BEBBINGTON SHIELD MATCH.

Shannon News, 1 July 1927, Page 4

BEBBINGTON SHIELD MATCH.

Horowhenua’s Big Margin. A LIVELY GAME. Horowhenua successfully defended their Tight to • hold the Bebbington Shield by easily defeating Danneprke, the first challengers for* the trophy this season, on the,Levin Domain on Wednesday, by the wide margin of 38 points to 13. ~ , , Playing conditions were ideal ar.d the game was witnessed by a crowd estimated to be in the vicinity of 800 Although a fast pace was maintained, the game was too one-sided to be really interesting, nevertheless the spectators were treated to many entertaining episodes, particularly 'by the Horowhenua back line. Dannevirke fielded a good pack of forwards and despite the fact that they were outweighted in this department, they put up a plucky fight. The visiting backs, however, were lamentably weak eh defence and this alone contributed largely to Horowhehua’s big score. The Horowhenua ’team played confidently from start to finish, and the majority of their scores was the outJ come of combined effort, nevertheless there were far too many glimpses of individual work in .evidence that to some extent lowered the standard of play for a representative fixture. THE GAME DESCRIBED. The teams took the field as follows: Horowhenua (Red and Blue). Backs: Ryder, J. McDonald, Hunt, Roberts, Warren, T. Parata, W. Parata. Forwards: Jaeob (capfc.) wing, Greig, Hakaraia, Bond, • Gleeson, L. DalzielJ, : Tatana, Payne. Dannevirke .(Yellow and Black). "Backs: Sargissony Taylor (capt.), Setford, Bailey, Brogan, Andrews, Edwards* i Forwards: Rush (wing), Massey, Robinsbn. Conrad, Hogan, McKay, Smith, Pinfold. s Mr E. S. Hylton, of Wellington, proved an efficient and impartial referee. " - " HOROWHENUA SCORES FROM THE OUTSET. . Horowhenua kicked off against the sun. and' immediately became aggres- ■ sive penetrating well into Dannevirke’s twentv-five. A line out saw the Red : and Blue forwards cafry play quickly aeross field in a concerted rush that culminated in J. McDonald, the wing-three-quarter, touching down in the corner. Jacob missed frpm a difficult angle. ■ Horowhenua 3, Dannevirke 0.

Play had hardly been in motion againl when Warren snapped the leather up near half-way, badly fooled Brogan, and Andrews passed to Jacob, who in turn sent on to ’Hunt, to J. McDonald, who repeated his previous performance, Jacob adding the major points, and Horowhenua were eight points up in as many minutes. Dannevirke now took a hand in matters as Edwards sent Brogan away from a scrum in midfield, and matters were beginning to look, interesting until Gleeson intercepted a pass, and the Red backs removed play/to neutral territory. HUNT’S BAD LUCK.

From a line-ottt in this vicinity, a pass by Smith, one of- the visiting forwards. was not accepted by his fiveeighths, and away came Horowhenua with Jacob in the van. The latter player gained control and, shot out a long pass to Hunt, who drop-kicked a neat goal but the referee, not being in a position to give a decision, rightly ordered a drop-out. The home backs nows indulged in several passing bouts,* , all handling accurately in spectacular movements that kept the defence busy, and Dannevirke were compelled to force down several times in quick succssion. DANNEVIRKE SCORE. Headed by Conrad and Smith, the Yellow and Black forwards now became dangerous, and a dribbling rush saw Roberts forced into passing quickly to T. Rarata to, save trouble, the latter player just jetting his kick in in time. , Not to be denied, the visitors slowly pressed Horowhenua back to their line and from a scrum in a favourable position’ Edwards!, the half-back, neatly worked the blind side with Bailey, wiio shook off Roberts and Ryder in succession, and ran round under the posts. Setford had no difficulty with the kick. Horowhenut 8, Dannevirke 5. When play Te-started, the local team gave a glimpse of its true form* as both forwards and bads participated in an overwhelming rush that swept all before them, and the crowd cheered as Jacob, on receiving the ball sent on to L. Dnlziell to Roberts, back infield to W. Parata, who dived aerots wide out. . Jacob missed. Horowhenua 11, Dannevirke 5. Then followed a period of fast play by both teams that ended as Ryder marked in the face of a Yellow forward rush. The Horowhenua backs again became prominent following this, but were inclined to try and beat too ma,ny men, with the result that opportunities were spoilt. However; another of their characteristic rushes met with 3uccess as W. Parata received from a serum in midfield, the ball passing through the hands of T. Parata, Wairen and Hunt, to J. ; McDonald, who finished off a nice . movement by outpacing the opposition , to -score his third try near the corner. :.' Hunt converted. Horowhenua 16, 5. ■>»*'. / Offside play by a bunch of Red and fc'-'Blue forwards, gave Dannevirke an adj? -vantage from the kick-off, which was i . further improved as Edwards, Hogan :v and Andrews, handled in a passing .-.'rush. The last named, however, lost ; control of the ball and Roberts, when -.pressed, coolly passed back to Ryder. * ' who' returned activities to midfield. Adopting the method that attack is the * best means of defence, Horowhenua ‘ commenced to fling the ball around with ■-freedom, and W. Parata gaining possesKy ■’ , , . ' :L .A.i.... .

sod, beat a couple of opponents, transferred to Roberts, who, although pressed accepted the ball brilliantly and crossed to fun round under the posts. - Hunt missed with an easy kick, making the scores 19 to 5 in Horowhenua s favour as half time was called. During the early part of the second spell, Dannevirke had more than their share of the play and at one stage created the impression that it was going to be anything but a runaway victory for the opposition. However, it was only a temporary lapse on the part of Horowhenua, and they quickly gained the upper hand once more. The nearest Dannevirke could get, was to witnin eleven points of Horowhenua’s total. A punt down the centre of the field by Ryder when play resumed, placed the home team on the attack, until a bad pass by W. Parata to his brother, saw the latter bustled and away came the Dannevirke forwards in a rush that traversed practically the entire length of the ground. A -knock-on ■ held them up near their objective, but from the ensuing serum they were awarded a penalty and Brogan kicked an easy goal. Horowhenua 19, Dannevirke 8.

. Excellent loose play by the Horowhenua forwards, with the asistanee of tricky runs by J. McDonald, kept matters lively in Dannevirke’s teritory for some time. Hunt was badly obstructed by Bailey after he had got rid of the ball, but Jacob eould do nothing with the penalty, then W. Parata started n loose rush that gained ground as Gleeson dummied past the opposition, only to see Roberts get off-side when receiving a pass from Warren. The Dannevirke tackling left a lot to be desired, and it was only mistakes by the Horowhenua players that kept the score from mounting up more than it did. Eventually Horowhenua were called upon to defend tlieir line, and for several minutes Dannevirke treated the to better football than they had hitherto shown. Battling determinedly the Yellow forwards pressed Horowhenua closely, and appeared likely to score at any moment. Edwards received from tire ruck and was nearly over, being held up inches from the line. However, the Yeilows failed to keep the ball in and Warren and Hunt worked play out to the twenty-five. From here the visiting backs handled in a couple pf nice movements, one of which nearly spelt disaster for Ilorowiienua, only that Bailey knocked on at the crucial moment. SOME QUICK SCORING. W. Parata, Maihi Roberts were then associated in a movement that changed the venue of play to Dannevirke’s territory. Roberts retired with an injury to the arm at this stage; being replaced by Satherley, and-with the newcomer’s advent Jacob gained near half-way and broke clean away to the visiting full-back. Some scrambling play ensued near the defender’s line which terminated as Tatana snapped the leather up and dived over in a handy position. Hunt again missed. 22 —8. Accepting the kick off, W. Parata handled on to T. Parata. who adopted the short punt and follow up method, and Horowhenua were nearly over again as the forwards surged down on to Dannevirke’s line, but Setford nipped in and forced down.

Horowhenua were now into their stride again and continued to hnmnfer away at the defence which was allowed no respite whatever. Along went the ball from man to man and Warren displayed exceptional speed by getting around on the outside of J. McDonald, to accept the ball and race for the corner. He was hauled down by Sargisson, just in the niek of time, but from a resultant scrum Horowhenua heeled cleanly, and W. Parata passed to Jacob on the blind side, and this player sent J. McDonald across. Tatana had no luck with the kick. Horowhenua 25, Dannevirke 8. Immediately following this, Dannevirke increased their score by five points, the outcome of some of the best play seen during the whole game. Brogan gained possession in midfield, cut out the opposing five-eighths, transferred to Andrews, who drew Ryder, and gave Bailey a clear run in. Brogan conA T erted after a free charge had been awarded. Horowhenua 25, Dannevirke 13. This success spurred the visitors somewhat, but Horowhenua were in no way perturbed by the increased pace, and proved their fitness by quickly repulsing the invaders, and, as a final effort, they , added three more t-riesj to their collection. After each back had handled accurately from a line-out, J. McDonald registered his fifth try, Jacob converting. Then Maihi, playing brilliantly, sent Jacob away and this player passed to Dalzell, who scored under the posts. Jacob again converted. Play had no sooner started again than Payne dribbled through the opposiiton for Maihi, who had followed up quickly, to beat Andrews for the ball, and outpace the defence from half-way to score in the corner. Jacob failed with a difficult kick and a heavy scoring game ended shortly after.

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER. The teams were entertained at a dinner at the Grand Hotel on Wednesday, when a happy and sociable time was spent. After the loyal toqst had been honoured the health of Dannevirke team was proposed by Mr. J. Casey, secretary of the Horowhenua District Council, who said that that body was very pleased with the manner in which the game had been played. The referee, Mr. E. S. Hylton, had told him that the game was played In a very fine spir--it. The Horowhenua Rugbyites appreciated the friendly feeling that had pervaded the match, and also the way in which these fixtures had been played in the past. The toast was drunk with musical honours, to the starins of “Tenei te tangata Parawatu,” and a feelivg response was made by Mr T. Smith, on behalf of the Dannevirke team. ‘'The Horowhenua Team ” was proposed by Mr. Fred Proctor, who said that the game was well fought out, although it was won with a big margin, and he thought that the'spectators saw their money’s worth. ' In speaking as to the match, the

Horowhenua captain, Mr. H. Jacob, who responded, said that the losers had nothing to be downhearted over. They came here not only to play for the shield but to place the friendship betwen Dannevirke and Horowhenua on a stronger footing. He hoped they would come back next year, and if they won the shield, then the local players would not grudge it to them. He congratulated the losing side on their .battle against odds, and on the manner in which they played. He also wished to thank the members of the winning side for the manner in which they had acted up to instructions, and for the spirit of their play. -Mr. A. Richards, of Shannon, _ a member of the Horowhenua District Council, proposed the toast of the Press, which was responded to by the ‘ ‘ Chronicle ’ ’ representative. Ilis Worship the Mayor proposed the health of “The Host and Hostess” (Mr. and Mrs Noad). As a strong supporter of /the game in this district, the donor of a shield and a friend of the referees’ department, Mr. Noad was honoured enthusiastically in the drinking of the toast, which was accompanied by a naka led by the Ilorowlienua captain. Mr. T. Wrigley, a member of the council, thanked the Dannevirke team for the fine sportsmen they had brought to Levin. Horowhenua had had an easy win, and had met good ‘fellows in the game, which was played throughout in the right spirit. Mr Hylton, the referee, who was not able to stay for the dinner, had satisfied everybody on the ground and shown them that everything was fair. He would like to thank Mr Hylton, because all were satisfied with his decisions. He appreciated Dannevirke’s sportsmanlike play. They were well and truly beaten, but they took their beating as sportsmen. Mr Marcus Smith, manager of. the Dannevirke team, thanked the local players and the Council for the treatment. accorded to the visitors. He was afraid that the Dannevirke Sub-Union was not up to the standard of the Horowhenua and Bush Unions. Dannevirke had had one or two exceptional players, but they could not expect to have them every year. He appreciated the spirit in which the match had been played that day. The gathering came to a close with the singing of “Auld Lang Sjne.”

SHIELD CONDITIONS DISCUSSED. “DON’T iIE DOWNHEARTED,” IS ADVICE TO DANNEVIRKE. . The . opinion was expressed by Mr Marcus Smith, manager of the Dannevirke team, in his speech at the dinner on Wednesday, that the team to play for the Bebbington Shield should be a southern Hawkes Bay team—Dannevirke plus the East Coast Sub-Union. Dannevirke’s strength had been overestimated, and he did not think it could send a team out every year to do battle for the Shield. A proposal would be put forward for Horowhenua and Bush to consider, in the direction he had in treated. This, he considered, would make the competition a better one for all concerned. Mi- J. W. Rimmer, of the Horowhenua Management Committee, said that, awhile they would be inclined to encour. ■age good* football, lie did not think they Hvould consider having a Hawkes Bay side pitted against them. It would certainly be necessary to state what this southern Hawkes Bay team really was. The local Council had not as great a population to draw upon as the Dannevirke Sub-Union, and .the latter should be able to select a team of 15 to beat Horowhenua. He thought they should persevere, and not be downhearted because Horowhenua had “pur -it over them” on this occasion. It ivas “put over” lloroAvhenua many times in the Bush, whither they Avent year after year, eventually to bring back the Shield; and he hoped that Dannevirke Avould go into the contest in the same spirit, for he was sure thc-y had the material. (Applause).

CONTROL OF THE GAME. MR HYLTON’S ADDRESS TO REFEREES.' A lecture of considerable value to referees was given before a gathering of about twenty in the Wistaria tearooms on Tuesday, by Mr E. S. Hylton, of Wellington, referee in the Horo-whenua-Dannevirke match.

Mr J. Casey, secretary of the Horowhenua Rugby District Council, who presided, welcomed Mr Hylton and informed those present that their visitor was in a position to speak, with authority, gained from long experience. Mr Hylton’s address comprised.mainly a review of the duties of the rereree and the consideration of some incidents which have occurred during play in Wellington this season. DUTIES OF A REFEREE. It was often said that referees were born and not made, but with this statement the speaker had to disagree, except to a very limited extent. It was, of course, a well-known fact that, some men were endowed with much stronger personalities than others, and their fellows were in general prepared almost without question to allow themselves to be led or controlled by, them. To such men the task of control was naturally made easy from the outset, but lie was prepared to maintain that good power of control might be developed by those not so fortunately endowed by nature. The duties of a referee were, on the whole, somewhat difficult; but in order to make them as easy and as pleasant as possible, the following fundamental points must be kept iu mind:— 1. That although a referee may take up his self-imposed task for pleasure, he must remember that the games are not played for liis benefit. The games are really played as tests of skill and strength for the participants and for the entertainment of supporters of the game. 2. To enable a referee to derive most pleasure and give the greatest satisfaction both to playeis and spectators, he must (a) Read his rule book frequently and make certain by discussion with and reference to others that he has a thorough knowledge of the laws of the game, (b) Make eertain by actual

training that he is in such physical condition that he will have no difficulty in keeping up with a game, however fast, from beginning to end. A referee’s speed should be equal to that, of the fastest player, otherwise he will often find himself in the position of having to give decisions he is not absolutely certain of, or possibly of having to allow breaches to go unchecked. o. When it is necessary to stop the game for any reason, the whistle should be blown in no uncertain manner, and when it blown the referee should give his decisions promptly and distinctly. INCIDENTS OF PLAY. During the current season, said Mr Hylton, he had noticed several unusual incidents which called for some quick thinking on the part of the referee. ' The first was a case where the referee, after actually awarding a try, had his attention drawn to the fact that one of the line umpires had his flag up. He immediately cancelled the try arid ordered a throw-in from -where the player carrying the ball had gone into touch. This referee had evidently heard of a similar decision given during the last Wales v. All Blacks match, and reasoned that if he allowed the try to stand an appeal to the English Rugby Union against his decision would go against him. The N.Z.R.U. has since notified all unions that the English Union’s decision is operative throughout New Zealand—i.e., that as the ball is “dead” Avhen it is carried or goes into touch, no subsequent play can take place until the game is re-started either by a throw-in or a scrummage. The second case was where a fullback, having all his own side in front of him, attempted to pot a goal from about the half-way line. An opposing player who ivas fairly close to the kicker, made- an attempt to stop the ball, but just succeeded in touching it with his fingers. The ball struck the cross-bar >and rebounded into the arms of one of the players on the kicker’s side, who promptly grounded it across the goal-line and was’ awarded a try. It was contended by the defending side that r.o try should have been awarded and that they should have been awarded a penalty kick because the full-back of the opposing team had not put his own men on side. Their argument was however, wrong, because under Law 18 an off-side player becomes offside when an opponent, has intentionally touched the ball, provided the opponent does not actually catch it or gather it in.

The third case was that of a defending player, somewhat hard pressed near his own goal line, who, seeing no chance of kicking or running with the ball himself, knocked it back to one of his own side who' was standing in :n-goal. The latter player attempted to kick the ball into the field of play, but it went off the side of his boot directly into touch-in-goal. The correct decision in this case was a scrummage at the spot from where it was knocked back by the first player, .because his actions was intentional. (Day 32).

The fourth case was that of an attacking player who knocked the ball on from about 10 yards from the goalline, the ball rolling across the goalline arid into touch-in-goal. Some referees Would have blown the whistle immediately and ordered a scrummage, but the official in charge of the game waited to see if the defending side gained an advantage, and' through doing so was thus able to award them a

drop-out from the 25-yard. line. (Law 10— (h) and (n).) The fifth case wa3 aj very rare one and caught the referee napping. It is usual when a side has beefi awarded a penalty kick or a mark for at least one of the opponents to stand at the spot, where the kick is awarded, but. on this particular occasion no opponent was within 10 yards of the spot and the kicker was allowed to over-run his mark by at, least five or six yards before kicking the ball. The referee should, of course, have blown his whistle and ordered another kick to bo taken at or behind the mark. (Law 24). The sixth was also an unusual type of case, which, had it happened now instead of about six weeks- ago, would have meant at least three points and a win to the team which lost the game. The incident happened thus: The ball was kicked over the goal , line by an attacking player who raced after it in company with one of the defending side. The latter in attempting to .kick the ball over the dead ball line missed it, the attacking player at the same time falling down aiid sliding into the dead-ball area. Whilst lying on the ground he reached back, touched the ball down and claimed a try. The referee’s decision was a drop-out, for the reason that it was an infringement for a player who was lying-on the ground to interfere with the play in any way. Such a decision would now be wrong and could be upset on an appeal, the English Union, in response to a question sent by the N.Z.R.U., having stated that Law 20 does not prevent a player who is lying on the ground from obtaining possession of and playing the ball without getting up. Mr Hylton explained the recent amendments to the rules, and answered a number of questions arising thereon. He also gave a summary of the various applications of the offside principle. The New Zealand Referees’ Association, he stated, was preparing a new set of examination papers for theoretical tests, owing to the alterations of the rules, and it was recommending the affiliated associations to hold examinations accordingly. If the Horowhenua referees desired to sit for such an exam, they should appoint a supervisor and apply to the parent body for the necessary sets of papers.

Mr Oasey, on behalf of the District Council and the referees officiating under it, said they were very grateful to Mr Hylton for coming to Levin and giving them such useful information, lie was sorry there were not move referees present, but the flooded condition of the roads had militated somewhat against the attendance.

In responding, Mr Hylton said that this was the first time he had stopped in Levin, and lie could see that the district was a very fine one indeed. WERAROA (11) v. AWAHOU (9). The above senior game was played on. the Foxton racecourse on Saturday and attracted a fair number of spectators. The playing area was practically covered with surface water, which in places was inches deep and several of the players were subjected to involuntary baths. The condition of the ground and the greasy ball made it practically impossible to handle with accuracy, and the game 'wa.s confined mostly to the forwards. Weraroa (white) did most of the attacking, although Awahou (black) livened up in

the second spell and had hard luck in not scoring a win. ' Within the first quarter of an hour Weraroa had scored S points. The first try was a gift. The Awaliou back hesitated 1 with the ball over the line and Lambert took possession of it from him and scored, Roy Cole converting. Weraroa s—Awahou nil. ■

Shortly after Cole sent the ball over from a handy position as the result of a penalty. Weraroa B—Awahou nil. Whites continued to attack and the play from there on till half-time was of a ragged nature, Reid, Fuller Moses, Westwood and Hakaraia battling hard to even up Hie score. In the second half Awahou rushed play to white’s territory and Robinson made a dash for the line, but was pushed out in the corner. Moses, Reid and Fuller were prominent in another attack and the latter dashed over in the corner—Awahou 3 —Weraroa 8. Awahou now bucked up, but the Weraroa full back was equal to the attacking movements. A free kick on the line gaye white’s relief,. Play then went back and forth until Taylor got possession and crossed, The kick was" a failure —Awahou. 6—Weraroa 8. Both forwards and. backs played determinedly. McLean intercepted a passing movement between Hakaraia, Reid, Westwood and

Hindu and streaked for the line to score a good try. Cole took the kick, which failed—Weraroa 11—Awahou 6. Awahou again attacked and tVeraroa. forced. A Weraroa back intercepted', another black pass, but he was well: tackled by Puller. Weraroa again: charged Awahou line, but they weresei.t back and as a result of an attacking movement by Moses, Puller and Westwood, the latter beat the opposing back and crossed. Taylor failed with the kick, the game ending.Weraroa 11 —Awahou 9.