RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 May 1928, Page 7

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS. Foxton 32 v. Weraroa 7. Wanderers 9 v. Hui Mai 3. 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 \ r . Tokoniaru 6. Otaki 15 v. Hautere 3. END OF FIRST ROUND. POSITION 'OF TEAMS.

Played Won ; Drawn 'Lost !For 'Against Champ, pts.

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 f) 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 the scores, Wanderers being 6 and Hui Mai o. After the interval, however, the local side played a much stronger game, the efforts of their backs being particularly 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, Ropata, Graham, Williams; five-eights, T. Parata, J. Pa rata; half, W. Parata; forwards, McDonell (rving), B. McDonald, Heremaia, Bond, Tataua, C. McDonald, Ward and Knox.

Hui Mai (green and white) —Fullback, Meta Johnson; three-quarters. D’Ath, Bryant, Tahiwi; five-eights, H. Wallace, Ransficld; half, Tauhora: forwards ,George, Gleeson, Larsen, Tana, G. Rhodes, it. Henderson, N. Bevan, Wehipeih an a.

Hui Mai kicked off from Ike east end, and Wanderers quickly returned the ball and followed up. The visiting forwards started a movement, from which Henderson made a good run with the ball in his possession until he was forced out well down the field. A second attack by the greens was nullified by a smart return from Ryder, who was in nice form. The blacks were soon again* on the defensive, but with the advantage of a penalty Graham cleared to halfway. 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 Tama 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. Jiy--d,er again relieved, and several exchanges of long punting followed. Tana made a dash for the blacks’ line, but lost the ball when wHhin- a few yard?. Ransfield getting off-side when play was in front of Hui Mai’s goal, Tatana 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 mas ended by Graham’s tackling. After a spell of tight play, Wanderers worked free with the ball at the too, but they were subsequently penalised for obstruction. Meta look the kick, which wynt 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 misstako with the kick. Wanderers fi, 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 the greens, and -Ista had a shot from the twenty-five, bat at a bad angle, and missed the goal. After a line-out in Hui Mai’s territory, W. Parata through the opposition and passed, but it was not taken. Later he again had bad luck with a pass, Eopata having his back to it. Another passing movement gave the ball to Graham, who went over at the corner, but was successfully tackThis incident was fc’Jc * b'y

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 scrums took place within the visitors’ twenty-live, and from a scramble at the corner McDonell secured and ducked over. Tatuut’s kick was unsucessful. Wanderers 9, Hui Mai 5. The blacks kept up the pressure and were in high form at the latter end of the game. A slight stoppage 'occurred through Tahiwi 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. Par at a 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 attack, 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 tin 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 the field with 12 men and for the first 15 miiiut.es they kept Foxton in their 25, and had the visitors their full strength, the result would have been much closer. Tries were scored for Foxton by Westwood, Huff, and Renata. 11. Taylor, whose sure kicking is always an asset to the team, potted a penalty goal from about half-way. in the forwards Andrews Cummerfield, and Pine were in prominence, while in the backs Westwood, Fuller, and Moses played a good game.

JUNIOR

MIRANUI v. FOXTON

This game was played on the Bharnon Domain Miranui winning by 19 to <5. The match was very one-sided, Aliranui having the best of it throughout, mainly through the poor tackling by Foxton. The latter kicked off and Abranui at once attacked and early in the game the forwards dribbled the ball through enabling Polglase to open their account, Picard converting. Soon after a long kick downheld by Doss was missed by Picard, and Foxton following up, carried play into Aliranui’s 25, where in quick succession Miranui were twice penalised for oilside play. Huff and Williams each had a. shot at goal, both failing. Miranui again had Foxton on the defensive, but a free kick gave the latter relief, which they followed up and C. Anderson dribbled through to the 25, where he was obstructed and Foxton were awarded a free kick in front of the posts, Huff converting. Miranui 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 hatter beat his opponents and forced. A forward rush by Miranui saw Huff 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 tine passing rush, ending in' Croon scoring at the corner flag. Picard failed to add the extra points. The spoil ended: Miranui 11, Foxton 3. On resuming Miranui were penalised twice early in the spell. Stevenson had 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 press,ed 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 rfor it between. Crawford and Huff, "the former got there first, thus saving a score. Miranui sent play down the field by the aid of good pass-, ing 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, Yertongen worked his way through the opposition and scored. Picard took the kick and landed it safely between the posts. The game ended Miranui 19, Foxton 3. Air T. Kohika refereed the game.

THIRDS. SHANNON v. FOXTON. The above teams met on the Miranui ground on Saturday and gave a splendid exhibition of football, Shannon eventually running out winners by 14 to 6. They had the best of the game, securing the ball from most of the scrunis, which enabled the 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 games so far 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 most 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.

Wanderers 4 4 0 0 70 22 8 Shannon 4 2 1 1 46 36 5 Hui Mai 4 ' 2 1 1 37 26 5 Poxton 4 1 O 0 52 77 9 Weraroa 4 0 4 0 21 74 0 Position end of 1st r ound