NASH CUP FINAL.

Shannon News, 27 September 1927, Page 3

NASH CUP FINAL.

SHANNON VICTORIOUS.

DEFEAT WANDBBEBS, 3 POINTS

TO NIL,

A DISAPPOINTING GAME

The meeting between Shannon and Wanderers in the final for the Nash Cup at Levin on Saturday gave every promise of being an exhibition of spectacular football, but, contrary to expectations, this was not the case and the actual game proved a rather dreary affair Individualism was the order oi the day and neither side showed much semblance of concerted action in any way, with the result that those present had very little to enthuse over. For the final of a competition the standard of football witnessed was exceedingly poor, both teams creating the impression that they were not in the mood for anything better. To a certain extent a strong westerly wind made the flight of the ball somewhat difficult to judge, while passing also became inaccurate, but despite this it can hardly be said that either team accepted the advantage of the wirTd when they had it in their favour and maiiv opportunities went begging through 'not exploiting the kick and follow-up game more frequently. As a matter of fact, strange to relate, Shan-, non scored the only try of the match while plaving against the wind, with the result' that many predicted a cricket score against Wanderers when the teams changed over, but the Beds, like their opponents, failed to add one solitary point while playing with the (

wind. Jacob received a painful injury right at the'commencement of the game, and from then on was practically hors-dc-eombat. Shaunon's winning of this trophy proved very popular, for they are a'team that usually treat the publie to a good display of f otball, and always being "keen participants in the senior competitions, their success is felt to be long overdue. The teams were comprised as follows :—,'

SHANNON (Bed)

Backs: Symonds, Bobbie, Boberts, Satherley, Hunt, Sherman, and Walls. Forwards: L. Dalziell, Tohi, Mailri, Hirst, Payne, K. Dalziell. Bobbie, and E. SatherleyWANDERERS (Black). Backs: Ryder, Udy, Graham, Williams, Nicholson, Winiata and Parata. Forwards: Jacob, Heremaia, Poad, i Tatana, Kuiti, Tohu, Nuthall and Knox.. Mr J. Sciascia refcreed. i THE GAME DESCRIBED. Wanderers played with -the advantage of "a strong wind in the first spcland Hirst set play in motion for Shan-, non. After a quiet spell in niidfiekl. Shannon were the first-to become aggressive as Hunt speculated through to Ryder for the Blacks' full-back to be caught in possession in'his own .25. Shannon appeared dangerous as their forwards gradually worked close to the line and K. Dalziell spoilt what ap- j peared to be a likely try as he knock- '• ed on. The weightier Bed forwards quickly demonstrated their superiority in the scrums and from one of these in the far corner, Walls passed to Hunt on the blind side. The Manawhenua player cleverly wriggled bis way past several opponents and sent the ball on to" his .winger, but Bobbie was not in position and a clever opening went west. The invaders were then nearly successful down the opposite wing as Hirst opened out to Sherman from thcruck and the latter player actually crossed the line, but the wily Jacob robbed him of the ball. From now on till half-time, with the exception of one or two brief excursions into their opponents' territory Shannon were called upon to exert all their energy on defence for, with the aid of the wind, Wanderers carried play to the other end and the Beds were kept hemmed in their 25 for some considerable time. A strong run by Udy saw the Blacks' winger beat a couple of opponents only to be held up by Symonds right on the line. A scrum followed from which Wanderers were awarded a penalty, but Jacob allowed too much for the wind and went wide. Sound defensive work by Hunt, Walls and L. Dalziell, the former in particular, enabled Shannon to keep their line intact, but Symonds nearly got his side into trouble by adopting a most casual attitude by not getting smartly to the ball on one occasion. Parata had let his backs away from a scrum but smothering well, the Bed for. wards carried play to midlield. Graham checked their progress and a high punt by that player saw the ball sailing high down on the wind. It careered over Shannon's line and the Shannon fullback seemed satisfied to allow it to continue its journey to the dead ball area, but this it did not do and twirled around in a most unusual manner, coming back into the field of play with no one within yards of it. When the players realised what had happened, there was a spasmodic rush to the spot and Symonds was lucky to speculate to touch as several Black forwards arrived together. Had the Blacks followed up sooner they would surely have been presented with a try. Wanderers kept the pressure going and play remained near Shannon's line. HoAvever, the invaders had difficulty in finding a gap in the defence, and when they did, always booted too hard, allowing the alert Hunt to force down on several occasions. \ THE ONLY-. TRY.

The Keo} forwards were proving masters in the tight and eventually, by sheer weight, forced their way upficld and, controlling the ball in the scrums, enabled Walls to coutiuuall.v gam ground with short bursts until they were well Within striking distance. The Black backs attempted retaliation with

a handling bout, but lateral passingsaw ground actually lost, and Udy was forced into touch in his own area. Ihen followed what was to be tlfc only score of the game as, from the throw-in, the Dalziell brothers and Tohi came away with a short passing bout and after each had handled a couple of times, Tohi finished a good movement oft by racing over midway between the posts and the corner flag. Hunt found the wind too strong for his SHANNON 3, WANDEEEBS 0. ■ Realising that their only chance of winning was slowly slipping away, I Wanderers rushed play to Shannon s area and an excellent dribbling effort by Heremaia down the sideline saw Tatana gather the leather in and dive over the line. He had put h«s lootin to touch, however, and the line umpire's flag was up. The throw-in saw a period of ragged play close to the line, which ended as Hunt took a couple oi marks in quick succession and halftime sounded with the Shannon supporters in a jubilant mood, for it was realised the advantage was. now all wir ; h Shannon. This turned out to be the case when the final spell started, and the Beds quickly gained the upper hand and had Wanderers penned on their line. Hunt, who had previously made several fruitless efforts to pot a goal in the first spell seemed determined to achieve his object before the game was over and on nearly every occasion thai the ball came to him he would give it a go. - He could not .get the right direction, however, and much time was wasted as Ryder was compelled to see.; for the ball' that had been carried hy the wind, down to the Eastern hedge. When this phase of the game was over uhe spectators were' treated to a very ragged period, as the players on both sides appeared determined to outdo each other in the way of taking marks and stoppages were frequent, toe spectators at first becoming riled, but a-. .he players persisted with their actions .he crowd started to treat things a« a joke and some of the remarks wore. very amusing. Then the Wanderers' backs handled ;n what was the one isolated piece odecent back play during the whole proceedings. , ... Nicholson gained possession m his own territory, and beating his vis-a-vis, sent on'to Winiata, the ball travelling to Graham, to Williams, back io Graham, who was hauled down neatAc Shannon line. The Black forwards carried on, but in the race for the .eather that had gone over the liiie Flum, won and booted dead.

This was practically the finish oi, Wanderers for Roberts«#iiid Hunt quic-k----;y returned play.to the other end, but he Bed forwards were not following jp with their usual alacrity and Wanderers were.allowed to play safe. ■■Ryder was injured at this- stage, beng'compelled to leave the field, .Graiiam taking up the full-back position. The Shannon forwards were dominat--ng the scrums and the tight play, but jsuajlly when the ball got. out among he iback's" mistakes started' and from jne of these, the Blacks burst through' .11 which was to be their final effort, .)Ut 'a high punt by Hunt initiated a Shannon- rush that swept all lief ore t until Udy averted a score as he dived ,n the ball*, after L. Dalziell had driboled it over Wanderers' line. Shannon remained in the ascendancy a-om now on to the finish, but the play >vas of a very unenterprising nature, -he only incident of note being a fine effort by Hunt to goal from a penalty .m the half-way line, the ball just sailing wide of the posts, and time came .vithout any further alteration in the score.