SHANNON PLAY WESTERN UNITED.

Shannon News, 30 April 1926, Page 3

SHANNON PLAY WESTERN UNITED.

HOME FIFTEEN WIN. The Shannon Rugby team, which had' drawn the bye in the Hloro- ; whenua competitions which commenced on Saturday, paid a visit to Palmerston North to meet Western United in a friendly game, the closing moments finding them lose out by the narrow margin of one point, Moynihan set the ball in motion for Shannon and the visitors swung into action in promising style by opening up to their rearguard, but the attack was brought to a halt before danger threatened. A reply by Edgeler gained a stretch of ground for the red and blacks, only to see Hunt, the Horowhenua representative fullback, kick through and, in a scramI ble In home territory, Johanson, who I had been figuring prominently, picked up and went- over to score first blood— Shannon 3—o. Play momentarily halted in redi territory, until To,hi burst away with the ball at his toe and Roberts joining in, when practically down to the line, the latter completed.—Shannon 6—o. The maroons were at this stage showing themselves to be a superior force, their margin in poundage in the frontal division enabling the backs to have plenty of hall and their essays, while frequently faulty, were spectacular. However, it was Western who were the next to score, a fast follow up by Geinstead catching Tohi in possession thus enabling. Ormond to pick up the leather and run m close to the posts for McKay to'.goal. —-Western 5—6. Inability to retain, their positions owing to numerical weakness saw' Hunt"catch the home backs out of position and, following up a high kick, the full-back recovered possession pud went on tlo score a simple try. Before the spell closed a pretty individual-effort by Roberts paved the way for White to go over, swelling the visitors’ total to 12-5, none of the shots at goal having been successful. The spell was well advanced when a loose forward rush carried Western down to their opponents’ goal line where McKay picked up the ball and ' forced hie way over. Taking the hick i himself, he added the major points.- j Western 10—12, Stirred bv their success Western came back with renewed energy, and, outlasting their opponents, added a further try before the final whistle, a nice run by Velour setting the reds in a. scoring position. From a melee the ball emerged to Duffy and the wing three-quarter went over. McKay made ■i, good but, unsuccessful attempt, to goal and the final whistle found Western holding the honours.—Western 13, Shannon 12. Mr W. McSweeny referred.