FIRST REP MATCH OF SEASON.

Shannon News, 18 June 1926, Page 3

FIRST REP MATCH OF SEASON.

TO-MORROW CXNi LEVIN DOMAIN. Horowhenua’s first Hep. team this season will take .the field against their old rivals Manawatu, on Saturday, at the Levin Domain. It must be generally admitted that the selector has done his task well, and it now only rests with the players to justify the confidence reposed in ’them. The forwards are a well-balanced crowd, and with Jacob at the head of them, will hold their own with any. pack that Manawatu can send down: The hacks ar,e a good lot, and should give a good account of them-* selves.

T. McDonald, a tried player, will be behind, the scrum and providing he gets. the ball, will keep his back stepping quickly. i Warren, as second five-eighth, is the experiment of the team, but is full of possibilities and, sandwiched in between Moses and Hunt, should prove his worth. Hunt plays well in any company,

while the two wingers McDonald and

Roberts have both proved themselves excellent scoring men. Johnson, on his form on Saturday must consider himself a little lucky to he chosen as full-back.- 4 The football public are looking forward to a keen game on Saturday.

IN THE REALM OF RUGBY

WANDERERS BEAT HUI MAI

The Wanderers —Hui Mai clash was the only senior fixture played on Saturday and the spectators, with the exception of a tame ten. minutes towards the end of the game, were treated to a bright exhibition of lootball.

On the run of the play in the early stages, Hui Mai gave the impression that they would finish up winners, but they missed several excellent chances of Increasing their score, and at half time when they should have been at least 12 points up, they were two points to the bad. After lemon time, the Green forwards slumped badly and weie no match for the opposing pack.

In the first spell, the Hui M.u !racks put up some very neat rushes, and gave glimpses of good cohesive, work, but, in the final stage had to bo < ontent with keeping ihe Wanderers’ score down as much as possible. . Wanderers’ display, particularly in the second half, paust have more than satisfied their most ardent supporters, for at times, they displayed very fine team work. In the opening stages the Black forwards were breaking too quickly which was a bad policy against the wind. • Meta Johnson gave an indifferent display on Saturday as for Hui Mai, and appeared to have a day off. His kicking, when-he hod the wind behind him, lacked judgment, for he failed repeatedly, to find touch, consequently hie forwards were run off their feet.

Ryder was also lacking in this respect, .but taken all round his work was better than his vis-a-vis.

Bryant, usually a wing-three-quar-ter, came out in the role of fiveeighth, and played well, connecting up with his outside men in good style. . While the Greens- were on ihe attack, Wallace was their star back. This player is very smart off the mark, and was a constant source of work to Wanderers. He had bad luck in not scoring on a couple of occasions. His defensive work at times is inclined to- be weak. Nees shaped well in the half back position.

Robinson was the pick of the Hui Mai pack, which includes one or two players who are getting on an years, and who have difficulty in seeing out a fast game. Tana did not play up to his usual form.

» The Blacks held the advantage in the scrums, and their backs saw plenty of the ball. Still, it was only near the end' of the game that they showed any unison. T. McDonald again played a useful game for his side, whilst. Winiatu’s display'was the best seen from this player so far this season. P. Hekaraia, Wanderers’ new liveeighth, stepped out for the first time with ,the Blacks, and put up a good showing. Ever on the alert, lie has an effective sidestep, and is quick to seize an opening, lie demonstrated ‘this on Saturday, and badly fooled three opponents, scoring a pretty try. His handling is inclined to be erratic. Graham was safe, whilst Williams again proved that given the cpportunity, he has sufficient pace to finish off a movement. He. was unlucky to be held up through an infringement by several Green forwards after breaking clear, and should have been allowed to go on. He showed good judgment with his centering kicks, and initiated several rushes in this manner.

Bond again excelled in the lineouts, and Wanderers’ final try must he put down to- the credit of this player. Talann was missing from- th-el Black ranks, being absent on his honeymoon.’ Tohu played well, also R. St. Clair.

Jac-o-b was Wanderers’ king pin, however, and was on the job throughout. His head work is always -evident when it comes to tactics, and he displayed excellent judgment, knowing his pack would last better than their opponents, hv keeping the play in the centre of the field and not allowing the Green forwards a moment’s respite. Mr T. Parata failed badly to apply the advantage rule on one or two occasions, hut otherwise he showed

sound judgment with the-whistle, and came in for much favourable comment. Much can be done by the referee to make the g une more attractive for the public and players alike, and the amended i ules give much greater scope for the referee to apply real commonsei se in his interp ref at ions. In this district we are fortunate in this re: poet, for, generally speaking, our referees are sound practical men. While it is. admitted that a sound knowh Ige of the game is essential, it is not always the man who can reel the rules off by heart, who gives practical effect to Ins knowledge, and ger oral satisfaction in his control of the game. THE JUNIORS.

The Weraroa*Juniors are playing good football this se son, and so far, are leading in the junior competition. These hoys are imbued with the team spirit, and their combined play would do credit to seme of our senior teams. A draw with Mirrnui in the first round, has served the purpose of making them kecne 1 still, to prove they are the better loam when they meet again.

RUGBY FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY.

26th IR'ST.

SENIOR. Ota'ki v. Shannon, at Otaki, 2.40. Hui Mai v. County, at Manakau, 2.50. Foxton v. Southern. United, at Puraparaumu, 2.50. JUNIOR.

Awahou v. Shannon, at. Shannon, 2.00. Foxton v. Wanderers, at Levin Do-

main, 2.50. Hui Mai v. Otaki, at Otaki Maori College, 2.50. thirds.

MiTanui v. Foxton, at Miranui, 2,50 Wanderers v. Werana, at Levin Do

main, 1.30. . , Otaki Maori College v. Knku, at ICuku,

2.50 Otaki v. Southern United, at Parapar annul, 1-30. fourths.

Levin D.H.S. v. Slumnon, at Shan-

non, 1.30. Foxton v. Werarea, at Foxton, 1.30