RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3819, 17 July 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. NASH CUP. Shannon 32 v. Wanderers 3. Ilui Mai G v. Foxton 3. JUNIOR. Hui Mai 8 v. Weraroa 6. Mirauui (i v. Shannon 3. THIRDS. "Wanderers 11 v. Tokomaru 0. AUSTIN BANNER COMPETITION FOXTON v. LEVIN.

On Saturday ■ last Foxton Primary School met Levin, at Levin. This game was exceedingly importaid for both teams were level, and had Foxton won, the competition would have been closed and the Banner would have i-emained in Foxton. However the result of the match upset possible arrangements. Foxton won the toss, and played with the wind and sun, and from the commencement the many spectators present were assured of seeing a first-class game of rugby. Levin kicked off, and their forwards followed up, and this dash ended in a line-out, from which the Levin backs got the ball, but failed to break through the Foxton defence. The forwards of both teams fought hard in the Foxton twenty-five until from a line-out Williams (Levin) scold'd. N Levin 3—Foxton 0. From the kick-off the local boys, taking a more serious view of the situation, followed up and forced Levin over their goal line, and from the twenty-five the Levin forwards carried the play into the Foxton half. From a scrum the Levin backs went into action, but were stopped by B. Coley, who took the ball at his feet into the Levin twen-ty-five, where a penalty kick was taken by Kura, who failed to even up the score. The remainer of the first half was exceedingly exciting, both teams playing a very even, hard ■ game. Levin twice seriously threatened the Foxton goal line, but each time B. Coley managed to clear with a line kick.

The second half opened with very even play, the forwards of both teams packing well and fighting hard for every yard. Kura, however, received the ball from R. Coley, side-stepped, and with a short run scored and converted. Foxton s—Levin5 —Levin 3.

From the kick-off Foxton, by successful line kicks and forward rushes, succeeded in keeping the play in the Levin twenty-five. Several dashes for a score proved unsuccessful, and Levin forced. There followed for a time very fast play, where, by both sides offensive play was quickly changed to defence. At one stage Cresp (Levin) took the ball near the Foxton goal line and but for Kura snatching the ball from his arms while he was falling over the line, the score would have undoubtedly been changed. Kura line kicked. This reverse for Levin was only temporary, however, for Levin once more attacked strenuously, and Foxton forced. In n short time, however, Levin was again on the attack, and from a lineout near the Foxton goal line Kingsley (Levin) scored a doubtful try. The kick failed. Levin fi —Foxton 5. For the remaining eight minutes Foxton hammered hard at the Levin line, R. Coley making two unsuccessful attempts to get over. Levin finally cleared and carried the play into the Foxton half, kicking the ball into the dead ball area, thus ending probably the most exciting and most hard,fought game that has been witnessed in primary school football.

Outstanding Foxton players were K. Matthews, R. Coley, K. Coley, Croon. Outstanding Levin players were Williams, Cresp, Procter and Kingsbear.

After the match the local visitors were entertained at morning tea provided by the teachers and girls of the Levin school. Present were: The Headmaster (Mr Foss), the Mayor of Levin (Mr Hobson) -and the Chairman of the Levin School Committee (Mr Hutchins). Mr Foss complimented the teams on the hard game they had played, and upon the good sportsmanship and spirit shown by both sides. He stated that in so far as the donor of the Banner had meant it to encourage sport he was certain that ir had attained its object. In reply, Mr Masai endorsed the previous speaker’s' remarks, and- added that on the football field were learnt many valuable and lasting lessons. He called upon Mr Procter, who complimented Levin on their win, and stated what a difference had been made in club football since competitions had been opened for the local school boys. Mr Procter called upon the boys for cheers for those who had prepared the refreshments and for their opponents.

In reply to Mr Procter, Mr McDonald stated that within a few years school football had been changed from playground kicking about, into serious practice and hard intorsehool games, so that now the school hoys placed one game a week against the previous records of ahunf one or two games a season. The speaker called upon the Levin boys to return their opponents’ cheers.

Mr Hobson stated his desire to see sport furthered in every department, and to participate in its organisation asjiar as his office as Mayor would permit. i The function, ended with cheers for both Mr Procter and Mr McDonald.

NASH CUP COMPETITION.

FOXTON SENIORS v. HUI MAI

The Nash Cup competition opened in this district on Saturday last, the local seniors being drawn to play Hui Mai on their home ground. Due to sickness, late arrivals, etc., the local team took the field with four juniors in their team —Ross, A. Stevenson, Wright and Anderson. THE GAME. Foxton won the toss, and R. George set the ball in motion for Hui Mai. The game opened tamely, the only noticeable events for some time being a series of loose rushes by the Hui Mai forwards, which were broken up by Taylor’s safe fielding and kicking. Taylor made one unsuccessful pot, the ball just falling a couple of feet short. Both sides attempted to open up, but the passing now —in fact, throughout the game —was erratic. At length, after 30 minutes play, Moses, who was putting in solid work, set the yellow backs going,.-and Stevenson, cutting through cleverly, in-passed to Hirini, who ran in under the posts. This try was practically the only piece of good football in the game. Moses missed an easy kick in attempting to add the major points. Hui Mai, who were obtaining possession in almost every scrum, made attempts at passing rushes, which for senior players were very poor, Fuller, fielding a dropped pass, broke through, but when in good position, kicked too hard. Then Moses took a hand, and passed to Stevenson, to Robinson, who was pushed out. Hui Mai forwards then broke away with a dangerous rush, but Stevenson saved well. The green backs then took a turn, and Bryant crossed, but was recalled for offside play.' Play was in the centre of the field for some time,' Taylor missing a penalty kick, and two attempted field goajs in quick time. Half time sounded with the score: Foxton 3—Hui Mai 0.

The second spell opened with Taylor having another shot, which narrowly missed, the high wind playing havoc with the ball. The same player then made a good run, but Proctor failed to hold the pass. At this stage Hirini, Moses and Stevenson were putting in good work, opening up nicely, and drawing men, but the wings were offering poor support. After a high kick the yellow full-back was caught with the ball, and the green forwards kicked through hard, and Gleeson was first there to score. Meta Johnson missecT the * kick. Foxton 3 —Hui Mai 3.

The yellow forwards were now tiring, and the greens were showing their best dash. Hirini fielded a hall from the green forwards’ toes and set his backs going. Moses handed to Stevenson, who cut in splendidly, but Robinson missed his pass and a great scoring opportunity. Several line-outs now took place, in which Huff was prominent. On one occasion he broke clean away, and looked dangerous, being caught just a few yards short of the line. Hui Mai retaliated with several loose forward rushes, eventually dribbling right over for Gleeson to fall on the ball to score his second try. He missed converting his own trv. Hui Mai 6 —Foxton 3.

Foxton now livened up for a short time, Taylor and then Procter both making determined bids to get through. The yellow forwards then rushed the ball -over, with Anderson touching down, only to be recalled for a knock-on. Shortly after this final bid the game ended with the scores: Hui Mai 6 —Foxton 3. , Mr Neville gave satisfaction with the whistle.

NASH CUP POINTS.

SOUTHERN JUNIOR. TEAM. Mr S. Hooper has selected the following team to represent the southern juniors (red and blue): — Full-back, Roe (Weraroa); threequarters, Swainson (Hui Mai), Atkins (Hui Mai), Wehipeihaua (Hui Mai), five-eighths, Wlehipeikana (Hui Mai), Pou (Maungatuku); half, Tantrum (Weraroa); wingforward, Mora (Weraroa); forwards, Gordon (Paraparaumu), Maclean (Weraroa), Ward (Weraroa), Trotter (Hui Mai), Taylor (Weraroa), McKenzie' (Maungatuku), Clung (Paraparaumu); forwards, Debreeeny (Weraroa), Bowling (Hui Mai). After the rep. junior game between Manawatu and Horowhenua on July 28th, the Manawhenua juniors will he selected. . AUSTIN BANNER GAMES. The Austin Banner games for July 21st are: Levin v. Shannon, at Shannon; Foxton v. Manakau, at Foxton. The positions of the teams in this competition at present are as under: —

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. The Schools’ rep, games have been arranged as follows: North (Shannon and Foxton) v. South (Levin, Manakau and Otaki), July 28th. Iloroighomia v. Hutt Valley, at Levin, August 4th. Horowhenua v. Wellington, at Wellington, August lltli. The seven-a-side tournament for the Noad Shield will be played at Levin on August 18tli.

The following will represent Foxton Old Boys against Thirds at the racecourse to-morrow afternoon: — Newson, F. Gay, Rankin, B. Gay, King, William, Vertongen, Death, Barra t, Hirini, Ball, Anderson, Francis, E. Ball, and Martin. Emergencies: Easton and A. Williams. The following will represent the Foxton Thirds to play Old Boys at the racecourse' to-morrow: — Newth, Huff, Hartley, Smith, Newton, Dunn, 'Simpson, E. Coley, G. Coley, Anderson, Moses, Easton, Newson, Hofmann, and B. Gay. RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH. To-morrow Wairarapa will meet Canterbury at Christchurch in the Ranfurly Shield match. The game is attracting interest throughout the Dominion. Wairarapa is tipped to bring the Shield back to the North Island. The following will represent Canterbury:— Backs: Harris, Doreen, Oliver, Chesley, Grant, Hay, Page; wingforward: Fookes; forwards: Cottrell, Clark, Kirkland, Lawson, Jackson, Toby Robinson, Tom Robinson, and Montgomery. One of these forwards will stand down.

X 22 HH MH o rt> O' 3 £T t/2 M M M M Played O O h- 1 h- 1 Won. H 1 *— 1 o o Lost O o o o Drawn CO CO co to 05 Pts. For 05 CO CO CO CO Pts. Against o o CO CO Ch. Points

P W. D. L. Pts. Levin 6 5 0 1 10 Fox ton 6 4 0 2 8 Shannon 5 2 1 1 5 Otaki 4 0 3 1 3 Mauakau 6 0 2 4 2