WANDERERS WIN FINAL.

Shannon News, 31 August 1926, Page 3

WANDERERS WIN FINAL.

A GREAT GAME IN THE MUD. By defeating Co-unty by six points to three on Saturday, Wanderers cai - Tied off the honours for the 1926 season, and incidentally, won the Isherwood Shield outright, having won the trophy three times in succession. When the rain set in after lunch, all hopes of a spectacular game van- ■ ishkl, and as starting time drew near, the elements gradually becameworse, and the teams eventually lin- ■' ed out to cheer each other in a regular downpour. It was certainly a dismal outlook, and with the ground churned into a quagmire by the cur-tain-raiser, the crowd in the stand . were prepared to witness a dreary game. One, however, could not disregard a certain feeling of tenseness that seemed to pervade the atmosphere, and when Jacob landed a splendid gdal from a penalty after the game had only been in progress a minute . or so, the crowd gave voice to their pent-up feelings,'and from then onwards incident followed incident, as ■each, team exerted -every ounce of energy to gain the upper hand. * Despite the atrocious conditions, the game was fast and furious ' throughout, and in every respect was worthy of a final. The County forwards put up a wonderful fight-, and dominated the play for three parts of the game. Several times they were within an ace of scoring, but sadly lacked the finishing touch, and were unable to penetrate the solid wall of Black defenders. 4 r»-»i r\-m r\ rlnnVvf

There appears to be some doubt about County’s try. Many considered Jacob had forced down but the referee thought otherwise and awarded a try to McDonald. , There was more polish to Wanderers’ attacking movements, and the try -they gained was the outcome of some remarkable handling, that would have done credit to any team on a dry day. In fact the manner in which several of the players on either side handled the greasy' ball was well-night uncanny, particularly Graham, who never failed to gather the leather in cleanly from all angles. Mr T. Parata ably controlled the game. The teams took , the field as follows: — y Wanderers (Black).—Backs, Ryder Nicholson, Graham, Williams, Hakaraia, Winiata, T. McDonald; forwards,

.Edginton, St. Bond, Skelton, t Tohu, McLeavey, War'd, Jacob (capt). County (B4ue).—Backs, Webber, M. McDonald, Warren, R. Ransfield, Hoskings, T. Parata, Hiwi (capt.); forwards, Heremaia, Stewart, Palmeir, Dunn, Greig, McKinnon, Ransfield, R. McDonald.

THE GAME. ! County .won the toss and elected to play with the weather behind them. Wanderers early attacked, but did not get far, and following a line-out, a scrum was formed just on County’s side of half-way. R. McDonald broke away, but was penalised for handling, and before the teams had properly settled down, Jacob placed Wanderers 'in the lead by kicking a splendid goal from 45 yards out. Wanderers 3, County 0.

Lightning rushes by the County forwards who persistently harassed the Black backs, placed the Blues on the offensive, and Parata quickly set his backs in motion. The ball travelled through the hands of Hoskings-, Hdwi and Warren, to M. McDonald, and excitement raged as the last-named raced for the corner with only Ryder between himself and glory. Wan-

derers’ diminutive full-back proved equal to the occasion, however, and ' downed the big winger a couple of . yards from the line in an excellent ' manner, and from the ensuing scramble T. McDonald forced. ' The County forwards going great guns, were quickly back again and r McDonald headed a dangerous rush over the line, but was beaten for the ball. After the Blue backs had failed to. hang on to the advantage gained by their forwards, Wanderers swept out to midfield. Play swung across to Williams, who gathered the leather in, and .things looked interesting as he booted further upfleld, but Webber with an excellent line kick returned play to neutral territory. The‘ Black forwards gave T. McDonald possession from the line-out, '■ and away flashed the Wanderers’ back-line, a spectacular piece of play ending with Nicholson being forced into touch near the corner flag. Warren relieved ‘ the pressure, but the Black backs were quickly in action again. This time, however, the ball was too elusive, and they lost possession. . Smart following up saw Stewart charge Ryder’s kick down, and away came the Blue pack. The leather - travelled over the line, but R. McDonald had quickly sensed the danger, and was there to force down. Good work by Hetrem&ia and Stewart, kept Wanderers hard pressed, and they gained little respite, until ham obtaining possession, cleverly eluded a couple of attackers and t moved play back to midfield. Edginton and Skelton further improved Wanderers’ position, but after their backs bad handled, Webber was again conspicuous with a nicely judgedline kick. The spectators were amazed at the remarkable pace maintained, and were-brought to their feet as’the Blue forwards swept the Black backs: aside in an overwhelming rush that looked likely, but Ryder made an excellent save. Each side attacked in quick succession, and play went up and down field at a great rate, until a five varfls’ scrum at Wanderers’ end, saw parata neatly work the blind side,

but foolishly punted over the line and Ryder forced. County remained in the ascendancy for a period at this stage, their forwards getting in some great spoiling work, but several good rushes were nullified through failing to control the ball at thear feet when nearing the line. Good defensive work by Ryder, F. McDonald, and Jacob, saw the lastnamed eventually find touch on the half-way. line. The same player gaining from the line-out, electrified the crowd by breaking clean away, and with a fine solo effect remove activities to County’s line. Webber forced. Both fullbacks were playing faultlessly, but Ryder was having a much warmer time of it than his viz-a-viz.

The speedy Blue forwards were swamping the opposition with lightning rushes, but some of them, particularly Dunn, seemed too eager, and were constantly getting off-side, and the wily Jacob sent them back, time and again with hefty punts downfield. .

Then followed a period of tight scrummaging in the centre, and both packs churned up tire oozing mua in an effort to gain supremacy. The ball finally came out to Warren, who punted down, and smart following up saw some exciting loose play nbair Wanderers’ line, until T. McDonald initiated a combined movement amongst the Blacks’ forwards and backs,„ that swept the length of the ground, but Webber proved equal to the occasion, and half-time sounded as that player booted to touch. When the final spell commenced it became .quite ■ evident that there was to be no let-up, and both teams hurled themselves into the fray with renewed vigour. Coujity were the first to assert themselves, and carried play on to Wanderers’ line, but from a scrum Parata again worked the blind side and booted over, allowing Ryder to force down.

The Black backs endeavoured to get going, but little ground was gained. Jacob/and Skelton, however, carried on, and transferred play to County’s end.

Wanderers’ forwards were nt\w showing better, form, and for iod more than held their own. They appeared dangerous until Heremaia held them up with a mark. An excellent solo effort by Warren, sent Wanderers back on the defence, the ball going out at the comer. The Blue forwards gave Parata possession, and he cleverly f ooled the op-position-backs with a neat dummy, but once again persisted with that little punt, with the same result. Ryder forced. . Spurred on by their supporters, County redoubled their efforts to penetrate the defence, but the Blacks were as equally determined to keep their lead and tackled like demons. A BRILLIANT TRY. Then the unexpected happened. After being hemmed down on defence, Jacob and Stoker carried play out to County’s side of half-way. ■ ..Obtaining from .a line-out in this vicinity, the Wanderers’ backs provided the gem -of the match.

The ball came to Winiata, who cleverly cut Hiwi out, and the ball travelled cleanly along to Graham, who, taking his pass at top speed, outpaced M. McDonald to score wide out, with a man to spare. The movement caught one or two of the Blue backs badly out of position. Jacob narrowly missed with the kick. Wanderers 6, County 0.

This success had a stimulating effect on the Wanderers, and they held the upper hand for some time, but just as County appeared to be falling away, R. McDonald headed a fine movement upfleld, but instead of passing tried a short punt, and Ryder made a brilliant save. This was quickly followed by an excellent solo dribble by Parata, but Nicholson and Skelton retaliated in a like manner.

In endeavouring to stem' the rush, Heremaia hung on too long and Jacob -essayed a shot, hut the hall proved too heavy. Off-side play by the'Blue forwards, neutralised a lot of good work, but they persistently battled their way hack on to Wanderers’ line. Several indecisive scrums took place, and then line-out after line-out followed amidst intense excitement. COUNTY’S ONLY SCORE.

All of a sudden the leather was booted over Wanderers’ line. Jacob raced back and appeared to touch down hut left the hall on the ground. R. McDonald came up at top speed, fell on it, and was awarded the try. It may have been a lucky one, but who will gainsay the fact that County |iad not -earned it.. After no charge had been ordered, the kick was not allowed through handling. Wanderers 6, County 3.

When play re-started, the Blues appeared likely to odd to their score, for Warren caught Ryder in possession, and matters did not look at all rosy for Wanderers, until Williams ran across from his position on the wing, and being gifted with plenty of speed cleared the danger zone. A fine run by Graham gained considerably more ground, and activities were Shifted into County’s area. Bond was temporarily out of action and the players eagerly accepted the breather. Then from the line-out that followed Jacob repeated .his earlier performance and galloped down to County’s line,’but was not supported, and was compelled to boot to touch. T. McDonald sent his backs away, but Nicholson failed to accept Grahanrt pass, and the movement _ « -ed Time was obviously close at hand, and as Jacob snapped up a mark and kicked out, the Anal wlust,le sohpded, and a memorable game came to an end.