WIN FOR WAIRARAPA.

Shannon News, 25 August 1922, Page 2

WIN FOR WAIRARAPA.

HOROWHENUA DEFEATED, 14-4).

The game between these unions was played at Shannon on Wednesday in bright, sunny weather, and in the presence of a large attendance, of the football public from all parts of the district. Unfortunately the rain of. the early part of the week thoroughly saturated the ground, and the field of play was in a, sodden, treacherous condition when the teams lined out. The surface cut up badly, and the game was largely a mud scramble. The, players had a hard job to keep their feet, whilst the ball was most difficult to handle. Under these conditions a first-class exhibition could not be expected. On the play, however, the Wairarapa team quite deserved their win. Their forwards were superior in all departments and largely dominated the play, whilst the smart, nippy work of the backs indicated that had the conditions been more favourable the visitors would have put up a larger score.

the/ Flay. Wairarapa (green) kicked off with the' sun in their faces, and a succession of kicks among the backs at length saw Jacob reach the opposing line, and the Greens forced. After this the Wairarapa tonvards made things interesting, and playing well together broke into Horowiienua, (red) ground. Johnson failed to get his kick in quick ehoiigh and the Greens swarmed over him, but were penalised and the play went back to midfield. T. Winiata and Porter brought off the first piece of passing by the local backs, and the play went into the Green area. Their tonvards, however, did not allow it to stay long, and went off in a powerful rush. The ball went to T. Moynihan, who hesitated ahd was collared, but off-side play by the Greens saved an ugly predicament for the Reds, and the ball was sent back to the mid area. R. and E. B. Booth among the Green backs opened an attacking movement that ended in Horowhenua forcing. The Reds were kept in their twenty-five, Utiku arid then Moses staying further progress, Jacob eventually relieving to the half-way flag. Carson, on the Green wing, got well away and cross-kicked; the forwards carried on with a dangerous rush which Moses stopped in fine style. At this stage the Green forwards were haying much the best of the game. Porter made a break-away, E. Booth returning, and F. Booth made an opening that let the Greens right up to tlie Red line. Here Horowhenua was penalised and Knowles sent, the ball over the bar. Wairarapa 3—o. Jacob attempted an offensive movement that did not get far, and the Greens came back with a counter attack, Johnson saving by marking. Knowles had another shot at goal, but failed. South- : gate was instrumental in launching a Green attack that Johnson beat off. Porter and Jacob shifted the play upfield;, where the Green backs commenced passing. R. Booth sent infield and what looked like trouble for the Reds Ay as saved by a line kick. Wairarapa maintained the pressure, T. Moynihan and Porter stopping progress by getting the line. The Booth trio and Jury were next associated, and operations were in front of he Red goal. Utiku got the ball out to Wakefield, and Robinson, Tana and Koro took the game on one of the rare visits'to the Green end. It was not allowed to stay long, and a forward rush found Horowhenua again defending. A struggle in the corner was at length successful for the Greens, and Feast got across. The goal kick failed, and Wairarapa led 6—o. E. Booth again sent'play to the opposite end, where Utiku, Moses, Porter and T. Winiata indulged in passing, and half-way was reached when the interval was sounded. The second session opened witii Wakefield prominent, and Sands, Koro, Tana and Rewi Moynihan broke through with a strong rush which was pulled up by Southgate, but strong kicking compelled ihe Greens to force. A penalty to the Reds within range saw Jacob make a fine effort. The visiting forwards took matters in their own hands, and Devin and Knowles dribbled the ball right upheld and over the line, but failed to touch down; Donald, however, was handy, and he scored. Wairarapa 9—o. F. Booth and Jury were responsible for the best rally of the day, and a sustained bout- of lively play ensued. Horowhenua was forced back, and Desmond, Donald and

\ S'tunnel swarmed over the line, the ( latter touching down. Knowles con-

verted, and the score was—Wairarapa 14, HoroWhenua 0. R. Moynihan took up the offensive tor the Reds, and broke through the Green line. The attack was temporary, and E. Booth returned. Johnson, who was handling the greasy ball well and kicking .with judgment, equalised by finding the halt-way. flag. Donald and Jury returned to the attack, Johnson and Wakefield saving well. R. Moynihan led another rush that promised well, and at the Green twentyfive a penalty gave -Ta c °k another i

shot at the posts, but the effort went astray: Donald, Southgate and R. Booth opened a fine passing move ment, but Johnson was equal to Mir occasion and grassed his man in splendid style amidst applause. Porter checked another advance, and the ball had travelled up and down field when the last whistle went. Mr T. Parata controlled the game in his usual impartial style. ‘ Although every Horowhenua man did his best in the heavy going, a special word must be said of Johnson’s play at full-back. He was as safe as on a dry field. Time and again his sure handling and powerful kicking got his side out ol trouble, and his . defence was solid His work placed him among the best backs on the field.