RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 19 May 1925, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY'S RESULTS. SENIORS. Foxton 3, Hui Mai 0. Otaki 16, County 3. Shannon 0, Weraroa 0. JUNIORS (NORTHERN). , Shannon IS, Poxton 9. SOUTHERN. Weraroa 6, Wanderers 0. Paraparaumu 9, Hui Mai 6. THIRDS. Weraroa 6, Shannon 3. FOURTHS. Weraroa, 9, Foxton 0. Shannon 9, Levin D.H.S. 6. SHANNON v. WERAROA. Tli;-} weather was ideal and the ground was in excellent condition for this match on Saturday. There was a good attendance, no doubt due to Shannon's performances by soundly heating Hui Mai and Foxton on the previous Saturdays. They failed' to maintain their good reputation, however, and even allowing lor the absence of Lenihan and Williams, their two star backs, will ha,ve to improve on Saturday's showing to realise their hopes oif winning the competition. Weraroa won th.es toss and Shannon kicked off against the sun, but were brought back for a scrum. MacGill, WerarQa's winger, brake through with the ball at his toe and instead of going on, picked the ball up and passed wildly, the ball going to touch. From line out Pink gained possession and ran well, into the Reds 25, but although supported by two comrades, hung on when tackled ana was penalised. Weraroa were soon bank again and initiated a passing rush, but the backs were all out of position, and what looked like a promising movement, was soon stopped. The Red forwards with their weight held a distinct advantage ia the scrums and tight work, but instead 'of holding :that ladvantage, elected to make the play loose which suited the lighter Weraroa team. Mackenzie, Shannon's first five-eighth, was playing very well, taking and sending his passes ion in good style but his outs.ide supports failed time and again to carry qn. Weraroa were awarded a free kick, hi a good position, but Pink failed to open the scoring. Through loose forward rushes Weraroa kept up the attack, but just when combined effort might have had its reward it was usually left for one or two individuals, and Shannon cleared. Shannon now seemed to pull themselves together, and in a great rush, play was transferred to Weraroa's end and Gliurohili, playing full-back, was called on. for his first real eiio t and saved, well. Things livened up at this stage and Hakaraia, broke away with a great run, and kicking, had Shannon mak-, ing every effort to prevent a score. Th. 3 passing on both sides was very poiDjr anid \lrois isome off-side play Pink had another chance to put his side in the lead, but his kick went wide. The Reds again broke away and Churchill mulled badly. A score looked certain, but Pink flashed up in time to save. It was really 'a fine effort and deserved the applause it received.

MacGiU, who was inclined to play offside, was penalised, iflit Hunt, the Shannon full, missed with an easy kick. Half time went after the kick off.

Pink, who was playing a fine game received the return kiek and following through, downed his man with a great tackle and Shannon were called on to defend once more, but a free kick gave them relief. Wera- i roa forwards were standing up to j their heavier opponents well and ■ kept 'breaking inflougn, only to 'be sent back Jor infringements. They ; were having decidedly the best of | liie game up to this stage, but the absence of combined effort at the last moment kept them from scoring, ilutss, who was the best of the white lorwards, broke through, and sprinting well, had only the shannon iullnack to beak, but when badly needing someone to pass he found he was nut supported and a glorious opportunity went wes.t. Weraroa's buck piay was no better than Shannun'is anu Hakaraia was further spoiling n ny hanging on instead of passing out. .Shannon now made desperate efforts to score as tune was nearly up and Moynihan tried hard twice in quick succession to get over, but was held up. From a line out, Moynihan cleverly took the ball and sending n out to his backs i\ travelled right aJung to Hjansfleld, w.ho with a clear run "in, knocked on. Play now became very strenuous, indicated by a stoppage for three casualties at the same time. Shannon still kept up the pressure but the white's defence iieiu out and Pink cleared with a goou line kick. , The game finished with Hunt making an unsuccessful attempt to pot, Hit- whistle sounding no time anu euulrary to expectations a draw, with no score was the result, although on the.general run of play Weraroa deserved a win.