SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 23 May 1922, Page 3

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.

WANDERERS BEAT FOXTON

The first game of the season between these teams was played on Saturday on the Levin ground, and that the match was centre of more than usual Interest was evidenced by the- large attendance of spectators, among whom was a large party of Fox-ton supporters. The play, proved fast and full of incident, and was easily the best exhibition seen locally this season. Both teams made the game open,, and at the same time gave a good interpretation of the new rule, which cuts out the monotonous succession of line kicking, and the play was much more spectacular. The new rule promises to greatly improve the Rugby code, from the spectators point of view at any rate. Although the Wanderers won by 16 to 9, this is

hardly a criterion of the difference between the teams. As a matter of fact, Foxton put up a splendid game in both their back and forward divisions, and during the last half hour their pack was showing greater dash than ever, and launched attack after attack with the greatest doggedness. Foxton (yellow) had the advantage of the sun at their backs in the first half, and the Wanderers (black) set the ball in motion. The Black forwards made matters interesting irom the whistle, and pressed Foxton behind their twenty-five. The 1 , pressure

was kept up, and at length Jacob led a rush .that overwhelmed the Yellow line, Jacob scoring. The kick failed, and the Wanderers led 3—o. The visitors livened up matters after this, and strong kicking by Reid and Taylor gave Hopa some anxious moments at full back, but he saved well. Foxton worked their way across the half-way line, where a chance occurred for Taylor to try a shot at, the Wanderers’ goal. He made 1 no 1 mistake, and the scores were equalled, 3 all, amidst applause. The Blacks came bark on the attack, and Hannan sent his oaoks away in several good bouts ot passing, T. Winiata, Toddy McDonald and N. Winiata handling the ball well. The defence was sound, however, although Carmichael looked like getting across, but the effort went astray. Shortly after this Hopa fielded the ball outside the Foxton twenty-five, and potted a splendid goal. Wanderers 7, Foxton 3. On -resuming th.e Foxton

hacks made their’’ play more open, Reid, Moses, Baker, Bryant and Taylorbeing always prominent. The Yelln.v forwards, following up and playing well' together, carried several rushes into the home territory where the fence stayed the attacks, and from one of these the- Pfiacks retaliated and sent Foxton back inside their quarter flag. Here the visiters were penalised, ami Jacob placed a goal, the score being 10—3 in favour of the Wanderers, 'ihe Yellows blocked a re!urn, and followlowing up fast, rushed the ball over and the Wanderers forced. Foxton now launched a series of hot a! tacks, initiated by Baker and Reid. Moses spoiled one effort by hanging m-100 long, but, in another passing b-mt the ball reached Bryant on the wing and he sprinted 50 yards up the line, where he was finely collared by Rangi Wfi-

liams within a dozen yards of the Wanderers’ line. Foxton applied Ihe pressure, and a moment after Bak* r dived across. The kick failed. Wanderers 10, Foxton 6. The visitors were putting plenty of dash into their work, but the Black forwards were by no means done with, and their counterattacks sent Foxton hack time n d again. A strong kick into Yellow ground saw a great sprint between

N. Winiata and Taylor,. the bull going out well inside the visitors’ iweriyftve. Here an infringement gave Jacob another shot at the uprights, and he was again successful. Wanderers 13, Foxton 6. The Blacks panned Foxton-in their own ground, and good passing by the Wanderers’ backs saw the ball go to Rangi Williams on the wing, and he raced across and registered a good try. Wanderers .'6,

Foxton 6. The play was moving up and down field at a, great pace. Bryant got away again with another good sprint, and almost reached, the Wanderers’ line. Reid was handy, and be secured and scored for Foxton. Wanderers 16, Foxton 9. Foxton was attacking strongly when the final whistle sounded. Mr Burrows, of Shannon, was the referee.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

SENIORS. Wanderers 16, Foxton 9. Old Boys 26, Weraroa 3. Hui Mai 13, Shannon 5. JUNIOR. Wanderers 21, Weraroa 3. Rovers'B, Shannon 3. Xokomaru 3, Foxton 3. THIRDS. Rovers 10, Shannon 9. Foxton 11, Weraroa 0. FOURTHS. High School. 35, Training harm 0. Foxton 35, v. Weraroa 0.