RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 27 April 1928, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

The senior team to represent Shannon against Wanderers at Shannon tomorrow will be as follows: otovenson, Williams, Roberts, Robbie, Marsh, McKenzie, Walls, L. Dalzell, Fitzgerald, Moody, Hurst, K. Dalzell, Satherley, Robbie, Walker. Emergencies: Tutu, Baker, Mitchell, Dunn and Cole. HUI MAI (8) v. SHANNON (8). This match was played at Manakau on a hard ground on Saturday, and for a first-of-the-season game was a very creditable one, although, it was very evident that both teams were well below form. Shannon opened with great dash, and with more vim than their opponents had the best of the first half, and it was plainly seen that they were out to put up a score. Manakau met attacks stubbornly, but Shannon proved very nippy and it was often by bad luck that they failed to make better headway. In the second spell Manakau had the advantage of the game and equalised the scores. Shannon kicked ■ off, playing d° wll hill. They immediately attacked, and a passing rush saw them on Hui Mai » line. Meta, who was in great form, cleared. This was followed by a loose rush and Tana, putting in the boot, sent the ball into Shannon’s quarters. A free kick saw Meta have an unsuccessful shot at goal. At this stage Henderson (Hui Mai) was injured. Following a cross kick by Tana to Gleeson the Hui Mai forwards appeared in Shannon’s territory, but off-side play spoiled a probable score; Enoka and Bryant were conspicious, but soon after Shannon attacked, and Walker narrowly missed a score. Hui Mai, by smart play, turned defence into attack, and Meta had a second shot at goal, but the ball flew wide. Play was back at half when Enoka *put in a fast run to the line. Gradually the ball came back to neutral territory, and it was here that Fitzgerald (Shannon) was knocked out. On resuming Shannon played with great dash and Satherley, one of the best players on the ground, did good work. Meta relieved by a good line kick, followed by a nice run by Wallace, who was pushed out at the corner. Then came more solid play by Shannon and Hui Mai were certainly up against a hard proposition. While in a handy position Satherley by smart play scored, and Roberts goaled. Williams, Maihi, and Roberts were the means of keeping up the attack and the three made strenuous efforts to score, but Hui Mai's defence was good. An injury to Meta delayed play, after which Robbie and Satherley put in splendid work, enabling the latter to again score. Roberts failed to convert, B—o. Maihi, Williams, and McKenzie put in dashing play and the latter went within inches of scoring. Hui Mai were hard pressed, but eventually the backs cleared, mainly through the_ efforts of Ransfield. The spell ended, in Shannon’s favour, B—o.8 —0. The second half waa the reverse to the first, and on the w r hole Hui Mai had the best of the play. A fine passing rush saw them on the attack, but the northerners transferred play, and Satherley was again prominent, just missing a score. had a potshot at goal but the ball failed to rise. Then came a run by Enoka, after which Ransfield beat the opposition. He secured the ball near mid-way, dashed along the line, was weakly tackled, and finally dashed over the line where he beat another player, and! touched down behind the posts. Gleeson added the major points, B—s. Spurred on by the score Hui Mai kept up the attack, and despite the solid defence of Shannon were often attacking. In turn the northerners put Manakau on the defence and so the game continued for for some time. Tahiwi and Wallace became prominent, but the former missed a likely score by failing to take a drop-shot at goal when in a good position. Maihi and Roberts put in solit play, and the ball traversed up and down field till a free kick was awarded Hui Mai, from which Meta kicked a nice goal, B—B. Scores being even play became very interesting and both sides battled hard for supremacy. Play -was not of a kid-glove nature, in fact some of the tackling was unnecessarily hard. The game ended, after further hard play, in a draw. Mr. Tom Parata was referee.

For Shannon all players did splendidly in the first half. Williams, Roberts, and Robbie (three-quarters) all performed well, Roberts especially being prominent. Stevenson, at full, was not at his best, although he made no mistakes. Maihi and Walls were both reliable. The forwards were an even lot, but Satherley showed the mpst dash. Meta, for Hui Mai, did a lot of useful work, his kicking and taking being particularly good. His smart running was also a pleasing feature. Ransfield was the best of the three-quarter lino, but, nevertheless, Enoka and Bryant proved very useful. Tahiwi, Wallace, and Roha also did well. The forwardrworked very creditably. A few, however, will have to show more ginger to keep their positions. Stevenson, who played full-back for Shannon, should be an acquisition to the team when once in form, but it is stated that he will probably give the game best. He played for Otago in the Springbok match.

Another player of note is Walker, of Waikato (a brother of Jimmy Walker) Prior to the match Walls, the smart little Shannon half and who, last year, should have gained representative honours, was presented with a gold medal for the best improved player (last season). The gift was one well deserved, and given by Mr. W. Murdock, exMayor of Shannon.

Bob George, who intended to retire, was seen out for Hui Mai. Norton, Wehipeihana, and Rhodes were absent from the ranks of the Hui Mai players, the latter having received an injury in the Feilding mateh. Bevan and Bans-; field were absentees from the backs, therefore Manakau did not have their

full strength. Hunt was missed from Shannon. The Shannon team, with form, will take beating, and eould they have only lasted on Saturday Hui Mai would not have made a draw, but suffered defeat. The green and whites had the advantage of games with Athletic and Feilding and this stood them in good stead.

REFEREES FOR THIRDS. Hautere v. Otnki at Otaki, x 11. Tahiwi . Tokomaru v. Foxton at Foxton, H. Taylor. Wanderers v. Weraroa at Prouse’s Paddock, R, Kingi. Referees for other grades were published in Tuesday’s issue.