RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Shannon News, 21 May 1929, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

HOROWHENUA CHAMPIONSHIP. SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS. Shannon'll v. Otaki 11. Hui Mai 3 v. Wanderers 3. Foxton a bye. x "juniors. ft —— Shannon 9 v. Weraroa 9. Poxton 11 v. Wanderers 5. Otaki 50 v. Paraparaumu 3. Waikanae 3 v. Hoi Mai 0. thirds” Tokomaru 8 v. Shannon 3. Foxton 6 v. Weraroa 0. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

SENIORS.

SHANNON DRAW WITH OTAKI.

I n the presence of a good attendance of spectators, Shannon and Otaki Seniors tried conclusions on the Shannon Domain on Saturday afternoon, and after a keenly contested game the score was eleven all at the call of time. Apart from championship 'honours tfie McLennan Cup, held by Shannon, was at stake and Otaki were somewhat lucky to make a draw of it as practically throughout the game Shannon were the aggressors, also they missed several opportunities to increase their score, numerous penalty kicks at goal failing to materialise. The game, from the spectators’ point bf view, was full of interest, the issue being in doubt right through until the call of time. Shannon had the best of the game, their forwards proving superior in all departments. The rear divisions were fairly evenly balanced, but Meta Johnson, who is always dangerous, was a source of worry to the home team, repeatedly getting his team out of trouble. The following were the players who took part: — Shannon (Red) —Pull-back, W. Gray; three-quarters, N. Robbie, Picard, Puti; five-eighths, Goodwin, McKenzie; half, Walls) wing forward, L. Dalzell; forwards, Moody, Pratt, 8. Robbie, Hanna, Satherley, N. Dalzell, A. Williams. Otaki ( Green). —Pull-back, Penny: three-quarters, W. D’Ath, Marsh, D. D’Ath; five-eighths, Johnson, Enoka; half, Tahiwi; wing forward, Wright; forwards, T. Gray, G, Gray, Rhodes, Ogier, Tuna, Dickenson, Bevan. Otaki kicked off against the sun. A free kick to Reds enabled them to find the line well over the half-way, where from an exchange of kicks, Marsh marked. This was followed up by Wright with the ball at his toe canying play into the home team’s territory, where Picard by a good kicjc, cleared to find the line well down the field. From the line out the Red rear division ret a passing movement in motion, but Johnson, intercepting a pass, marked. The Reds were still aggressive and Hanna opening up a passing movement enabled N. Robbie to score. Shannon. 3, Otaki nil. Picard failed to convert-. Prom play in midfield Hanna, Puti, Williams and L. Dalzell carried the ball to the Green line, where relief was brought to the play, which Johnson, assisted by Marsh, carried to the other end of the field. The Reds' were able to work their way back and from a scramble on the line Walls went over. Picard

again failed with the kick. Shannon

6, Otaki nil. \ The Beds immediately launched another attack, per medium of a passing movement, ih which seven different players handled the ball. The Greens put up a good defence, Johnson, eventually by a good kick, relieving their position, which was then followed by a penalty in Green’s favour and Johnson was able to send play into Reds 25, where McKenzie was penalised for hanging on to the ball, thus Johnson was able to register a penalty goal. Shannon 6, Otaki 3. A tussle followed among the forwards; a mark by G. Gray (Otaki) cleared, but L. Dalzell getting possession, kicked high and following up fast he had Johnson-in trouble in his own territory, Penny coming to the rescue by sending the ball into touch. Prom the line out Wright and Enoka with the ball at their toe took it to W. Gray, at full-back, who went down to it and thus saved a score. Play then travelled up and down the field, unti. from a free kick to Shannon, D. D’Ath got the ball and put in a line run down the line, being pushed out inside the 25 flag. Greens now launched an attack, the Reds being hard up against it, but relief came by Pratt gathering it up and kicking down the field. Pour players followed it up and, with only one* man to pass, fumbled the ball and thus lost an opportunity to score. Following a scrum Marsh got the ball and .after a short run passed to D. D’Ath, Who put in a brilliant run down the line to be pushed out in the 25. Here thq Greens put up a good fight to get over, a free kick to them being con- ' verted by Johnson. Shannon 6, Otaki 6. On the ball going Into play Greens, led by Enoka, came again and Robbie had to find the line to save. Then ■Reds placed Greens on the defensive, '..-a penalty to the former giving Picard a chance to goal, but he was unsuccessful. Half time was then called :/with the score six all. . Shortly after resuming, Picard es11 j;•' •

sayed a goal from the field, this being followed by a free kick to Shannon, Hanna being unsuccessful in the kick at goal. Pratt- then led a forward dribbling rush, which Penny stopped by picking up and finding the line, The Reds came again, but a high kick by Picard compelled thq Greens to force. The Reds continued to press their opponent in the latter’s 25, until Johnson opened up, and, passing to Ogier, the latter kicked, on and Marsh following up scored a.good try, which Johnson converted, thus, placing the visitors in the lead. Shannon ' 6, Otaki 11. Both side: now indulged in dribbling rushes, but rvitfcout either gaining advantage. Then from a scrum Walls set off and passing to Puti, the latter carried play into Green’s territory. Here a free kick to Greens, which was taken by Johnson, brought about an exchange of kicks in which Reels gained the advantage, during which Picard had a long shot at goal from a free kick. A high kick by N. Robbie was saved by Penny kicking out. to touch. Shortly after Greens were compelled to force. Then Reds got another penalty for obstruction on the part of D. D’Ath and again they tried unsuccessfully to register a penalty goal, Puti being entrusted with the kick. Almost immediately after another penalty came their way for offside play, and again Puti failed to goal. The Reds continued to pass and W. D’Ath fumbling the ball, Hanna picked up and went over, Picard converting. Shannon 11, Otaki The Reds came again and another penalty goal was missed by Picard. Then a forward pass on the Green line gave the latter relief and play moved to mid-field, only to be returned by Walls, who found the line well down. Prom the line out Reds made strenuous efforts to go over, and from a scrum on the line Greens forced. The latter then launched a forward attack which was stemmed by Picard returning with a long kick. Prom a line out Walls passed to N. Robbie, who was collared by D. D’Ath near the line. Then a Red passing movement was spoilt by a player being off-side, just as the ball reached the line. Shortly after Picard attempted to drop kick a goal. On the ball going out Enoka put in a good run down the field, before he was collared. Play ended shortly after near the half way line. Towards the close of the game a burst ball caused some amusement. A Mr Bevan ably controlled the game. JUNIOR.

SHANNON v. WERAROA. Mr T. McDonald controlled the Shannon v. Weraroa junior game on Saturday, which was played on the Levin Domain, the ground resembling a hay ‘paddock. •Shannon kept Weraroa busy and set up a merry pace. Prom a scrum the half went from the centre three-quarter to Newman, who failed to take it. An intercepted pass let Weraroa go to Shannon’s 25_but the ball returned to Weraroa’s territory and from a scrum, Ken Batt went over to score near the posts. Mason missed the kick —Shannon 3, Werhroa 0. Attacking again Shannon forwards, who were playing well together, sent play into Weraroa’s 25, but a free lack to Weraroa saw the scene of action changed. Shortly after the ball came to the five-eighth, who sent Birchall over, Mason again missing—Shannon 6, Weraroa nil. Weraroa now made a determined attack which resulting in Rce going over at the corner, the kick failing—-Shannon 6, Weraroa 3. .

After the interval, Shannon was kept on the defensive owing to good play amongst the Weraroa backs and Webb went over twice, in both cases the kick failing—Shannon 6, Weraroa 9. Play now went up and down for -some time. N. Holden was hurt and T. Mabey sent him to full back, going up to fiveeighth himself. Prom a line out near Weraroa’s 25 the ball went to Guy, who scored between the posts,. Mason missing an easy 'chance of making the, game a two point decision —-Shannon 9,‘ Weraroa 9.

THIRDS.

SHANNON v. TOKOMARU.

The above teams who met on the Shannon Domain prior to the playing of the senior game, provided plenty of interest. The visitors were a much heavier fifteen than the local team and the latter did well to go down by only five points, the final score being Tokomaru 8, Shannon 3. Last time they met, Tokomaru came out winners with 33 points advantage. Shannon opened by attacking and Tokomaru had to force. Then Tokomaru retaliated, Shannon resorting to a force. The visitors continued attacking until Tippler spoilt it, and from a line-out, Shannon forwards carried play to midfield. A good run by Spencer sent Tippler well down the field before being collared. Faulty handling by Mabey allowed Tokomaru to remove play to Shannon’s 25, but a free kick sent the game back. A forward rush headed by Mercer and Ewart sent play to Tokomaru’s line, where a force ensued. From a five yards serum, Tokomaru again forced. The game now went -into Shannon territory, but. good work by Mabey, Ewart and Tippler prevented Tokomaru scoring. On changing ends Shannon attacked, Roach being prominent. From a mark the forwards were slow in following up. A little later Mercer made a good attempt to goal from the field. A free kick to Tokomaru stopped Shannon’s attack and the three-quarter line carried play into Shannon’s 25, a free kick to Tokomaru enabliug J. Young to goal. Tokomaru 3, Shannon nil. Tokomaru, pressing hard, took the ball to Shannon’s territory, resulting in J. Matthews going over from the ruck. J. Young converted. Tokomaru 8, Shan-

non nil. Shannon then carried play down the field when McEwen passed to Spencer, the latter sending the ball on to Tippler who went oyer, Spencer failing to add the extra points. Tokomaru 8, Shannon 3. Time was called shortly after. Mr T. Kohika controlled the game.

NOTES. “Old Rep,’’ forwards the following remarks on the members of the Shannon senior team:— W. Gray (full-back).— A handy man to hciVe in any team. Collars well and takes the ball well/ His only weakness is in kicking. N. Robbie (wing three-quarter). —A much improved player. Runs straight, collars well and should be in the running for rep. honours. Picard (centre). —Fairly reliable and has a good boot. Takes the ball well, but is inclined to be weak in defence. Puti (wing tlnee-quarter). —So far has not been a great success and is hardly up to senior form, but may improve later. McKenzie (five-eighth). —A keen player. Very hard man to stop, hangs on a little too much. Would be better further back.

Goodwin (five-eighth). —So far has been patchy. Played well in the first two games, but very poor in the later ones.

Wall (half).— He is a. very nippy little half-back ahd, clever. On his form £0 far, should be a certainty for the reps. L. Dalzell—A very consistent good wing forward. • The forwards are a good solid lot and are equal to any pack in the district,. J. Hanna being the most outstanding player, closely followed by Williams, Moody and Pratt. The latter pair hook welt together and should keep this position for the season. The Shannon team requires more training, the matches played .>o far showing a want of combination and un‘til this is rectified they will lose more •matches. What about it Mr Selector.

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY NEXT.

Following are the fixtures for Saturday next in the Ho'rowhenua Rugby district:— '

Senior. —Wanderers v. Shannon, at Levin; Poxton v. Hui Mai, at Poxton; Otaki a bye. Junior.—Otaki v. Hui Mai, at Mauakau; Waikanae v. Paraparaumu, at Paraparaumu; Wanderers v. Weraroa, at Weraroa; Shannon v. Poxton, at Shannon.

Thirds. —Shannon v. Weraroa,, at Prouse’s; Poxton v. Tokomaru, at Tokomaru.

SEASON’S REP. MATCHES.

The N.Z. Rugby Union has approved of a' series of representative fixtures for the present season. Amongst the matches are the following:— June 3. —N.Z. trial match at Wellington. ' August 17. —Manawhenua v. Wairarapa in the Wairarapa. August 24. —Hawke’s Bay v. ManaAvhenua, at Napier. September 4. —Southland v. Manawhenua, at Palmerston North. September 11.—Taranaki v. Mana- ' whenua, at Palmerston North.

pts. to £ J-l o to a 1 ' >■» * ' S ' ,3 > Lost. s ■ ' pH A . m -4-> . PH CO 4-i Ph Q Foxton .. • . 4 3 0 1 25 12 7 Shannon 4 2 1 1 61 36 5 .Wanderers • . 4* 2 1 1 23 9 5 Otaki .. ■ . 4 1 1 2 55 39 4 Hui Mai . 4 1 2 1 17 .62 3