JUNIOR GAME AT LEVIN.

Shannon News, 17 August 1926, Page 3

JUNIOR GAME AT LEVIN.

.. ~ WEItAROA easily defeat shannon. A RAGGED EXHIBITION. By comfortably defeating Shannon at Levin bn Saturday, the Weraroa Juniors practically decided the junior competition, for, with a lead of five points, they are now in an unassailable position. The game throughout was drub and uninteresting, and does not call for much description. At times the small band of spectators present, lost all interest in the game. Shannbn fielded decidedly the heavier pack, and held a distinct advantage in the tight play, but out in the open the Weraroa forwards were altogether tooi fast. Neither backline .showed any initiative Whatever, and if the play in this department is any indication then the outlook for the future is anything but hopeful. Shannon were the first to- show up when the game started, and headed by Satherly and Pentecost, they invaded. Weraroa’s territory until a smart run by G. Broughton removed play to .Shannon’s end. Mainly through an advantage in the scrums, the Reds gradually worked their way out, and Graham was caught in possession. In the ensuing play Weraroa were hard pressed, until Bull found touch at midfield with a good kick.

Weraroa then opened their account as play swung across field. R. Cole, when pressed, passed back to Graham, who, punted high, and following up, regained, drew the Shannon full-hack nicely, and sent Moody over near the pests. Phillips goaled. Weraroa 5, Shannon 0. Good work by Gay, Perrin and. Moody, kept Shannon on the defence for some time, but eventually their forwards came through in a rush that found the. white defence' wanting, and Warman finished off the movement by scoring. Pickard failed with the kick Weraroa 5, Shannon 3.

Weraroa quickly increased their lead for while the Whites' were pressing, Morgan was too keen to relieve, and was caught off-side, Phillips kicking a splendid penalty. Half- time came shortly after. Upon resumption the Red forwards, who were playipg a good game, but were receiving little assistance from their backs, quickly took advantage of a foolish specu-. lating kick by Tantrum, and swept towards Weraroa’s line. Several lineouts followed which resulted in Satherley battling his way across. Pickard’s kick again missed. Weraroa 8, Shannon 6. Weraroa quickly retaliated, and from a scramble near the line Rippon scored in the corner. Phillips attempt fell short. Then an excellent piece of play between Phillips and Moody who took the ball at their feet for practically the length of the ground, ended with the first named scaring and. converting bis own try. making the score 16 to 6 in Weraroa’s favour. Shannon tired badly at this stage and the lighter Weraroa team had matters all their own way and R. Cole added another unconverted try, making the final score Weraroa 19, Shannon 6. Mr J. Smith refereed. COUNTY 3 v, SHANNON NIL. A HARD STRUGGLE. The above match drew a good attendance on Saturday at the Domain, and those present witnessed a bard tussle for supremacy between the two teams These two teams with Wanderers were level fur the championship, and as it was known the latter had won by forfeit from Hui M,ai, it meant that the winner would play off for the championship. Throughout, the game, County had the best of it, but it was not until late in the second half that they were able to register a score. County did most of the attacking and although Shannon were giving a poor display generally, thev managed, to hold them, back, until Dunn with the ball at his toe dribbled from about half way right through the Shannon backs to score tile only try by either team for the day, although County were unlucky hot. to score earlier. Playing against the sun Shannon kicked off. From a scramble which followed Williams got possession and sent it on to Hunt, who kicked, County’s full back, Webber, returning it to file 25 mark. Play was carried back to midfield, where Robertb bv a good run down the ]me stopped by M. McDonald, the lattei securing the leather and lucking to centre, where Ransfield following up p-ot possession and after a short run kicked low to pass Beyes and fi e latter fumbling, a score looked likely but Hunt came to the .rescue and go his kick in. County worked play back near the line. Again Hunt.saved by marking, bis kick finding i . line well down. From the toe out Shannon got possession and dribbled doCneaf County’s line, raising-the hopes, of their supporters, but Webbei saved, by a well judged kick, followed up their advantage and from a line out were awarded a free luck which returned play to Reds a scrum Reds got the ball and W ■ liams found the line near half way. For some time play hovered around this quarter, but a penalty kick enabled Hunt to transfer play to Coun, tv’s territory, the Reds following tip soon had County on the defensive. M McDonald by a fine kick clearing. Then County turned defence into attack bv Ransfield beating several ot fw opposing backs, but Whyte stop“elr the line. Then M. Mca HA to score hut wa.s

pushed but ,a few yards short of victory. County were still hammering away and an opportunity to-' score through the agency of a penalty kick was missed and very soon after M. McDonald attempted to pot _ a goal from the field. County were still striving to score. From' a scrum Shannon ■ got the ball, Williams kicked, which Ransfield marked, but it was not allowed. Shortly after ■Roberts snapped up the ball and dashed away but after beating several o,f his opponents was pushed out. An exchange of kicks in midfield among the backs divisions followed, Reds ultimately being awarded a free kick for offside. Shortly after Ransfield marked and from his kick Hunt got possession and sent it on to Roberts, w-ho\ after a short run, kicked and found the line. From the line out McKinnon sent the ball out to his backs, Ransfield getting away. He passed to Warren, who had a clear run in, but the latter being off-side, the chance was lost. Shannon now made an effort and returned play up the field by a dribbling rush headed by Tohi and Hendricksen. A scramble near the line saw Spring pick up and send out among the hacks, it travelled to Hunt, at centre, who was promptly collared. County eventually worked play back to midfield, but the Reds, headed by Moynihan and Hendricksen dribbled it back. M. McDonald relieving by a fine line kick. County followed this up by pressing Reds in their 25, they being compelled to force twice in quick succession. From a scrum just on the call of the spell, Williams sent the leather out to Whyte, who kicked and returned play to. centre, where the spell ended without a score. On resuming, the Reds’ back division indulged in two passing bouts in quick succession, but little advantage was gained from either. Blues then worked into the Red territory, but a penalty enabled Hunt to ; find the line nearly half way down. Soon after Blues, through over-eagerness, were again penalised after having brought the play back by dribbling rushes. From a ’scrum Matthews dummied his way through the pack and passed to Why te who raced down the line, but he was well collared by Webber. Hunt soon after got possession and instead of running straight, went across the field, but little was gained by his effort, as the opposing backs were taking no chances with him. Shannon again made an attack, during which Blues were penalised for off-side. Hunt’s attempt at goal missed. On the hall going into play again the Blues swooped down, an infringement of the rules by Blues saving Shannon. Hunt’s kick returned the battle to centre, where Hoskins, who was playing a very sound game, broke away, but f.vas stopped by Hunt. Again the Blues pressed, but a hard kick when inside Reds 25 saw Roberts get possession anddummy his;way through the backs, only to be brought down by M. McDonald. For some time following, Blues had the Reds busy defending'their line, a free kick for" obstruction giving temporary relief. Hunt dribbled file kick, but Hoskins returned with a low kick which Hunt marked. Blues initiated another onslaught on the Reds’ defence which the full back, Boyes, saved by kicking out a few yards from the corner. Blues kept up the attack and were within an ace of scoring, Hoskins passed to Tuna, who in' his effort to cross the line struck one of the goal posts, receiving a slight injury. A five yards scrum followed from which Reds got the ball, their position being relieved by Spring finding the line just outside the 25. Shortly after Blues were awarded a free kick, but M. McDonald’s effort proved futile. Blues came again and Rede were compelled to force. Early after the kick out, Boyes by a good kick cleared his side from the danger zone, the ball being carried over the half way- line. * Then the surprise of the day came when Dunn dribbled the ball on his own beating the opposition and with it at his toe dropped on it as it crossed the line. It was a clever piece of dribbling. This reverse woke Shannon up and with only a few minutes to go, the backs gots into action and indulged in some fine passing bouts during which they worked their way up the field, but it was too late and the best team on the day won by the narrow margin of three points. It must certainly be admitted they were unlucky in not winning by a larger margin. Mr J. Sclascia most efficiently controlled the game.

The result of the .Senior games on Saturday leaves County and Levin Wanderers in the final for the Championship. Owing to representative fixtures it will probably be three weeks before this ga-m© is played. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. LEVIN 6 y. SHANNON 3. This game was played on the Shannon Domain on Saturday and was very keenly contested. The visitors secured a try and a penalty goal t the home team’s try scored just on the call of time. SATURDAY’S SCORES. SENIORS. County 3, Shannon 0. ■ ■ Wanderers 17, 'Hui Mai 9. Foxton forfeited to Otaki. JUNIORS. Weraroa 19, Shannon 6. fourths. AUSTEN BANNER. FOXTON 18, OTAKI 3. Children UMWAnisWBM FtfiS. The finest remedy for that pre a coraplaint—worms-*