RUGBY SEASON OPENS.

Shannon News, 27 April 1926, Page 3

RUGBY SEASON OPENS.

; —r Saturday's Matches.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. / ' SENIOR. Wanderers 12 v. Southern United 0. • County A. 13 v. Weraroa 0. Hui Mai 3 v. Otaki 5. Foxton 46 v. County. 0. JUNIOR -Shannon 14 v. Miranui 3. Weraroa 16 v. Foxton 3. Wanderers 12 v. Tokoniaru 0. * Awahou'23 v. Hui Mai nil. THIRDS—NORTHERN. Foxton. 6 v. Weraroa 5. Wanderers 6 v. Shannon 3. THIRDS—SOUTHERN. Kuku 12 v. Otaki 0. Otaki Maori College 14 v. Southern United nil. .FOURTHS. Levin D.H.S. 17 v. Foxton D.H.S. 0. ' Shannon 26 v. Foxton 0.

SENIOR.,

WANDERERS 13 v\ SOUTHERN ''.-/. . UNITED 0. ■ Wanderers (Black) met Southern United (Dark Blue) at Paraparaumu on Saturday, and after liaving much • the better of the .game won by twelve . points to nil. 'lt ,was the Southern ' team's firsts effort "in the senior'grade and they have no (reason to feel ashamed of the;result for at times they put up a good fight against the more experienced Levin 1 men. For the first half-hour or so the .Southerners gave one* the impression that they were somewhat overawed by their- opponents' play, and the first spell was nearly over 'before -they forgot their nervousness.' They have, some good . material among their ranks that only ! needs developing along the right lines, and, as the season advances, their' play will improve considerably. On the other hand the Levin men revealed form that prqved they were going to fee a.hard proposition again this season.. They threw the ball about with abandon, and at times, gave glimpses of combination of a very high order and United were •unfortunate in meeting them' for the first game. THE GAME DESCRIBED.

The Blacks took the field with one man short and Jamb had .to go into ' the pack. United kicked off, but were immediately penalised. Gaining possession,-the Southern backs swung into line, but a pass went astray, and* Graham quickly punted downfield with the Black forwards following fast. In endeavouring to stop the rush, Smith, United's captain, was .laid, out. A line-out in United's twenty-five saw Lynch the defending half-back take a smart mark, and his kick found touch ■ at; half way. Wanderers kept up -the pressure, and .gradually worked within striking distance, but were over eager, and were frequently penalised. ■ United subsequently broke clear and ; Leech and McLean (late of Hui Mai) j came through with the ball at their feet, but Graham and Phillips put : an end to the movement, the last named returning play .'back to Southern's line. Play was, of a scrappy i nature until Graham -sent Williams away tot the pass was ruled forward.' The Blacks continued to hammer away but several passing rushes broke down. United were fighting hard to keep their line • intact, and their tackling left little to be desir--1 However, at "last UUku, receiving from-a scrummage, passed omit smartly to T. . Winiata who sent on to % Jacob,' the latter neatly cutting out three defenders to. give Williams a , clear run across the line in the corner. Jacob's kick missed. Wanderers 3, United 0..- * Ta.tana fumbled the kick out, and Waite, quickly following l through, i dribbled over, hut Ryder toeat him to the ball and touched down. No soon, ner had play started again than the Blacks overwhelmed their opponents with an irresistible rush that had the United men completely non-plussed. After the forwards I had finished with : the ball Winiata; Jacotb, Reside and Phillips gave an exhibition of reverse passing that nearly ended in ■a good try under the posts, tout United were awarded a free kick .that was eagerly accepted. Reside marked the relieving kick and tried a shot at j goal m I)£H just sailing outside the posts.. , 1(1 n Half time came with the Dark Blues grhnlv defending, in fact they had mily been over the half way mark on three occasions during the spell. When the second spell commenced it soon became evident that the Levin men intended making every post 'a winning post. United's- play improved somewhat, but so did Wanderers' and with the Black towards in the ascendancy ' the rearguard made use of many opportunities that came- their way, and Levin held the upper hand practically throughout. Lynch, wdth a good kick placed his side in a handy position, hut from the ensuing play Reside cleared well and dribbled back to midfleld. Then a fine sprint,,by Kitching, United's winger, saw Wanderers sorely pressed, but from- a scrum on the line Utiku managed to force down. This appeared to be the Southerners' final effort, for from now on they gradually faded out of the picture and the Blacks quickly pressed home .their advantage. Edginton, Kuiti and Reside wore prominent in a rush that was only stemmed -under united's goal. Winiata ; tried to, dummy his way over when the ball came clear, tout was • quickly hauled down, and then Gra'ham tried a pot. the leather striking

the cross-bar. Wanderers were not to be denied and from a sci-uiu the ball came smartly out to Utiku, who neatly worked the blind side, handed .on to Winiata, who sent Phillips over for a pretty try that caught the defence all at sea. Tatana's kick was wide. Wanderers 6, United 0.

When play was in motion again Lynch endeavoured on several occasI ions to get his backs moving, but I the ball rarely got past the nveI eighth line. A passing rush, in which all the Wanderers backs handled, ended with Williams being forced out a yard from the line. A penalty i against United gave Jacob a chance j to land a good goal from a handy • position. Wanderers 9, United 0. . Play had no sooner started ihm Clay on the right Aving broke clear with the ball, and-, showing a nice turn of speed, looked like opening the Southerners' account, but Williams had too much pace and hauled him down. A loose melee followed, and then the Black vanguard swept to the attack, and Winiata, picking up, gave Kuiti a clear run over. Once again the kick failed and, time was called. Mr T. Parata refereed. For the winners E. McLeavey played a very fine game, and Jacob and Reside were also in good form. The best toacks were Utiku, Graham and Williams. For United, McLean, Waite and Corner were the best of the forwards, while Lynch and Kitching performed well in the Southerners back line.

JUNIORS.

WERAROA 16 v. FOXTON 3. Weraroa Juniors met and defeated Foxton at Weraroa. The first spell was fairly even-, Weraroa leading by 3 to nil, a penalty by Phillips. Weraroa gained the upper hand in the final spell and (increased their lead considerably having much the best of the play. Tries were scored by J./Broughton (2) and Bull, Phillips converting two, while FOxton's score was made up with a penalty by Huff. Mr R. Kingi controlled the game.

SHANNON DEFEAT MIRANUI

• The first junior cup fixture to be played in Shannon this season took place on Saturday when Shannon met Miranui. The game was very willingly' contested. Shannon showed by their handling in all departments, also that the team contains some promising players. About five minutes after the game commenced Satherley from a scramble near .the line scored first blood for Shannon., Shortly after Miranui were awarded a free kick for offside play, .right in front of the • goal posts, but the attempt to even the score, failed.; Play was now up and down the field, Miranui ultimately being awarded another free kick. This time Buckman was. able to equalise the score. For some time Greens had the Reds defending their line, but finally the latter worked the play back to Miraniui's territory, where Robbie beating two opponents in a rush for the ball, scored. The attempt at goal failed. The second spell opened with Greens attacking by a dribbly rush, tout McEwen by fast following up forced. The Reds then turned defence to attack and Picard from a pass carried play to Miranui's 25, where he sent the ball on to Sathorley, who failed to hold it. Miranui's position was relieved by them, being given a free kick for off side play. The Reds came again, but kickiijg. too hard were forced. Picard had a shot at goal from a bad angle, tout missed, although the attempt was a good one. From now to the finish of the game Shannon had it' all their, own way, Miranui appearing toi tire. Further tries were registered by Robbie and Morgan, 'the former's try being converted by Ooyle. The score thus ended Shannon 14, Miranui 3. Mr McGregor had control of the game.

SHANNON BEATS FOXTON FOURTHS

The Shannon fourth grade team had a runaway victory over the Foxton boys, winning toy 26 points to nil. Tries were scored as follows:—McEwan, Tippler, and Holden two each and Tremewan and Lee one each, Tippler converted one try. -Mr Pene refereed the game.

SHANNON 12 v. WESTERN UNITED 13.

The Shannon Senior fifteen, which had drawn a bve in the competition, visited Palmerston Ngrth on Saturday and met, the Western United in a friendly game. At the end of the first spell Shannon led by 12 to 5. In the second half, they failed to increase their score, while the home team registered two tries, one being converted, thus the visitors in the closing moments were defeated by the narrow margin of one point.