SENIOR.

Shannon News, 6 August 1929, Page 3

SENIOR.

WANDERERS v. SHANNON

> The senior fixture at Levin provided a well-fought gaxie, in which Wanderers proved their staying qualities. Shannon had the better of the first spell, in which they were on the attack most of the time and ran up six points without vany score being registered against them. .In the second half the home team showed more combination, and turned the tables decisively, having Shannon frequently on the defensive,' and scoring three tries, one of which was converted. The teams were as follows: — Wanderers (black).—Full-back, J. Graham; three-quarters, Ransfield, S. Graham, Ropata; five-eighths, T. Parata, Weooer; half, W. Parata; for--4 wards, McDonnell' (wing), Heremaia. Udy, Skilton, -Tatana, McDonald, R. Skilton, Knox. Shannon (red).—Full-back, Mason; three-quarters, N. Bobbie, Walls, Puti; five-eighths, Roberts, McKenzie, half, Nixon; forwards, L. Dalzell (wing), Fitzgerald, S. Robbie, Satherley, Payne. Johanna, Tipler, Grey. ' At the commencement Shannon only had twelve men, but the team was made up to full strength during the progress -of the spell. /The visitors won the toss, and Wanderers kicked off against the sun. The reds were early on the aggressive, and within a few minutes came very near a score, Roberts just missing a goal from the field. W. Parata, who played a sound game throughout, made the first opening for the blacks, and after several exchanges in midfield the home forwards were threatening their Opponents' line. Shannon were relieved through the medium of a penalty kick, and returned to Ithe attack; 'during which Roberts made an .attempt to pot a goal from 35 yards' back and almost succeeded. Following a line-oat inside quarter-way, Wanderers obtained possession and transferred play to the opposite territory, where their advantage was increased by a free kk-k awarded them owing to a Shannon player holding on to the ball after being tackled. The incursion was shortlived, the visitors' backs being pretty active. In Shannon's next attack, Roberts took the lead in a rush for the line, and sent the ball on to Puti, who scored in the corner. Mason was unsuccessful with the kick. Shannon 3, Wanderers 0. The blacks came again, and some '" scrambling took place facing the goal. Shannon were penalised for offside play, and Skilton t 00... the kick at 30 yards, but from an angle opposite the sun, and the ball went to the side of the goal.' A melee close to Wanderers'' line seemed to promise an immediate score, but the local backs staved off this and several other attentats and J. Graham punted to safety at the twenty-five. The blacks rushed play into Shannon's territory, but were not suffered to remain long. A passing rush shifted the scene of operations, though it ended in a pass forward. The reds kept up the attack, and, being awarded a free kick, secured a goal, Mason putting the ball over. Shannon 6, Wanderers 0. 1 Wanderers began to show signs of - more team work now, half-way through 'the spell. They were engaged for some '■minutes in a tight struggle with their '.opponents a few .yards from the lather's line. Shannon then managed to centre, and followed up, crossing the .half-way line. A penalty was awarded .•'them thereabouts, and Mason had a "shot/very nearly goaling. Soon after ; this, Wanfdereajs - 'we're compelled to force. Their back play was lmprovHng, and during play in midfield W. • Parata . got away with • a promising

run, but was effectually tackled. The red forwards things willing for a while, "throwing the ball about freely, and several of tliem crossed the line at the corner, but no try resulted. With five minutes of the spell left, Wanderers were engaged in a concerted attack a few yards from the visitors' line, but Shannon got possession from a line-out, and soon there was a series of scrums in the vicinity of Wanderers' line. A free kick helped the blacks out of their difficulty and they were on the attack when the spell ended. Shannon 6, Wanderers 0. The game had not been resumed many minutes when the local team repelled an invasion.and made a combined rush which took them to the corner, where several players fell over the line and Tama scored. Tatana's kick was unsuccessful. Shannon 6, Wanderers 3.

Play moved up and down field, but it was evident that the blacks had become the aggressors. Their full-back, J. Graham, was taking the ball well,, and at half W. Parata did much useful work. From a scramble over the line Tatana got a try, which McDonell nicely converted. Wanderers 8, Shannon 6.

The reds swarmed down towards the home line, and play became brisk in front of the goal, but the local forwards held the position well. Subsequently, in Shannon's quarter, the ball travelled prettily among the local backs, bi<t was eventually thrown forward, spoiling a promising movement near the scoring area. The pressure was continued, and at last R. Skilton dashed over and scored. McDonell failed to convert. Wanderers 11, Shannon 6.

As the sun disappeared below the tr-ees Shannon played with more. certainty and had the blacks defending for a time. From a line-out at the twenty-five it looked as though they would score, but the local backs worked the ball back to the centre, whence the -forwards \took it to half-way. Shannon pressed again, but McDonell relieved, and after an interval of even play the match ended. Wanderers 11, Shannon 6.

Mr.E. Bevan"controlled the game.,--HUI MAI (18) v. OTAKI (16). Perhaps one of the best games witnessed on the domain this season, was played last Saturday between Otaki and Hui Mai in their initial match for the Nash Cup. It was not by any means a scientific game, but nevertheless it was full''of "thrills" and spectators never had one dull moment. On the day's play Otaki had the advantage and through over eagerness missed several chances. It was surprising .the work both teams put in and considering that they were considerably weakened by the absence of several star players, it was a creditable performance. Otaki was unlucky to lose, for just before call of time Otaki scored under the posts. The referee, however, disallowed the try and for some unknown reason Hui Mai were allowed to kick-off from the 25. It is not clear -what ruling the referee gave in this ease. If the ball had been forced down by a Hui Mai player then a kick off from the 25 line would have been quite legitimate. But the jjeatheß . was grounded fair and square by an Otaki player and. perhaps the referee will be good enough at some future date to explain what ruling he gave on that occasion.

THE GAME. The weather was ideal for football and the ground was in perfect order. Otaki won the toss and selected to defend ithe (northern .goal. From the kick-off Hui Mai made the pace and soon the home team was on the defensive. From a line, out Meta secured and saved with a fine kick. Play hovered about mid-field and from the loose Bull snapped up the leather and set his backs in motion —the ball travelled along the whole line for Brou.gh.ton to /Score in a handy position. Bevan made no mistake with the 'kick. Hui Mai 5, Otaki nil. Otaki .now woke up and putting a bit of dash jnto their work, took play to Hui Mai's territory. In a scramble that followed Toby Gray picked up and forced his way over to score well out. Meta just missed the uprights. Hui Mai 5, Otaki 3. Play now became very fast, the Hui Mai backs indulged in some v fi\ne -jpafcfsing boutis. Their forwards led by the old veteran, "Bob" George, were making themselves felt, and with the ball at their toes took play into .the green's territory. Hui M'' maintained the pressure and scored near the post. Bevan converted, 10—3. Up to this stage the game had been fairly even. From a scrum in Hui Mai's 2o Meta secured and sent his backs away but the winger was pushed out at the corner. Again the greens attacked and throwing the ball about with dash, in which backs and forwards took partfound a resting place in the arms of Wallace D'Ath who clipped off a very nice piece of play by scoring in a handy position. Meta failed with an easy kick—evidently he had left his kicking boots, at home —10 —6. Half time then sounded. On resumption the greens broke away only to be brought back by a long kick by Bull. Both packs' were fighting hard for possession, Hui Mai forwards dominating play for a while. From a scrum in midfield Bull seeured and passed to Bevan to Wehipeihana to Atkins, the lastnamed .scoring half way between the post and corner flag. Bevan converted, 15—6. The green tried hard to make up the deficiency and playing jwith better combination managed to (take play into Hui Mai's territory. Hui Mai were getting the ball in the line outs and fed their backs well. In an interchange of long kicks Ogier received and punting high followed up fast. The full back failed to field the ball which bounced up nicely, Ogier took £t in his stride and raced for the line to

score amid great excitement. Meta made ho mistake this time. Hui Mai 15, Otaki 11. Hui Mai attacked 1 immediately and soon had the green defending tenaciously—Marshall secured however, with a .good kick finding the line between half-way and 2o peg. From the line out Bull secured and 'sent his backs away—the winger, however, was tackled on the line and the ball travelled back again in which the forwards joined in, culminating in one of the burly forwards scoring near the post. It was a pretty piece of work. Bevan failed with the kick, 18— 11. With only a few minutes to go Otaki strove hard to clinch matters. •The pace became even faster —with both packs putting in extra "pop" into their play. From a scramble in mid-field Lima secured and with a good kick found the line near Hui Mai'u. goal line. From the line Hui Mai got the ball and kept play tight. A serum was ordered and in the struggle that ensued Wintcrburn snapped up the leather and managed to cross the line. Meta goaled with an easy kick. Hui Mai 18, Otaki 16. The greens were now playing like demons and had Hui Mai hard pressed. From a serum near Hui Mai's goal, Meta came through with a lightning dash and securing the baiJ grounded the leather behind the post. The referee, however, disallowed the try, and thus the game ended, 18—16. Mr. Kura Davis was referee.