RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 10 June 1927, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

NOTES AT RANDOM.

INTERESTING POSITION IN THE SENIOR COMPETITION. The senior competition took an interesting and speculative turn on Satuiday week, when Hui Mai, who appeared likely to establish a handy lead on the ladder, were downed by County by six points to three. The outcome of this result leaves only one point separating the four leading teams, namely, Hui Mai and County, with eight points apiece, while Shan non and Wanderers are lying back with seven points. T.his beat's out the fact that these teams are very evenly matched, and from the public’s viewpoint, an entirely satisfactory position has arisen and if maintained, should afford excellent entertainment for followers of the game. . The Hui Mai—County game m the Domain did not reach a very high standard, developing into a strenuous conflict. between two solid packs of forwards, nevertheless, after the first ouarter of an hour, there were numerous exciting rallies that roused the enthusiasm of the onlookers to a fairly high nitch. During the opening moments, both teams appeared frightened of each other, and waited for the other side to adopt the initiative, but they gradually settled down and the forwards at least were soon going full steam ahead. The first spell was confined solely to the forwards, the play being of the close variety, w'ith occasional loose rushes, being very evenly contested, with the odds perhaps, a shade in Hui Mai’s favour. . . The Greens certainly held a distinct advantage in the scrums during this half, and had they possessed a more resolute set of backs they probably would have piled, on a few points. As they were being more than held when the play was tight,. County decided to open it up more in the final stages, and at once- established their superiority, notching a couple of tries in the space of a few minutes. County should make these loose forward rushes a feature of their play, for they possess some speedy front rankers and with better control of the ball at their feet they would be a more effective proposition than when-adopt-ing the close style of play. The. County backs could hardly be called a success on attack when it did come their way. They failed to function properly in this respect, there being too much individual work, which looks alright, but is not a match-win-ning factor. The same applies to the Hui Mai rearguard. They should also learn to take their passes moving at top speed. On two occasions the Hui Mai backs 3tood rooted to the ground while sending the ball along, with the result that after the leather had travelled through the chain, from one side of the field to the other, about 200 yards of territory had been actually lost. Features of the game were the displays given by both full-backs. Their handling of the ball was very reliable ‘while they both, on many accasions, s<~ved some very awkward situations. .Johnson’s ground fielding and kicking was better than McDonald’s, although the latter played a remarkably good game.

THE MAORI-PAKEHA GAME.

That tlie above game has justified its inception as an annual event in this district was fully borne out when these teams met at Otaki last Wednesday Those present witnessed a bright spectacular exhibition of the code,, both teams revealing form not shown hitherto this season. It is a well-known fact that in the average club game, players fail to reach a very high standard, out immediately they step into a higher orade they seem to rise to the occasion, this being noticeable last Wednesday. On the pleasing form shown all round, the selector has bpen granted an excellent opportunity of sorting out his representative team to play Manawatu at Shannon on Saturday week, the 18th inst. The Horowhenua team will be announced at the conclusion of the club games next Saturday. The first round of the senior competition will be concluded on Saturday. Usually at this stage it is more or less possible to sort out the likely winneis for the season, but owing to the exceptionally even games among the leaders up to the present, the ultimate winners of the championship are well hidden. County and Wanderers will provide the star attraction for Saturday on the Levin Domain, and indications point to a record gate being present.

’TWAS SEEN FROM THE SIDELINE.

That, the manner in which several ot the backs in the Hui Mai-County game o*o l rid of the ball without an} attempt to draw their men gave one the impression that the leather must have been red hot. t ~ ~, That both wing-forwards put the ban unfairly into the scrums. It was a significant fact that usually when a side. obtained the ball in this way, it was always put in by their own winger That one or two Hui Mai forwards showed themselves masters in the art ot shepherding the man with the ball. That the display given by the referee (Mr T. Parata) was really worth watching. He should, however, discard the habit of carrying the whistle between Ills teeth during the whole of the game. There are times when a referee is inclined to become equally as impulsive and heated as the players, and it is quite easv for him to give a blast on his whistle at the wrong moment, to quote an instance —During a hot. scrummage, Chisholm, the County half, made it appear as if he was going to pick the ball out of the serum, but did not actually do so. It was too late, however, as the whistle had blown, the forwards being compelled to start all over again. Apart from this carrying the whistle in the mouth is a dangerous practice, and on one occasion the writer was present at a match when the referee’sustained severe injuries to his mouth through receiving the full force ot the ball, which probably would no. have been so serious, had the whistle not been there to cause the damage.