BEBBINGTON SHIED RETAINED.

Shannon News, 27 July 1928, Page 4

BEBBINGTON SHIED RETAINED.

HOROWHENUA DEFEAT BUSH. HOLDERS FINISH STRONGLY. Under good weather conditions and in the presence of a large attendance of spectators, Horowhenua successfully defended the Bebbington Shield tot the second time this season, by defeating the Bush representatives by lo points to 8 on the Leviu Domain yesterday. The play in the first spell was very ordinary, being in Bush's favour, although the teams were "three all*' at half time. It was not until well into the second spell that any brighjt play was witnesses. With Bush leading by one point and holding > their own,,when there was only fifteen minutes to go, everything pointed to them lifting the Shield, but Horowhenua made a supreme effort and added two tries, the last being Bcored as the whistle sounded.

Throughout the game, Bush, played to keep the ball in the tight, and in the first spell Horowhenua selpe.d then) to do it. In the second half Horowhenua tried hard to open up among their backs but the fast follow*, ing up of the : big Bush forwards spoilt their efforts, repeatedly. Although beaten, the honours of the game must, go to the Bush forwards, who played 1 very fine game. Their backs were patehy in handling the ball, but as a whole they made up for this by their sure collaring, particularly who must have s been a thorn in Roberts' side. Their half, L. Humphrey! and full back, 'Udy, both played re; mafkably good defensive games. Th\S following are the teams that took the field:—

HOROWHENUA (Red and Blue) Taylor Warren, Westwood, Roberts. McKenzie, T. Parata W. Parata

Gleeson .: ; Hakaraia, Moody Ward, Tatana, Sathertey Mcßonnell, Dalzell. BUSH. Udy Woolland, Harris E. Humphrey! Tait, Herbert L. Humphrey Galvin

May, Donovan McKay, Trask, Mahoney Balfe, Moynahan.

Bush Won the toss and.elected to play against the sun. Horowhenua at;, once set off to make the game open, by a passing bout between W.. Parata, T; Parata, McKenzie and Westwood, the latter losing the ball Galvin (Bush) then dribbled back to Horowhenua H 25. Westwood by a/good kick return-? ed play downfield,, Udy marking just over the half-way line. The Bush for< wards worked play back by dribbling; Gleeson kicking out to touch to sayei Prom the line-out the ball went bacls to Taylor who kicked down the field) biit L. Humphrey fumbling it. Udy;, came up to .save. An exchange ofi kicks followed until Westwood oured to open up a passing movement; He sent it on to, Roberts, whose pass was intercepted when he was collared,: by a Bush forward, who kicked well down the line, and following up fast, Bush carried play into Horowhenus. territory. From a free kiek to Huron whenua the ball was at once returned; by Woolland. Then Gleeson, who wa* very conspicuous, headed another rushj up the field, Bush being put on th'2< defensive, but off-side play on the part' of a Horowhenua forward allowed Bushj to clear. Shortly after from" a''aerunij L. Humphrey dribbled through, Tav~: lor saving. Then Woolland kicked thes ball over the line and Taylor forced.; Afterwards Herbert attempted to po'tl a goal, from the field. On'the ball go-J ing into play Gleeson kicked well upj the field, Udy saving by finding the! line'. From the line-out a passing rushj was set in motion by Roberts, v who* passed to' Satnerley, ; back to Roberts; and on to Marsh, who lost the ball oni the line. A Bush forward then booted! the ball into Taylor's arms, who fronii a distance of "about 40 yards made ai good attempt t 6 drop-kick a goal.' The 1 Bush forwards dribbled down the field j and with-only" the .full-back to pass,j kicked the ball into hip arms and he* marked. They came again and reached j Horowhenua's line, where no les9 than) five scrums in. succession followed. Theij half _(L.' Humphrey) got the ball and}] ethree times he tried to get through] then finally, Galvin wriggled his wayi over to score. Udy failed to add the* extras points, : I v Bush 3, Horowhenua nil.

Horowhenua then attacked, and a penalty for obstruction gave Taylor a ehanee to - goal, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Bush,,by a series oi short passing bouts'carried play to near the corner flag, where- a- scrum took place, but Horowhenua got the ball and dribbled clear. Soon after a fine passing, movement between T. Parata, Westwood, Warren, Glecson and McDonnell was held up" through the latter having no support. .Later Roberts snapped up and with a left foo.t' kick had. a shot at goal, but the ball went wide. It was here that May (Bush) had to leave the field owing to injury. He. was later replaced by Small. Play was« up and down the field until T. Parata got the ball and sent it on to Mcjtenzie, who transferred it- to Westwood, th«' latter go'ing over at the corner.. Taylor failed with the kick. ... Horowhenua 3, Bush 3. SECOND SPELL. On resuming, Horowhenua rushed play to Bush 25 where after 1$ minutes' play Taylor potted a beautiful 'goal. Horowhenua 7, Bush 3. r Prom the kick.out a.serum followed, and- Wi Parata, getting the ball, set < his backs in motion, Westwood finally short-punting to the; line at the 25 flag. From the linerout McKay carried'play

clear, but a long kick by T. Parata and:.-fast, following np compelled the Bush to defend their line. By excellent tackling they were able to stem the attacks, Mahoney finally ; .elearing. Led by Gleeson the home team. • e'anie agaihi when Tatana-.tried tV/ice ;a»il Taylor on.ee to pot goals from the field. Then the , Bush forwards /carried play over the half-way. line where a good piece of passing between Harris and E> Humphrey was spoilt by a low pass. From a line-out Donovan got the ball and set off for the line. When tackled he transferred to Mahoney, who sent it On to Galvin, who scored. Udy convertiiig. .■'"..'■ Bush 8, Horowhenua 7.

This reverse put Horowhenua on their mettle and play became'willing. It was only good tackling .by the Bush backs that saved a seore, the fullback Udy saving repeatedly. Bush were finally compelled to force. .-. An. exchange of kicks followed, Jjßjil Mcr Keneie tried to opcji up the play, but the Bush forwards quickly broke up the movement. From a scrum, however, W. Parata snapped up the ball and came up on the blind side and passed to Roberts enabling:;the latter to dive over. Tatana failed with the kick. Horowhenua 10, Bush 8.

On the ball going; in,t© play. Bush/set up an attack and from a penalty JMy had long shot at goal without sue* cess. 'The ball then travelled.up and down the field, Bush striving -.-hard to regain the lead, but Horowhenua jvere a"ble to hold them back.. Finally the home team worked baek to Bu#h 25, where T, Parata got possession, aad sent on to Warren, who scored as the whistle sounded for time. Taylor was not able to increase the points. ' Horowhenua 18, Bush 8. Mr A. Brown, of Wellington, eed the game..