SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 13 July 1926, Page 3

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

THE FULL SCORES. SENIORS. Wanderers IS, County 3. Shannon 6, Hui Mai 3. Otaki forfeited to Southern United. JUNIORS. Weraroa 49, Wanderers 3. Foxton forfeited to Miranui. THIRDS. Miranui 3, Wanderers 0. Foxton 8, Shannon 6. Kuku 10, Southern United 10. FOURTHS. Foxton D.H.S. forfeited to Levin D.H.S. THE CHAMPIONSHIP, LADDER.

WANDERERS TAKE THE LEAD. COUNTY COMFORTABLY BEATEN. When the two leading teams, Wanderers and r County,' hied out on to .the Domain on Saturday, the 400. odd spectators present, anticipated a sterling struggle. Unfortunately their expectations were not realised, and at no time during the’game, did the play reach a very high standard. County, on their display, were evidently determined to make the game as tight as possible, but in this department they were well held, and when activities came out to the open, they were simply outplayed and outgeneralled. The north-easterly wind that'swept across ; the ground made accurate handling a difficult matter, and this, to some extent, accounted for .the absence of good back play. In the first spell, with the wind at their backs, Wanderers did most of the attacking, and ran up six points, While at least, one other try went ' begging, owing to faulty handling by ' the hacks. When County’s turn came, although they kept the Blacks mostly in their 25, they failed to make full use of the . wind, and instead of making it open adopted the close game, which was undoubtedly, a big mistake. They only managed to register one try, while Wanderers, cracking the pace on, added another couple to their total. The ground was in excellent condition. THE GAJVIJi FOLLOWED. Jacob won the toss, and Tuna set play in motion. From the first scrum, the result of a knock-on by R. McDonald on Wanderers’ side of halfway, the Blacks hooked smartly, but their backs failed to make use of the ball, and it was left to the forwards to burst through with a sweeping rush that took a lot of stopping. Hiwi, atlength, holding them up. From the scrummage that ensued, R. McDonald shot clear, and running strongly, penetrated well into Wanderers’ 25, and a short punt saw Ryder' knock on. ’ ' After the Blues had been penalised for off-side play, T. McDonald, Wanderers’ half, receiving from a lineout, worked his way hack to midfield. The County forwards carried the line-out, and had broken clear when -Graham nipped in and with a great kick found touch a couple of yards from the Blue line. The throw-in saw Wanderers draw first blood when the game had only been in progress a little time. Jacob,, using his reach ,to good advantage, accepted the ball close in, and made it appear as if he was going to open it out to his backs, hut instead, he

handed it Ip Edginton on the blind side, and all that players had to do was to fall across. Jacob failed to goal from a difficult angle. Wanderers 3, County 0. When the game resumed, County were awarded three penalties in quick

succession in midfield for breaches by the Blacks, and first Tuna, then

M. McDonald, attempted well-night Impossible shots at goal into the face of the.wind from halfway./ As each of these' failed, Jacob found touch well .out witminighty punts, and the Blue forwards were called upon to waste a lot of unnecessary energy galloping back and forth. Eventually, offside play by Winiata allowed the Blues to work closer, and Palmer, following through smartly, charged down Jacob’s relieving kick. The rebound of the ball beat Ryder, but the County men failed to seize

the advantage, and Wanderers’ dimin-

utive full-back recovered the leather, and found touch on the opposite side. A forward rush by Tohu, Edginton and McLeavey placed Wanderers on the attack, and as the County defence closed in to defend 'their line, Jacob tried to force himself over, hut was well smothered. Play swung across field as the-Black scrummagers tried

to penetrate, but Warren held them up in good style, and Hiwi, R. McDonald and Palmer were conspicu-

ous *in an excellent clearing effort that brought play back to midfield. A smart run by Warren gained further ground, and he endeavoured to get his backs going, hut wild passing allowed Jacob to dribble through, only to see Dunn, with a fine solo effort, return activities to Wanderers’ terri-

tory. Both teams were now cracking on the pace, and although the play was mostly of an individual, variety, there

were plenty of exciting episodes. Webber failed to find touch from a long punt by Ryder, and Graham beat M. McDonald to the ball, and, snapping np, raced well into the Blue Then followed a sustained attack by Wanderers, and the County men were called upon to fight hard to keep their line clear. T. McDonald fed his backs well, but dropped passes held them up. The forwards stepped into the breach and there followed a desperate struggle near the Blue line. This went on for some minutes until, from a five yards scrum, Jacob secured, and whipped the ball to Williams, who neatly Vorked his way through the defence, after a fine corkscrew run, and crossed wide out, but his pace enabled him to run round and force in a handy position. Jacob, however, failed with an easy kick. Wanderers 6, County 0. The !kick-out did not afford County much relief, for the Blacks, spurred on by their success, Were soon hack hammering away at the Blue defence. Eventually Tatana booted too hard, and Webber forced.

When play re-started Runa, Greig and Tuna, headed play down the centre but the necessary support was not forthcoming, and Wanderers returned to the attack.- A series of assaults on the Blue citadel were successfully frustrated by the defenders, and they eventually forced their way out to midfield.

Here the Black backs gained possession, and a short punt by Winiata saw the bounce of the ball beat M. McDonald, and Hakaraia was within an ace of scoring, but when tackled had no one to pass to, and 'half-time was called almost immediately. When the final spell commenced, many thought that County, with the help of the wind, would run up a score, tout as mentioned previously, they did not go about it in the right manner, and, although play was mostly in Wanderers’ territory, they never, any time, looked really dangerous.

Runa, R. McDonald, and Dunn were the first to show out, and they carried play to within a few yards of Wanderers’ line. Prom a line-out, Heremaia was nearly over but was well held by Ryder, and the Blacks cleared. St. Clair came away with- the ball at his toes, but Warren with a high punt returned, and smart following up by Broughton and R. McDonald, saw Nicholson hustled, until Ryder came to his rescue. , The Blues re-arranged their team somewhat at this stage. Hiwi went into the pack, presumably for the extra. weight, Heremaia taking the wing-three-quarter position, while the rest of the backs shifted in. •The change did not, cause any noticeable advantage, for almost immediately the Blacks hurst through, and after the forwards, had overrun the hall, Winiata gathered in and punting high down- the right- wing, followed through, regained the leather, and handed on to Graham, who bau raced up, in support, and the latter player, running strongly, finished off a spectacular piece of play, by scoring wide out. The wind was too strong for; Jacob with the kick. Wanderers 9, County 0. The Blues became desperate at this reverse, and quickly swarmed to the attack, Williams being’ compelled to hurriedly, pass back to Ryder, to seek relief. H. McDonald and - McLeavey ■ carried on past half-way, but W. Parata with a high punt sent them back again. Jacob misjudged the flight of the ball, and M. McDonald would have proved troublesome, had lie gathered it in. The County forwards were quickly on the scene, however, and, gaining control, dribbled on and after Broughton had failed to pick up, Runa touched down for a well-earned try. M. McDonald’s kick missed. Wanderers 9, County 3. County continued in the ascendancy, but tile finishing effort was missed, and the,crowd evidently realising that the end was near, started to. drift away.

A scrum under Wanderers’ goal saw Jacob dribble out past half-way, until the Blue backs retaliated with the only decent rush that they showed all day, but M. McDonald failed to accept a reverse pass, and the Blacks, quick to seize the opening, swept upfield. T. McDonald picking up in the loose, passed to Winiata on to Hakaraia, who short punted to the corner. A race for the ball, ended with several players getting there at the same time, but from the ensuing scramble Jacob gained possession and swung a pass infield to Hakaraia, who slipped over before County could collect their forces. Tatana allowed too touch for the wind, and time was called with the final score being IS to 3 in Wanderers’ favour. Mr K. Davis controlled the game. SHANNON DEFEAT HUI MAI. BY 6 TO 3. AFTER A GOOD GAME. The above teams met on the Shannon Domain on Saturday, the home team after a great struggle seeming the honours by two tries to one. From the spectators’ point of view the gamp was full of interest. In the opening spell Shannon playing uphill and against a strong wind, put up an exceptionally good stand, with the result that at the change over it was -generally anticipated they would have a comfortable win, as Hui Mai had only registered one try against them. This was not the case, as for some time after resuming Hui Mai had them hard pressed and were having

J easily the best of the struggle. About half way through the speu fchannon made a determined effort and regular ed their first try, making the scores equal. Even then the odds wer-i in Hui Mai’s favour for- victory; us they were keeping up a bomardment- oi the Red line, and looked likely io score at any moment, when the un- ; expected happened. Whyte got possession and set In motion a dniibnng rush, L. Dalzell and Hendrickson | breaking away with the ball at their I toe, and amidst cheering, carried it i .to the other end of the field, where I Roberts appearing on the scene snapped the leather up and dived across I the line, thus giving the Reds victory.. 1 THE GAME. I Immediately play .commenced Hoi Mai went to the attack with a .U tward rush, which was stemmed only when Tana was pushed out at the corner flag. From the line-out Gardner secured the ball, but lost iti on the line. From a scrum that followed, Reds were awarded a free kick, but Hui Mai handling the ball well came back again. Walls, the Red fiveeighths, who was playing a splendid defensive game, got the ball from a scrum, and kicking, sent it out well up the line. An exchange of kicks among the backs followed from which Whyte securing, ran well down the line and kicking, carried play Into Hui Mai 25, Meta Johnson making a nice save. This effort was short lived. The Hui Mai back division got in motion and by a series of passing rushes, in which all did excellent work, again reached the Red territory, where Walls potting high the .strong wind carried the ball back, at the comer making it a dead ball. Matters-were now looking serious for Shannon, but shortly after Hui Mai had had'a shot at goal from a penalty. Hunt brought relief by a splendid line kick. For a while play travelled up and down the field, finally ending in Shannon's favour, Hui Mai forcing. At this point Meta Johnson received an injury which caused him to leave the field for a while.

On resuming Shannon attacked and Roberts, Hunt and Marsh indulged in some fine passing bouts. However’, Hui Mai again turned defence into attack and worked play into the Red 25, where they were awarded a free kick owing tO' Matthews, the wing forward, being off side. The shot at goal, which was a good one, missed. Again Hui Mai swept down on the defenders and this time from a scramble near the line Tana scored. Wallace failed to increase the score. When half time was called Hui Mai were still invading the Red line.

Throughout the spell Shannon put up* a splendid defence and everything pointed in their favour for the second half.

Upon resumption play hung around midfield, but eventually Bryant got possession, sending on to Johnson, who was playing at centre —Wallace going to full-back —and on to Robinson who was pushed out inside the Red 25. From the line out they were forced. On the ball going into play Hendricksen and Moynihan broke away with a dribbling rush which saw M. Johnson save by picking up and finding the line. The Reds, up to this point, had not been playing the defensive game they did in the first half. They now got going, and their supporters’ hopes were raised by them securing a penalty kick near the 25 mark, but Hunt’s attempt, although the right height, went wide. They kept up the attack and Hunt marked, 'but his luck was again out with the kick. Hui Mai then made a dangerous onslaught, which was made more so by Boyes at full failing to> stop the ball, but Whyte raced up and saved by forcing. Play was up and down the field and from one of the returns Roberts gathered in quickly and cleverly eluding the opposing backs, scored in a good position. Hunt made a good attempt to add the extra points. The scores now being three all, both teams made vigorous efforts to register another try, and just when Hui Mai looked likely to score the play was reversed. Whyte got possession and with L. Dalzell and Hendricksen with the ball at their toe going great guns down the field, the visitors were taken unawares. After travelling the full length of the field together, Roberts appeared from the clouds and snapping the ball up crossed the line. Hunt failed with the kick. Reds were now well tuned up and keeping up a vigorous attack but just on the call of time Hui Mai worked hack into Red territory, play still being in that quarter when time was called. Mr N. Kingi controlled 1 the game. THIRD GRADE. FOXTON 8 v. SHANNON 6. This was a very patchy game. Tries were scored for Foxton by Williams and Simpson, the former’s being converted by Stevenson. For Shannon Wilson and Warman scored.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

FOXTON 22 v. SHANNON 5. DR. A. SANDER. M.D., L.R.P.C.. M.R.C.S. Sander’s Eucalypti Extract is manufactured under the personal supervision of Dr. A. Sander. Avoid common crude Eucalyptus preparations—these contain Phellandrene and other irritants. Get the genuine “Sanders” —pink carton with green label hearing signature ‘Sander and Sons.”*

<2 CQ 1 n V d i cS in g In G s o & c3 s 1 ts o j' o o Cu EaC ' < ,d CJ / Wanderers ... 9 8 1 0 111 39 18 County .... ... 9 7 2 0 132 35 16 Shannon ... 8 6 2 0 73 57 14 Hui Mai ... ... 8 5 3 0 63 45 12 Otaki ... 9 3 6 0 45 84 8 ' S. United ... 9 3 6 0 . 20 122 8 Foxton ... ... 8 1 7 0 91 83 4