1927 CHAMPIONS.

Shannon News, 23 August 1927, Page 3

1927 CHAMPIONS.

Hui Mai Carry off the Honours County Defeated by Twelve Points to Three. STRENUOUsToRWARD STRUGGLE. The Hui Mai ground at Manakau presented an . animated scene on Saturday, when the final game for the club championship between Hui Mai and County attracted a good attendance of the public. Anticipating a "gate," the Hui Mai officials wisely erected a temporary fence outside the playiiig area and this was quickly backed by Spectators, while many availed themselves of the better vantage point offered by the elevated position of the highway just outside. That the fence justified its existence was borne out by the orderly manner in which the crowd, despite many exciting moments, behaved itself, and not once was the playing area encroached upon during the game. As for the game itself, it could hardly be called spectacular; it was of too hard a nature for that, the tackling on both sides being deadly; and those who went there expecting to witness a good open exhibition, were quickly disillusioned for both packs, straining every nerve, kept play comparatively tight with the result that the game, practically from start to finish, resolved itself into a grim forward struggle-. On what few occasions the backs on either aide did take a hand in attack

they were short-lived, and were eithei instantly neutralised by solid tackling vor the movements were crowded out b\ sheer force of numbers. After a fairly even first spell, Coun ty raised the hopes of their supporters by leading three to nil after playing uphill, but when the teams changed over the weight and superior condition of the Hui Mai forwards enabled

them to become paramount and once they had registered the equalising goal,

from then on the issue was never in doubt; the Green vanguard took control of the game and County were kepi defending desperately during the h'ua. stages. As only to be expected in i game of this type, there were many tense moments and at times several oi the players were inclined to become rather heated, necessitating the referee on one occasion stopping the play aiu'i administering a warning. There was an entire absence of wind and apart from a shower just at tin commencement of the game, the raii. that threatened held off. The groum. was in good condition. The teams took the field as follow: — HUI MAI (Green and White). Backs: Johnson, T. Gray, Enoka Eansfield, Wallace, Bevan and Tauhora Forwards: George (capt.), Makersey T. Gardiner, Tana, Norton, Toby Gray Wehipeihana, and G. Gray. COUNTY (Blue). Backs: Dunn, Eansfield, Gleeson. Whyte, Webber, Warren and Ohisholm Forwards: R. Robinson, Runa, Bone (eapt.), Greig, R. McDonald, McCleavey, Jackson and Stewart.

Mr J. Sciaseia controlled the game

THE GAME

Hui Mai won the toss and elected to play on the down grade, Bond kicking off for County. Close forward play dominated the game from the outset and Hui Mai were quickly in the picture, pushing their way into County's 25. The Blue backs made several attempts to clear, but their kicks were frequently charged down and they failed in their attempts to change the venue of play. From a scrummage in the face of County's goal, Tana burst through with the ball but 'sent out a wretched pass to B. Eansfield and Webber came to light with a nice save, finding touch at the 25. The Green forwards gave Tauhora possession from the line out and this player sent on to Enoka, who made an abortive attempt to "pot a goal and County forced. The Blue forwards now took a/ hand in matters and swept upfiel'd with the ball at their toes, until their progress was stayed by Bevan, who marked at the centre. The Green backs then indulged in a passing movement that broke down at Enoka and Warren placed his side on attack as he dribbled the ball through to Hui Mai's territory. Eansfield and R. McDonald became prominent with.a good dribbling effort that enabled the latter to tackle Johnson in possession near the line, but just aS County's chances appeared rosy, a Blue player got off-side and Johnson found touch at half-way with a fine kl piay of a vigorous nature took place

in this vicinity for some moments and no beg pardons were given, by either set of forwards until Dunn was called upon to relieve, only to see Johnson, with another great kick, find touch a few yards from County's line as Gleeson failed to gather the leather in. The Southern forwards battled hard to open their score at this stage, but Count? defended ably and relief came as Dunn forced down after an exciting spell on the line. From the drop-out Tauhora endeavoured to get Ins backs going on a couple of occasions, but his efforts were fruitless as. the Blues quieklv smothered their opponents, and Ransfield (County's wing three-quarter) playing a sterling defensive game, shifted play to a more safe area. The Blue forwards evidently .nowthought it time to have a say in matters, and, following through quickly, they pressed Hui Mai close to their line. Heeling from a scrum nicely, the Blues (rave, Chisholm an opportunity to get his backs going, but chiefly through lobbed passing they failed to make any impression on the defence. However, Coiuity were now having the better of the exchanges and'kept Hui Mai hemmed in their twenty-five. A mark by Wallace was charged down by Kobinson, and from the ensuing scramble near the line G. Gray managed to get off-side, but Gleeson failed with a fairly easy attempt at goal. Immediately following this, Bond sent the ball out to Gleeson, who transferred to Whyte who was forced into couch close to the line. From the line-out, the defending forwards, headed by Norton and Wehipeihana swept downfield with an irresistible loose rush that appeared dangerous until Bond nipped in with a timely mark. The succeeding play, nearly spelt disaster for County as a pass from Jhisholm was intercepted by Tana, but before he could get rid of the ball to a bunch of Greens, who were waiting unmarked, the County half Up-ended him and a force doAvn resulted. The Hui Mai forwards- were now putting in some very effective line-out play. Chisholm was having a gruelling ame endeavouring to stop their rushes And on numerous occasions the Greens surged all oyer him, the remaining Blue backs being compelled to hastily seek the side-lines. COUNTY DRAW FIRST BLOOD. The County forwards now relieved dieir rearguard of their responsibilities for the time being, and, initiating several excellent transferred activities upfield. Strenuous play resulted on Hui Mai's 25, during which, Chisholm, and then Bond, received attention for injuries, ilui Mai repulsed the invasion temporarily, but just before half-time sounded County notched a hard-earned try. i'Vom a scrum on County's side of halfway, the Blues came away in a spleniid dribbling rush in which both backs md forwards took part, Stewart, Glee--joii, R. McDonald,' McLeavey and Jackjoii being particularly prominent in a inovement that swept through the opposition, terminating as Ransfield dived \n the ball as it went over the line at he comer. R. McDonald's kick fe.l >st short and half-time folknvcd imnediately. County 3, Hui Mai 0. „ THE SECOND SPELL.

Now that they held the advantage of the ground, County set off in great .ityle when play resumed, and quickly aad Hui Mai on the defence, but judicious use of the sideline by ■Johnson enabled -the Greeii3 to work upheld. JOHNSON EQUALISES.

A nice effort between Norton and Jreorge further improved, and Hui Mai gradually gained the upper hand as Vheir forwards, adopting the short passng game worked their way to near Jounty's line.

Excitement reigned as the Blues drained every nerve to avert a score, jut the invaders were relentless and A-orked closer and closer. However, .lui Mai, who appeared likely to score it any moment were rewarded in a different manner as, during a most vigjrous melee near County's goal, a Blue forward attempted to handle in the ruck ;md Johnson made no mistake with the resultant penalty, the ball sailing just inside the posts. County 3, Hui Mai 3. •- This served to increase the tenseness of the atmosphere, and relations again became rather strained between the jpposing vanguards. Both teams now attempted to open ..day up more, but neither back line jperatcd with much success, mistakes ,icing frequent; consequently, leaving nothing to chance, both sides decided io keep play tight. It was in.this respect that Hui Mai held the advantage and soon established a lead.

A TITICAL FORWARD TRY

Chisholm marked in his own twentyfive but did not gain much territory with his kick, and a movement between Wallace and B. Eansfield on the left wing saw the Green winger make valiant efforts to go over only to be forced into touch near County's line by sheer weight of numbers. The throw-in was the signal for a terrific battle between the opposing forwards, and this continued for some moments with neither side giving an inch. All of a sudden, Norton, the lofty Hui Mai breakaway, jeme'rged from the midst of the fray with the ball in his possession, and, gaining a couple of yards, he handed on to George for that veteran, with a couple of defenders clinging to him, to hurl himself across the line to place his side in the lead. The kick was disallowed. Hui Mai 6, County 3. WALLACE'S SPEED. Play had not been long in progress When Wallace caused County's, stock to slump considerably by improving his side's score with a remarkable solo effort. The Blue backs had come into possession of the ball near midfield and were indulging in some rather slow passing, when the Hui Mai five-eighth nipped in, gained the leather, and like a swallow, flashed through the opposition. Cracking on the pace he showed a clean pair of heels to everybody in a surprising burst of speed and, easily evad-

ing Dunn's futile attempt to catch luni,touched down in the comer. Johnson failed to improve. Hui Mai 0, County 3. This was an unexpected reversal .roi Countv and they set out to try and retrieve the situation. ' # Passing in midfield saw their efforts appear likelv to materialise, but the Green backs" obstructed freely at this stage This went unobserved for some time but eventually they were caught and County received a penalty m a fairlv handy position. JR.* McDonald tried his luck with a shot at goal, but the ball failed to rise and Hui Mai forced. THE FINAL SCORE. The Green forwards again took charge of the situation as Gray, Tana and Makersev their way into* County's area, being held up by Bond marking off their toes. The Blues were kept hemmed on defence until a free enabled them to re- | live the situation. The respite was only of a temporary nature- however, for a long throw-in at the 25, saw Gardiner send on to Wallace, who reverse-pass-ed to Tauhora, for that player to send Toby Gray over in a handy position. B. Ransfield missed the kick. HUI MAI 12, COUNTY 3. Bond made valiant efforts to rally his men even at this late stage, and setting an example, headed a rush into Hui Mai's territory. The Blue back's received from a line-out and Chisholm sent on to Ransfield, who had taken up the five-eighth position. This player created an excellent opening right under the Hui Mai goal, but then sent out a wretched pass to Warren and Bevan speculated out. The County forwards returned to the attack with good loose play, but mistakes at the crucial moment were numerous and from a scrum, the Green forwards removed activities to neutral territory, where play remained until the final whistle.