THE NATIONAL GAME.

Shannon News, 29 May 1923, Page 3

THE NATIONAL GAME.

SATURDAY’S .RESULTS. SENIORS. Shannon 9, Weraroa 6. Wanderers 3, Otaki 3. Hui Mai won from Foxton hy default. JUNIORS (Southern). Rovers 12, Paraparaumu 8. Otaki 3, Te Ho.ro 0. Hui Mai 23, Weraroa 0. Northern. Kopularoa 13, Foxton 3. Tokomaru 3, Moutoa 3. Shannon 6, Mangahao 3. THIRDS. Hui Mai 23, Paraparaumu 0. Kuku won from Otaki by default. Northern. Rovers 10. Weraroa 0. Foxton 6, Shannon 0. SENIOR MATCHES. s *- WANDERERS 3, OTAKI 3. This match, which drew the largest crowd which has attended a foot- ; ball match in Levin this .season, was played in the Levin Domain on Saturday. The teams were known to be well matched, and a good game was looked for, nor were the spectators disappointed in this respect, as, despite the condition, of the field, which was in places inches deep in mud hy the time the match finished, the game was easily the best seen here thii season. Not only were the teams w-ai matched, but the handling of He greasy ball, and passing were 'wdl above the average. Although ro score resulted in the first spell, Otixl had the best of the game up to half time, their backs showing up well in good open work. Wanderers wme playing a forward game, which undoubtedly suited the day, but kept ihe ball away from the best men in the team. After half Ume, however, jlay loosened up, and some very pretty passing rushes were well carried rut by Wanderers. Qtaki’s score in ihe lasi minute of the game 'was a welldeserved and popular one, and a draw indicates pretty well the merits of the teams.

Play opened with an exchange °f kicks at half way from which Jaccb took a mark. He. kicked high ami a well supported rush bad Ot.ixi mi ibe defensive for a few minutes. \\ tne 2? Wanderers were awarded a nee kick anti Jacob took >a shot ti.t goa .

but missed. A long kick down ffd took play Into Wanderers’ territory, a passing rush looking like resuLi.ig *n

a score, but a pass forward gave a scrum tea yards out. From tlie scrum the ball was kicked out, aad three line-outs took place in quick succession at the ten-yard distance. Otaki was pressing lrard and at this si '_w ol tne game were playing a much superior game to 'lie Blacks, their back play Le-ug conspicuously good. A scrum followed, from which Levin got tiie ball, and a long kick up field relieved alter a very exciting five minutes. Play centred about half way for some time, to be followed up with a free inter-ebanye of rushes by both sides. The defence of each side was solid, however, and the 25 line at either end was about the limit of the advance. From a scrum tit Otaki’s 25, Tabiwi working the blind side carried the ball dowit to half way, gelling rid of H cleverly when tackled. ut-aki looked like pressing home the charge, but .Jacob got the bail from the middle of the forwards and threw to Wilson, who kicked out. Wanderers in turn challenged, and looked like scoring, but missed what appeared a likely chance, Otaki taking play back to Wanderers’ 25, where H. McDonald, with a fine kick, shifted the game up past half way. A spectacular passing rush by Otaki followed, the ball passing from Hakaraia to Bachelor, to Rarigi Nicholson, to Prim Tahiwi, to ltaMawa. Again the Wanderers backs were up to their work, T. Winiata, who was playing a sterling game, tackling and play went back to half way. The whistle, went'with, no score showing. Play re-opened with an. interchange of long kicks which kept the game about halfway. From a scrum Wilson got the ball, and passed to T. Winiata, who threw to Jacob, but the Green defence was equal to the test. Immediately after, however, from passing rush in which the whole of the Wanderers’ backs took part, L. Johns got the ball, and raced for the line, but was collared right on the corner, taking the ball out. Front the line out FI. McDonald got the Wall, and transferred smartly to P. Karo, who dived over. The kick failed. 3—o. Wanderers were now playing a splendid game and five minutes later a forward rush took the hall over Otiaki’s line again, but the Teferee gave “no-ball.” From the scrum Otaki got the ball, and kicking high gave FI. McDonald a fine mark at the 25 line. Fits attempt at go!al missed and a charge by Otaki followed, which took them right through the opposition, and the score being only averted by E. McLeavey forcing. A spell of bard, open play around half wtay

was changed to attack by Otaki, who pressed down in a close forward rush. H. McLeavey kicked out five y'ards from th;e line, and from the line out play returned to the 25, where .Otaki was awarded a free kick in a good position, but missed. Right on time, however, D’Ath punted the ball from half way and following up with a splendid run, kicked the ball over and beating the opposition in the race for possession, scored near the corner. The kick failed and the whistle going a& the hall touched ,the ground, the game ended 3 all.

SHANNON 9 v. WERAROA 6

The above fixture was played on the Recreation Ground, which was in a very wet state and conditions became worse ias play proceeded owing to a heavy downpour, which was followed by a drizzling rain throughout. The ball was naturally very greasy and difficult to handle, but nevertheless Shannon hacks carried out some fine passing rushes. Considering the state of the ground the game was fast in the first spell, which had the effect of causing Weraroa to tire in the second half. About a minute after play hiad commenced, from a loose scrum the ball went out to Holden, thence to Kelly, who sent it out to T. Moynihan oimthe wing who scored a good try at the corner, after a pretty piece of play hy the participants. Kelly failed to add the extra points. A spell of uninteresting play .then followed, Jack Hopa (Weraroa) eventually having a good but ineffective shot at goal. Play now hovered around Reds’ 25, where Kelly, securing possession, made a good run, which was taken up by Sands, who on being collared sent it out to Cummins, the latter missing. For some time following play was up and down the field, both sides indulging in back play. Kelly eventually, by a fine kick from outside Whites’ 25, sent the ball across the line where opponents forced. Rieds again returned to attack where R. Moynihan made a bid for the line, but missed. Reds now had their opponents hard-pressed. Hopa temporarily relieving with a fine kick to midfield, where McKenzie hy good kicking sent play back and from, a scrum Red forwards by dribbling rush carried the leather over the line and were forced. By good kicking Whites’ invaded the Red territory. Cummins relieving. Just outside opponents 25, Shannon were awarded a free kick, Kelly’s -attempt was a fine one, but was just a little short. Soon after Shannon were again forced. The spell ending Shannon 3, Weraroa nil.

The second spell was delayed in starting owing to a hea>vy downpour. The commencement was a repetition of the first spell, Shannon again scoring in the first minute, R. Moynihan crossing the line from a scramble. Kelly failing to add the major points. The Whites by a long hick and a forward dribbling rush, looked like scoring, but Kelly saved by kicking the ball out. From the throw out a scramble ensued, where soon after Whites by kicking too hard were forced. Reds again returned to attack in their opponents 25, where they were lawardfcd a free kick which Kelly converted. White forwards now showed signs of tiring, Reds were content, to hold their advantage for a while and were mfaking it a back game which was not of a very interesting nature, las it was difficult for them' to handle the ball, and it was not long before the Whites, who were playing a forward game, had them defending their line, where from a knock-on, which apparently .the referee did not see, Henderson registered Weraroa’s first score. Whites again had Reds defending their line, where Eagle, being off-side, Whites were awarded free kick, Ropa converting. Reds now adopted new tactics by making it a forward gante and soon had their opponents defending. Whites forcing them. The game ending Shannon Weraroa 6. Mr 1 ■ Parata carried the whistle. SHANNON JUNIORS ,v. MANGORE 3. Shannon met and defeated Mangore on No. 2 ground in the Shannon Domain by 6 points to 3, after a haid and even game. The wet state of the ground made passing rushes impossible land play was chiefly confined to the forwards. The backs of both teams also resorted to dribbling tactics.

From .the kick-off, the Shannon forwards made the. pace and during Ihe first half had Mangore defending most of the time. During the second spell Mangore pushed Shannon very hard but did not seem to be able to put ihe finishing touches on to enable thism to 'score. .

On the day’s play, the two teams were very even and a drawn game would have been a fair indication of the relative strength of both teams. In this game as in most junior games, ovier-eagerness when approaching the opponents’ goal line caused frequent breaches, which allowed the defending team; to clear. Mr Randall refereed. ROVERS 12. PARAPARAUMU 8 Again thie elements were agiainst good football, the heavy rain just be-

fore the game started leaving the ground very heavy at the start, although owing to the gravelly nature of the soil, it improved considerably as th\e game progressed. Rovers started 'with eleven men and at once Paraparaumu set jup a hot attack, but hard kicking lost a, certain try, and allowed Rovers to force. Rovers’ other players having arrived evened up matters, give and take play among the forwards following, until A. Short, picking up the ball at halfway, with a powerful run, carried it right through the Paraparaumu backs and scored in the corner, no goal resulting. An exchange of kicks followed till Stoker, the Rovers’ fullback, followed up at high kick, bustlied the opposing fullback and dribbling over, scored again,, the kick again failing. This had the effect of livening up Paraparaumu and from a nice passing rush Howell 'secured the ball and racing over scored, White converting. From a passing rush A. Short secured and again beat the opposing backs, 'scoring for Rovers. The kick at goal failed. Rovers 9, Paraparaumu 5.

Paraparaumu were not to be denied and immediately setting up a hot attack kept Rovers busily defending. From '& free kick for off-side play, Whitie kicked ..a beautiful goal. Halftime went Avith Rovers 9, Paraparaumu 8.

The second 'spell was mostly confined to the forwards. Synnott, Williamson and Terry showing up well for Rovers. Hard kicking spoiled many chances of Paraparaumu, scoring. From a loo'se forward rush headed by Synott, Griffiths folloAving fast fell on the ball and scored for Rovers. Again the shot failed. From now on the Rovers had all the best of the play, the game ending—Rovers 12, Paraparaumu 8.