RUGBY FOOTBALL

Shannon News, 22 May 1928, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY'S RESULTS

SENIORS. Foxton 32 v. Weraroa 7. Wanderers 9 v. Hui Mai 5. JUNIORS. * Miranui 19 v. Foxton 3. Hui Mai 23 v. Paraparaumu 3 Weraroa 6 v. Maungatuku 3. THIRDS. Shannon 14 v. Foxton 6. Wanderers 26 v. Tokomaru 6. Otaki 15 v. Hautere 3. END OF FIRST ROUND. POSITION OF TEAMS-

WANDERERS v. HUI MAI

A hard and fast game was witnessed by a large gathering at the Levin Park Domain on Saturday afternoon, when Wanderers had a victory over Hui Mai (Manakau) by 9 points to 5. In the first half of the match there was no definite indication as to the final result; the teams both had their share of attack, and the spell ended with only one-point of 'difference in tha scores, Wanderers being 6 and Hui Mai 5. After the interval, however, the local side played a much stronger game, the efforts of their backs being paitieulaily noticeable. Although only three points were added to their score, they came very close to registering three more tries and one of these was lost purely by a misjudgment of distance at the last moment. The teams lined out as follows: —

Wanderers (black and white) —Full back, Ryder; three-quarters, Eopata, Graham, Williams; five-eights, T. Parata, J. Parata; half, W. Parata; forwards, McDonell (wing), R. McDonald, Heremaia, Bond, Tatana, C. McDonald, Ward and Knox. Hui Mai (green and white) —Fullback, Meta Johnson; three-quarters, D'Ath, Bryant, Tahiwi; five-eights, H. Wallace, Ransfield; half, Tmihora: forwards .George, Gleeson, Larsen, Tana, G. Ehodes, R. Henderson, N. Bevan, Wehipeihana. Hui Mai ticked off from fcho east end, and Wanderers quickly returned the ball and followed up. Thy fisiting forwards started a movement, from which Henderson made a good run with the ball in his possession until he was force 1 out well lown-thj field. A second attack by the greens was nullified by a smart return from Ryder, who was in nice form. The blacks were si.dn again on 'th" defensive, but with the advantage of a penalty Graham cleared to. fhalfway. Some open play in the centre ensued, and the honours of attack were equally divided for a while. Graham broke away at length, but his pass was intercepted by Tahiwi, after which the ball went out of play beyond the goal line. By means of short punts the green invaded, but were penalised for off-side play,. and shortly afterwards were again defending, their line. As they improved their position Tana gained possession and put up a promising run but was downed by several of the opposing backs just before reaching the line. Ryder was instrumental in shifting play back to Hui Mai's territory, where a passing movement was essayed by Wanderers' backs, ending just short of the line. A few minutes later a free \kick was awarded against Hui Mai for obstruction, and the scoring account was opened by Tatana, who put the ball over by a drop-kick from near halfway. Wanderers 3, Hui Mai 0. The visiting team livened things up and made several attempts to reach their objective by passing rushes. Ryder again lelieved, rnd several exchanges of long punting followed. Tana made a dash for the blacks' line, but lost the ball when within a few yard?. Ransfield getting off-side when play '■was in front of Hui Mai's goal, Ta-

tana took the kick and added to the score. Wanderers 6, Hui Mai 0. The greens returned to the attack, and a passing rush by their backs was ended by Graham's iackling. After a spell of tight play, Wanderers worked free with the ball at the toe, but they were subsequently penalised for obstruction. Meta took the kick, which, went wide of the goal. Indecisive play in midfield was witnessed, but at last the visiting forwards inaugurated a dribbling rush which took them to a favourable position. Meta secured the ball at about 15 yards, sprinted over the line and round behind the posts to touch down. Gleeson made no misstake with the kick. Wanderers 6, Hui Mai 5. Following a piece ,of passing by Wanderers' backs, Graham made an attempt to get across, but was brought to earth near the line. Half-time sounded soon afterwards, with the score: Wanderers 6, Hui Mai 5.

The game had not been resumed long before Wanderers were over the goal line, but no score resulted. Play slackened for a time; then a free kick was awarded ..he greens, and -Ista had a shot from the twenty-five, but at a bad angle, and missed the goal. After a line-out in Hui Mai's territory, W. Parata charged through the opposition and passed, but it was not taken. Later he again had bad luck with a pass, Ropata having his back to it. Another passing movement gave the ball to Graham, who went over at the comer, but was successfully tackled. This incident was fo 1 '- " by the loss of what was expected to be a certain score, Williams having a clear run to the rear of the goal, but travelling too far and carrying the ball over the dead line. A series of serum's took, place within the visitors' twenty-five, and from a scramble at the earner McDonell secured and ducked over. Tataiit's kick was ur-sucessiul. Wanderers 9, Hui Mai 5. The blacks kept up the pressure and were in high form at. i/ie latter end of the game. A slight stoppage occurred through Tahisvi receiving a slight injury to the shoulder, but fortunately he was able to return to his place. On two occasions Wanderers came near goaling from the field, Williams and R. McDonald being the kickers. W. Parata also just missed from a penalty. Hui Mai made >one or two sallies, but it was evident that they were up against superior combination. The blacks made one particularly strong attaek, the line being saved by Wallace. Bryant headed a Hui Mai rush, but was brought back, having been off-side. Lively play in mid field ensued till the call of ths time, the scores being unaltered: Wanderers 9, Hui Mai 5.

FOXTON v. WERAROA. Foxton seniors met Weraroa on the Foxton Racecourse on Saturday and defeated the visitors by 35 points to 7. Weraroa entered Via field with 12 men and for the first >; minutes they kept Foxton in th-nr ?~t, and had the visitors their f v 1 the result would have bee') much closer. Tries were scored for F0x,.0.i by Westvvood, Huff, and Rc-*\ita.- H. Tr.ylor, whose sure kicking is always an asset to the team, potted a penally goal ;:i'om about half-way. la t ; ie forwards Andrews Cummerfield, and Pine were in prominence, while in the backs Westwood, \ Fuller, and Moses played a good game, i

JUNIOR. MIRANUI v. FOXTON. This game was played on the Sharnon Domain Miranui winning by 19 to 3. The match was very one-sided, Miranui having the best of it throughout mainly through, the poor tackling by Foxton. Toe latter kicked off and -\luanui at once attacked and early in the game the forwards, dribbled the b«i] through enabUrg to open their account., Picard convert'-g. Soon after a long kick downfield. by Bos;was missed by Picard, and Foxton following rp, carried p'.ay into Milanui's 25, vvttere in qirek succession Miranui were , wice penalised for offside p!ay. Huff <°«d WUiams each had a rhot at goal, both facing. Miranui ■aoam had Foxton on the defensive, out a free kk-k gave the latisv relief, which thev followed up and 0. Anderson dribbled through to the 25 where he was 'oostrue.ed and Foxton wen awarded a iree kick in front of the posts, Hvff converting. Mirmmi came again with a dribbling rush from half way. Six of their men were on the ball near the line with only one Foxton player in front of them but the latter beat his opponents and forced. A forward rush by Miranui saw Huft mull the ball, which enabled Mason to pick it up and score. Picard missed with the kick. On the ball going into play, the Miranui backs opened up the game with a fine passing rush, ending in Croon scoring at the corner flag. Picard failed to add the extra points. The spell ended: Miranui 11, Foxton 3. On resuming Miranui were penalised twice early in the epell. Stevenson had x a shot at goal on each occasion, one being from near half-way. - Both kicks were good attempts. Miranui rushed play to near the Foxton line where the latter was hard pressed for some time, but from a line out the ball went out to Boss, who kicked up the field, the ball going to Miranui's 25, and'in a race for it between Ci'awford and Huff, the former got there first, thus saving a score. Miranui sent play down the field by the aid of good passing and poor tackling on the part of their opponents, and from a scramble on the line Farrell scored. From now until the end of the game Miranui had Foxton hemmed in their 25 practically all the time and after several attempts on the part of Croon to. got over, Vertongen worked his way through the opposition and scored. Pii card took the kick and landed it safe-

ly between the posts. The game ended Miramii 19, Foxton 3. *Mr T. Kohika refereed the game. THIRDS. . SHANNON v. FOXTON. The above teams met on the Miranai ground on Saturday and gave a splendid exhibition of footbaH, Shannon eventually running out winners by 14 to 6. They had the best of the game, securing' the. ball from most of the serums, which enabled th« speedy Red backs to give a good display of passing. The few spectators, who were present agreed that the passing was the best seen in Shannon,: in any grade, this season. Shannon have won all their ganies so far v and now have a lead of five points for the championship. There was very little kicking to the side line, both teams making the game open and centreing on moat occasions. Shannon scored four tries, one of which was converted. Waka (2) Whiti and B. Holden one each; McEwen kicking the only goal. Newson scored two tries for Foxton, Mr McGregor controlled the game.

p. r* "^ '5 p. 3 C5 a o o 6fi O Wanderers 4 4 0 0 79 22 8 Shannon 4 2 1 1 46 36 5 Hui • Mai 4 2 1 1 37 26 5 Foxton 4 1 3 0 52 77 2 Weraioa 4 0 4 0 -21 74 0 Position end of 1st round.