RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 20 May 1927, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AT RANDOM. ' COUNTY’S CHECKMATE. County, who won their opening games in such a manner as to suggest to the average follower of the game that they would be hard to defeat this season, dispelled this idea on Saturday, when their colours were lowered bv Shannon, the Reds romping home winners by twelve points to three. There is an old adage to the effect that a team is just as good as the opposition allows it to oe, and although this may, to some extent, apply to Saturday ’s ’ game, it was not the case all the way. Without disparagement to Shannon’s win, it must be admitted that the Blues, in' many respects were disappointing, and their- play on Saturday must have caused many heartaches among their supporters. There appeared to be an entire absence of system about the play of the County men, at times, some of their movements creating the impression that they were more or less in a state of bewilderment.

This possibly, may have been due to the deadly tackling by the Shannon backs, who seemed to have an overrated idea of their opponents ’ attacking dualities; whatever it was the County team at no stage looked like a winning one, and if they wish to be in at the finish, they will have to improve considerably on Saturday’s display. The "game was played at a fast pace, and evidently to the liking of the Shannon forwards, who were smart on tne follow-up and always dangerous in the loose. They tired badly during the second spell, but only temporarily, for they rallied again towards the finish. L. Dalzell and Marsh were alwavs prominent in the loose, particularly the latter, who gave glimpses of his best form, while Payne proved himself a forward above the average. K. Dalzell, Tohi and Hu:’St bore the brunt of the tight work, and grafted solidly, in fact, taken collectively, Shannon have a strapping set of forwards, and when they get into better condition, should \givo some sterling displays. The Shannon rearguard did not impress on attack, but one would like to see them in action under more favourable conditions before criticising too freely. { There was an apparent weakness at the base of the scrum, and seldom did Walls get his passes away cleanly. On top of this, Lenihan and Roberts did not combine at all well, and usually, when Hunt did anything, he had to go after the ball himself to do it. Hunt was ever a source of worry to the opposition, and was quick to turn mistakes by the men opposite him to his side’s advantage. On a couple of occasions with a little more luck he would nave scored. He demonstrated how handy it is to have a player in a team who can kick goals when' the opportunity presents itself, for there is no doubt that the six points lead he gave Shan - non in this way early in the game, took a lot of sting out of County. The defence on the part of the Shannon backs was all that could be desired, although. Symons, the full-back, could not always -be relied upoi\ to take the ball.

The County forwards showed vefy little combination, and usually their movements were left to one or two, while the rest lagged behind.

It was behind the scrum, however, that County failed badly, the outstanding exception being Chisholm, who, on the day, was the best back on the ground. Continually harassed by the Red forwards, he played heroically, partieu larly in the second spell, and had his team mates played up to his standard, victory may have been possible. Slow lobbed passes were the Blues’ downfall, and Hunt was in his element, intercepting them all through the game. Parata, after beating his man, would go too far leaving J. McDonald to contend with a couple of opponents on receiving the ball. One of the elementary rules of Rugby is: Never pass to a man unless he is in a better position than you are yourself. Parata, on finding himself cornered,, should have punted high, and given his forwards a chance.

The Blue wingers were starved, net once did the ball come out to them cleanly. It is hard to understand why County persist in playing Gleeson anywhere from first five-eighth to full-back, and harder’ still to understand why this plaver allows himself to play anywhere but wing-forward. The roving game is his natural game, and the sooner he gets there, and stays there, the better for himself and his side WERAROA’S PLUCKY FIGHT.

That Weraroa would make Hui Mai go all out-to win on Saturday was not expected by many. This, however, was the position when these team* met at Manakau on Saturday and the Black and Whites demonstrated that even yet they may bring off a surprise as the competition progresses. It was only in the later stages that the Southern forwards gained the upper hand and\put the issue beyond doubt.

For Hui Mai, George, Gardiner and Tana were the outstanding forwards, the latter, reaping the reward for following up by gaining the final try. Bevan and Ransfield among the backs were inclined to delay their passes too long, and Hui Mai’s back play suffered in consequence. Wallace played well, while M. Johnston at times was brilliant, his handling being well nigh uncanny.

Kilsby, Cole and R. Brougliton were the pick of the Weraroa vanguard, and Cole at fullback played an exceptionally sound game. This young player has a future ahead of him, if developed properly. WANDERERS* INITIAL WIN. By defeating Awahou by eighteen points to five, Wanderers recorded then first win this season. The Blacks displayed much better team work than hitherto and produced won them the championship last season, that won them the championship last season. . ' The Awahou forwards worked hard, but were beaten by better combination among the Wanderers’ pack, and this advantage allowed the Black backs to operate more freely than,their oppo-

nents, some of the passing being really worth watching. Williams scored a particularly neat try in this game. Receiving the ball between halfway and Awahou’s 25, he drew the opposition to his wing, and then, with a pretty swerving run infield, planted the ball under the posts. This player is probably the fastest man in Horowhenua; it is a pLy he is not more robust.

Taylor took up the wing forward position and acquitted himself well, leading the Red and Black forwards on several occasions.

O’Reilly was also prominent until he received a knock just before half time.

Westward and Fuller were the select, of the Awahou rearguard, the lastnamed particularly getting through a lot of solid work. ’TWAS SEEN FROM THE SIDELINE— That tlie scrum work in Saturday’s game on the Levin Domain was no better than the previous week’s, and rarel} r did the ball come out cleanly to the hall-backs. If the scrummaging in the Club games does not improve then it is needless to say it will reflect itself in the representative games, which may prove a serious matter when it comes to winning or losing. That the referee in the County— Shannon game penalised Roberts, vvho had taken a mark, for either wasting time, or deceiving the opposition by feinting to kick and not doing so. He awarded County a free kick, which is hard to 'understand. In the writer’s opinion a scrum would have been the right decision. That both half backs in the same game, if they had not taken the ball from somewhere about the lock’s feet during some of the scrums, would have forgotten what the feel of the leather was like.

Unit frequently players were noticed offside in the line-outs.

That a wing three-quarter in the Awahou—Wanderers game, after receiving the ball at the end of a passing rush, forced it in the corner "when there were no opponents within yards of him, instead ofi running round under the posts. That extra two points sometimes win a match.

That it is about time our referees reached some uniformity in the application of the rules. Several are attempting to introduce the new rules, while others appear too timid to apply the new interpretations The amended rules are now in:.' operation everywhere, and if the Horowhenua referees « fail to apply them, it is going to be awkward for our players when playing in other districts. A summary of the amendments are published in this column.

That in a junior game last Saturday, a player was penalised for calling out to his men telling them they were All on side. This frequently occurs and no such.act can place the men on side. The ten yards must operate. That referees could be more strict in the application of the law governing “wilful obstruction” or “interferG2ICG. * * * THE. NEW RULES. Playing the;ball on the ground: Except in the case of & player who has been tackled and is lying on the ground no player is allowed to play the ball while he is on the ground. The tackled player may kick the ball away with his foot. If any player in possession of the ball is brought to the ground he must pass it immediately, but if he delays before passing he is to be penalised, as was the case last season. Knock-on: The player is not allowed, to knock the ball on and recover. There must, however, be some propelling motion with the hand or arm to constitute a knock-on.

Time: Time, or half time, may now be called after a goal has been kicked, after a touch-down or unsuccessful try. after a tackle, when the ball goes into touch, touch-in goal, or dead ball, or when the whistle is blown for an infringement. If the whistle is blown for a mark or a penalty, the kick should be taken. Tackle: After a tackle the ball must be played with the foot before it can be handled.

Scrummage: It is illegal for any of the front-rankers to tap the ball out at either side immediately it is put into the scrummage. The penalty is a free kick to the other side. -

Advantage rule: The advantage rule does not apply if the ball is thrown in crooked from touch and the referee must order a scrummage, but the advantage rule does apply to knoeks-on from the line-out.

Touch judges: When a kick at goal is being taken the touch judges must stand one at each post. They raise their flags to signal a goal, but the referee has the sole right to award the goal. ✓ ? ’*ss®®9** ?s **' , FOOTBALL TEAMS. Ihe following will represent Shannon seniors against Otaki at Shannon next Saturday, 21st May, 1927: Symons, F. Satherley, C. Hunt, W. Robbie, Roberts, Lenihan, Walls, Les. Dalzell, Tohi, M. Hakaraia, Hurst, K. Dalzell, P. Payne, Erie Satherley, S. Robbie. Emergencies:—C. Anneson. B. Poaneki. The following will represent the Shannon juniors against Miranui at Miranui:—Pullen, Young, Davey, Williams, Saxby, Robbie, Thompson, Robinson, Pullman, Hannam, Campbell, Bowler, Whyte, Dalzell, Hibbell. Emergencies: Tongariro, Imms, Webber, Secord.