentally fell on the ball, that Pannikin (late Ratana's reps.) scrambled over the line with four players on his back to register Ballance Street's only try for the day. W. Moynihan (Beer and Butter) failed to add the extra points. In the second half Plimmer Terrace forwards headed by Spider King, McGuckin (King Country) and Dutchy Pirovano dribbled

through, but fullback Hennessy was waiting for them and hurriedly kicked into touch. From the line out the ball struck Archie Reid on the head and, rebounding back, Bob Terry caught it and, sending it on to Buckman (Cackle Berry), allowed the Ballance Street backs to get in motion, but G. Nahkies, the imported man from Switzers, spoilt it by up-end-ing Tom Moynihan thus disorganising the movement. Ballance Street now opened up the game and some good : passing was witnessed. On two occasions Tommy Moynihan set off to score, but his f orm f ailed^ him .and as no support came frorri his colleagues, the efforts had to go unrewarded. Lockett, by good kicking, returned the play to Ballance Street territory, where from a scrum near the line, and after four players over-ran it, J. Curran touched down, amidst loud applause. F. Wilson, an emergency, took the: kick and placed Plimmer Terrace in the lead. No further score. resulted and Plimmer Terrace holds the cup ra; the 1927 season. Len Satherley's interpretation of the rules met with the full approyal of the spectators. The "pars on players," which were published in a later issue, also make good reading. They were written by that well-known sports writer of the day, "The Rake." If space permits, these paragraphs will be published next week.