SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 3 August 1926, Page 3

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.

THE SCORES. SENIOR. Shannon 47, Southern United 6. County 19, Hui Mai 11. fourths. Levin D.H.S. 13 v. Shannon 3. CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER.

COUNTY DEFEAT HUI MAI. A MARGIN OF EIGHT POINTS. On a perfect ground, County downed Hui M.ai for the second time this season, on Saturday, at Levin, tire Blues winning by 19 points to eleven. The game throughout, was purely of a forward nature, and neither bacKline displayed any semblance of concerted work whatever. The score Is not an .indication of the actual play, for the Hui Mai pack had the best of matters, but received little support from the men behind them. ,On the other* hand County, although their backs were no better than Hui Mai’s, took full advantage of whatever opportunities came their way. During a smuggle for the hal! on County’s line, T. Parata had the misfortune to break liis right arm, and had to he removed to the Palmerston North Hospital for treatment. County kicked off with the sun in their eyes, and good work hy the Blue forwards kept Hui Mai defending.

‘ Gaining from a line-out, T. Parata with a clever run got to within a few yards of the line, but his pass went astray, and from the ensuing scramble, a Blue forward booted too hard and C. Robinson forced. An exchange of kicks in neutral territory, ended with Wallace: knocking on, and from the resultant scrum, Tuna and Greig headed a likely looking rush, and Bryant was compelled to race around to save. Hui Mai came upheld, and endeavoured to open it out, but their men were all out of position whenever a pass came along, and the County forwards returned to the attack. (

From a scrum on the Greens’ 25, W. Parata whipped around on the blind side, and sent on to Hiwi, who drew Johnston, and passed to Ransheld, only for that player to knockon with a clear, run in. Hui Mai were penalised from the scrum that followed, but Tuna failed with a difficult attempt to goal.

When play re-started, tile County backs endeavoured to get going, but the passes were too slow and T. Gardiner, smothering Hiwi, allowed Ransfield and Wallace to dribble through. The Hui Mai forwards carried on, and County were called upon to defend their citadel. After the Greens had failed to press home, B. Ransfield hooted out, and fast following up, put Ml McDonald in possession, arid with a strong run down the touch-line, he placed his side in a handy position. Then from the ensuing loose play, Hiwi gained and tried to battle his way over under the posts, but was hauled down. He, however, managed to send the ball on to Dunn, who forced himself across for the opening try. R. McDonald missed a simple kick. County 3, Hui Mai 0. Hui Mai now look a hand in matters, and Bevan, C. Robinson, Koro and Wilson, were associated, (in a rush that took a lot of stopping. Palmer held them up well just under

County’s goal, and some exciting play ended with W. Parata snapping up a clever mark from the toes, of the Green forwards.

Then the Hui Mai backs attempted a movement, but Wallace overran his pass, and T. 'Parata, gaining, possession, raced away with Palmer in support. Parata ran well up to Johnston, and gave Palmer a clear field ahead, but that player -failed to accept the ball. '•The Blue backs initiated a neat movement from the scrum that followed, the ball travelling through the hands of W. and T. Parata, B. Ransfleld, and infield again to U>McDonald, who scored County’s second try. The kick at g'oal was disallowed. County 6, Hui Mai 0. The game had been very tame up to this stage, but interest quickened as Hui Mai set out to overtake their opponents’ lead. A penalty to the Greens in midfield, saw T. Gardiner ipunt lrigli, and the Hui Mai pack were waiting at the spot for the ball to land. Some tight forward play eventuated on County s 25, resulting in the Greens being awarded a penalty. - Johnston, owing to McKinnon attempting to obstruct the flight ball, was allowed two attempts goal, but failed with both. Shortly following this County were again penalised, and this' tipie Jo nston made no mistake. Play now became more exciting as County swept to the attack, but Gardiner spoilt a Blue rush with a lucky speculating kick, and lihe Greens worked out. A centering kick by Johnston, gave Bevan possession. This player broke clean away and sent on to Gray who was forced into touch by M. McDonald a few yards fr pT a y C OTSi , g »MOS 6 flaw, ma «®>

a iline-out, the ball came to Webber, who mulled, and C. Robinson following through quickly, dribbled over to eqjualise for the Greens. Johnston faded to goal as half-time sounded, the scores reading 6 all. Hui Mai were the first to show up when the second spell started, and they penetrated well into County’s area. Good spoiling work by Dunn and Heremaia returned play to miidfteld. '

A long throw-in saw Tuna boot diagonally across to B. Ransfield, who in turn punted high down the centre.

The tsun troubled Wallace, and he failed to gather the ball in. Tuna racing up, booted over Hui Mai’s line, and there followed a race between B. Ransfield and Johnston. The former who had the advantage of a flying start got there first, and touched down for a try. Tuna converted with an excellent kick. County 11. Hui Maii 6. A good solo effort by Bryant, placed Hui Mai on tire attack after the kick out, and from a line-out Be van and C. Robinson dribbled on .to County’s line. Then followed an exciting incident, as four players simultaneously dived for the ball, play being held up, as it became known that T. Parata had broken his arm in the scuffle.

The Greens remained in the ascendancy for some time from now on, and only good defensive work by R. McDonald, Greig, Dunn and W. Parata, kept them out. .Eventually Webber, who was playing an uncertain game, again mulled a kick by Wilson. Ransfield came to his rescue, but missed his footing, and a loose scramble in the corner, saw Tauhora snap, the ball up, and send on to Bryant who just got over near the corner flag. Johnston converted with a splendid kick, making the scores level once again. County il, Hui Mai 11.

A long kick by W. Parata, saw Wallace’s return kick charged down by Ransfield, and Johnston beingcaught in possession by Greig, County were nearly over. Several serums took place under Hui Mai’s goal, play eventually going to touch.

From the line-out a few yards from the line, R. McDonald scored, and once again County assumed the lead. Tuna added the major points. County 16, Hui Mai 11. Then followed a series of assaults by the Green forwards, but they received little support from their hackline, and the County backs adopting safety tactics, held them up with frequent marks and line kicks. The Blues gradually worked their way out,, and after a spell of uninteresting play, Tauhora was caught in possession near Hui iMai’s 25, and Dunn and B. Ransfield drabbling on, allowed the former to score the final try of the match. The kick was disallowed and time was called leaving the score 19—11 in County’s favour. Mr E. Bevan controlled the game.

COMBINED RUGBY UNION. MEETS IN LEVIN. The Manawatu-Horowhenua Combined Rugby Council met in C Mr. J. J. O’Connor presiding. Messrs. j W. Moynihan, W. Carruthers, J. It. i Hardie, A. Ilannay, K. Eglinton, W. 1 Dustin, H. Crawford, M. Winiata, W. 1 N. Anderson, J. Casey and J. B. Proua r were also present. Apologies were \ received from Messrs. T. Collins and I F. Robinson. The Taranaki Tour. I The Taranaki Rugby Union advised l that the game between the Combined I team and Taranaki, would take place ] on Wednesday, August 18, at Eltham. j Mr. F. Robinson has been appointed i as manager for this tour. j “A Niggardly Action.” < The Horowhenua Rugby District i Council drew attention to the action ol | the Wellington Football Union at the j recent match between Wellington and j the New Zealand Maori teams. The Horowhenua Maoris had played Wellington Maoris as a curtain-raiser ; to the main match, but were refused passes for the stand, although there was ample accommodation. It was asked that the Combined Council should protest against this niggardly action, further stating that Horowhenua would not again permit its players to be used for the benefit of another Union unless the customary privileges were granted. Mr. Casey outlined the circumstances, adding that the players had almost certainly contributed towarors the entertainment .of the spectators and should therefore have been provided with seats in the stand. General dissatisfaction was expressed by members of the Council, Mr Winiata stating that it was the first time he had ever heard of a cur-tain-raiser team being refused free admission to the stand. On the motion of Mr. Hannay, seconded by Mr. Crawford, it was resolved that a letter of protest shall be sent to the Wellington Rugby Union. The Hawke’s Bay Match. The Hawke’s Bay Union advised that the teaih which plays the Combined team on Saturday next will be identical with that opposing Wellington in the Ranfurly Shield match at Napier on August 14. General. The Horowhenua District Rugby Council asked that August 11 be allotted as a date for a Bebbington Shield match between Horowhenua and Dannevirke. —-Granted. The chairman reported in connection with the suggested loan by the Horowhenija Union to the Combined Union He stated that the finance committee could not. at present, see its way to make any contribution towards the financing of a proposed tour to the South Island. The Horo-

whenua Union had started the season with heavy liabilities, and although these had been met it was not quite certain that HorowhenuH would be quite “out of the wood” at the close of this season. Mr. Hannay said it now* transpired that there would be no necessity for Horowhenua to make any separate contribution to the funds of the Combined Union this year, as the projected tour had been abandoned, on account of difficulty in securing return fixtures next season.

to a Played. Won. to 3 ri * ce Pi Q o <i-i in .5 O P CS tJD ed <0 s "S •.-< o p 8 County ... ... 12 10 2 0 177 52 20 Shannon ...12' 10 2 0 136 69 20 Wanderers 11 9 2 0 117 55 18 Hui Mai ... 11 7 4 0 95 70 14 Otaki ... ... 11 ■ 4 7 0 51 105 8 S. United ... 11 4 'i 0 26 169 8 Foxton 10 21 8 0 97 109 4