District News.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 May 1912, Page 3

District News.

EVENTS IN SHANNON. (Chronicled by Our .Resident Representative.) FOOTBALL. WISH Alt OA ,1 UN 10US v. SHANNON JUNIORS. The above teams met on tlio Shannon ground, and t'herc fought out one of the best contested matches ever played here. The following team represented Shannon: Dick McLelland (captain), Grimstone, Peri, Sykes, Roha, Branton, Woods, I'ope, Jones, McDonald, Cable, Browne, Heta and Hikanui. The Weraroa club was represented by I'ore King. Stickles, l'ringle, Kingi llori, W. Hanson, Archibald, .Ferris, .1. llarawera, B. Wilson. "Warren, F. Bartholomew, ('. Bartholomew, J. Devonshire, W. Rehana and Simeon. When the te uns faced each other it was evident- that Weraroa had the advantage in weight. Weraroa kicked off and business began in earnest. It was soon evident that both sides were out for a win. The battle waged fiercely on the centre line, neither side could obtain an advantage for some considerable time. One attempt- by a "Weraroa man to carry the ball was soon terminated. Keri bringing him down in line style. This was about the last of Keri throughout the game onwards; lie appeared to lose all his brilliancy: lie was evidently not in playing form. Woods was hullocking for all lie was worth : it was lie who bore the chief 'brunt in the scrums and the tacklinig. Peri was always handy and played his usual good game, while Dick McClelland. • loues. McDonald, Cable and Rolia. worked with siiper-hunian efforts to carry the war into their opponents' ground. 011 tlio "Weraroa side the captain 1i 1 tic 11 "\\ ilson was a host in himself, hut the coming man l'ringle is a lad of brains, pluck and skill. In the catches he had no equal in cither team. Be, however, would do well to remember that be lias fourteen assistants, and the greatest point in the game is cohesion and connexion. Priirgle's play on t'-'o whole certainly entitles him to be considered when the reps, are chosen. The first sign of any success was when the Shannonites, through the efforts of Browne and Jones, backed by Peri. Cable and Woods, landed the ball in dangerous vicinity to the "Weraroa goal line, hut this was only momentarily, as Browne getting off-side Woraroa was given a free-kick. Again the battle raged in the centre more than once the referee warned the combatants against rough play. The "Weraroa men put in .some irood passes, and lauded the hall dangerously near the Shannon goal line. Mere scrums were the order of the day. Of Woods it may be said that his work in these scrums were mainly instrumental in keeping the tide back. A force down relieved the strain for a short ( time only, as in a jiffy the ball was again right up to the Shannon goal line. The excitement of the players and the barrackers was intense. A free-kick" for oif-sidc play cleared the atmosphere, when the whistle blew lor half-time, neither side having scored.

In the -ecoriil spell the game was resume:) with the same vigour, but this did not go on long before an event happened which altered things considerably. viz.. Shannon was awarded a Iree-kick for oll'-side play. l{o!ia wis {he chosen of Shannon for the job. which lie executed ill lino style, scoring a goal. This score was the signal for ferocious plfiv on both sides. but the referee was not to tie trifled with. liis timely warning having the desired effect. IVanton and Browne, of the Shannon lifted). erred incessantly in getting offside. A free-kick was awarded Woraroa. but: Pringle failed to put the leather over the 'bar. Woraroa strained every muscle to score. Harawora. Ferris. Rehana. Kingi TTori and Hanson were now the leading forces of the visitors. This f|iiartctte appeared to take on a freshness. They forced the plav down to the Shannon line. Here .again Shannon was penalised for offside play, but as Pringle was about to kick he touched the ball the second time after placing it. The referee then ordered a .scrum. This was unfortunate for Woraroa, as a goal must have hecn scored from the k'ek. Scrim, followed scrum, till Pringle put in a good run. hut was brought down by Peri within a Tew yards of the Shannon -'onl line. Then ensued some fierce plav. At last Kingi Hori wriggled his body across the line and scored a try. which Pringle failed to convert. This left the scores even. Although both sides were fagged and many wore the signs of battle, the game continued with vigour, but ended without either side increasing the score. Thus the match ended in a draw. A word must be said for tho roferee, Mr W. Proughton. He carried out hi? duties in most impartial manner, and it was only by his firmness and tact that unpleasantness was averted. Throughout 'both spells he had a trying and arduous task to perform. • Messrs Luxon and Gobbler acted as line umpires, and did all that could be desired of them.

RIFLE SHOOTING. A team representing the Shannon .Branch of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union fired for the dominion trophy and put on a- very fair total. Details are appended:— 200 300 500 yds yds yds Capt. Stephenson 30 26 34 Rflm. Shearman 29 2o 32 Rflm. Law 29 '23 34 Rflm. Viewers 30 30 33 Rflm. J. Batchelor 22 27 29 Rflm. Woodmnss 30 30 33 Totals 170 101 195