Wanderers Again Beaten

Shannon News, 28 July 1925, Page 3

Wanderers Again Beaten

HUI MAI PACK TOO SOLID. EIGHT TO THREE. liui Mai realized the hopes of their supporters by beating Wanderers on 6uiurda,y by 8 points to 3. The Greens' win will serve to infuse a lot of interest into the competition as they are now only one point hehind Wanderers and the ultimate result is very open.

Those present at the game witnessed a, strenuous and interesting stroggle played under adverse conditions and a downpour of ram during the play made the game very treacherous, the players being hard put to it to keep their feet. The .honours el the game must be given to the Hui Mai forwards, whose line defence in the second spell, when Wanderers penned them on their line for a considerable time, undoubtedly saved the day, and try as die Blacks would they "could- not pierce that stubborn wall of Green scrummages. The conditions suited the heavy 'Hui Mai pack and they excelled in the tight play. Nevertheless the Black forwards put up some thrilling loose rushes that -may have met 1 with better results had the ball not been so elusive.

Play' had not been in progress many moments when Enoka was penalised for a forward pass and Jacob had an unsuccessful shot.

An interchange of kicks saw Lang short punt into a gap, and Wilson, following through quickly, gained possession, but was forced, into touch as he neared Hui Mai's line. From the line out the Green forwards came away with the ball at their feet aim P-vruta set his backs going in a ser,,'o 01 line rushes thai eventually compelled Graham to force down. Give and take play followed unL: Graham initiated a rush ;hy the Black forwards that looked dangerous until Enoka pulled them up by finding ' touch in his own 23. The ' Wanderers held on to their advantage and their backs set up a passing movement that ended with Phillips being hauled down close to the Hui Mai line.

Good kicking by Meta Johnston kept- the local men at bay and this player, with a nicely judged grubber kick, put his side on the offensive. A spell of line-out work, with McLean conspicuous, in Wanderers' quarter, saw Hui Mai gradually work closer and Phillips had to force tu save further troujbie. The Wanderers' pack were finding it difficult to hold their weighty opponents and were forced back on their line for some time. Short eventually broke clear and with Jacob in support carried play well up field, but fine defensive work by Wallace and Johnston kept them in check. Play now swung up and down field at a tremendous puce and Johnston, combining with the rest of tin 1 ' Green backs, went close to scoring, but Phillips intercepted his reverse pass and galloped along the line. The Black forwards carried on but Johnston who had got back quickly, marked in the nick of time.

The relief did not last long lor Nepia, Short and kuiti came away with a lightning rush and sweeping through in great style had a clear held ahead of them, but Kuiti > had the misfortune to knock on when trying to pick up, and from the ensuing scrum Hui Mai forced. Ke was again conspicuous almost immediately after this. Gaining possession from a centreing kick by Jacob he made a great effort to g r et over but was held up on the line. The Greens were having a hard time in trying to avert a score but Wanderers were not to be denied.

From a ding-dong struggle under Hui Mai's goal Jacob picked up and drawing the defence in one direction cleverly turned completely [ round and passed to Corby, who had a clear run in. Jacob missed a very easy kick.

Tlie game now became very strenuous, the tackling on both sides being deadly, and many movements were soon finished with in this way. Then came the try of the day. Receiving from a serum in rnidfield, Paruta Hui Mai's half back, cleverly worked the blind side and sent George dying down the wing with Bryant in support. Taking his pass well, the last named player sprinted over and ran round under the posts to score after a spectacular piece ol Johnston made no mistake with the kick and half time came with the Greens two points up. The second spell .opened in a sensational manner. Following a forward rush into the Wanderers' quarter by Hui Mai, Koro set his backs moving, the ball travelling along the line until Bryant received and threw himself over in the corner lor his second try. Johnston missed from a dilficiilt angle. , „i , This sudden reverse put the Blacks on their mettle and as the rain started McArthur, -Nepia and Corby rushed play into Hui Mai territory, where Wanderers set up a persistent attack and hammered away at the defence for quite a spell. Each attempt by the Blacks to open out was quickly" frustrated by the Green pack who smothered their efforts and Parata at last relieved with The local men were soon back again Nicholson sent McDonald awav and this player sent on to .lacob,"only to see him forced into touch on the southern men's line. B. George broke smartly away irom the line out and dribbled right through to Graham, who, kicking, and following through, gained the leather for a second time and play was once more on the Green goal line. The Wanderers were having much the better of play at this stage, and a stern struggle took place under Hui Mai's goal.

As mentioned previously the Hui Mai pack defended ably, Keeping the play tight until Gorbv and Edginton burst through, but Johnston touched down as the ball went over the line. The kick out afforded the Greens

some measure of relief and play settled down around the mud patch in the centre of the fiefd. The Blacks were awarded a free kick and Jacob made a fine but unsuccessful effort to convert from well out. This player just missed by the barest traction a few moments later from a similar attempt and the Greens took up the offensive. T. Winiata miskicked and things looked awkward tor the Blacks but Jacob booted well down field and saved the situation.

McDonald tried hard to get his backs moving, but the conditions were against the passing game and it was left to the forwards to strive iiard for a score. Jacob took a mark from a line-out in Hui Mai territory hut his kick just sailed outside the post. The Wanderers pack stuck grimly to their task and Hui Mai were compelled to bring all their resources into play to keep them out. McLean, who was playing a sterling game, supported by Wilson and Robinson, at last burst through and swept the Blacks aside in a. great rush up field until checked by Nicholson. Wilson and McDonald took play back again, and tried hard to 'penetrate, but the final whistle sounded Willi the Hui Mai forwards clearing in characteristic fashion. Mr J. Sciascia refereed.