BEBBINGTON SHIELD STILL AT PAHIATUA.

Shannon News, 26 June 1925, Page 3

BEBBINGTON SHIELD STILL AT PAHIATUA.

GREAT THREE POINTS DRAW.

The Bebbington Shield is still in the keeping of the Bush District Rugby Football Union. Played yesterday at Pahiatua, the Dalmevirke SubUnion (of Hawkes Bay) v. Bush District match, resulted in a drawn game, each side scoring three points —there being no tally in the second spell. The, Bush representatives carried the heavier guns and this enabled them to keep the game tight. Instead of concentrating on kick-and-follow tactics, in view of the slippery state of the ground, the yellow-and-btaeks went in for throwing the ball albout, but little ground could be gained in the circumstances. Both sides had about an even share of play in the first twenty-five minutes when the ball was booted over Dannevirke's line. "Ginger" Oliver and the great Nepia had a race for possession, the Masngatainoka man getting there first, to the accompaniment of tremendous cheering. The kick failed.—Bush 3, Dannevirke 0. The try was a meritorious one, and a fitting reward to good follow-ing-up even though the Dannevirke custodian lost by inches only. Dannevirke's blood warmed up at this reverse and the visiting pack "pressed hard for the balance of the spell, just prior to the close of which Albert Jensen scored almost a similar try to that of Oliver's, and beat Udy in touching down. Nepia was expected to add the major points, but to the disappointment of Dannevirke's big contingent of ibarrackers (estimated at 300), the ball went a foot outside the post. As. things turned out, those dozen inches saved Bush the Shield. Dannevirke 3, Bush 3. There was no further score.

To show the remarkable interest taken in the challenge (says the Palmerston Times), it may be stated that apart from Dannevirke turning out in force, visitors put in an appearance from Palmerston North, Foxton, Shannon and Levin, from which last-named town a specially welcome spectator was Mr J. Bebbington, donor of the Shield. Mr W. S. Dustin, sole selector of the Manawatu Rugby Football Union, made the trip.