COUNTY 16 DEFEAT WERAROA

Shannon News, 5 July 1927, Page 3

COUNTY 16 DEFEAT WERAROA

A RAGGED GAME. In bitterly cold weather, and before a handful of spectators, County registered another win to their collection on the Levin Domain, this time at the expense of Weraroa. Up till half-time, Weraroa put up a surprisingly - gpod light against their heavier dpponents, their forwards territorially, having more than their share of the game, the spell .ending with honours even, three points apiece. It was only during the y second half that Coun-* ty had to .go all out to gain the upper hand, when they tested the Weraroa deface whteh weakened perceptibly, allowing them to rattle up an additional 13 points. County's display was a long way removed from the standard expected from a leading team, .and eonsideringi the fact that they fielded no less than seven Horowhenua representatives' their play was far from impressive. The teams took the field as follows: — COUNTY (Blue). Backs: Webber, Bansfield, J. McDonald,' Whyte, T. Parata, Warren and Chisholm. . Forwards: Gleeson, Robinson, Buna, Bond (capt.), Lunn, Greig, B. McDonald and C. McLeaVey, WERAROA (Black and White). Backs* 'Wajreta, Henderson, rupp, McGill, Lambert, McLean and Bull. . - Forwards: R. Broughton, Edgintop, Nahona, C. Cole, Koro, Edlin, Kilsbv and Greig.

THE PLAY. Weraroa kicked off and, through not following up smartly, let an opportunity go by as Warren fumbled; the ball. County showed their appreciation by immediately registering a very simple try. Warren* was allowed to go free, and, with the assistance of Gleeson and Whyte, dribbled the ball down the left wing. After McGill and Wareta had 1 made feeble attempts to stay their pro-. x gress, Gleeson and Whyte carried on, the last named player falling on the ball 'as it went over the line. Parata failed to improve from wide out. County 3, Weraroa 0. When play resumed, Broughton whs prominent with good play that placed County on defence. Weraroa received a penalty from the first scrum, but Bull’s shot at goal fell short and WarTen returned activities to midfield. The magpies were again prominent from the ensuing play, and from a scrum on the Blues’ 23- Bull shot round on the blind, side, drew Whyte nicely, and passed to McGill who was up-ended by Webber right on the line. Failure to control the ball allowed County to relieve. Play of a loose nature followed, both ' sidesI*attacking 1 *attacking alternately, until a centering ki*Ck saw the County defence at sixes and sevens, and smart following up. by Edginton forced Gleeson .over his own line in possession. From the five yards’ scrum that followed, the County hookers incurred a penalty and McGill equalised the scores with a neat goal. COUNTY 3, WERAROA 3. County appeared in a dangerous mood for some moments following this, but a penalty against Gleeson for tripping Wareta, removed play to their territory where, from a scrum, Bull * fooled the opposing backs and raced down to the line. When faced with Webber’s tackle, he passed to Broughton, who, however, failed to< accept, and a certain try was lost as Webber pounced on the ball. A movement between Gleeson, Whyte, and; C. McLeavey, carried play down-to s line where the last named was tackled just in time, and Weraroa were saved from an awkward predicament, as J. McDonald was caught picking the ball out of the ruck, for Bull to find touch well out. Give and take play followed, but try as County would they could make little impression, and the spell ended with honours easy. When the final spell commenced, activities settled down in Weraroa's 25, but the County backs could not get their combination moving, partly due to the spoiling work of McLean and Westrupp. Nahona and Koro led Weraroa to the attack, and for some moments .the Black and Whites appealed likely to assume the lead, but Gleeson became prominent with good defensive play that saved his side several times. Then the Blues set out to place the issue beyond doubt, and from loose play in neutral territory the leather came out to Bansfield, who dribbled thfough tp Wareta. Hesitation on the

nart of the Weraroa full-back allowed the Blue winger to. J ain “J gallop over near the post 9. Gleeson added the major points. COUNTY 8, WERARQA 3.

Play had not been in progress many minutes, when the same player repeated his previous performance by again scorin Gleeson accepted a high punt in midfield, caught the Weraroa backs napping, arid passed to J.McDonald, who ran Bansfield: into position for that player to crops unopposed. Gleeson failed with the kick.

COUNTY 11, WERAROA 3. County’s back play now improved somewhat, and they slung the ball around freely.. Prom one of their passing rushes J. McDonald swerved his way down the centre, looked a likely scorer until well tackled by Wa * et J*‘ Ragged forward play followed with the Blues gradually working closer to the line until J. regained the leather, spotted a gap ** * fence and was over for the final try. R McDonald‘converted and the game ended without further incident. Mr K. Davis refereed..