SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 5 August 1924, Page 3

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

SENIOR. .Foxtail forfeited to Hui Mai. Shannon forfeited to Weraroa. Rovers forfeited to Wanderers. JUNIORS. NORTH 7, SOUTH 7. SHANNON 14, MIRANUI 0. Koputaroa forfeited to Tokonia'.-u. SHANNON H y. MIRANUI Nil.' The above junior teams met on the Shannon Ground on Saturday, no'th teams playing several substitutes. Th u ground was in a very greasy condition owing to the recent wet weather, and as a result the game was more ;i scramble than an exhibition of football. "Shannon proved too good for their opponents and were successful in registering four tries, one of which was converted by Pickard. Tries were otbained by -Hunt, Caldwell, B. Hold en and Wilson. Mr H. Burroughs refereed. SCHOOL FOOTBALL; FOXTON WIN AUSTIN BANNER.

(Contributed by "Wairarapa.") The match on Saturday between the Levin District High School primary team, and the Foxton School fifteen, created considerable interest by reason of the expected closeness of the contest. Although Levin is a large school it. does not follow that football superiority should be presumed, because Ahe 'tendency in the smaller schools not subject'to the earlier translation of scholars to a secondary department, is for older boys to 'be available for selection. Age and size arc, of course, important factors, only to be outweighed, in the case of younger and lighter opponents, by superior training and instruction. Foxton not only enjoyed the former advantages, but appeared to be on aj»ar with their opponent's in tactical knowledge find fitness.

The -forward divisions were evenly matched and no serious fault could bo found with the exhibition given by either combination. The more weighty Foxton backs, - aided by the "gift" ol' very favourable windage, an ( ] faced with backs tending to be too close to the forward pack (having regard 'to defending against a south westerly handicap), were enabled to attack strongly. The first half ended with Foxton in the lead 'by .20 points to 3 (a try gained by H. Williams). As predicted by several veterans, the Levin boys had faced almost certain defeat : by electing to oppose not only a •strong team but a strong wind!' it should always be remembered that it is a wise policy to "take what you can get in the way of a legitimate 'advantage— wlhen you can get it": a wind with you, is akin to a "bird in'the hand!" The side scoring a number of tries at the outset of a game, gains confidence, and after a non-exhaus-' tive spell enters upon the second phase" in a fresh condition, to defend against a "puimped-out" fifteen. It not infrequently happens also, that the wind goes down ere resuming play, and on occasions veers favourably from the standpoint of the team that has made a wise decision. The "ill-wind," as far as Levin is concerned, had much' to do with the figures. but the Foxton lads in ordinary circumstances oouild have been credited with a margin of 3 to 6 points advantage, and no one will question the merit' of their win by 23 points to :11. That Levin obtained 8 points (tries by G. Morgan arid A. Holms, and a conversion by E. Pringle) in the second half, is a tribute to their stability, in no small measure reflecting credit on , the sports mastei', Mr Kibblewthite, re- j sponsible for regular bi-weekly attention to the practice work of the team. I

One hesitates to individualise, bait Ball (Foxton) gave a very attractive display in the back division, some of this little fellow's movements being worthy of an embryo "corkscrew" hunter. On the Levin side an alert half-back was seen in action in the person of Hislop—a miniature Roberts. Pringle on the wing was also a conspicuous figure. Several boys played with their boots off—not altogether wise on the part of-title central figures in a rear-guard. In the writer's, opinion the safest scrum formation to adopt is that ai>proved toy the, 1905 All Blacks—the back row men packed closely, on defence, they, as break-aways, to be given their "head freedom," only when attacking or'the other side is getting the ball.

The Austin Ramier was formally handed over at a rc-union held in the scfliool, when 'the teams were hospitably entertained by several ladies, and girl scholars. The change of holdership, will, it is reasonable to expect, act as a distinct stimulant, also prompt the local boys to strive all the more to master the intricacies of the code, in due course retrieving their lost laurels. Mr Romeo Kingi handled the whistle with apparent satisfaction to all concerned.