Football.

Manawatu Herald, 8 September 1904, Page 2

Football.

OLD BOYS V. SHANNON. Yesterday afternoon the Old Boys journeyed to Shannon to try conclusions with a team belonging to that township. On arrival at the field o£ play the visitors gasped in awe at the size and build of their opponents, and expected to be annihilated, but the result of the match proved that size and weight arc not everything. The ground was in a bad. state for a good display of the game, being very soft and greasy, and making good passing among the backs an impossibility. Had the ground been dry and firm we are sure the game would have ended in another victory for the Old Boys. Following is a brief account of the game ; Shannon kicked off, but for the first five minutes play was uninteresting, both teams seeming averse to tackling, until E. Spelman, Shadbolt and W. Cook started a fine dribbling rush which took play into Shannon’s 25, where some real good play was shown by the Shannon forwards. From a loose scrum a Shannon back got possession and putting in a good run managed to get clear of the forwards but meeting J. Dunn in nis flight was neatly grassed. Another forward rush by Shannon took play into Old Boys’ 25, and a free kick awarded them almost under the posts gave them a chance. The kick at goal failed and Overeud forced. From the kick' out Old Boys livened up, and a Shannon back failing to take the ball gave them an opening. Cummerfield gettingpossession started a rush in which all the forwards participated, and carried play to within a few yards of Shannon’s line. From a long throw in J. Dunn rushed through, and intercepting a pass, scored a pretty try. W. Cook took the kick at goal but failed, Shannon kicked out and although hard pressed succeeded in holding Old Boys safe until the whistle sounded half-time. The second spell commenced with Old Boys playing against a slight breeze and in drizzling rain. F. Whibley put the ball ill motion and the forwards following up well blocked Shannon from returning, and G. Dunn found the line by a fine boundary kick. From a long throw in by Shannon W. Cook intercepted, and getting the ball at toe started for the line at top. The full-back failed to stop the rush, and Cook kicking hard sent the ball over the line and touched down. G. Dunn was entrusted with the kick and placed a beautiful goal from a difficult angle. > Old Boys B—Shannon nil. Shannon kicked off and within a few minutes play was shifted to Old Boys’ 25. where Smith taking a speculator at a rolling ball, beat the full-back and scored Shannon’s first try. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. On the ball being kicked out Old Boys tried to hold Shannon safe by punting for the line, but the Shannon rnep were at m home in the mud, and from a throw in in the Old Boys’ 25 Hays got possession and ran in over the line almost unopposed, touching down between the posts. Smith succeeded in placing a goal. Old Boys B—Shannon 8. It now only wanted a few minutes to call of time, but the Old Boys managed to hold their opponents safe till call of time by punting for the line, G. Dunn being specially conspicuous. Mr J. Frew referreed impartially. Among the forwards E. Spelman, B. Shadbolt, M. Cook and C. Cummerfield played well, while J. and G. Dunn and W. CoOk were the pick of the backs.