RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3798, 29 May 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS. Wanderers 14 v. Foxton 0. Shannon 14 v. Ilui Mai (i. JUNIORS. Foxton 5 v. Shannon 3. THIRDS. Wanderers 10 v. Foxton 3. Shannon 11 v. Wteraroa 9. SENIOR GAME. Wanderers (14) v. foxton (G). The senior match played on the racecourse on Saturday between Levin Wanderers and Foxton seniors, resulted in a win for the former by 14 points to G, after a very interesting and strenuously fought game. Wanderers are an unbeaten team so far this season, and it looks as if they will annex the championship. Both forwards and backs are a sturdy and fast combination and under the tutelage of Jacob they are well-skil-led in all the finer points of the game. In the scrums the ball went out to their backs with monotonous frequency and was away before the local forwards knew what had happened. Parata was the pivot of activity in this connection and later on Huff was quick to foil these movements.

Foxton, in weight and size gave the appearance of a school boy team in comparison, but what the yellows lacked in this connection was more than compensated for by pluck and dash and their deadly tackling brought the sturdy blacks to earth time and again in no uncertain manner. . Taylor’s kicking was also a fine feature of the game. Andrews (Foxton) and McDonald (Wanderers), were the outstanding forwards and Parata among the backs Avas outstanding. Fuller (Foxton), played a dashing game. Wanderers fielded their full team but Foxton were Avithout the services of Moses and Renata, which considerably handicapped the team. Despite this, Foxton played a Avonderfully improved game and towards the end fairly thrilled the croAvd with some dashing attacks, which tried the defence of the blacks to the utmost. Foxton attacked and Westwood dashed for the black line, but the black defence Avas sound and Parata transferred play to centre. Taylor sent the yelloAVs again on ihe attack Avhich \yas returned by the black three-quarter line to yelloav’s 25, Avhere a free kick relievtd. Blacks again attacked and a force down resulted. Taylor with a well-judged line kick removed another dangerous black rush. Foxton were busy on the defence, and the ball Avas going out from the scrum and lines out to the blacks. Foxton worked play to black territory and an infringement gave Taylor an opportunity to show his skill and he was successful in the attempt—Foxton 3 Wanderers nil. Andrews headed an attack but the ball got into possession of the black three-quarter line avlio invaded Foxton’s 25, where Tataria failed with a shot at goal. YelloAvs attacked with Hiriiii, Procter, Wfestwood and Taylor prominent, only to be sent back by a fine black back movement, which resulted in Rangi Williams crossing. The kick Avas not successful. Foxton 3—Wanderers 3. Foxton could not penetrate the black defence and Parata transferred play to centre. Fuller and Westwood got within striking distance only to be sent back by Parata. Another combined attack by yelloAVs ended in a black infringement and Taylor had another shot but Avas beaten by the Avind. The spell ended with the scores even,. A knock-on spoilt a hue black combined movement. Shortly after Procter “stole” the ball from a black back and saved by finding the line. Another black rush ended in yelhnvs forcing. Blacks again battled for the line and tv ere foiled in the attempt by off-side play and Taylor relieved the pressure. Blacks again invaded the yellow line and scrums took place near the line, but the yellow defence Avas tried to its utmost until a free kick gave them relief. Hart, a yelloAV forward, who had been playing prominently, had to retire with a head injury and his place Avas shortly after taken by Stevenson who had completed a game in the junior match. Again the yelloav line was invaded and McDonald avlio was playing a dashing fonvard game Avas not to be denied. The kick failed—Wanderers G —Foxton 3. Stevenson Avas prominent in a run and Taylor picking up a return kick had an unsuccessful shot at goal. The black full-back put in a strong run, and found the line in Foxton’s 25. Here the blacks battled to get over but the defence held until an offside infringement by Huff enabled blacks to increase the score —Wanderers 9 —Foxton 3. The yelloAvs noAV put in a determined spirited attack and carried on to black’s 25 Avkere an infringement gave Taylor an opportunity to pilot the ball over ainidst great enthusiasm —Foxton G —Wanderers 9. Yclloavs returned again aa t itl i a brilliant rush doAvn to

the black line with Stevenson prominent, but the black backs were equally determined and excitement ran high. Blacks worked back to centre, and both sides put in some thrilling movements. Andrews saved a dangerous onslaught by blacks with a. mark. Then followed the prettiest piece of work during the game. MsDonald secured and transferred to Parata, to Gra-

ham to Parata and back to Graham who scored in a handy position amidst the plaudits of the croAvd. The major points Avere added on the call of time, Wanderers Avinning the best game so far Avitnessed on the local ground this season by 14 points to 6. Mr. Sands controlled the game.

THE JUNIOR GAME. FOXTON (5) v. SHANNON (3). Shannon and Foxton juniors played a hard-fought game, Avhich resulted in a win for .the home team by 5 points to 3. Shannon fielded their full team and Foxton Avere without the services of Heta. lan Ross filled the gap, and his first game of the season indicated that he is “good goods.” There Avas far too much appealing during the game and the referee had to cau tion players against this practice. Foxton shoAved marked improvement on previous games and Avere unfortunate in not crossing on tAvo occasions.

Foxton opened Avitli an attacking movement and kept Shannon busy on the defence from the opening stages. , From fonvard rushes the Shannon half made several attempts to get his backs in action, but all the movements Avere broken up by the defensive Avork of Thompson (wing forward), Stevenson and LI. Ross. Play centred about midfield until from a forward scramble lan Ross broke loose and set out for the line, finding himself being overtaken, Avisely transferred to Thompson who clapped on the pace and sailed over for a fine try in a good position. LI. Ross added Avhat proved to be the Avinning points and after 23 minutes play the score stood s—nil5 —nil in favour of Foxton. On resuming Foxton rushed to the attack again and a nice 'passing rush saAV Broad ground the ball but a foot short. At this stage the yelloiv backs were given the ball from the scrum on six occasions on end, and each time the back line Avere prominent. Shannon forwards broke through Avitli one dangerous rush but Huff Avas found to be ready Avith a nice line kick. Half time with play in neutral ground. Foxton kicked off and immediately rushed the opposition goal, Procter being collared a IVw yards short on tAvo occasions. At this stage the yellow forwards Avere going at a great pace, playing the right game in feeding their speedy backs. From a line out Hartley set his backs going and the ball Avas sent right out to Broad on the Aving, and Avhen he looked dangerous, he lost possession and Shannon rushed play up the field. Stevenson in defending Avas temporarily knocked out. Shannon forAvards uoav took a turn and after several dangerous rushes headed by Mason and Wormald, the latter crossed over Avide out. Mason failed to convert. Give and take play folloAved the kick off Avith the fonvards putting solid work in. For speaking abusively of the referee, Mason (Shannon), ordered off. The fast pace was beginning to tell on both sets of for-

wards and the pace slackened on a couple of occasions. HoAvever they held the reds safely and the game ended Avitli the scores Foxton 5 Shannon 3.

Mr. NeAolle ably refereed the game.

Shannon have entered a protest against the rulings of the referee and are making applications to the Union to have the match re-played. THIRD GRADE. The thirds’ match, Wanderers v. Foxton, Avas played on the Levin Park Domain, and provided a very fair exhibition, shoAving that there AA’ill be good materal for promotion in ensung seasons. The result of the game Avas a AA'in for the local team by 10 points to 3. Wanderers’ score Avas made up of a potted poal and a penalty goal, both kicked by B. Winiata, and a try scored by Moses. For Foxton, Huff kicked a penalty goal. Mr. J. Hopa Avas referee.

AUSTIN BANNER COMPETITION

FOXTON v. SHANNON,

Last Saturday morning at the racecourse, Foxton played Shannon primary school in the opening match of the Primary Schools Rugby Competition for the Austin Banner, Avhich for the past tAvo years has been held by the former school.

Foxton having lost the toss kicked off, and for a time pressed the Shannon defence in willing play, but Shannon managed to clear from a free kick. Shannon was unable however to force Fox ton from their half, yet their tackling- and strong defence prevented the latter from scoring on several occasions. From a line out near the Shannon goal line the ball reached the Foxton backs, and Kura, with a brilliant run, scored in the corner. Kura converted —Foxton s—Shannon5 —Shannon nil. From the kick off Shannon forced the play into the Foxton half, but from a mark taken by B. Coley the ground was regained and Shannon forced. For a time Foxton pressed Shannon, but the latter cleared. A forward rush followed and Shannon forced again. From a scrummage McEwan (Shannon), cleared with a kick, and Roach (Shannon) made a dribbling rush which ended in Foxton being pressed, but B. Coley cleared with a line kick. The play was again carried into the Shannon half, where, from a free kick B. Coley scored and Kura converted. Foxton 10 —Shannon

nil. Shannon again kicked off and Kura and Wilson made a good rush Avith the ball at their toes. This ended in a line out near the Shannon goal line, and B. Coley again scored and Kura converted. Half time came Avith the scores —Foxton 15 —'Shannon nil. Following the kick off a free kick folloAved, Shannon for the first time almost succeeded in crossing Foxton’s line, but B. Coley cleared with a kick, folloAved up, and succeeded in getting a try in the corner, the kick was not taken —Foxton 18 —Shannon nil. The remainder of the game Avas very e\ r en, leaving the final score.' —Foxton 18 —Shannon nil. Mr. Henry Taylor refereed. After the game a reception was held in the High School where the brilliant sportsmanlike spirit Avith which the Shannon boys took their defeat Avas the subject of comment by the Mayor (Mr. Perreau), Mr. Nicholas and Mr. Mason who spoke on the occasion. Mr. Whyte, headmaster of the Shannon School, on behalf of the boys, thanked those responsible for the meeting and called for cheers (which Avere very hearty), from the Shannon boys.

The reception Avas concluded Avitli cheers from the Foxton team. The teams Avere as folloAvs: — Shannon.—W. Satherley, Picard, Pope, Saxon, P. McEwan, A. Satherley, Roach (captain), E. Easton, Retter, Easton, Campbell, Lee, Tippler, Mason, Cavenagh. Foxton. —K. Coley, G. Croon, N. Walls, J. Chrystall, Kura Matthews (captain), B. Coley, R. Coley, L. Thompson, E. Devonshire, J. Wilson, M. Symes, B. BosAvell, P. Easton, S. Bills, L. McCarthy. NOTES. Although the local seniors Avere defeated by 14 points to 6, they did not disgrace .themselves. The scores were no indication of the difference between the two teams. Foxton Avere Avithout the services of Moses, avlio Avas unable to play oAving to illness, Avhich meant that the backs combination Avas slightly upsets

The fonvards who were reinfor-. ced by Woods and Brien AA r ere no match for their much heavier opponents in the scrums, but held their own in most of tjje line-outs and loose rushes.

Andrews played a fine game throughout, and is steadily improving every game. He should make more use of his opportunities. Pine Avas here, there and everywhere, and is another player who displaying great dash. He was at the head of most of the rushes and Avas very safe on defence. Huff, as wing forward, Avas in good form, but at times was too anxious to race around the scrum. Cummerfield Avas a much improved player from the previous Saturday. He was at the head of most ■+■ of the rushes, and Avas very sound on defence. Wfoods, Brien, Anderson and MeGregor also played good games, especially W°°d s , who has not had a game since last season. The display given by the backs was at times good, but greatly handicapped Avithout Moses. Hirini at half, played his best game to date, and his display Avas 100 per cent, better than last Saturday. He Avasn’t afraid to go down to the rushes and also took a prominent part in most of the attacks.

Hartley avlio took Moses’s place, first five-eigths, did not appear to be in his right place as he stood too deep and Avas far too slow in passing. In second half, Avhen shifted to wing three-quarter, he shoAved great dash and Avas playing a great game until he had to retire OAving to nose injury. 'Fuller at second five-eigths, played his usual good game. He is a great little battler Avho is never frightened to give it a go Avhen opportunities arise. He was very sound both on attack and defence. WestAVood at centre was in great form throughout, and was very unlucky in not scoring near-the posts through missing a step after a good run from midfield. On the form he is displaying this season it wll be hard for the selector to pass him by. Robinson and Procter on the wings both played good games, but opportunities did not come their Avav. Robinson’s taking of the ball shoAved great improvement. Taylor at full played a fine game throughout. His kicking was a treat to Avatch and Avas very safe on defence. On the form he is shoAving it Avill be hard for the selector to pass him by.

DANCE AND SOCIAL EVENING. It is proposed to hold a dance and social evening in the Masonic Hall on Friday, June Bth., admission to which will be free to • all Foxton Football Club players, honorary members and their lady friends. There will be a practice for all Junior players at 7 p.m. sharp this evening. On Monday next at 1.30 p.m. the local Thirds will meet Selwvn Fourths, a Wellington team, on the local racecourse. A good game is promised. In a Rugby match at Christchurch the referee, E. G. Watkins, was knocked out by a heavy forward colliding with him. He fell and lay still for a second or two. He whistled for the game to stop and for an ambulance, and then left the field. Another rßferee took over the game.