JUNIOR.

Shannon News, 12 July 1927, Page 3

JUNIOR.

MIRANUI V. WERAROA. AGAIN A DRAW. A good deal of interest centred in the -meeting of these two teams, owing to the. fact that they are the two leading teams in the junior competition, also that, in the first round, when they met, the game ended in a draw, neither side scoring. The match played on the Shannon Domain on Saturday, strange to record, again- ended in a draw, with no score by either side; the result of which gives Miranui a one point lead for the junior championship and should they defeat' Shannon next Saturday week they win the championship. The game was strenuously fought by both teams and each put up a solid defence when danger threatened their line. In the first half neither team attempted to open up the play among thir backs, both being content to make the game a forward one, no doubt owing to the greasy condition of the ball. During the second half, the Miranui backs on several occasions, indulged in passing bouts, handling the ball in good style, but the collaring by their opponents was too sound to permit them to score. Probably had Weraroa backs thrown the ball about more, the result might have been different. The forwards of both teams played a hard game. In the serums Weraroa got the ball away clean on several occasions, but failed to make use of it, their movements being slow, thus allowing the Miranui

forwards to break in on the “- early part of the first spell Weiaioa had Miranui pressed in their 25, and although close to scoring on two or thiee occasions, failed to get_ through the defence. Miranui eventually forced and on the ball going into play, the local forwards, largely through the efforts of Farrell and Vertongen, carried play to Weraroa’s end of the field, where they kept the latter busy defending. A free kick relieved the position, play during the remainder of the spell being of an even nature. Miranui had the best of the second spell and did most of the attacking. Crawford, on the wing, was very conspicuous, while the splendid return kicks by Picard, who also attempted a pot from the field, must have been very disconcerting to the Weraroa players. On two occasions Miranui missed crossing the line by inches. During the ‘spell Weraroa assayed a shot at goal from a free kick, but a good kick in the right direction fell short. Mr J. Sciascia ably controlled the game.