RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 12 April 1927, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

!TWO TRIAL GAMES. PLAYEES SHOW GOOD POEM. Two senior trial games were rtagcd . locally on Saturday, County and Awahou meeting each other on Prouse's ' pari dock, while Weiaroa and Wanderers I tried conclusions en the Weraroa Domain. Considering the earliness of the season, somj exeeUent form was displayed, particularly in the former garni l , and, taken all round, if these trials are any indication, then Rugby enthusiasts in this district should witness some sterling games 'is the season advances COUNTY 0, AWAHOU 0. By playing a scoreless draw against the solid County men, Awahou created a very favourable impression, their forwards, a very even lot, being adx-pt at the and several nice movements by the Blue backs were nullified in this way. The first spell was very evenly contested, and although Awahou had the advantage of the wind, they could not open their account. Taylor, however, liarrowly. missed with a penalty. When" the teams changed round, Coun- \ iy maintained an incessant attack in ' Awahou's twenty-five, but the Red and Blacks proved stubborn fighters and kept their line intact, although on several occasions the Blues were within an ace of scoring. WANDERERS 9, WERAROA 0. Advantage in the scrums enabled Wanderers to defeat Weraroa by two tries by Graham, and a penalty goal by Tohu, to nil. Neither team were at full strength, but both, however, showed creditable form, and when going 1 properly, should give a good account of thems-elves. SHANNON 24, WESTERN UNITED NIL. The Western United team from Palmerston North met the Shannon seniors on the Shannon Domain on Saturday. Compared with the local men the visitors were a light combination and therefore suffered in the scrum and line-out work, but they showed up in the loose. They opened up well, displaying a fair amcunt of speed, -the backs handling the ball in good style; while Shannon's passing was very erratic, though they improved in this respect as the game progressed and at the close of the spell :t was quite evident the local men were the superior. They registered three tries, two of which were converted by Roberts. In the second half the visitors never let up, making every effort to square their account, but shannon 'a defence was too solid and they frequently turnjed .defence (into attack with tlie result that they added another three tries to their score, one of which was converted by Roberts, who from five attempts during the afternoon, landed three goals, one being a poster, while the other, although in the right direction, fell short. All the kick weie from different angles. Those responsible for the tries were Marsh, P. Satherley, Hurst, E. Satherley and Tohi (2). Mr R. Sands controlled the game.