SHIELD HOPE

NZ Truth, Issue 1180, 12 July 1928, Page 16

SHIELD HOPE

Maheno Have Handy ; Margin Now ■ •■■• (From "N.Z. Truths" North Otagp - ■ Rep). Great was i the jubilation m the township of Maheno at the victory . - of the country lads over Athletic '*■ \ «on Saturday. ■'■'.; "THIS gives the Maheno stalwarts a '. r. three-point lead m the champion- ■ Bhip and t)iey look certain to have tHeir name inscribed on the Citizens! Shield for 1928. , '" There was nothing spectacular about the game which resolved into a titanic 1 struggle' between two great packs. Maheno had alt the best of matters In the first half, showing more cohesion ' and understanding than the maroons. ;j' .Beaten fore and aft, Athletic stuck to their task and In the second chap- ";'= ter, despite valiant ■ efforts to . reduce ': the leeway, had to .acknowledge- defeat 1 ; by six points to. three. , Proctor Starts Things Proctor paved the. -way for both the ' JMaheno tries notched by D. Muldrew -'•■ and Lawrence. The first score should not have been .. .allowed, ia palpable knock-on escaping ;\- the notice of Referee Hirickley. • ■ At one stage the Athletic backs were -■• stricken with, "pot-itis," but the ball *!; failed, to negotiate the bar. , ~> 'Alan Clark, Pringle and Newlands were always conspicuous m the green, .; " packk while Hollow . was a tower of "strength m the backs. : -v,' The occasion appeared too big V for Athletic, who were decidedly off ! [ l~'\ '' color. /.;■' ■ ■ -.. ' • , . Their scrum work was faulty and the i kicking of the backs lacked direction. j; : ; Direen and Sim were again the pick :;* of the packmen and Turvey went well v, behind the scrum, v ;r Excelsipr surprised themselves, as 1 : : well as, Old Boys; when they defeated % the latter teami4l't(i 9.: «'J- r The match ,proveaVa disappointing ','7 ■" exhibition 1 ;' Of -'-:: ! Rugby;, melther team ' playing up^io previous'-fprni. . ,; '■■ :' Cajnerpri;. McKerrow 'and Koller' were :f I responsible r;fdr bright individual play. :