SHANNON'S LAST-MINUTE WIN OVER FOXTON

Chronicle (Levin), 16 May 1949, Page 4

SHANNON'S LAST-MINUTE WIN OVER FOXTON

As the score lnuiGates, the senior match between Shannon and Foxon. played on the Shannon domain, was evenly contested. Foxton hed the-Tead 5—3 until a few mirfutes- befofe the final whistle, when M. . Movnihan scored a weliearned try which saved the day for the home team. Although k the first half of the game was very ragged ■ and was largely between the forwards, the jecond speT opened with both teams displaying better form and for the last 20 minutes good fast football was witnessed. From the opening whistle Foxton forced the p.ay and took the ball to Shannon's 25. An infringement in a scrum on ihe home line enabled Fuller to c'ear when he found the line from the free kick. From the line out piay went over to Foxton territory, but Tritt was off side and Foxton fo'uhd~the line midway between their half and the 25. Piay returned to Shannon ground and Mortimer cleared with a fine line kick. Rucking piay on the home 25 saw Mortimer again find touch to ease the position. At this stage the Shanhon forwards took charge and a dribb'ing rush headed by Anderson sent piay to the Foxton ! .ine, where a tussle ensued. Foxton secured the ball and cleared. Piay moved upanddownthefie'd for some minutes without any spectacular incidents until a dribbling rush by Anderson, backed bv his forwards, sent the game to the Foxton line. From a scrum Foxton returned p'ay to half way, where some wild passing by the home backs afowed the visitors to press to the Shannon line, compelling a touch down. From a sCrum on the Foxton 25, Tritt dashed for the line, but had ho support and an almost certain try was lost. In the ruck which followed Shannon were awarded a free kick and D. FuPer Sent the ball betWeen the uprights to draw the first points of the match. Foxton forced the piay right from the kick off and after a five-minute scramble in the home 25, T. McDonald went across to score for Foxton. H. Lay had no difficult in adding the two extra points, which put the visitors in the lead.

The second half opened with much better football and the spectators wiinessed a game as it should be p'ayed. Piay was opened up by both sides and the backs saw much more of the' ball. Both teams handled better, Foxton , had the better of the firsfc few minutes and piay centred around Shannon ground. shannon theh pressed on and were over the visitors' 25 when Mortimer attempted a field goal, which fell short. Good following up by the Shannon team made the position dangerous for the visitors and they were compelled to force. Piay then returned to Shannon territory and as time was short it looked as if Foxton would hold their lead until the end of piay. However, an excellent line kick by Mordmer returned the game to within striking distance. From a scrum a few yards over the Foxton 25 Shannon were awarded a free kick, but the local supporters' spirits dropped when Fuller's kick Weiit outside the posts for Foxton to force. In a desperate attempt to win in the last few minutes, Shannon attacked and after rucking piay on the Foxton line M. Moynihan forced his way over to score the winning points. Fuller failed to convert. Mr. J. A. Zuppicich held the Whistle. . '