RUGBY FIXTURES.

Shannon News, 22 April 1927, Page 3

RUGBY FIXTURES.

PROSPECTS FOR 1927 SEASON . COMPETITION COMMENCES ON SATURDAY. Eugby football in Horowhenua will commence officially for the new season next Saturday, the 23rd inst., when the 'initial competition games under the control of the Horowhenua District Council will be played. Throughout the district during the past few weeks, players have been active, preparing for their favourite pastime, and practically every club has indulged in practice games of some description, and the form displayed in these games has served to stimulate the interest of the players and public to a marked degree, leaving the impression that the standard of play this year, is cojng lo be well worth watching. A'FINE EECOED.

Horowhenua's possession of the Bebbingtoa Shield, associated Avith an unDeaten record last' season, is worthy of recording, and our representatives this year will be called upon to exert every ounce of energy to maintain that record, and also to withstand strenuous challenges for the above trophy. It is therefore highly essential that any player Avith the least possibility of representing his district, should get physically fit right from the start, thereby enabling the selector to obtain an accurate indication of the material on which he has to work. This imposes a certain responsibility upon club captains and coaches, and they should see that the ,players.. under their command turn out to practice regularly and train assiduously. REFEREES WVANTED. The writer understands that the Referees' Association is faced with somewhat of a predicament this season. Owing to the shortage of active members offering, a critical position has arisen, and if it is not immediately alleviated, then proper' control of the games is going to be a very difficult task. May this serve as an appeal to. some of those ex-players who are now "on the bank," to proffer their services to the cause, and assist the referees in their- efforts to carry-on with the good work. The.\ tendancy nowadays among pxplayers i 3 to assume nonchalant indifference towaids the welfare c-f the game, % and to take their places £mong the spectators when they could be applying their practical knowledge in j> - more useful manner. , The executive of the'Referees Association has expressed its willingness to impart any theoretical knowledge necessary to enable those desirous, to become proficient referees. AMONG THE CLUBS. W r ANDERERS.

From present appearances, last season's champions will not be as strong this year. This applies more particularly behind the scrum, for last year's inside, combination, T. McDonald (half) and Winiajta Hakaraia (fiveeighths) will be missing. McDonald and Hakaraia have left the district, while Winiata has given the game best. Phillips is also on the retired list. These defections will probably necessitate a real ran gement. } However, the Blacks are fortunate in gaining the services-of W. Parata to take McDonald's place behind the pack, while Udy will be on one wing,.with Nicholson on the other. Graham and Ryder will be in their accustomed places, and the seems to be for five-eighths. Rumour has it that E. McDonald will possibly be bask; if so, he will furnish one of these positions; Among -the-forwards,, little change has taken place and, with Jacob and Tatana to lead them, they should give a good account cf themselves. ,i i COUNTY.

This club gave some very solid displays last season, and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with irt the future. The Blues are in the fortunate position of having plenty of material to work upon and in addition, several players from other districts have joined up. Bond has transferred from Wanderers, and will captain the side. As lock of the serum., and on the lineouts he will be a great acquisition to County. Other newcom.es are E. McDonald, five-eighth, who toured with the New Zealand Maori team to England and France; Chisholm, half-back and Rangitikei representative; and Morgan, a hooker from the King Country. Robinson from Hui Mai will partner Morgan in the front row of the scrum, while Gleeson, whq played for Otaki last season, will be wing-forward. The latter player produced some fine games last year, and County are indeed fortunate in securing his services'. It is pleasing to note that T. Parata will don the blue jersey ence again. A nasty accident befel this fine playir during the past season, a broken arm putting him out of action; and the Blues were decidedly unlucky at a time when he was playing at the top of his form. M. McDonald and White (from Shannon) will probably be the wingers, with Warren as centre, and Webber full-back. WEEAEOA. Once again the Black and Whites will field a senior teanij and if the enthusiasm that abounds among the members is any indication, they will not meeti with the same fate as last season, when, after a valiant effort j-> carry on, they were compelled to retire from the senior competition owing to the shortage of players. The team this year will be young and on the light side, but is full of keenness and is paying strict attention to training. The Magpies will include several promoted juniors, notably Bull and Phillies, with Lambert, a newcomer, as centre-threequarter. The remainder compose chiefly players who were compelled to transfer away from Weraroa when they abandoned last season. SHANNON. Followers of football throughout Horowhenua will learn with the deepest regret of the death or" Eewi M.oynihan, sportsman and gentleman. For many seasons past he has been one of Shannon's mainstays en rhe playing field, and when the Maroons file out this season, his genial personality , and fine playing qualities will be intensely missed by his many admirers. The Marojns, during their trill games, have created an impression that they are going to be a formidable com-

bination, and with. Hunt and Eoberts to control their destinies behind a solid pack of. forwards, will make their presence Mt before many playing Saturday's have gone by. . HUI MAI.

A senior football competition would not be 'complete in Horowhenua .without Hui. Mai taking a big part in it, and this year will be no exception. The Green and Whites for many sen* sons past have proved the stumbling block for the majority of teams opposed to them, and although little is known of the personnel of the present team, it is safe to say.'that'they .will be as hard a' proposition as ever they were. What applies to Hui Mai's participation in the competition also applies to R. George's association with Hui Mai, and when the Green and Whites are ready for the fray it is needless to state that "Bob""George will not be lagging and will once again furnish a striking. example; ■of eternal youth. Meta Johnson will again step out for Hui Mai and they have-also g?ined the services .of McLean (Paraparaumu), Rhodes (6taki), forwards, and B. Eansfield (County 1 !, Aving-three-quarter. .-.•■' ' OTAKI.

When the District Council were receiving ■' nominations for this year's activities, Otaki was conspicuous for its abseiee, and for some time doubt existed a's to whether the Greens would furnish a : team. ■'■'.;

This club is going through'its lean period, and it speaks volumes, for a small band of enthusiasts down that way, that they are now able to make their entry a certainty. Little hews is to hand witli. :espeet to the players who will comprise the fif teen to Otaki. , * AWAHOU,

Awahou are making their dobut as a senior team, and judging by the form displayed in their trial games, thev should hot disgrace themselves when thd season commences in earnest. Possessing a well-balanced set of forwards, with Moses in the five-eighth line, ably assisted, by Taylor, .these-'two should act as a pivot for the rearguard, and, taken generally, this team shows distinct possibilities. . MIRANUI.

Like Awahou, Miranui are also making their initial entry into the senior grade, but so far,are an unknown quantity. Those connected with the club ■must feel justified in their venture, and this'is not hard to understand, when one recalls the fact of the number of. active young fellows associated with the fla>: " 'cult'for this club to place in the field a reasonably good team, and their appearance will be awaited with a considerable amount of interest.

Summed up, the approaching season affords expectations of being a record one, and a challenge for the Bebbington Shield having already been received from Dannevirke should be regarded by players as an added incentive to strike form early. GROUNDS AND REFEREES FOR SATURDA^. ■...'. - -V. '■•' SENIOR."; -''■'■" Shannon v. Wanderers, at Shannon, at 2.50. Referee, Mr N.-ICingi.-Weraroa v. Awahou, at Levin, at 2.50. Referee,'Mr H. Kidson. , County v. Otaki, at, Otaki, at '2.50. Referee, Mr J. Hopa." JUNIOR. Southern Division. Hui Mai v.'. Paraparaumu, at Manakau, at 2.50 Referee, Mr A. George. 1 Weraroa v. Wanderers, at Weraroa, at 2.50. Referee. Mr"H. Hemi. Northern Division. Awahou v. Shannon, at Foxt.on No. 1, at 2.50. Referee, Mr A, McDonald. ; Miianui v. Foxton, at Miranui, at 2.50. Referee, Mr Sands. THIRD GRADE. , . Southern Division. Kuku v. A Otaki, at Kuku, at 2.50. Referee,-Mr P. H. McGregor. Paraparaumu v. Maori College, at Otaki Maori College, at 2.50. Referee, Mr W. Peters. Northern Division. Weraroa v. Foxton, at Foxton No. 2, at 2.50. Referee, Mr T. McDonald. Wanderers v. v Shannon, at Prouse's Paddock, Weraroa, at 2.50. Referee, Mr H. Pene. Awahou v. Shannon B, at Foxton No. 3, at 2.50. Referee, Mr F. C. Hosking. FOURTH GRADE. Awahou v. Foxton D.H.S., at Foxton, at 1.30 Referee, Mr Tl McDonald. TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. The following will represent Shannon seniors against Levin Wanderers, at Shannon next Saturday, 23rd April, .at 3 p.m.—H. Walls, P. Satheiley, ,C. Hunt, N. Robbie, Roberts, Simons, Lenihan, Les. Dalzell, Tohi, K'. Dalzell, Johanson, S. Robbie,. E. Satherley. Emergencies: C. Anne son and Rangi. The Shannon juniors to meet Awahou at Foxton on Saturday will be selected from the following:—Barber, Saxby, Williams, Robbie (2) Alsworth, Sullivan, Hook, Mill, McEwen, Birchali, Campbell, Dalzell, Fuller, Siscel, Robinson, Bowler, Bjlderbeck, Innns, Tongariro. Bus leaves at 1.30 p.m. sharp. ■ . . !_J_. . ——"■ '