FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 23 August 1921, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

Saturday was a perfect football day, but unfortunately the Union failed to make use of the occasion to get any of its senior fixtures off. Earlier in the week the scheduled fixtures were announced, but at the last moment the clubs which did not consider they had a chance in the final forfeited, and the Union endeavoured at short notice to get off the final of the championship between the two leading teams, Hui Mai and the Wanderers. A telegraphic message was sent to the Hui Mai club at: about midday, but the latter replied That the notice was not sufficient to get their team together. As it will be some weeks before the final can now be played owing to the intervention of rep. matches it is to be regretted that the opportunity to bring the championship to a conclusion was not seized, the failure of delegates tb attend last meeting of the Management Committee is one of the reasons why action was not more promptly. WERAROA LEADS NORTHERN DIVISION. A good deal of interest centred in the meeting of the Weraroa and Foxton juniors at Levin on Saturday, the game deciding the championship of the northern division. The conditions were perfect, there being an entire absence of wind, and the ground in capital order. There was a large crowd of spectators. As an exhibition of Rugby, the game was disappointing. The conditions were favourable to a fast, open display, but most of the play was confined to the forwards. Foxton made a few feeble attempts at the open game, But Weraroa on the other hand took every opportunity of throwing the ball about, and in this respect Lester behind the scrum whipped out the ball in splendid style. The subsequent passing, however, failed in nearly every rush to gain the attackers' much advantage, as the ball travelled straight across the field, Adkin' and Jackson on the wings being the only pair to break fresh ground occasionally. Repeated efforts, which should have got Weraroa nearer their opponents’ line, if not a try on one or two occasions, went amiss in this way. The only score of the day came to Weraroa through Jackson following up well and charging a return kick by a Foxton back. The ball striking Jackson and rebounding, he followed through ffiid fielding nicely, ran round behind the posts. McLeavey added the extra points. Weraroa 5, Foxton 0. The local forwards made the game fast, and were too good for the opposition, their rushes taking the game within striking distance of the goal several times, but Foxton battled doggedly, and staved off the attacks successfully. On the day, Weraroa had easily the best of the game, and deserved their win and the northern championship. Mr W. Thomson was the referee.

The Wanderers and Shannon junior’s match was won by the latter by 14 to 3, but the game was not treated very seriously. Shannon had easily the best of things. THE FIRST TEST MATCH. INTENSE ENTHUSIASM OF SPECTATORS. “SCENES BAFFLE DESCRIPTION.’’ Commenting on the first test match between the Springboks and New Zealand, the Otago Witness says: The game was worthy of the crowd and worthy of the day that favoured it. Never has such a scene of enthusiasm been seen at a football match in Dunedin To all present the fast, open, exhibition must have been really inspiring. Every incident was watched with breathless interest, every noteworthy performance drew its meed of applause. „ It was soon apparent that a heroic struggle was to eventuate, and that the spectators were to ‘get their money’s worth, and they quickly recognised the fact. When the -second spell commenced with New Zealand 5 points to the bad, excitement was raised to a greet pitch, both teams making the pace very hot. Up and- down went the teams, and then came New Zealand’s first score, Morkel being beaten by the bounce over the line, and Beilis securing ftie ball_ before the Greens could throw themselves upon it. The scene all round the ground baffles description. Everywhere there was nothing but yelling, cheers, and screaming; hats and sticks were thrown up in the air in thousands; even overcoats went soaring far, while the waving headgear of the tennis girls and the mad delight of the schoolboys qdded to the pandemonium. Following the resumption of play came the prolonged onslaught of the South Africans on the New' Zealand line. Every effort was fruitier, and the enthusiasm of the crowd rose and rose till Steel broke through in a brilliant dash from midway on the grandstand side and a desperate race with Meyer ensued. As Steel grounded the ball

behind the. posts it might almost be said that not a foot was touching me ground in Carisbrook, not a hat was on any head, not a voice silent. Then came the kick, laughter greeting the premature charge, only to be ioilowed by the delight at the converting try. The third and final score really put the issue beyond doubt, it being obvious then that the South Atricans had “shot their .bolt” though they still had a spectacular turn to offer. The scene that followed the bell was of the wildest and most extraordinary character.. The crowd dashed on to the ground from all directions with rapturous cries, and soon the All Blacks were to be seen being borne into the pavilion. A crowd hung in front of the dressing rooms, and the demonstration, with continued cheering, was continued for quite a while. The Foxton thirds beat Rover thirds by 11 to 3, and the Foxton fourths won from the Rover fourths by 17 to Speaking at Auckland on Saturday! Mr Bennett, the manager of the Spring boks, said he had heard that Nev. Zealand was progressing as regards Rugby, and that Africa and Britain represented to a certain extent the conservative element. He had to say that after his experience in New Zealand he wondered whether or not it was progress so much as obsession. He would leave it at that. He had been instructed by the South African Council to play only under the rules authorised by the English Union. So far as South Africa was concerned, football under those rules was good enough for the players and spectators alike. As regards Auckland, he realised that they were under a disadvantage, having played under the amended rules, and that the local score would have been better had the game been under other conditions. It was the best game of the tour.