FOOTBALL SEASON OPENS.

Shannon News, 8 May 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL SEASON OPENS.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

SENIORS. Wanderers 6, Weraroa 3. Foxton 6, Shannon 3. Hui Mai 6, Otaki 3. JUNIORS. Northern— Shannon 8, Koputaroa 6. Tokomara 6, Mangahao nil. Foxton 3, Moutoai nil (penalty kick) Southern— Hui Mai—Otaki, draw. Te Horo 21, Paraparaumu 6. Weraroa won hy default from Kuku. THIRDS. Te Horo 12, Otaki 3.

Movers 14. Weraroa nil. Hui Mai and Kuku drew. Foxton 5, Shannon nil. FOURTH GRADE. School 30 v. Weraroa 0. The Horowhenua Rugby Union’s spason opened on Saturday. Thirtyone teams (seniors 6, juniors 12, thirds 10, and fourths 3) are competing in the Union which, is a pretty fair indication that the football spirit is again well developed this lyear. A large number of new men have graduated into senior rank, and' a general stiffen-ing-up in the Union is expected to resuli. Shannon seniors are reported to lie somewhat of a surprise packet and in their game with"Foxton showed surprisingly good form. WANDERERS BEAT WERAROA. The game between Wanderers and Weraroa wa.s uot marked by any brilliant football, but was nevertheless a clean hard game right through, being mostly confined 1 to the. forwards. Some passing rushes hy the Wanderers were w#ll carried out. Weraroa played a good forward game hut were' let down, by their hacks, who were weak on lire whole. The score 6—3 is hardly a fair indication of the game. Despite a solid and plucky resistance on the part, of Weraroa, Wanderers had the best of the game almost from the start, mainly through better combination and sounder work in the back division and only the; solid tackling of the Weraroa team saved the score from being larger.

Both teams were spoilt by individualism, but this is only to be expected at the opening of a season, and will disappear with a better knowledge of each other’s capabilities as the result of practice. Weraroa kicked off and following un well, forced tire play in Wanderers’ 25 for a spell. T. Winiata relieved wd-h a high kick. Wanderers following un with a. good forward rush which ook inside Weraroa’s 25. Rangi Brojughian sent play up-field with a long kick which found the line .at lialf-way. From the throw-in Wanderers f< reed tile play, but an .infringement, gave Weraroa a free kick, which followed up with Iho mostdangerous rush Weraroa made in the game-looked like resulting in a score. Faulty passing lost au opportunity and Winiata kicked out. Loose play followed mostly in Weraroa’s 25, relieved* hy another strong rush by the forwards, Sinclair, Gibbs and Cole showing up well, in a passing rush by Wanderers, Campion secured the ball ami sprinted for the line, but was collared five yards out. Five minutes later, however, T. Winiata got the ball and passed smaitly to Jacob who threw out to Kerione who scored a smart try near the lino. The attempt at goal failed. Half time went one minute later. Wanderers 3, Weraroa U. The second half opened with Weiaroa determined to level up the >.me, a well" sustained rush being 'TuM rated by E. McLeavey who took the ball m.d eluding the forwards reached the Hu If way line before be was tackled. Wo tiro a pressed again and from a long kick by Jacob, Ferris secured ihe call and took a pot .at goal, which nihKd by indies. Open play followed and from a dribbling rush by Weraroa—the only one in the game—Winiata picked up (lie hall at half way and mused to Jacob, from whom it went tiirough Wilson to Johns who after i beautiful swerving run, scored. Wanderers 6, Weraroa 0. Shortly after, another passing run, in which MeLeavey, H. McDonald, Wilson and back again to McLeavey figured, carried the. ball over the line again, but an infringement prevented a score. Indifferent play with both teams showing signs of tiring followed. Werarpa having rather .the .better of it, the'ball travelling - to Wanderers' 25. where it: remained for the last five minutes of the game. Righi on lime, off-side on the part of. the Wanderers' gave Johnny T-Topa a shot at goal which came off, the whistle sounding as the ball touched the ground, the game ending:.Wanderers. 6. Weraroa 3.

SHANNON 8 v. KOPUTAROA Nil.. 'Hie cup fixtures opened on the Recreation grounds oh Saturday with the above junior match. Play was of a ragged nature, neither side showing any combination, Shannon having the best of the play throughout. Charlie and "Fred Johnson both scored tries lor Shannon, the lattcrs uv being converted by Buckman. fn s’m shannon forwards Joe Gray, and F. Johnston were the most, prominent while C. Johnson was the pick of the barks. The Kopufaroa men were an even lot, no particular player being very prominent on the day. Mr Seymour carried the whistle THIRD CLASS. FONTON 5 v. SHANNON NIL. This game was played at Shannon and was a very even go, the visitors securing a try which was converted. Mr H. Uangiiheuea refereed.