NORTHERN WAIROA LOSES HARDING SHIELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 160, 27 September 1927, Page 11

NORTHERN WAIROA LOSES HARDING SHIELD

The much discussed clash between the Whangarei and Northern Wairoa representatives, took place at Kensington Park, Wbangarei, on Saturday. Wairoa. which has retained the Harding Shield against all-comers for the past two - seasons, was favourite, and the beating received by this team came as a surprise to everyone. The success of th local team was undoubtedly attributable to McDonald, at half, who played a remarkable game I throughout, and was responsible for ' practically every opening made. This j player, who is still very young, is prob- | ably the best halfback produced north of Auckland in the last 10 years. He was ably supported at fiveeighths by G. Nicliolls, brother of the i redoubtable Mark, and Mackey, who played his only good game this season. In spite of the flier, Findlay, being away at the All Black trials, the threequarter line was very sound, Paki, Wilson and Waterman being a good combination. Kerr, at fullback, played his usual sound game, and is, despite the opinion of the selector to the contrary. the soundest player in that position in the union. The forwards were uniform, playing well together. Sherriff and O’Shea were the most outstanding. Morrissey, during the time he was on side, was a hard player, but gave away so many penalties that hib value was nullified. The support of “Bunny” Finlayson was badly missed. WAIROA BACKS DISORGANISED The Northern Wairoa team was a g od deal disorganised by the absence c Watson and Julian from the forwards, and the back division could not seem to get going without Seymour, Biddles and Sundberg. These five players, perhaps the cream of the team, were unavoidably absent. Wade, at fullback, Avas sound, and did much to prevent the score against his team from totalling larger figures. Simonsen got a bad bump early in the game, which disabled his right arm and prevented him displaying his usual dash, although he was able to score one* rather neat try. Soutar and Wilkins, the other threequarters, were not up to their usual form. The two five-eighths, Matene and Martin, were always good,* but were unable to do much more than spoil the efforts of their opponents. Munro, at half, played well, but did not get much of the ball from the scrums, the Whangarei hookers being too consistent. McCardle played a sterling game at rover, coming through time after time, but failing to score through lack of support. The two Rikas are great forwards, and will come into greater prominence than ever before long. Underwood, Jones and Heywood were the pick of tho balance. The play was solid and fairly fast throughout, Whangarei showing an advantage practically throughout. The real score should have been 6-5 in favour of Whangarei, as the try scored by Waterman was obtained from fully a yard offside, and this was successfully converted. A QUICK START Within the first few seconds of play, from a scrum, in Wairoa’s 25, Sherriff crossed the line. Kerr failed Avith the kick. Whangarei 3, Wairoa 0. No •further scores were then made until during the third spell, when McDonald opened to Waterman, who made a dash down the side-line, transferring to Morrissey, who beat his man- and passed again to Waterman. The latter who is very fast, had by this time overrun his colleague by fully a yard, but this escaped the notice of the referee and a score was made alongside the post, which Nicliolls easily converted. Whangarei 8, Wairoa 0. Very close on top of this, Matene had a shot at goal from a penalty, and sent the leather over the post. From the drop out, Wilkins got possession and dashed along the line, diving )er near the corner flag. He had put nis foot in touch, however, and a line-out ten yards from the score-line was awarded, from which Simonsen got possession and scored near the posts. Matene added tAvo points with t*he kick. Whangarei 8, Wairoa 5. A few moments later, spectators held their breaths Avhile Matene again took a fairly easy penalty shot at goal, which again just missed. Shortly before the final whistle McDonald again opened up beautifully, and beating practically everything in front of him, handed the ball to Nicholls, to make an uninterrupted run for the line, scoring between the posts. The kick at goal was disallowed, leaving the final scores: Whangarei 11, Wairoa 5. Mr. G. Wilding Avas referee. THIRD GRADE REPRESENTATIVES The Northern Wairoa third grade representatives accompanied the seniors to Whangarei on Saturday to play the annual fixture with the eastern team. After a hard-fought game, Whangarei proved victors by 9 points to 6. For the winners tries Avere scored by Conaghan and RedAvood, and a penalty goal was kicked by Conaghan. The Wairoa scores were made by Rope, try, and Scoles, a penalty goal. Mr. W. McKenzie was referee. JUNIOR COMPETITION FINAL The final of the Whangarei junior competition was played on Saturday between Towai and Portland, resulting in a win for' Towai by 6 points to 3. For the winners Clarke kicked a penalty goal and Going scored a try. A penalty goal by Lilliquist was Portland’s only score. Mr. J. .Petterson was referee.