RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 7 September 1926, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NASH CUP GAMES. WANDERERS EASILY DEFEAT HUI MAI. RAGGED FOOTBALL. • Hui Mai, last season's winners of .' the Nash Cup, failed to repeat their performance, and in their initial game for the trophy, fell easy victims to Wanderers, who won after a rath'er ragged game, iby 17 points to nil. The play was of a more even nature than the score might indicate, hut while Hui Mai's efforts lacked finish, the Blacks availed themselves of every ~ opportunity that offered, and at no) stage did there appear any likelihood of them, being defeated. In the other game, Shannon pre-' i vailed over County by 11 points to ' # 3, and will now meet Wanderers in ' the final. THE GAME. WANDERERS SCORE EARLY. / ; ■ ■ Neither team were at full strength and places had to he filled iby 'emergencies. Hui Mai won the toss, but elected to play against the sun. From a scrum at midfield, the Hui Mai backs were the first to show up, but off-side play prevented them from getting far." Wanderers' rear division retaliated with a similar 'movement, until Winiata punted and Johnston marked. Graham accepted the relieving kick, and side-stepping a couple of opponents, ran strongly for the.corner, being forced into fouch- a few yards from the line. From a serum, H. McDonald, playing fialf-back, worked the blind side to Winiata,. who quickly transferred to Williams. The last named, when pressed, cross-kicked under Hui Mai's goal. Robinson endeavoured to gather the 'ball in as it went over the line, but fumbled badly as a tounch of Black forwards arrived on the spot, and Poad. managed to score in a handy position. Jacob had. no difficulty with the kick. Wanderers 5, Hui Mai 0.

An excellent-run by Johnston down the centre of the ground, saw Hui Mai in a favourable light, but they failed to press -home their advantage and'Graham cleared. From a scrum in Wanderers' territory, H. McDonald opened it up to Jacob, who was playing five-eighths, and the latter player passed to Graham, who showed a clean pair of heels in a 60 yards dash, but Johnston (held him, up close to the line. Then followed a series Of assaults by the Blacks, who were playing much better tttian their opponents at this stage. H. McDonald was opening it 'up well, and some pretty passing among the backs ensued, but the Hui Mai defence was equal to the occasion, and play came back to the centre. After Johnston had failed with a penalty, the Green forwards headed .by Bevan and Robinson took up the attack, and when in a handy position, opened it out to their backs, but indifferent passing allowed Wanderers to clear. Playnow became very ragged for a spell, and settled down in midfield with neither side gaining l any advantage. Eventually, Johnston initiated a Green rush, and Hiui Mai appeared likely, to open their account as Tana dribbled over the line, but Graham beat him to the leather and booted dead.

A liefty punt 'by Jacob once again ■shifted-play into Green territory, and Ryder gaining in the loose essayed a "pot," the ball sailing just under the bar. From the kick-out Williams sent inheld to McDonald, who dummied past Koro, and sent Jacob racing away for the line, but Perawiti grassed him a yard short. Using their weight effectively, the Hui Mai forwards worked downfield and made things lively for the Blacks. Ryder was caught in possession and carried over, but from the scrum that followed Winiata found touch, and halftime sounded. JACOB PILES ONi THE POINTS. Several loose exchanges characterised the opening of the final spell until Wanderers' combination hedxind the scrum gave them the advantage, and' some nice handling saw Graham knock the corner post down in a dive for the line. The Blacks were not to. be denied, however, and they hammered away in Hui Mai's quarter. Jacob gained possession from . a scrum, and cutting in well, Sbumped off Ta'uhoro and George and raced around PeTawiti to score wide out. His kick just missed; Wanderers 8, Hui Mai 0. This appeared to put Hui Mai on their mettle, and they livened UP .considerably. Tauhoro received from a scrum in the centre, and slipping around on the blind side, he drew Graham, and sent on to George who carried play on to Wanderers line. some lively play took place in this yicTnTty. endeavoured to clear, hut his kick was f™B™ down and Ryder forced as the leath er went over the line. Th * forwards for a spell, now had the best of the argument (butieceivett little support from their passes were badly directed, and not snappy enough. • ' H McDonald 'intercepted a pass from Wilson to Gardiner, and booted downfield. K 1 A. penalty to Wanderers enabled Jacob to find touch near Hui Mai s line with a splendid kick. TOiTßlacks hooked smartly from a c rrum and Winiata whipped the ball % !toJacob, w*o neatly fooled the

opposing backs with a neat cut-in to score a pretty try. He again just failed to convert. Wanderers 11, Hui Mai 0. The game now became considerably more interesting' as both teams speeded up. Wanderers' hacks were slinging the ball about well, good tackling alone keeping them out. The Hui Mai forwards swept downfield in a spirited rush until Robinson knocked on when endeavouring to pick up. Winiata' came away from the scrum that followed, and sent on t 0 Jacob, to McDonald, to Graham, who passed infield to Ward. That played when near the line, failed to pass to Williams, who had a clear run in, but from the scramble that ensued,' Tohu battled his way across. The kick was not allowed through handling, making the score 14-0 in Wanderers' favour.

Hui Mai's position was now hopeless, and, if their play, at this stage, was any indication, they realised it more than anyone, for their efforts were very desultory. On one occasion they looked dangerous, when George broke away and punted over Ryder's head, but Williams was gifted with too much speed, and raced back to clear well. Several line-outs eventuated in the centre, and good work by Bond saw the Black backs again in action. He whipped the leather back to Winiata, and it travelled along the line to Williams, who finished off the movement in approved style by scoring in the corner. - : Jacob failed with a difficult kick and time was called a few moments later. 'Mr J. Smith controlled the game. I SHANNON 11, DEFEAT COUNTY 3. AFTER A GOOD GAME. The above teams met on the Shannon Domain in the Nash Cup competition on Saturday. After a fast and interesting game Shannon registered their first victory this season against County, the latter having defeated them on 1 both occasions that they had met in the championship competition. On Saturday Shannon opened up play among their backs, more than on the last occasion that these two teams met, and this was largely responsible for County's defeat. County put up a very determined fight, their forward division showing: to advantage in the tight, but the rearguard, although they handled the ball well,'lacked finish, this no doubt being brought about by the alteration in positions, caused through the absence of Hoskings, the five-eighth, who is on the injured list.

Playing with the wind behind them Shannon, with only a minute gone, were compelled to force. On ' the ball going into play, Roberts from a return kick got possession and after a short run kicked sending play near the Blue line, but the full-back Webber, saved by kicking into touch. Following the line out- Blues were penalised in front of -the uprights. Boyes took the kick, the ball to the relief of County's supporters, going outside the posts. County now got going and by a series of rushes took play to Red's territory, where Walls saved by kicking into touch. From the line out County got possession and dribbled to the Red line, where Walls forced. On the ball going into play Walls and Maihi were responsible for setting a rush in motion which compelled Blues to defend their line. The Reds were mow hammering away at the defence. In one of the attacks Roberts was within an ace of bringing about a score, when collared, there being no one near him to.take the pass. Finally, relief to the Blues, came through over-eagerness by Matthews in kicking too hard, the Blues farcing. M. McDonald, by a good kick and quick following up enabled County to dribble their way to Reds territory, where from a scrum County's half set his backs in motion, but a faulty pass to Ransfield on the wing spoilt a likely chance to score. Hunt brought momentary relief to the Reds by finding the line well down, R. McDonald intercepting a pass set off with the ball and after a short run kicked to centre, but Roberts in taking it knocked on. Shortly after Mc Donald was again in the limelight, being pushed out when near the line, after having snapped up the ball from a scramble. The County were now opening up the play among their backs, who were handling the ball in good' style, but the Reds tackling was too sound tio allow them to break through. The Reds then took a hand in attack and worked play by short dribbling rushes to Blues' territory, where they 'opened up play in their back division, and from one of their efforts to get through Roberts, after dummying his way past two" of the opposing backs, passed to 'Walls, who in turn passed to Hunt, the latter scoring a good try. Hunt took the kick, but missed by a narrow margin. This score seemed 'to have the effect of causing over-eagerness on both teams, as in quick succession they were each penalised. Matters were now very willing, the ball racing up and down the field, finally Blues were awarded a free kick. Tuna took the kick, the .ball striking the cross bar and bouncing over, thus making the score level.

Soon after restarting, Blues were awarded another free kick, a Red player having picked the ball out of the scrum, but no advantage *Was gained owing to a man (being to front Play now hovered in midfield for a while, a penalty kick to Reds removing the scene of action to tfhe Blue territory, where from a scramble on the line Tohi dropped on the

ball and touched down. Hunt added ,the extra points. Not to be denied, County worked their way over, the half way line, Warren getting away with a fine run looked like scoring, tout was pushed out near the corner. Shannon quickly brought the play back to Blues' territory, where from a scrum .the half, Spring, getting the ball, whipped around the blind side, but (was pushed out. Shortly after, half I time sounded with Reds attacking. On resuming, it was generally S thought, that County with the wind ) in their favour, would at least equalise the scores, but although they at i no time let up they were unaible to 1 break through the Rede' defence. The Reds immediately set out to make the remainder of the game an open one. The backs quickly got into motion, but did not gain much ground, until Hunt by a good kick found the line, inside the 25 mark. From the line out the Reds dribbled oyer, County forcing. A period of tight scrummaging in midfield followed, a free kick to County enabling McKinnon to send the ball near the Red line. A mark to Spring saw him return the ball over the 25 line, but Blues immediately dribbled it back, a penalty giving Reds relief, only to se e the Blues come .again, but once more they were penalised, this time for obstruction, due no doubt to over eagerness. Wehber returned with a good line kick and fast following up by the Blues saw them once again held back by Reds forcing. Very soon after the kick out, a Red forward movement started iby Mfcjihi and Johansen, swept down the field, culminating in Whyie scoring. Hunt failed to increase -the score with his kick at goal. opened up again by carrying play to Reds' 25, where the backs indulged in some fine passing, their handling of the ball being all one could wish for,' but they were up against solid tackling. They kept up their attack for some time, finally the Reds worked them back, and aided by a penalty kick the ball was shifted to centre, only to be brought back by the return kick by Webber. The pack following up a score was averted by Spring kicking into touch. The Blues kept play around Reds' line, the latter ultimately saving iby forcing. Shortly after the game got going again Maihi got possession and passed to Spring, who after durnmyino- his opponent, passed to Dalzell, the ball' then travelling to Whyte and on to Hunt, play being carried iinto Blue territory. Here Reds were penalised, the , kick (bringing play ! clear of the danger zone. The blues once more worked their way back and after a couple of scrums and a line' out inside the 25, Blues were awarded a free kick owing to Dalzell playing the ball on the ground. Warren took the kick at goal, but was not successful. With only six minutes to go play was up and down the field until the call of time, the game ending at the half way flag. Mr T. Parata ably controlled the game. NASH CUP. Wanderers 17, Hui Mai 0. Shannon 11, County 3. LICENSED VICTUALLERS CUP. Weraroa 18, Awahou 0. Miranui 12, Shannon 3. THIRDS. Wanderers 12, Miranui 5. Foxton won from Shannon by default. FOURTHS. Shannon won from Foxton by default. WELLINGTON'S RUGBY OPPONENTS MANAWHENUA XV. SELECTED PRACTICALLY SAME AS HAWKE'S EAY'S OPPONENTS. The next to biggest rugby representative game, so far as the combined Manawatu and Horowhenua districts are concerned, is to be staged at Palmerston "North next Saturday. The opponents are to be Wellington and Manawhenua. For weeks agitations have been afoot for the City Union to send its A team, it was rightly contended that the showing against the Shield holders and the succesful result of the recent tour, entitled the local Union to more than a B team. Unofficial advice has been received that Wellington's fifteen will be its strongest, and the selectors for the Manawhenua Union have picked a very I strong team, practicelly identical to the opponents of Hawkes Bay. The team is as below: — M. McDonald (H.). Walker (M.) Hunt (H.) Roberts (H.) Law (M.) Akuira (M.) "Toddy" McDonald (H.) Jacob (H.) Stewart (M.) Maihi (H.) Bond (H.) Gleeson (H.) Galpin (M.) Gothard (M.) Dalzell (H.) Reserves. —Backs: Warren (Horowhenua) and Evans (Manawatu). Forwards: Moynihan (Horowhenua) and O'Keefe (Manawatu). Those who follow the game closely will note that there are two changes, one in each division. Owing to injuries received last Wednesday at Dannevirke, the Manawatu full-back, McLean will not be available, and M. McDonald fills the vacancy. In the van-guard, Stewart, the Old Boy hooker, replaces O'Keefe, the Kia Toa representative. With the exception of Warren, the team is the same a s made the Northern tour, and returned with the fecalps of Taranaki and Wanganui. > Nothing is to be left to chance, and all players selected are expected to assemble at the Cafe de Paris by

noon on Thursday next, preparatory to going into camp until the day of the conflict.