RUGBY NOTES.

Shannon News, 29 July 1927, Page 3

RUGBY NOTES.

SHANNON VETERANS IN ACTION. ■(By "The Rake.") Considerable local interest was taken in the match Plimmer Terrace v. Ballance Street, and a hard fought battle resulted. The game, which was full of incident, resulted in. a win for Plimmer Terrace by a narrow margin ot 5 t 0 3 — a converted try to a try. AMONG THE PLAYERS. Jim Curran (Albion Hotel) —no relation to Otauru Kid—led the Plimmer Terrace team into action. Jim showed a lot of form, and his try was the result of fast following-up" that depleted his wind to sonte extent.- .Nevertheless the old champion played a strenuous game and gave a .great exhibition of what a wing forward should be, even to jazz garters. Jack Bovis was seen to advantage-an various positions. 'Rarely was this dashing player 'found where he was expected to be. His tackling was a -feature of the game, but his kicking and footwork lacked effectiveness, owing to the fact that he was not .quite suitably shod. Stewart looked a bit fine—m fact, - overtrained. He was dull of eye, and did not live up to his reputation as an international. Chris Stern.looked lusty, and his long arms were used to advantage in the j scrum, anywhere he would fit. Tom King and Archie Reid looked a picture; they both carried a lot before them. ' ' • • Butcher Murdoch was a,-bundle ot nerves. He was bustled considerably by the Reds, and after one strenuous spell at full-back he had. tp .retire through lack of conditiori. Jerry Coakley looked very hefty. He used his weight well —so much so, that, at times it looked as though this burly winger woiild make the game rough. Lockett with a reputation was dangerous, but he was a marked man and did not get many chances. Pirovaaio, evidently charged. . with soda water, went fast and furiously until he fizzled out and ran short of wind. It was a pity a; free air service had not been ir-stalled "on the ground. Frank Wilson' turned' out in a kicking strap, but lacked his old pacei He kicked the winning goal for his side. In. this.he was materially assisted by the advice he received from Jack Bovis, who is an undoubted authority on kicking, "this being due to the fact that he has had considerable experience with mule teams. • , Spider King was the brains of his side. iHis tactics -were conspicuous '.hrcugh their failure to produce the desired effects.

.. The game was robbed of a lot of interest owing to the fact that Tom James did not turn out for Plimmer Terrace. He is suffering from the effects of- training. Speedy cutting-in is said to be his trouble.

Bill Moynihan skippered the Ballance Street fifteen. He played a hare', game and was a trier from gong to irong. His long throw-ins from the lineout were all that could be desired, ex eept for the fact that the referee objected to the direction taken by the oall in its flight to the speedy backs »vho were showing a lot of combination.

Lionel Buckman has developed a great middle He had difficulty'in stopping to gather up the leather. This' player should have at .least a week in \ camp before playing again Bill Easton looked very fine. His favourite position on attack wa3 sitting down. Bob Terry has slipped. For years he has had a habit of closing one eye when he passes the ball —now he closes both. . )

Bert Wilkinson showed a lob of pace at centre-breakaway or somewhere. He should return a dividend if tried over a shorter course.

Tommy Moynihan, the hope of his side, made some determined dashes, but he was man-handled by the greens six ,>r sc-.ven at a time.

Hori George went as well as the.op would let him. If this player could develop a jazz side-step he would be in the first flight of broken-down wingers. Jack Hennessy was a tcwer of strength at full-back. His line-kicking was very accurate, but his pace was affected throitgh an attack of ringbone of splints. Vera Pope played a safe game, but lid.not show his usual amount of sting. Imnis was the fastest forward on the ground. He covered miles quite without necessity. Freddy Bagge let his side down badly, and a substitute as .'ock had to be found. Owing to this circumstance, 'he Rods-' scrum work was not all it might have been. Tommy Pannicar., a tiger in the tight (there wasn't any), scored the onh try for Ballance Street, ar.d in doing so covered himself with glory and mud..

The referae, Mr Len Satherley, controlled the game well. His interpretation of the rules was so varied as to dispel the usual monotony of Eugby.