RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 11 April 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

WERAROA DEFEAT SHANNON. The football season opened in Shannon on Saturday, when a friendly match was played on the Domain between the Shannon and Weraroa seniors. Both teams included junior players and the visitors having only thirteen players had to make up their team with the addition of twp Miranui members. For the first game of the season good form was shown. Shannon were undoubtedly superior in the backs, but Weraroa backs did excellent work stopping the home team's attacks, raroa showed to advantage in the loose. At the end of the. first spell the visitors led by ten points (two converted tries) to three. In the second half , Shannon scored a further six points. ) Weraroa were awarded a free kick, the attempt to put it over the cross bar failed, and Shannon not forcing saw Farrell follow up and score; Weraroa winning by 13 to 9. Mr L. Satherley refereed. The return match will be played at

Weraroa on Saturday, the following representing Shannon: Symonds, Robbie, Baker, Roberts, McKenzie, Hunt, Walls, Moody. Fitzgerald, Hirst, Payne, Marsh, Satherley; Robbie, Dalziell. Emergencies: Hedland, Crombie, Walker and. Mitchell.

HUI MAI v. ATHLETIC. The match played at Manakau on Saturday, between the Hui Mai Club and the Athletic seniors from Wellington, resulted in a win for the local men by 16 points to 11. N.Z. REFEREES’ CONFERENCE. I , NELSON, April 9. The annual conference of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association is being held in Nelson during the Easter holidays. ' Mr D. Mackenzie, in the course of his presidential address, said that there was no business of startling importance to be brought before the conference.

The rules were carefully considered, and as a result several recommendations will' be made to the New Zealand Rugby Union. On Saturday, delegates were accorded a reception by the Mayor. The annual report stated that the executive felt that all eligible capable referees should be given equal opportunity of controlling big fixtures: This could only be done by the appointment of a board of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

The next conference will be hind at Palmerston North.

A motion to reritove the headquarters front Wellington and making t nioveable was lost by two votes. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr D. McKenzie; executive, Messrs T. A. Fletcher, J. H. Francis, L. Sievers, G. Bradley, A. M. Sims, and H. J. McKenzie. The position of honorary secretary and treasurer was left to the executive to, fill, Mr Sievers, who lias occupied the position for the past fifteen y<iar,s, refusing nomination. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his services to the association.