Old Boys Too Strong For Shannon

Chronicle (Levin), 9 August 1949, Page 3

Old Boys Too Strong For Shannon

Old Boys foeat Shannon 6—3 when they met in the third grade rugby competition at Shannon on Saturday. The conditions marred what promised to toe a, "bfight encounter. A strong south-easterly spoilt hack play, and large patches of mud and water made control of fehe ball difflcult for the forwards. From the kick-off Old Boys dbn tained possession and the baeks swung into action before heing hel'd up on ifche Shannon line. From a line-out Old Boys almost scored, but a. timely foree saved Shannon. Old Boys continued to press and Shannon again foreed. From the kick-off Dome placed Old Boys again on the attack with a nicelyjudged kick. From the line-out Old Boys took play over the Shannon line, but a force brought reiief. With the wind in their favour, Old Boys continued to bustle Shannon and a nice run by Wells an-d well-judged kick saw the ball cross the Shannon line. Penny won the race for the ball and Old Boys opened their aecount. LamIriolr ' j I.aJLXU.C5 Old Boys' effort to open up play, Shannon's defence held. Good work by the Shannon forwards, led by Clough and Hermansen, took play to the Old Boys' 25, but a penalty saw play return to halfway. Both sets of forwards were providing a grand struggle, with Bartosh and Thorpe ably leading the Old Boys' pack in loose rushes, which gained mueh ground. A penalty taken by Lambert fell short and Shannon were given some anxious moments, but resolute defence and a timely force brought relief. Half time was called with Old Boys still attacking. Play resumed with Shannon having the advantage of the wind at their backs but, like Old Boys in the first half, they failed to use it to advantage. The Old Boys' forwards quickly settled down. From the kick-off Shannon took play to the Old Boys' line, but Judd and #>oyle cleare'd to half-way. The Old Boys' forwards had now settled down and Shannon were given no respite^, Despite the aid of the wind Shannon were kept on defence, but excellent tackling stopped Old Boys from breaking through. A penalty awarded Shannon in a handy position was spoilt by a man in front and from the scrum Old Boys secured and found the line. Neither side had -made use of the , following wind. From an infringement on the Shannon 25 Lambert raised the flags and gave Old Boys a lead of six points. Despite the heavy ground, both sides were keen to open up baek play, but exceflent tackling by both teaims nullified these efforts. A penalty awarded Shannon in a handy position was spoilt by a player'being in front oi the kicker and from the scrum Old Boys secured and found touch. For the remainder of the spell Old Boys continued to dominate the play and time was called without further score.