COUNTY DEFEAT SHANNON.

Shannon News, 2 August 1927, Page 3

COUNTY DEFEAT SHANNON.

After some weeks without a senior iff Shannon, the local fiften met

County on the Domain on Saturday. Since * their last meeting both teams have undergone many alterations. Some of the old players having dropped out, while each had representatives in the Manawhenua team visiting Napier. Neither team had their full strength of senior players, Shannon having to make up their back division by the inclusion of Williams and Rowlands from the junior ranks, both of whom gave very creditable displays. From the spectators’ point of view the game was interesting to watch. On occasions it was fast, being marked with flashes of good passing and handling of the ball. County were" the better team and won by the comfortable margin of 22. points to 6. The game was well fought out, and despite County’s substantial lead in the second half Shannon never let up. Proceedings opened with Shannon defending the eastern end. From the kick-off play centred around midfield, where Shannon endeavoured to open up the game, but County forwaids, following up fast, spoilt. Finally Roberts and Robbie broke through, carrying play on to their opponents’ 25 line, where the Reds were penalised, this enabling Gleeson, who was filling the role of centre three-quarter, by a fine kick, to send the play well up the field. The Blues followed up and threatened the Red line, Symonds forcing, but a serum was ordered, from which the Red half (Walls) got the ball kicking to centre got his team out of danger. However,, it was not long before the Blues worked their way back, and Chisholm getting possession, sent, the ball on to Webber, who worked the “dummy” on two of his opponents and scored. " D McDonald failed with the kick. At once the Reds set out to square matters, making a vigorous attack in Blue territory. A free kick gave them an opportunity, but it did not materialise. Then Roberts, Rowlands, P. Satherley and Robbie in a -ombined passing bout, looked like scoring, but Robbie was pushed out about two yards from the line. Finally, a free kick enabled Roberts to level the score. Shortly after the ball went into plav Roberts essayed to drop-kick a goal from the field. The attempt was a good one, the ball going just outside the posts. ' The game now became very willing, Reds keeping the Blues hard at it defending their line, but the latter proved equal to the . occasion and the spell ended three all. On resuming the Red forwards forced the Blues back on to their line, but. a mark by Gleeson enabled the Blues to clear. Roberts secured the leather and made off. He parsed to' Rowlands, who kicking high, allowed Bond,to secure a mark. Followed up the kick Webber snapped up the leather and sprinted down the field, but lost the ball, which was kicked into touch inside the 25. Following the line-out, a scrum was ordered from which Chisholm, sent the leather to Whyte, who scored. D. McDonald, by a .splendid kick, added the extra points. An exchange of kicks followed, neither team gaining any material advantage. The Shannon forwards, headed by E. Satherley, Dalzell, and Hurst, dribbled the ball the full length of the field, Williams finalising the movement by gathering it up and scoring. Roberts missed with the kick at goal. The Blues now commenced to force matters by a series of passing bouts and soon had the Reds on the defensive. P. Satherley easfed the position by finding the line well down, but this was only momentary as the Blues dribbled the ball pack. This movement was headed by Kuna, who got through the opposition and in a race for the line with two opponents, scored. The Reds, at this reverse, opened up play among thir backs, but this failed to have the desired effect, as after working their way to the Blue territory, Chisholm marked and .ticking well up the field'the Blues followed up, this movement ending in Runa dribbling into the Red 25. A jhort respite caused by Walls securing from a scrum and kicking, but the Blues, kicking hard, sent the leather aver the line. Roberts raced up and got it and instead of forcing down, as iis opponents expected, raced back with it. He was quickly collared and little ground was gained. A scrum followed and Chisholm getting possession, ran round the pack, while two of his opponents stood and watched, touched down under the posts. Gleeson took the kick but made a poor attempt to goal. The Blues kept up the attack, D. McDonald scoring from a scrambled and Gleeson intercepting a pass, sent it on co Runa, who transferred to Robinson, he latter also scoring. The latter try .vas converted by D. McDonald. The game'ended with play of an even nature in midfield. Mr Bevan controlled the game. ’

JUNIORS. Owing to being unable to get a team .lie Shannon juniors forfeited to Miraiiui. , THIRD GRADE. Shannon Thirds defeated Foxton eni the Domain by 8 points to nil. Tries were scored by Saxon and McEwen, one being converted by Warmnn. Mr R. Sands refereed.