SCORES AT A GLANCE.

Shannon News, 29 June 1926, Page 3

SCORES AT A GLANCE.

. SENIOR. Shannon 8, Otaki 3County 4, Hui Mai 0. Foxt-on defaulted to Southern United. JUNIORS. Shannon 16, Awahou 6. Foxton 6, Wanderers 3. THIRDS. Weraroa 15, Wanderers 0. Otaki M.C. 8, Kuku 8. fourths. Shannon 11, Levin D.H.S. 4.

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

SATURDAY’S RUGBY

COUNTY’S NARROW WIN

A POTTED GOAL TO NIL.

At Mariakau an Saturday, after a tight, gruelling, forward tussle, County defeated Hui Mai, f>y four points (a potted goal by Ransfield) to nil. The game can hardly be described as spectacular, as both sets of forwards kept the play tight, nevertheless, the spectators, at»intervuis, were aroused to a. considerable state .of excitement as the opposing .packs fought 'but every (inch of ground, and strove for supremacy throughout. As is customary in a game of this nature, hard tackling was a feature of the play, consequently, several promising passing movements were foiled in the initial stages. This alone, was not the only reason for the indifferent display of passing by the opposing rearguards, as anore often than not, uncertain handling spelt disaster* for several movements, and ■ the little back play seen was, Jor the most part of an individual nature.

Although, possibly, County had slightly' the better of the play, a draw would have been a more fitting ■result-, for, during concluding five- minutes of the game, the Blues were decidedly fortunate in keeping their line intact. THE'GAME DESCRIBED.

County played down hill in the first spell, and the game opened with an interchange of kicks between the opposing backs, which ended in Hui Mai’s favour. From a line-out on County’s twenty-five, the Blue backs came away and transferred play to -midfield, where good work by McKinnon and Dunn enabled the Blues to- be the first to look dangerous Just as things looked interesting, however, Hui Mai were awarded a penalty, and Johnson found touch at half way.

A centering kick by Ransfield saw the Blue forwards get well underneath, and D’Ath was quickly smothered in close proximity to the (Green line, but Johnson came ;t» his rescue and booted to touch.. Wilson, George, and Gardiner made strenuous efforts to work clear, and came upheld from a lin-e-out, but Webber sent them back to their own line with a good punt. After several hot moments near Hui Mai’s line, Cook and Wallace became associated in a movement that shifted activities back to the centre, and good work by the Green and White forwards, particularly Tana and Robinson, in. several line-outs that followed, enabled Hui Mai to work to within striking distance, and matters were not too rosy for County, until Horu foolishly booted over the dead ball line.

A passing' rash hv the Southern backs broke down 'through weak handling, M. and R. McDonald quickly jumped into the breach and headed play downfield. Again Johnson got Hui Mai out of difficulties with a neat save. Both sets of forwards were now settling down in earnest, a clash in midfield resulted in the Blues’ favour and away raced Stewart and Dunn with the'hall at their toes, play going into touch a fe\y vard.s from Hui Mai’s line. This spot was the scene of a furious forward battle, and County made strenuous efforts to open their account. T. Purata was all but over, Gray marked, but his kick did not gain much relief, and from a scrum, T. Purata was again just hauled down a yard short of the line. Then Tuna and R. McDonald met a similar fate after trying to battle across, and realising that the line of defence was not to be penetrated at this spot, W. Parata sent his backs away. The ball came out to Rarisfield who attempted a pot, but the leather failed to rise, and Johnson forced. The Greens were . congratulating themselves upon having averted a score, when they were quickly disillusioned. A short drop-out saw Ransfleld accept the leather and, as if to demonstrate what he really intended doing a few moments previously, safely piloted the ball between the posts.

County 4, Hui Mai 0. The Hui Mai forwards adopted offensive tactics when play restarted but-, the County back® quickly retaliated, and kept them in their own territory. The tackling by both sides was very deadly, and no player was allowed to travel far before he was quickly pounced upon. Johnson rained 40 yards with a penalty, and the Greens, accepting the advantage,

carried play well into County’s 25. jErom n /scrum Tauhora dummied past Hiwi, and sent on to D’Atli, who in turn passed to Cook, and the rush ended with Bryant being tackled on the' line, Webber kicking clear. From the line-out T. Parata,

- Hiwi and Ransfield took play to midfield, and another Blue rush ended with M. McDonald being forced out ten yards from Hui -Mai’s line. Play swung infield and McKiinnon marked a relieving kjjck, but his attempt to goal was charged down by the Green markers. M. McDonald snapped up and made a bid for the line, but was again forced into touch. Play now settled down in Hui Mai’s quarter, County battling desperately to increase their score, but with the downhill advantage in their favour, they made the mistake of playing to the side lines, instead of concentrating down the centre, and as Tauhora booted to touch, half-time was called. Upon resumption many were of the opinion that Hui Mai, now that they held the advantage, would quickly pile on the points. Not so County, however, for they soon proved that they had a,sturdy defence to fall hack upon.

Ko-ro and George led the Green vanguard downfield,. but Webber held them up long enough for his forwards to pack around. A relieving kick by Hiwi was charged., down, and County were in a tight corner, Webber being conspicuous with good defensive work. T. Parata eventually managed to- kick upheld and fast following up by Dunn, Heremaia, and Tuna saw County carry on past half way. W. Parata. endeavoured to open it out to his backs, but George, with a good spoiling effect, shifted play hack to Blue territory, and Webber was rather lucky with a speculating kick. In the ensuing play the Hui Mai back division attempted several rushes, but' faulty handling allowed the Blue pack to sweep upheld . M. McDonald further improved County's position with a strong run that sentHui Mai back on the defence. After a good clearance by Johnson the

Green forwards came again, and hemmed away at the County line. The Blue vanguard, showing rare defence, kept the invading forces out and T. Parata found touch well out. A cross-kick by Ransfield was eagerly accepted by Tana, and with, flinty of space in which to work, the H.ui Mai hacks swung into line, but dropped passes saw another opportunity go begging. The lighter County forwards r.ow cracked on the pace, an overwhelming rush resulted in Johnson L-;;ng tackled in possession by. Heremaia, and i Bryant had to race behind his own. goal to 1 clear. After Webber had failed in an attempt to goal from a mark, W. Parata. was smothered in possession, and an exciting scramble took place near the Blue’s line. Webber attempted to kick out, but Tana smothered and although he had a clear run ahead, failed to keep the ball in play. As time drew near Hui Mai increased their efforts but good defensive work by Warren kept them in check. Then once again Webber ran too far when endeavouring to relieve and his kick this time was charged down by Bryant who snapped up and raced through on his way for a score, but Warren just got to him and brought him low w.h a flying tackle. It was Hui Mai’s final chance for tiipe was called a lew moments later with both sides showing the effects of the strenuous struggle. Mr Sciascia refereed.

JUNIORS. ;

SHANNON 16 v. .AWAHOU 6.

Although there was no senior football -played in Shannon on Saturday, the above game provided, from the spectators’ point of view, a splendid substitute. The game opened with Awahou giving a very scratchy exhibition, with the result that within a few minutes of the start, Robbie, the wing three-quarter • for Shannon crossed Aw-ahou’s line and scored. -Picard failed to add the -extra points. For a short time following their score, Shannon had Awahou pressed, but'the latter turning defence to attack carried play into Red territory, where from a scramble McGregor scored. Maid! took the kick at goal which missed. The visitors returned to the attack from the ldck-out and Pin-e securing possession, crossed the line and scored, thus putting Awahou in the lead. Ait this juncture things did riot look too promising for Shannon, the spell ending in favour of Awahiou.

On resuming, the visitors again forced matters, but their effort was short lived. The Shannon forwards carried the play into Awahou’s 25, where one: of their number (Robbie) scored. The shot at goal was lost owing to the man holding the ball placing it on the ground where the opposing players rushed it. For. the remainder of the game Awahou faded away,'Shannon adding a further ten points to the six already in hand. Humphries and Chapman scored unconverted tries while Picard potted a fine goal from the field. The game ended Shannon 16, Awahou 6. Mr Henti had charge of the game.

FIXTURES FOR JULY 3. SENIOR. Foxton v. Shannon, at Foxton, 2.50. Wanderers v., Otaki, at Otaki, 2.50. County v. Southern United, at Levin, 2.50. JUNIOR. Otaki v. Shannon, at Shannon, 2.50. Foxton v. Weraroa. at Foxton, 2.50.

Wanderers v. Miranui, at Miranui, 2.50. THIRDS. Miranui v. Shannon, at Shannon, 1.30. t 1 „ n Weraroa v. Foxton, at Foxton, 1.3 . Otaki M.C. v. Southern United, at Paraparaumu, 2.50. Otaki v. Kuku, at Otaki, 1.30. FOURTHS. Foxton D.H.S. v. Foxton, at Foxton, 1.30.

r *: r J :• CttlOi 1 X p 5 s. e p o s? 2 g S' : £ ; » 2. : § - -j «i (j> -i Played. 1 i— i- 10 to t;' C~- <53 Won. | ® &»•!«(«'-* m Lost. o o o o o o o Drawn. oo t— 1 C.O yi 05 <2 cc Points for 8? 8p S o w Pts. against. o oo o Iji 1st Ch. Points.