WANDERERS WIN HARD FOR-WARD GAME AT LEVIN

Chronicle (Levin), 5 July 1948, Page 4

WANDERERS WIN HARD FOR--WARD GAME AT LEVIN

Some of the best wet weather football seen in Levin for miaiiy a ddy v was played on the :domain, when Wanderers defeated Shaiinoh by 10 points to three. The match was a fine exhibition of hard slogging forward work, with glimpses oi spectacular back dashes. , D.espite the condition of the hall, both sets of backs Hahdled well." Wandergrs' points came from two tties bbth scored by Neylon, a very promising iwihger, following rearguard action. I Pdderson kicked a penalty for Shannon. The grotmd Was in a pOor condition following the junior .trial match, which was played in jpouring rain. The pace was a cracker throughoUt an'd fortunes fluttUated as piay Imoved from one eh.d qf the field to fche other. During the first sp'ell the Wanderers forwards doiiiinated play, but in the second, iip to 20' minutes off time, the Shannon pack, led by Tony Woods, calied the tune. Wanderers' succfess was mainly due to the forWards packiiig tighter in the rucks and following up this advantage by fast breaking tactics, whifch disorganised the Shannon back line. The -selected .Horowhenua rqpresdhtative half, K. ' Tritt , of Shahndn, did not impress . urider wet conditions and was slightiyi Sh.aded by his opposite, T; Winiata who is

once again playing as pivot for his club. PederSon apd Mortimer, twO ■other. Shannon ' playdrs selected for; representative training put in some j ,good work and saved their' side on severai occasions. Tony Wdods , ■again impressed with his usuai 'sound rallying game and enhanced , his representative prospects. Herfemaia, the Wanderers centrep turndd ih some powerfui runs. Ori i severai occasions he beat his mari | with his* gap-fihdmg tactics, and no fault could be found with his defensive work. Neyloh, the new Wanderers . wing, also impressed. The attackihg power 6f the Wanderers rearguard was again' dihiin- ! ished by^Arda Hakaraia holding oii ' to the ball too lohg. In Gordorij Seiaseia and Heremaia outside, I Hakkrdid has excellent support, but the&e players have been starved. ! Hakaraia is a strong defensive j player,- has a splendid paif Of ; hands, a good boot, is capable ! of beating his man, but always holds on too ldrig at first fiveeighths. He is an ideal full-baek. In the Wandqrefs pack, Lincoln played his usual sound" game, as did Selby. H.. Winiata and Stevens were two outstanding spoiliiig players. They broke quick and wero on the Shannon inside ba'Cks before they had a -chance to move. Three ihterested spectators at the match' were Messrs. j. .Seiaseia, D. Sands" and D. Oliver, the Horowhenua senior selectors. The match started off at a smart i pace with both packs working likfe | tigers. Pl&y ffioVed irapidiy frbmj ofie end of the field to the other I and it was obvious that the match j was to be a good one. After about ! 20 minutes of play, a scruin wentl down. near the halfi-way line. Shahrioh hooked the bail back to Tritt: Who was caught ih pbssessioh by Stevetis. Stevens pttt his bddt to the ball and cljased it. Rauhihi, the 15 st. Shannon wing, attempted to stop Stevens' burst, but he also was caught iii bd^sessioh. Ndyldh then kicked the ball through ahd (Continued on Page 7) '

(Continued from Page 4) over the iine to f all on it- for a good try. Stevens converted with a magnificent kick under difficult conditions. Wanderers 5, Shannon 0. Both sides then staged several good movements which broke down over the last few yards. Shortly before the end of the first spell, Shannon were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Pederson brought the score to Wanderers 5, Shannon 3. .. Some bright football was seen in the second spell when Heremaia burst through after beating his man. With Sciascia ih support, hq headed for the line but was cauglit by Pederson.. Soon after a ruck went down in front of the Shannon posts, and in the melee that ensued Arda Hakaraia took up the half's position. The ball was raked oitt

and Hakaraia sent it out to Neyion on the blind side, who raced over, for an easy try. Stevens agam converted with the greasy ball and the game ftnished soon after with the score, Wanderers 10, Shannon 3. Mr. McMillan was the referee. Junior Trial Game The curtain-raiser, the Junior North-South trial, did not produce very good football al though the day and conditions were against it. Excellent work was put in by both halfs, Molloy (Northj and Connelly (South) . Both sets of forwards worked like Trojans and tho^e wno impressed were: Desgrande, Judd, Royal and Short for North and Wikaira, Benning and Horn for South. in the backs H, Ropata (full-back) and Merwood (second ifive-eighths) were prominnet for South and Kere (wing) and Simpson (first five-eighths) for North. The match was won by South by six ooints to nil. Clunie and Horn each scored a try. Mr. Doug. Aitchison refereeed.