RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 18 May 1926, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HOROWHENUA UNION COMPETITIONS. SATURDAY'S SCORES. SENIOR. Shannon 19, Wanderers 8. Bui Mai 25, Southern United b. County &?, Foxton 9. . Otaki won from Weraroa by default. JUNIOR. jWeraroa 24, Awahou,3. Shannon 6, Tokomaru 0. Miranui.6, Otaki 0. Foxton 13, Hui Mai 0. THIRDS. Weraroa 9, Wanderers 0. Kuku 21, Otaki 3. Foxton 34, Miranui 3. FOURTHS, Foxton 9, Weraroa 0. Levin D.H.S. 16, Shannon 4.

THREE TEAMS LEVEL.

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

With the exception of .Foxton and Hui Mai (who had played County B) each team has heen credited in the "Championship' Points" column with a win against County B, who have withdrawn from the contest.

COUNTY BEAT FOXTON.

In striking contrast to last week, brilliant sunshine prevailed on Saturday when the senior competition was advanced another stage. The grounds were in excellent condition, and fast open games were the order of the day. Wanderers received their first sethack of the season at -the hands of Shannon, whose forwards made tlrings merry from the word go, and the Reds romped home winners to the tune of 19' points, to 8. As was expected, Hui Mai easily disposed of Southern United, winning comfortably by 25'to 5, while, on.the. Levin Domain, County proved altogether too strong for Foxton, the result being 22 to 9, in the Blues favour, i The Foxton forwards merit a word of praise for the gahant manner in which they stood up to their sturdy opponents, it was in the back division' that the Yellows were found wanting. Admitted, that one or two of their stars were missing, but, until they manage to dig up a few heavier .backs they will not do too well. Behind the-scrum they were altogether too light and simply crumpled up, in the face of the County onslaughts. THE GAME DESCRIBED. ' County set play in motion and immediately went to the attack, Runa dribbling through, but from a centering kick Fuller showing plenty of pace, relieved with a smart dash, being forced out at the half-way line. Gaining possession on the line-out, Cresswell, McDonald and Thompson, led a Yellow forward rush into CouriIv's 25, but a passing movement between T. Pairata, Hiwi, and M. McDonald shifted play back to midway: The Foxton forwards were bunching together well, and came through with a burst T. Parata tried in vain to stem the rush, but the Yellows and Blacks were no to be denied and worked on" to Countys' line.

Webber, in bis haste to relieve, erosskicked in the direction of M. McDonald. The ball bounced awkwardly for that player and Rerione, Foxton's winger, shot, up, took it in his stride, and raced over .for a gift try will/play only in motion about, five minutes. j , Hirini farilcd with an easy kick. J Foxton 3 County 0. This (reverse seemed to stir the Blues for thev swarmed to the attack .Proctor, Foxton's full-back, being ' called on to relieve twice in quick succession. Tlie pressure still on Tuna opened out to his backs, the ball travelling nicely along the line bid M McDonald failed to take his ' pass. The County forwards lumped into the breach, however, and a Tush across field saw Hoskings shoot over in the opposite corner. B■■McDonald iplaced his side in the lead with a good kick. County- 5, Foxton 3. - • x , Hiwi was making a difference to the Bin© backs and some good combination was shown. Realising ibis, ?he County pack were feeding their rear-division on every possible occasion and the Yellow and Black forwards were doing ™^ se j quentlv. the play at this stage, was fast and -exciting. ■ Kerione came across and jus checked a movement by Runa and Dunn in the nrtck of time, and then Procter fumbling badly. Dunn .planted' the ball over the line, but be bad knocked on in the process. \ _- From the ensuing scrum Hoskmgs battled his wav across. for wha. seemed a fair try. but a five yards

scrum was ordered. ; -Receiving smartly. W. Walls. Fox- " torn'* balf' smt Fuller awav an .line , Wind side. This Trtaver showing rnr P race and'raced throncrh to half w->\ and 'looked W«» breaks o.iea.r but n flying tackle by Hiwi ended ■

career. Ropliia, picking up, booted high down the centre, and smart following up by the Blue scrummagers found Foxton in a tight corner. One of the Yellow forwards, a little too j serious to relieve, was caught offside, and from an easy position, R. McDonald kicked a goal. County 8, Foxton 3. The kick, out did not afford the Yellows much relief for a. few moments later from a scrummage on Foxton's 25 line the ball came out to M. McDonald on the wing, and, scooping up, the big winger, running strongly, bumped three defenders off, and scored a fine try in the corner. Tuna converted with a great kick from the side line. County 13, Foxton 3. The County men were having decidedly the best of the argument at this stage, and maintaining an incessant attack the Yellow defence was sorely tried and to make -matters worse for them, O'Reilly, who had been playing well in the forwards. was carried off with a nasty gash in the head. The Foxton forwards eventually fought their way out, and a high punt -by Rerione, found Welder troubled with the sun dn his ©yes. The Yellow forwards swooped down on him and when pressed, he slung out wildly right into the arms of W. Walls; for that player to run across unopposed. The kick, after a free Charge had been granted, was not allowed through too much handling. Countv 13, Foxton 6. Half-time came shortly after with, the Blues back on the attack, a strong run by M. McDonald saw Walls bring off a great tackle right on the line. Fumbling by Hiwi, let the Yellow forwards away, after the change over, and some exciting play took place m Countv's area, until McDonald managed to clear with a good kick. Greig and Dunn were responsible for further ground being gained by the Blues and from the ensuing period of play, Foxton forced down twice in quick succession. Fuller, who was playing a wonderful game for his size, was shifted over from one wing to the other to mark M. McDonald, who was putting in some good runs, and proved the man for the job, tackling his opponent in good style. After W. Parata had narrowly missed with an attempt to pot, Walls , kicked clear, and away came the Yellow and Black forwards, not being stemmed until halfway had been reached. Then some uncertain loose play in midfield saw Kerione gain possession, j This player neatly eluded Warren and punted high. Following through 'smartly he regained the ball, and passed out to Burdiss, who had a clear run in. The kick failed. County 13, Foxton 9. This success spurred the Yellows on to further efforts' and their forwards for a few moments simply swamped the opposition, but their backs failed lamentably to take advantage of the opportunities made by the vanguard, and fnoan a stray pass Dunn, Hiwi and Palmer came away in a movement that only ended on Foxton's line. Timely relief came to Yellows per medium of a penalty, but the kick gained little ground. Heremaia endeavoured to dodge through but was smothered. He managed to send his pass out to Parata who was tackled by a Foxton man well off-side. Foxton's chances of winning faded away as Tuna kicked a good goal. County 16, Foxton 9. Play had hardly started again when Webber raced across held and sent out to Warren, who sold the "dummy" beautifully to two Yellow backs, and raced down the side line to score the best try of the day. Tuna missed with the kick. County 19, Foxton 9. Foxton now seemed to be demoralised and their efforts at tackling were pimply ludicrous. County's final try came about after a good sprint by M. McDonald, who ran around under the posts. County 22, Foxton 9. ■ R. McDonald missed a. simple kick. Mr H. Karauti refereed.

SHANNON DEFEAT WANDERERS.

(From our Shannon Correspondent.] Favoured with a deal football weather the above teams met at Shannon on Saturday, when the home team decisively defeated the .visitors by 19 points to B—five tries, two ol which were converted, to a penalty try and a; try seared on the call of time, which was converted. The meeting of 'these two teams in the past has always aroused interest and Saturday's game was no exception. This is the first 'occasion Shannon has defeated the Levin team on the Shannon ground, although they have won against them at Levin; therefore, the win locally, was a very popular one. The game was ful lot excitement throughout, the general opinion being that the Shannon team to a man excelled -themselves. ' Wanderers' downfall was largely due to the fast following up of the Shannon for-wards-Marsh, Tohi, Hendricksen and Johansen-who by their effor.s, disorganised the back division of the Wanderers, and toad it not been for Jacobs and the full-back, Ryder, the score would probably have been mucn larger, these two players saving their team repeatedly. The strangle wis one of the keenest seen on the local ground, and at no part did either team leave anything to chance. Maying with the sun faijj« the Wanderers kicked off. Shortly after from midfleld, with a dnbbhnp, S2h initiated by Moynihan. the Bed, attacked Wanderers' line, ultimate v being forced. An exchange*:,! kicks among the backs followed, from one

of which Wanderers had a free kick placed against them, Hunt finding the line near the 25-yard mark. Play returned to centre where a battle raged for some time for' possession, H. McDonald (Wanderers) finally breaking away, but Johansen' intercepted him and dribbled the ball back.' Wanderers again brought play back and looked like scoring, but from a scramble Phillips missed, and Boyce, who was handy, forced. Both teams were now .striving for supre macy in midfield,'where Jacobs, get-j 'ting' possession, raced through the J pack, finally being nicely collared by Roberts. Soon after, while play was in Wanderers' territory, Whyte kick- . ed across the field to Boyce, playing on the wing, but. the ball went over, Wanderers forcing.

Shannon kept up the attack, but a penalty relieved the position and an interchange of kicks followed, as the outcome of which Dalzell broke away but was penalised for a forward pass. Soon after from a scramble from a line-out near the line, Marsh scored -Shannon's first try. Hunt took the kick hut failed -to add the extra points., Shannon 3, Wanderers 0. - On the ball going into play, Roberts, getting possession, dummied his way through and made a great run down the line, but was collared well inside the 25 line. Here, Whyte set a fine passing rush in motion, ending in W. Kohika scoring in front of the posts. Boyce converting, the spell ended shortly afterwards. Shannon 8, Wanderers nil. The second half opened with the Red forwards sweeping down om their opponents. Early in. the priece, Roberts put in; a splendid run, fooling .a number of his opponents, before being brought down near the line. From a scrum Reds were forced. Reds kept up the attack and had Wanderers hard pressed, but Jacob brought momentary relief by a fine kick down the field. Shortly after Dalzell broke away and with only two men to beat, passed to Rauhiri, who scored a> good try. Boyce took, the kick and added the extra points Shannon 13, Wanderers nil. Wanderers now made a determined effort, their backs handling the ball much better. While near the 25mark they were awarded a free kick, Jacob taking the Mick made no mistake. Shannon 13, Wanderers 3. They renewed their attempt to re- j duce the home team's lead, but the >. latter was equal to the occasion. Once > again Roberts came to the rescue of j the Reds, by making a great run through his opponents, beating his ■ men by feigning to pass. Soon afte>' Hunt by a. fine kick sent the ball into Wanderers' territory, which Williams miissed by over-running, the Shan non forwards sweeping down, carried it over the line, Jacobs saving by forcing. This was followed by the Shannon forwards—Johansen, Tohi, and Hendricksen, with the ball at their toe breaking away, resulting in Johansen picking up and passing to Hendricksen, who was brought down near the line". Wanderers were now up against it, stemming off the onslaught, and from one of the scrambles Whyte snapped up the ball and dived across at the corner to score Boyce failed with the kick. Shannon 16, Wanderers 3. Shannon came again with a dribbling rush in winch Johansen, Hendricksen, Moynihan and Tohi took part, the former scoring. The attempt at goal by Hunt failed. Shan-

non iy, waiiutjicaa o. Wanderers now made a final effort by attacking the Red line, ending in Jacob by a fine bit of play beating the opposing forces, and scoring. The kick was taken by Tatana, who safely conveyed the ball over. The game ended Shannon 19, Wanderers The call of time was then made. Mr T. Parata ably controlled the gam©.

SHANNON (6) v. TOKOMARU «0)

This was one of the l/'»i games seen in the district for some years. 'lhe "round was very heavy and the bail greasy, but a great game was played bv both pari®. , "Shannon backs were very sale, with Pickard outstanding, his fielding and kicking being equal to anything seen in senior football this season. Tokomaru was weak in the full back Rowland brothers, at fiveeighths, proved a power of strength to their team. The score indicates about the merits ;it the teams. . Tokomanr were larking in condition. With this remedied they should do well in the future.

•da o to «s in i >> a o © o 0. o 0. County ... 4 3 1 0 51 17 8 Hui Mai ... 4 4 ' 0 1 0 49 }3 S" Wanderers 4 3 1 0 37 22 8 Shannon ... 3 2 1 0 39 35 6 Otaki 4 4> 0 0 20 32 6 S. United 3 1 8 .0 11 40 4 Foxton 4 1 3 0 . 73 49 2 Weraoroa 4 0 4 0 6 32 •)