BEBBINGTON SHIELD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 195, 19 July 1937, Page 5

BEBBINGTON SHIELD.

BUSH DEFEAT HOROWHENUA. . Played at Pahiatua 011 Saturday, on a wet, muddy ground, the representative match for the Bcbbington Shield resulted in Bush staving off the challenge of Horowhenua, the score being 12 points to 8. Horowhenua fielded their strongest side for several seasons, but Bush were more suited to the conditions. The teams were:—

Horowhenua (green and white). — Nepin, George, Henry, Cole, Hogan, L. Coles, Hutchins, A. Woods, Robbie, A. Baleman, Knox, Gray, Anderson (captain), G. Woods, Bond. Bush (blue and maroon). —J. Smith, W. Twentyman, Riddell, S. Wolland, Stringfcllow (captain), MeSherrv, E. Lett, Bailey, Spring, Woodell, Failover, Verr.v, Harvey. Aitken, D. Luke.

Horowhenua attacked strongly at tlie start, but a free kick. relieved the position and the Bush hacks swung into action determined to make the most of it while the ball was still dry. The Horowhenua forwards broke away when Smith hung on to the ball too long and ran back with it, but Bush came again, Failover and Spring taking tho ball near the green line. Here offside play gave Bush an easy chance and Riddell had little trouble in guiding from the penalty kick to draw first blood.

Almost immediately a rather flagrant case of shepherding, gave Bush another chance, but this time Riddell missed. The visitors had a turn 011 attack, but over-eagerness spoiled several otherwise promising movements. Bush came again and with play on tlie green twenty-five Riddell stepped in close to the lino before handing out to Verry, who was solidly tackled by Nepia. The ball went to the ground, but was fielded by Lett, who dived through an opening in a handy position and touched down. Riddell failed to add the extra points. Rush kept up a series of attacks and before half-time Horowhenua had been compelled to force down. Horowhenua commenced the second spell with a good deal more . life in their play, and the first few moments found the green forwards deep in Bush ground and knocking at the door. An infringement in front of the posts gave Nepia an opportunity lie could not miss, and from the free kick he goaled to open Horowhenua’s account. Bush quickly turned tho tables when Failover gathered in in the twentyfive from a cross-kick and raced for the green line with Lett in support. Fallover was pulled down, but his colleague fell 011 the ball for a try wide out. Riddell’s kick was a deserving effort but missed the posts by a small margin. Early in the spell Hogan went to the left wing and Henry took his place at second five-eighth. This arrangement gave a stronger attacking machine which was effective when Coles carried the ball close to the Bush line. From the ensuing forward melee G. Woods bulloekod his way over, and Nepia added the major points to put Horowhenua within one point of the home side. Bush 9, Horowhenua 8. Play was very keen, with little separating’ the teams. For several minutes the ball sped up and down the field. Offside play by Verr.v gave Nepia a long chance to secure a penalty goal, but the angle was too difficult with the sodden ball. Wolland kicked for tiie line and the ball rolled into touch in the green twenty-five. In the closing stages of the game Coles was tripped with the ball on his own line and swamped by tho red forwards. Lett picked up and scored well out to give Bush the game beyond doubt. Twentyman failed to find the uprights.

Horowhenua rallied and, although they were deep in red ground when the final whistle sounded, they could not put the finish to their movements, and The game ended with tlie score: Busli 12, Horowhenua 8.

Mr H. M. Reid, of Dannevirke, refereed.