FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2277, 17 May 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIOR. Shannon 11, Foxton 0. Hui Mai 4, Kuku 3. Wanderers 10, Tokomaru 0. JUNIORS. Wanderers 22, Otauru 3. Foxton 20, Koputaroa 0. Shannon and Wcraron drew, n.o score. Kuku 8, Old Boys 0. Otaki 13, Waikanac 0. Pnraparauuiu 22, Hui Mai 8. THIRD GRADE. Rovers 28, Otaki 0. Two protests have been lodged with the Union as a result of Saturday’s matches. Otauru is protesting against the win of the junior Wanderers on the ground that they played Melville, a senior man. The second protest is from the Hui Mai juniors, who are protesting against the inclusion of Smith in the Paraparaumu team, alleging that he is a Waikanae player. FOXTON v. SHANNON.

On Saturday Fox ton’s first fifteen met Shannon on the latter’s ground. Shannon took the field at full strength, but Foxton were without the services of Maurice Robinson and H. Taylor. This necessitated a re-arrangement of the pack, Barber going into the scrum, Vincent and Neylon hooking, and O’Reilly filling lock’s position. Fitzgerald played his first game of the season as live-eighth, and G. Dunn was pressed into service ns full-back. From the jump Shannon (maroon) looked like winning, both forwards and backs outplaying the yellows. Their combination was better, and with weight to back it up it looked ns if Foxlon were in for serious trouble. However, the yellows played up pluckily, and kepi their more weighty opponents at bay occasionally making an incursion into maroon's territory, only to fail through a want of finish. The only score in the first spell came from a break-awny by Shannon forwards from outside Foxton’s 25’s, uncertain handling and ground work on the part of Foxton’s backs allowing maroons to get to within a few yards of the line, where Bryant attempted to save, but lost the ball. Tohi scored. The try was converted : s—o.5 —0. Varying play filled in the rc.d of "the spell. fn the second spell Shannon soon assumed the upper hand, and worried the yellows considerably. Foxion backs displayed bad judgment in kicking. Time after time the ball was considerately kicked into the waiting arms of the opposing backs, instead of info touch. This may have been caused by the slippery nature of the turf and small boot -duds not giving a good hold. Aboufc half-way through the spell Moynihan forced his way over, tackled by Bryant, and scored. No goal resulted: B—o. Five minutes later', from a scrambling bit of play on the right, the ball was heaved out ■by a long slinging pass, and ‘WakeHeld, coming down with a full head of steam, gathered the ball under one wing, and bounded over —an easy try. No goal: 11 —0, The game ended soon after with Foxton on the defensive. Mr Smith made an impartial referee. For the winners, the whole pack played well, and were superior to Foxlon, whoso pack seemed quite below usual form. Moynihan caught the eye frequently, and seems a good bustling type of forward. In the-backs, Marshall appeared to most advantage, while Hennessy and Moynihan played sound games. .Foxton’s most prominent forward was Barber, who was the only forward to show his usual form. The others worked hard, but without effect. In fact, there was very little combination, the whole vanguard appearing to lack .dash. In the backs, Baker was here, there and everywhere, and displayed good judgment in getting into weak spots. The two five-eighths, Fitzgerald and Moses, are not an effective combination on present form. The weakness of the team’s attack on the day lay in the inside backs —five-eighths and centre. The two wing-three-quarters, Bryant and Robinson, wove better, but not so good as in previous games. Dunn as full-back was handicapped through using borrowed boots without studs, and had a hopeless task trying to keep las feet.

On present form. Shannon appears' to have a good chance of annexing the senior championship. They have good material, although a bit lacking.in finish. With intelligent coaching they will be hard to beat, Wanderers may be the team to upset their prospects, but at present it is difficult to judge accurately tbe merits of both teams. They meet on Saturday next, when a good game should result.

Foxtons’ only hope of improving is by getting together during the week, but that seems impossible owing to the team being so scattered. Under the circumstances the next best thing is for the selectors to re-arrange, the team and bring the local members of the team into the vital positions of hookers and lock in the forwards, and half, fiveeighths and centre in the backs, leaving the outside positions to the players not able to get in for coaching practice. There are difficulties in'the way, but the scheme would be worth a trial to instil some combination into the team. Next week’s notes may contain hints on essentials for each player, and points making for combination. Congratulations to the juniors on their win. If the boys stick together there is every chance of them

keeping the junior championship for the old town. Keep fit, listen to your coach, and think out your game. FOXTON v. KOPUTAROA.

On Saturday the local juniors met Koputaroa on Easton Park, and defeated the visitors by 20 points’ to nil. Koputaroa won the toss, and elected to defend the Avestern end, while the local boys guarded the eastern. As it happened, there was little or no natural advantage to either side. A slight breeze in favour of the visitors was felt, but they failed to take advantage of' it. The score was made up of eight tries, of which one was converted by Hirini.

Foxton kicked off, and immediately commenced the attack. They made it so stubborn that Koputaroa soon found themselves defending for all the game was worth. At this stake Pou, a burly native, who had no reputation to lose as a footballer, blindly kicked the leather mid-field, which found a visiting brother napping, who caused the ball to rebound into Jim Christie’s hands, and this player lost no time in racing over the line, regisering the first try, which was converted by Hirini. From a scrum in mid-field the leather was transferred cleverly and brilliantly by the backs to Fountain, who cut inwards, and then swerved slightly outwards, as though waltzing, scoring amidst applause a very spectacular try. Pou, the burly native, repeated the dose by scoring a try of no mean accomplishment in 'a manner somewhat peculiar to the casual onlookers. This player hesitated, and then brought about a cross between a turkey-trot and a walking-canter in order to obtain the desired effect. The visiting players so admired his football trot that all stood in silence, with headgears removed, while he executed it. Fpunnin, full of resource, again secured another try in precisely the same manner as his first, the ball travelling through all hands save those of his wing-three-quarter. No doubt his exertions would have been modified had lie chosen to let his next man register the try. \\ ithin the visitors’ territory some loose play was indulged in. and Walls again initiated a passing rush, which resulted in V. Baker rambling over the line unopposed. Fountain, who was much shaken by accidentally colliding with an opponent, became more determined than ever to score again. After the leather bad been tossed about by the backs, it found repose in the arms of this player, who caressed it while swerving in and out until he was over the line. Score: Foxton 20, Koputaroa nil. Up to the referee’s whistle for call of half-time the local juniors were going strong. The forwards and

backs were doing their utmost to make the game as spectacular as possible, and between times reminiscences of last years’ performances were undoubtedly recalled.

During the second spell everybody endeavoured to use individual efforts, which sacrificed the most essential feature, namely “combination.” Forgetting for the moment that in football, as well as in any other place, “unity is strength.” As a result the play became an exposition of main strength and ignorance. Except for the scoring of two tries, the latter half was uneventful. Lampp, who played like an old horse on a hard road, denied himself the honour of crossing the lino by allowing bis lieutenant, Green, to dispatch the registration of a try. This good work originated from a line-out within the visitors’ territory, when the leather was tossed about from one to another. To bring the day’s outing for the Foxton juniors to a close. Fountain, for the fourth time, saw himself waltzing over the line with the leather. There must he a certain amount of charm connected with the way in which this player danced last Saturday. The four tries which he scored were, without exception, obtained in the same manner, as the others of the opposition eyed him unconcernedly.

Koputaroa, unfortunately, appeared to have had some difficulty in getting their best team together for the match.

Shammy at full-back was far too deliberate in his coolness, and, like his forefathers, he forgot that “procrastination is the thief of time.

Pou seemed to be out of place, but when lie has made bis acquaintance great things will be expected oi: him. Kauri possessed a tolerable force 1 of speed. Fountain is a source of brilliance, and will yet see better days by keeping constantly in view that good old saying, plus its moral: “Unity is strength.” W. Baker will do belter by passing his ball waist-high than by raising his arms and ball heavenward, and coming down like a thunderbolt.

Hirini carries an old head on his young shoulders. He is the making of a good football general. Walls tits bis position at half admirably. Continual practice will enable him to time bis pusses with exactness.

In the van, Christie stands alone. This lad has a big future before him. His chances as a footballer are very hopeful. If the forwards only copy his example rehearsals will be unnecessary.

Skip Baker, the village Smithy, received a ghastly wound on the knee during the early stages of the game. At Shannon last Saturday he showed his pace and height to good advantage. His fellows would appreciate a repetition of his Shannon form next time.

Marsh is an unskilled native in the art, and hopes of training him

are being entertained by Mr Williams, the worthy coach. The balance of the forwards played up to expectations.