RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 26 May 1925, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS. Hui Mai 6 v. County 3. Otaki 2. y. Foxton 0. Wanderers 6 v. Weraroa 0. JUNIORS. Moutoa .10 v. Awahou 8. iVHranui nil v. Foxton nil. Paraparaumu 15 y.. Weraroa 3. Otaki 11. v. Wanderers 3. THIRDS. Foxton 3 v. Kuku 3. Moutoa forfeited to Weraroa. Waikanae 6 v. Otaki Maori College 3. FOURTHS. Levin D.H.S. 3 v. Weraroa 3. Shannon 9 v. Foxton 3.

WANDERERS 6, WERAROA 0. f The (wo Levin teams, Wanderers and Weraroa, met on Saturday uiiu in a keen struggle, me better condition of the Wanderers enabling them to gain a victory by six points (tw.o unconverted tries) to nil. The ground was in surprisingly good condition after toe spell of ram, and although heavy, was not by any means bad enough to spoil an open exhibition. Both teams being evenly matched, a good open game was expected, but contrary to expectation developed into a forward tussle. Wanderers won the toss and Weraroa kicked 'Off, play going straight into the black twenty-five', where a scrum was ordered.

The whites gained possession and the ball coining oust among the backs., reached Pink, who sent a bad pass to his wing, enabling the Blacks to break through. Pink retrieved to position and stemmed the rush by sending the 'bail to touch. Jacob took the ball from the throwin, and passed] nicely to Lang at ball, who set his hacks in motion. After several players had handled,. Short over-run his pass, and play drifted back to half-way. McGill, playing a good game as wing-forward, put his side in a good position with a, nice run. From the clearing kick Bishop took a mark, but Lang mulled his kick with the result that Wanderers were penned on the dine. Weraroa kept up the pressure and had the Blacks’ fighting hard to l keep them out. It was now that the white backs took a hand in tilings and a good passing rush saw Hamilton pushed into touch just in time.

A stubborn defence was put up by Wanderers, Wilson especially making great efforts to prevent a score, being eventually successful in sending playback to half-way. Pink gained possession in mid-field and following up quickly, forced Graham, Wanderers full-back, into touch. From the ensuing play the Blacks were -compelled to force down.

From the kick, play went right into Weraroa’s twenty-five, but no,t tor . long, as the White forwards, who were having the best of things up to this stage, battled -their way through and were once more on the attack.

Play swung \up and down at a great pace, and series of . serums followed through Uver-eagerness .by the players. The Blacks were carrying the scrums, but Lang, their half back, was sending out some very poor passes, and one that he lobbed in the air McGill easily intercepted and set sail for a try. Beating Graham, lie had only to touch down when he lost possession and Wilson forced. Weraroa still kept at it, but their forwards were continually kicking too hard, allowing Graham plenty of tune to relieve. At this stage Wanderers forced down three times in quick succession. The Weraroa team were having decidedly the best of the game so far, and kept their .opponents constantly penned in on tlieir own goal line, until Jacob with a hefty luck sent play down-field and half time came with* Wanderers taking a turn on the attack after having had to defend for the greater part of the spell. • When play commenced again, it soon became apparent that Weraroa’s efforts in' the first half had proved too much for them, and that the Wanderers now had the game in their hands. Jacob started the attack with u good line kick, gaining touch five yards from Weraroa’s line, where a scrum wag formed, from which the same player flung himself over on the blind side, for a good try. His kick just missed. From the kick out, the Black forwards. headed by Tatana and Winiata, swept all before them m a great rush the whole length of the field-, Kuit'i .being badly obstructed when only a few yards from the line. From the resultant free kick, Kuiti failed to increase their lead, although the position was an easy one. The Weraroa forwards now seemed to gam a new lease of life, but it was only a flush in the pan and they were soon sent back to the defence again. Attempt after attempt by Wanderers just missed a score, but the team were playing like winners and their effoits were at last rewarded. From a scramble on the line, Phillips P 1 up and passing nicely infield, enable Tatana to shoot across and put his side six points in the lead. Jacob missed badly with the kick. rne game finishing without iurther incident. Mr R. Bevan was referee.