RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 16 June 1925, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WANDERERS v. SHANNON.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIOR. County 6, Weraroa Q. Wanderers 3, Shannon U). Hui Mai 3, Otaki 0. JUNIORS. Sliannon 14, Moutoa 2. Miranui 6, Tokomaru 0. Foxton 8, Awahou 3. Hui Mai defaulted to’ Weraroa. Paraparaumu 26, Otaki 0. THIRDS. Waikanae 14, Maori College 8. FOURTHS. Foxton 11, Weraroa 0. Levin D.H.S. 3, Shannon 3.

The two unbeaten teams in the competition, Shannon and Wanderers, met- on the Levin Domain on ■Saturday, the game resulting in a win for Wanderers by three points, an unconverted try to nil. A keen 'breeze from the south made things unpleasant for spectators and players alike. Play in the first spell was ragged and uninteresting and not up to the standard expected from two loading teams, but livened up considerably after half time. Jacob set play in motion and an interchange of kicks found the Shannon backs out of position. /The Black forwards swarmed down on their line where Hunt, Shannon’s full back, marked and sent play back to half Way. , From the first scrum, the Reds were awarded a free kick, and following through quickly, their forwards made things lively until Graham removed play back to midfield with a beautiful line kick. From the throw-in Hemmingsen broke away, smartly, and passed to' Moynihan, who was forced into touch just in time. The Shannon forwards were packing well and the Blacks were nc match for them in the tight work. Wanderers had a strenuous five minutes defending their line and from a scrum in front of the Blacks’ goal, Jacob was penalised, but Hunt missed an easy kick. The Reds were soon back on the attack and swept all before them in a good rush, but Wilson marked right on* his own line and gave the necessary relief. Wanderers’ backs at this stage were mulling the ball badly, and the Shannon men were quick to> seize advantage of these mistakes and on several occasions were unlucky in not getting over. ' •

Then came -the-tit-bit of the maitch From a line out in midfleld Jacob gained possession and passed to Wilson, who cut in prettily past two opponents, ran well into Shannon's 25, and at the right moment passed to Nicholson, who sent on to O'Donnell for- that player to streak across unopposed after a spectacular piece of play. Jacob missed from an easy position, and half time was called. After the change over Shannon set out in a determined manner to make up the leeway,' and for the remainder of the game with the exception of one or two instances, kept the local men hemmed on their line. The Black forwards defended grimly, and Winiata in the backs, showed what a fine defensive/player he is, sa.ving his side repeatedly. The Reds, after being pushed back to midfleld, penetrated the defence through O'Donnell fumbling, and from an exciting tussle on the Wanderers' line, several Red and Black players were/seen to go over, but a five yards scrum was ordered. . At last relief came to the Wanderers,''Jacob removing play into Shannon's territory with a fine solo effort. It was here that the Black .backs initiated some passing movements, but the result gained them nothing. Lang playing behind the scrum, failed time and agairiu to get the ball away cleanly. The light was .now failing, it being hard to distinguish the players, and as time drew near, Shannon redoubled their efforts and attacked both forward and : back determinedly. They might have met with some measure of success if Williams in the five-eighth line had fed his outside men properly. Instead, he persisted in cutting in, with the result that he finished up in the arms" of three cr four defe'nders. When a scrum was ordered in front of Wanderers goal, Hunt tried a little strategy in an endeavour to save his side from defeat/ Coming up close behind Lenihan at half, he received the ball from that player, and essayed a pot at goal, but the Black forwards anticipated the move and quickly smothered him, and carried play to half-way. The i respite did not last long, however. | for Moynihan, who was working like i a Trojan, led his forwards in an j overwhelming rush that was only I frustrated by a brilliant sa*ve on t the part of Graham. The Red forwards were playing a great, game, .but received very "little suipport from their backs, whose passing was far too slow and badly directed. Just on time N. Winiata broke through, and running well, put his side on the attack. From a free kick Jacob sent.' into touch and time was called much to the Wanderers' supporters relief. Mr H. Karauti refereed ably.