HUI MAI’S UNBEATEN PROGRESS CHECKED.

Shannon News, 31 May 1927, Page 3

HUI MAI’S UNBEATEN PROGRESS CHECKED.

COUNTY WIN, SIX TO THREE. A SOLID FORWARD GAME. The senior co.nipetition took an interesting turn on Saturday, when Hui Mai, the only unbeaten team so far this season, were defeated by Count y on . the Levin Domain, by six points (two unconverted tries), to three (a goal from a mark): ' The game could not be called b.rilbaxijt, .it wiis of too hard a nature for that, the tackling on both sides leaving, little. to be desired, with the result that it developed into a strenuous struggle between , the posing packs. Apart from defensive play, the backs on either side were of little assistance to the men in front oi them, the handling being below average, due to a great exteijt to the slippery state of the 5 ground, the outcdmo of Friday’s rain. The new knock-on rule slewed tin game up considerably, stoppages for these breaches being numerous, and, to a certain extent marred the contest. The result in County’s.favour- on the day’s play, is a very fai|' indication of the relative merits’ of the teams, for while the play was tight they were Very evenly matched, the second spell being in! progress for some time before County, adopting different methods) made play more open, immediate success attending their efforts; allowing ’them to gain tlie upper hand in the dying stages. 'Hui Mai won the toss, and the team* took the held as follows: —

COUNTY (Blue). Forwards.—Gleeson,Runa, Robinson, Bond, Dunn, Greig, R. McDonald, and C. McLeavey. . Backs.—Chisholm, Eansfield, Parata, J. McDonald, Whyte, Warren and M. McDonald. HUI MAI (Green and White). Forwards. —G. Gray, Mackersey, George, Tana, Gardiner, C. Robinson T. Gray and Wehipeihana. • Baeks: Taurua, Be van, • Wallace, Eansfield, Eaoka, Bryant and M. Jolmson. Mr T. Parata controlled the game. 'THE GAME DESCRIBED. A SCORELESS SPELL. Play" settled down* in midfield for the ; first fifteen minutes, both;- teams feels ang their way in an endeavour to discover the weak . points in. the opposb tion. Hui Mai, -displaying an advan- , tage in the scrums, were-the first , tf- • and transferred activities to County ’s end. The BluCs retaliated immediately as R. McDonald smothered a pass, and initiated a Blue forward rush that traversed the length of the ground before being checked by Johnson, who found touch with a timely kick. Hui Mai were about to clear their territory, when J. McDonald came into possession, shook off a couple of tackleTS, ran Warren into portion, and sent the leather out, only to see the

latter knoek-on When an op.ening presented itself, and Hui Mai, heeling nicely from the ensuing scrum, relieved to midfield. ’ ■

Over-eagerness by fjhe players on both sides incurred frequent penaltieswhich may have proved costly, had they not occurred in midfield, and play was rather uninteresting, until Parata found touch with a great kick from a penalty, right on Hui Mai’s line. ; An exciting, skirmish eventuated among the forwards, and a cheer arose as R. McDonald'was seen to aerost with the leather in his possession, but was called' back for off-side play and Johnston created applause with a 'fine kick to half-way. The Green forwards were now jump

ing Jnto their stride, and revelling in the tight, which suits their particular style 6f play. They forced County back to their ownMerritory, and with

concentrated rushes from the line-outs, kept the Blues busy. M. McDonald, and then his brother J.' McDonald, -.were compelled to exert themselves with timely saves in quick succession. Nevertheless. Hui Mai hung to thei advantage and remained in the ascenu ancy for some time: Johnston attempted several shots at goal, but fortunately for the Blues, he was not up to form, apparently haying left his kicking boot at home. At last Gleeson came away from a line-out, and initiated a movement, among the Blue rear-guard, but a wietehecl pass from J. MacDonald to Whyte, saw Bryant nullify any advantage gained with a neat run down the right wing. Tana and George, at the bead of the Green forwards, improved

still further, and County appeared in trouble as M. McDonald knocked -on ■ in an endeavour to field the ball. How-

ever, from the following serum hear

County’s line, Whyte got in with a (lucky speculator, and half-time sounded ■as the oval went into touch. A repetition of the close play as seen in the first spell was the dominant feature of the play upon resumption, until B. McDonald set an example to his team mates, by some'clever play in the ' loose. Beceiving oh a line-out at mid- ; field, he broke clear, and like‘a flash was through the defence, running -'Strongly until well tackled by Johnson, and a glorious opportunity went begging as he found himself without supi port, Bevan arriving on the feCene and v booting to touch. The County backs now took a hand in the attack, but although the handling improved, they were inclined t j cut- in too much, consequently they .‘were quickly dumped for their trouble. HUI MAI TAKE THE LEAD. A fumble by J. McDonald, enabled

Mackersey to get his side out of trouble with a long speculator, and followup up smartly, the Hui Mai'forwards took a turn on attack. M. McDonald was smothered in possession, but retrieved iumself well, until Wallace gained ground with a determined run, and from the ensuing play Eansfield accepted a mark from a relieving kick by a Blue back. Judging the distance nicely, tlip Green winger roused enthusiasm among Southern team’s supporters as he piloted the ball safely between the posts, giving his side the lead.

Hui Mai 3, County 0. COUNTY EQUALISE. Interest quickened as County hastened to set play in motion again,• aua not many moments elapsed before the Blues had drawn level. . ■■' ■ Rushing play to Hui Mai’s territory a grim forward struggle was set up at the twenty-five, but gradually County gained the upper hand, and then in a fraction of a second a blind side movement by Chisholm from a serum about 20 vards out, saw R. McDonald, accept the* leather and race . over wide out. Gleeson failed to improve.

County 3, Hui Mai 3. From the public’s viewpoint this position was very desirable, as both teams had earned their success, and excitement raged as they strove to decide the issue one way or the other. Smart following up by George caught County napping, and he penetrated to the Blues ’ 25, {before his progress was stopped. . A quick throw-in saw the Blue defence somewhat disorganised, but Taurua Spoilt the advantage when he elected to go jba his own, instead of working his outside men. R MCDONALD’S WINNING TRY. ■>'" Weak passing by the Hui Mai reargued enabled County to turn defence into, attack, and making full use. of the mistakes by their opponents they transferred activities downfield. * A knbCk-on held them up, but from tlie serupi.A bad pass from Wallace to Bevan, ' ssw the Blue forwards sweep down on to Johnson in the best rush of the day. The Hui Mai full-back, being hopelessly overcome by sheer weight of numbers; R. McDonald snapped up and dived over in a favourable position. The kick missed, making the score— •

; COUNTY 6, HUI MAI 3. 'Hui Mai tired somefwhat after this reverse, and County,*-content to hold them, time was called without further incident.

SHANNON DEFEAT AWAHOU. The meeting of the above teams took place oil the Racecourse at Foxton before a large attendance of' spectators. The ground was in splendid order and a breeze blowing across the field gavie an equal chance to both teams. Shannon kicked off, Awahou returning, the ball to Hunt, who kicked out. Shortly after Shannon, securing the ball from a scrum,-the backs were enabled to transj fer play to Awahou’s line, through Stickles missing his mail badly, the effort being spoiled ;by a forward pass. A scrum followed,' but Shannon were penalised owing to one of t&eir men taking the ball from the scrum. Shannon returned the ball by a dribbling rush, carrying it over the line, Awahou forcing. A rush by the Awahou forwards wa3 stopped by Roberts marking. •A good passing bout by Awahou in midfield looked dangerous, but Hunt saved the situation. At this stage offside play by Awahou, which was not noticed by the referee, enabled them to carry play to Shannon’s line. Robbie on the wing secured the ball, and upon being collared, passed back to Symonds, who found the line near the 25. From a loose rush, Ken Dalzell secured possession and sent it out to the baeks, but a knock on brought then to a standstill. Awahou returned to ihe attack and after some good work by their oacks, P. Satherley was compelled to force; Shannon returned to the attack, and Lenihan, making an opening, gave L. Dalzell a clear run in, but he fell just short of the line. A great struggle followed just on the line, Awahou forcing. A little later Walls, taking the ball from one of his opponents, put in a good run, but lost the leather near the line, Awahou again forcing. Hunt marked from the kick out, but was tackled by two Awahou backs.

■ The' game was stopped and the referee, Mr Neville, was seen to speak to 'Roberts (Shannon’s captain) who at once left the field.

The game was then resumed, L. Dalzell taking Roberts’ place, Shannon playing without a wing-forward, they having , only fourteen men for the remainder of the game. Stirred tip by the incident Shannon made a charge at Awahou’s line, Westwood saving, but a further charge by the forwards enabled Tohi to score near the corner. Hunt failed to add the extra points. From the kick out,'after several ex changes in liidking, Symonds found the line well down with a good kick. From the line out Shannon got away with a dribbling rush and Lenihan followed up, got possession, but on being eollared passed to Walls, who scored the best try of the day. Hunt failed to convert. Awahou now took' a hand in attack, the forwards carrying play to Shannon’s line, but Hunt §aved. The forwards took play back to Awahou’s line, where Hunt securing tried to beat two defenders instead of passing to Robbie, who was not marked, a sure-try being lost. Half time arrived, the score being Shannon 6, Awahou nil. On resuming Awahou kicked off and played much better than in the first half, and for a time gave a good; exhibition of passing, a score being prevent ed by Symonds saving. .Soon after from a scrum Lenihan set his backs in motion, but Fuller saved the situation. Awahou backs again took a hand and tried standing passing, when L. Dalzell intercepted and sprinted off, but was collared. Moses securing the leather, he in turn, made a splendid opening by a good solo run, but not being supported the chance to score was lost. Shannon forwards then broke away ani what looked a certain score was lost by Westwood marking. From his kick, Lenihan and Satlierley got possession, the kick by the latter being marked by Pene. Another rush by Awahou saw Pene, who was now playing a great game, run well down the field to be collared on the line. From another

onslaught by Awahou, Robbie secuied the ball and made a tricky run gain ing ground., Awahou.' attacked aga.n, but Hunt got possession and opened up ' play for Shannon, a pass to L. Dalzell being knocked on. From the scrum L. Satherley scored, Hunt converting. Soon after Moses and Westwood had shots at goal, the latter’s attempt being a -oster. The rest of the game was veiy even, both sides taking turns in •attack, the full Racks of each team being called upon to stop some dangerous rushes. The game ended Shannon 11, Awahou nil. The best back on the Awahou side was Westwood, who gave a good allround display, Moses and Fuller came next. Pene was; the outstanding forward. For Shannon, K. Dalzell and Hurst iii the forwards played consistently throughout, while Tohi played his best game; this season. The backs all did their work well, but Walls was the most prominent, giving a good display. The referee in the early part of the game did not seem able to keep pace with the play. It was in respect to his alleged slowness with the whistlp that Roberts was told to stand on the line. . ; . . . ' POSITION OF TEAMS. \ ■ *--i A I '' 4-i UD ’ • CS o ri ‘ © J? a •d a ® Ah . * © o 2 ’S ” A. ,Ph ’hJ ft ft ft C-

JUNORS. ' WERAROA v..SHANNON. „ Played on the Shannon Domain on Saturday, the above match was very one-sided. Practically throughout the game Weraroa had the' upper hand. Shannon backs (as a whole) gave n very sorry exhibition, the visiting backs out-classing them with speed, handling of the ball and in the usual tactics of Rugby. At times the passing bouts by the Weraroa backs would have done credit to a senior team. Shannon backs lacked combination, yvhich was no doubt caused bv the'alterations made in *the team, these being unwise ones. The forwards appeared to hold their own and; all worked hard, Robinson, being the outstanding player. He was with the ball ajl the time. The game had not been long in progress when the Weraroa half, securing the ball from a scrum, sent it out among his backs, resulting in R. Broughton scoring. No goal resulted. Weraroa returned to the attack and dribbled the ball to their opponents’ line, where several of them rumbling the leather, allowed P. Royal to pick it up and scramble over the line. Weraroa continued to keep up the pressure in the second half and R. Broughton getting possession ran around the opposing backs to score near the posts. Hallamore safely landed the ball between the uprights. This score was soon afterwards followed; by Trotter, inside the 25, dodging. the opposition .to add another try, which was con verted. From a dribbling rusfji .up the field R. Broughton scored his third try. Shannon then . made a final effort and had the visitors defending 1 heir territory, N; Dalzell finally working his way through.to score Shannon’s only try, which was not converted. The gan\e ended Weraroa 19, Shannon 3. Mr R. Sands , was in eharge of the : game. :

County 5 4 1 0 74 1 26 8 Hui Mai 5 4 1 o v 70 24 8 Shannon 5 3 1 1 64 29 7 W’derers 5 3 1 .1 57 33 7 Weraroa 5 1 3 1 21 5 6 3 Awaliou 6 1 5 034 90 0 Otaki 5 0 4 1 26 84 1