CLOSE CONTESTS IN SATURDAY’S MATCHES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6919, 27 May 1929, Page 8

CLOSE CONTESTS IN SATURDAY’S MATCHES

One Point Win and Two Draws FEILDING OLD BOYS IN LEAD FOR FIRST ROUND Grounds were heavy for the concluding games of the first round of the senior Rugby competition on Saturday. The Kia Toa-Feilding and VVoodville-Old Boys’ matches were both drawn, each side scoring three points. Feilding Old Boys, after a keen fight, took the honours from Athletic 9—B and so heads the honours table with seven points. With Kia Toa, Old Boys and Feilding level pegging with five points, the great interest in the contest should he sustained. Old Boys juniors hold the lead with ten points, with High School and Kia Toa A in attendance at one point intervals. SENIOR HONOURS BOARD.

Results at a Glance Senior Grade. Feilding Old Boys 9 v. Athletic 8. Kia Toa 3 v. Feilding 3. 'Old Bays 3 v. Woodville 8, Junior Grade. High School 36 v. Massey College B 0. Kia Toa A 9 v. Kia Toa B 3. Old Boys 9 v. United Valley 3. Feilding 8 v. Feilding Old Boys 0. West End Old Boys 6 v. Massey College A 6. Third Grade. St. Patrick's 18 v. Feilding 3. Feilding H.S. 16 v. West End 6. Kia Toa 17 v. Old Boys B 0. Old Boys A 6 v. Bunny thorpe 6. Woodville 'won from Athletic by de fault. Feilding v. Kia Toa That interest in the senior Rugby Competition is growing was manifest on Saturday, when there was a fair crowd present at the Showgrounds to seo Kia Toa play Feilding in weather most unpleasant for onlookers. Those present were rewarded with a good game, despite the heaviness of the paddock and the greasy state of tho ball. After a keen struggle, in which the Feilding forwards came out better, the honours rested even, threo all. Tho teams were:— Feilding (yellow and black): Cuff, Kelly, R. Darragh, H. Darragh, G. DarTagh, Eliott, Shapleski, Waldin, Bowler, O. Hight, Pike, Lynch, C. Hight, Fitzgerald, Simpson. Kia Toa (blues): Wasley, Griffin, Mullins, Strange, Morgan, I. Wasley, Powell, Gleeson, Boldt, Sutherland, Conrad, Crawford, Doherty, Fitt, Penny Feilding lost the toss and kicked off from tho northern end. The yellow forwards got to business immediately and had Kia Toa bottled up for a lengthy period. Gleeson, the blue rover, at length raised the siege and the venuo shifted to the yellow twenty-live. Kia Toa tried tho open game, a passing bout ending in Strange being forced out. A fine effort by Kelly snifted play into blue territory. Kia Toa seemed" to forget the rules momentarily and Feilding was awarded a number of penalties. Blues found relief from the yellow peril in a force and from the kick out stormed the Feilding line. Mullins followed a kick through but Cuff cleared, liis punt going into Strange’s arms. The winger put in a short run, kicked and beat the Feilding full back in the dash for the leather. Mullins failed.— Kia Toa 3, Feilding 0. After a period of midfield play, Fcilding stormed the Kia Toa line. Things looked precarious until Griffin broko through and dribbled the whole length of the paddock. His effort was spoilt by an infringement on the line. From the clearing kick, Feilding got away. Fitzgerald broke through and handed on to Eliott. The movement aborted when G. Darragh failed to hold the greasy ball. The game swung back and Kelly stemmed the attack with a mark. Midfield was the venuo of operations once again till the Feilding forwards, with judicious dribbling, had the double blues pressed. The Kia Toa forwards brought relief with tho same tactics. Play swung between the twenty-fives and was, if anything, in Feilding's favour, the Feilding hookers giving Shapleski a liberal share of a very greasy ball. Morgan opened up for Kia Toa, sending a pass to Mullins who handed on to Strange but the winger was forced out. Kia Toa kept the screw on and the visitors sought relief in a force. Half time found Feilding aggressive. Feilding Evens Score. In opening the second half both packs shared the honours in a game necessarily limited to the forwards. With the retirement of Morgan injured, Feilding stormed the Kia Toa twentyfisa bat tho leather was toa greasy for

jiufo handling. A scries of scrums on the Kia Toa lino saw Mullins clear with a fine kick. Feilding returned to the attack, Skapleski starting a promising movement that broke down. Gleeson, getting offside gave Cuff a chance which he made the most of to level the scores—Feilding 3, Kia Toa 3. The Darragh trio joined in a spectacular rush, which finished up with R. Darragh grassed on the line. Play hung to neutral territory the two full backs practising long-distance punting. Feilding forwards at length took charge and made a series of thrusts at the blue line which the defenders were unable to clear till Wasley lined with a good punt. Feilding came back at it immediately. George Darragh made a great run, passing to H. Darragh, who was held up over the line. Kia Toa had to force. Doherty, with a solo dribble, was near taking the honours for the blues, but R. Darragh cleared. Kia Toa tried right and left but H. Darragh broke clean away. Strange who came from nowhere, was too fast for the yellow back and saved the blues for a draw, tho bell ringing alm.ost immediately afterwards. 'Mr. A. W. Thompson was referee. Feilding Colts Meet Their Equals BUT WIN BY ONE POINT. Feilding Old Boys underwent a severe test on Johnston park on Saturday in the match against Athletic and succeeded in coming through tho ordeal by ono point. The game was patchy throughout and towards the end, became a little rough. Baker’s try ,when S. Bramwell failed to get his relieving kick away, was a nice piece of work which aroused the utmost enthusiasm. The Feilding boys did not appear to take their opponents seriously enough and lagged at dangerous moments. The wet ground and gTeasy leather may have accounted fgr this, but the spectators expected better form from a team so well trained and coached. The teams were:—

Old Boys: —Campbell, Heard, Wells, McKay, Waugh, Tait, Younger, Waldin, Cochrane, Pawson, Dewe, N. Bramwell, Shrimpton, Bade and S. Bramwell. Athletic: —Fearnley, Shecrin, Ormond, Evans, McKenzie, Robb, Field, Cope, Burgess, Playwright, Beard, Hutchins, Clevelcy, Annear and Baker. Ten minutes after the advertised time for starting Old Boys kicked off in steady rain. Feilding held the advantage for a few moments and then Athletic cleared to advance to Old Boys’ territory, where Cochrane relieved with a kick from a mark. The greasy ball and ground put the damper on speedy play. Evans set the visitors away with a toss. S. Bramwell saved. Spectators did not have to wait long before Cochrane delighted them with a sparkling effort. Snapping up tho ball in the loose, he cut in with but Fearnley to pass. A short punt at the light moment enabled him to beat the visitors’ back for possession and score. S. Bramwell missed with the kick. Feilding Old Boys 3 —o. Seconds later, Waldin cost his team three points when ho obstructed for Beard to notch the penalty and even the score, 3 —3. The visitors had the better of the play for tho next few minutes ami then fell away to offer a vigorous defence, during which an infringement enabled S. Bramwell to send over an easy kick, o—3. A little later, with Old Boys moving in possesion, McKay took a forward pass on the half way line, whence Bearli made a splendid, attempt to hoist the leather over the bar. It went behind and the visitors pressed till Bramwell set liis back line in motion for Pawson to define the territory gained with a kick into touch. Dewe set going the next movement, which ended in the visitors forcing. Just before the orangos Evans made a pretty opening and a difficult pass gave his backs an opportunity but a knock on saw the visitors

checked under the goad. Tho home team cleared in tho scrum for Beard to bring his team back with a penal!y kick which again just missed the bar. Another smart movement by Cochrane gripped the crowd but when Wells took the pass, be failed to hold the leather and the visitors forced. Both teams indulged in more open play on resuming, excellent kicking by 8. Bramwell bringing Old Boys well into Athletics twentyiive where Foamley was very sure. As the play thickened, the visiting forwards broke away and travelled downfield with the leather at their toe, leaving Old Boys breathing hard. Had not Shrimpton got mixed up in Athletic’s advance, the visitors could not have missed a try. Greens were then forced to mako a stand and Dewc cleared with a beautiful line kick. Suddenly the visitors broke through. S. Bramwell gathered the ball clear but the leather slipped when he kicked and Baker picked up on the run to score easily. Beard converted. Athletic, B—6.8 —6.

Old Boys set up a vigorous attack but in tho tight play along the visitors’ goal they met a stubborn resistance. Athletic gradually mastered tho situation and ( brought play to Old Boys ’ goal line, where the home team, as quickly cleared. Campbell led the assault and obstruction gave S. Bramwell an opportunity for penalty points, but he made no kick of the effort. Following a long battle, Wnldin and Campbell started a dribbling movement which ended in Wells scoring. W<aldin’s kick hit the post. Feilding 9—S. The visitors than skept downfield but were held up in the home team’s tweutyffve, where Waldin marked and the colts swarmed. Fearnley missed the bounce, but his supports we.ro handy and soon had Old Boys defending. From a scrum under the goal, greens applied the pressure and repelled their battling opponents till Cochrane found tho line. They fell away as the visitors fought for possession and in the stern fight, Fearnley sustained head injuries and was carried off the field. Shortly afterwards, the game ended without further score. Mr. S. Hewitt was referee. Old Boys v. Woodville The match between Old Boys and Woodville was played at Woodville in wet weather, and op a sloppy ground which soon churned up into mud. Tho game resulted in a draw —3 all. Th< teams were as follow: — Old Boys:—Williamson, Walker, Fletcher, Page, Riddell, Akuira, Pacey, Robertson, Snell, Grenville, Galpin, Preston, Cater, Greig and Neild. Woodville: —Burlacc,-Redwood, Goodwin, Curry, Gillespie, Scott, Grinlinton, Hutchinson, Halpin, Deans, Charles, Jones, Morgan, Hayes, McKenzie.

From the commencement it was apparent that the backs would have little chance of doing anything brilliant with a greasy ball, and the forwards were giving some good exhibitions of skating. Old Boys had the better backs but the ground conditions were against them and some promising passing movements were spoiled by the inability of the players to keep on their feet. The Woodville forwards were a hard-work-ing pack but they failed to get their share of tho ball in tho scrums. Hutchinson played prominently among the Woodville forwards. Hayes and McKenzie played a good game, while Redwood and Scott showed well in tihe backs. Williamson, Walker and Fletcher were prominent for Old Boys. Offside play at Woodville’s twentyfive gave a free kick to the blues, Goodwin finding the line past half way. From open play in midfield McKenzie, picked up and put in a good sprint to Old Boys twentyiive only to be grassed, the bail going to line. From the linoout Woodville attacked and kept play moving steadily towards Old Boys’ goal but a kick to the line at the twentyfive saved. There followed a period of close play. Later Old Boys, again attacking, transferred play to inside the Woodville twentyiive, where an infringement gave Akuira a shot at goal which was unsuccessful. Burlaco found the line near half way. From this position a forward attack headed by Hutchinson took tho ball into Old Boys territory but the blacks cleared rapidly and returned play to the Woodvillo twentyiive line. A passing movement, started by Akuira, was stopped by a forward pass.

the score being—Woodville 3, Old Boys 3. Early in the second spell McKenzie gained possession and very nearly did the trick but was called back for an infringement. Subsequent play gave Akuira a third shot a.t goal ,his kick falling short. Shortly after .a mark by Old Boys gave a fourth chance for a field goal, but this failed in direction. Blues attacking, gained ground rapidly and Hutchinson started a ior«id movement which went close. From a lineoul, blues attacked and breaking through, carried the game well into black territory, where Page saved with a kick to the line near the corner. From midfield Hutchinson, with the ball at his toes, went to within a few yards of the goal liue, where Williamson cleared.

Towards tho close Woodville took play into Old Boys’ territory and Redwood gaining possession, foil over the line but. was brought back for a forward pass. The final score was—Old Boys o, Woodville 3. Mr. A. Gordon refereed.

Junior Grade

MASSEY COLLEGE v. W.E.08,

Playing behind the main stand at the Showgrounds in heavy rain, Massey College A held West End Old Boys to a draw, six all. The Collegians showed themselves a much improved combination and with a heavy pack of forwards, dominated the game. Their efforts were to a large extent nullified by the solid defence and safe handling of a sodden ball bv E. Jewell, the West End half back. In the first half, Picrcy, the Old Boys' centre, kicked through and following fast, gathered tho leather after tho College backs had mishandled, to ground. On the chaugo over, the College forwards set up a persistent attack which penned Old Boys to tho twenty-live. For handling in the scrum, Massey College was awarded a penalty and Tetley evened the scores —Three all. Old Boys immediately set out to recover the lead but tho state of tho leather made control difficult and play swung back. From a ruck ou the Old Boys’ twenty-five Aitkcn swung tho bail out to Davey and tho College wing, with a fine effort, crossed at the corner. The kick was charged down. Massey College did not hold the lead for long. Picrcy repeated his performance of the first half, gathering tho ball to eross well out. The kick tailed. Time was then called with the scores six all. Mr. F. H. Garner refereed. KIA TOA A v. KIA TOA B.

Last year’s junior champions, Kia Toa A, had somewhat of a mud scramble with the B combination and emerged victorious by nine points to three. The A players had the advantage in weight and displayed ability to handle the greasy ball which enabled them, to finish their movements. In the first half Powell put the A’s three up from a mark. O’Keefe evened with a line penalty goal. After the change over, Powell ana Nesbitt scored for the A’s. Comber and Mitchell shone out in the A vanguard, while Smith and Hancock were the best of the backs. For the B’s McDougall and Clausen were conspicuous in the forwards, while M. O’Keefe and McKay were most noticeable of the rearguard. OLD BOYS v. UNITED VALLEY. Playing on its home ground on Saturday, United Valley put up a good showing against Old Boys, the present junior championship leaders. Heavy rain in the morning did not affect the ground to any marked extent, although the ball was greasy and back play was consequently restricted. This was to tho local team’s advantage with its good pack of forwards. The blacks made a number of attempts to open up the play, handling the greasy ball in fine fashion, but the bustling tactics and good tackling of the red and black forwards nullified most of their movements.

From the kick off, Old Boys assumed the offensive and were always dangerous, but Dinnan, playing full back for tho Valley, saved his side with good line kicks. A try by Waugh opened up tho score for tiro visitors, Seymour making an unsuccessful attempt at the goal—Old Boys 3, United Valley nil. The blacks continued to attack and tho home team was hard pressed, but its defence was sound, marks by Fairless and J. Grammer relieving the tension. Following a scrum in midfield, Burgess secured and kicked well up the field. From the ensuing scramble, Bartlett secured and scored the red and blacks’ only try. His effort to convert failed—-3 aIL

Offside play in front of the Woodville goal gave Akuira another shot at goal, which failed and Woodvillo clearing, play returned to midfield. A movement opened by Pacey ended with a bad pass to the wing and the ball went to line. From the throw in, Pacey again set his backs in motion and Pago backing up enabled Fletcher to score near the corner. Williamson failed to convert. —Old Bovs 3, Woodvillo 0. From half way, offside play gave blues a free kick up tho ceutre but a mark taken by a black player brought the ball back. From a scrum blacks secured but were not given time to start anything and Williamson, kicking to the line at half way, gave muchneeded relief. Old Boys’ backs came into action but were recalled for an infringement. From a set scrum midfield, a further infringement gave a free kick to Woodvillo, Goodwin finding the line. Followed a period of play in midfield until from a pass by Ilayes, Hutchinson kicked upfield into the hands of Williamson, who returned to the line past half way. Akuira picking up put in a run to half way. Scott picked up but his pass missed and the blue forwards took the ball at their toes to near the Old BovV goal line, where Williamson marked and found the line. From a mark, Gillespie gave relief with a line kick. Old Boys attacked and despite strong opposition carried play to the Woodville twentylive. However Redwood and Goodwin, headed a counter-attack. Hayes picked up and with a good solo ran, scored well out from the posts. Goodwin failed to convert ami the score stood at 3 a!!. Old Boys advanced to within a few yards of the goal line. From a scrum in this position, the ball went over with both packs on top of it, but an infringement gave Woodville a kick to relievo. A movement headed by Goodwin saw play transferred to the Old Boys’ twentyfive wlioro half time was called,

A period of ragged play then set in, Oid Boys usually having the territorial advantage. Misjudgment by Dinnan in taking the ball, gave Seymour, who followed up fast, the opportunity to add another three points to the visitors score, the first half ending soon after — Old Boys C, Valley 3. After half time, with tho wind behind, the home team worked hard to improve its position but the blacks’ defence was sound and they frequently turned tho tables with a counter-at-tack, their forwards and backs combining well. Old Boys’ final score resulted from an attractive piece of work by tho centre and right winger who, passing from one to the other, carried the ball from practically halfway for Kilpatrick to ground in the corner. Seymour was unable to add the major points and the game ended—Old Boys i>, United Valley 3. Mr. A. McKegg controlled the game

HIGH SCHOOL v. MASSEY COLLEGE B„

For its opening game in the junior competition, the Massey College B team—containing 1.1 men of the former Saturday’s A team —met tho High School fifteen on the School grounds on Saturday afternoon under muddy conditions which were to prove worse before the end of the game.

I The College) captain kicked off into the School forwards, who elected to j whip the leather to their backs while it remained in a handling state. School made penetrating dashes to the agricultural line, but each time faulty handling enabled the blues to clear and take play to a safe distance. Many infringements wore a feature in the

early moments of the game, c*n two of these occasions, Henderson, the black and white rover, just failing to find the uprights from difficult angles. School rushed the blues to the line but Metcalfe failed to send his backs over, the movements breaking down with Bradley near the line each time. College retaliated and good work bv the half saw play gu .-irggisliiy upheld to end with a lasting I'l.i-.vu.-d struggle on the black tweuiy-ii \ e line. From a succession of long kicks, School looked dangerous. A scrum allowed Henderson to nip over amongst the forwards. Millar narrowly missed with a heavy and none too clean ball —School 3, College 0. The leather was now heavy and the spick anu span jerseys were loosing their brightness, as the School forwards took play down to the line again, where O'Shea narrowly missed scramb ling over. Metcalfe, the School half, was held up over the line and a scrum was ordered, for Bradley, the School centre, to scramble for the wet ball, and husry over unopposed. .Henderson left tho score sis—nil in favour of High School. The collegiate fifteen rallied and up till the half time whistle, the forwards battled in the mud with many a scrum ordered to pick the men up from the clinging mud which was gradually ruining all chances of tho respective sides using the leather for back play. From the kick in, Massey College tried to even the scores but to no avail, for the opposite pack was proving its equal. Gradually the collegians were pushed back in a melee until School had them on their line, where from a lineout, Ollivcr dodged over in a handy position, leaving Millar a kick of which he took full advantage—High School 11—0. Massey Collego rallied and, ruffling the opposing full back, carried play into School territory but an infringement allowed School to clear and bring play at half way again. The new fifteen was working up to the game and its pack frustrated all attempts to prevent it breaking through to the School backs, who cleared well each tune. Trcmcwan was proving safe, with the slippery ball. Fraser and Ollivcr likened play up by taking the leather in a dribbling rush over the College lino near the posts, but tho ball slipped from the latter as lie fell, and a force down relieved tlie situation teinpoianly. From a scrum the School half worked tho blind side to send Penman over unopposed in a dangerous position.. Millar again added the major points School IG, Massey College 0. Millar’s kicks were exceptionally good when the state of the ground and leather is taken into accouut. Massey College hustled the ball to the School line but O’Shea, who was playing a great game, saved at a ciiti* cal moment and play went back to half way, where a melee ensued. In a last endeavour to increase their fatal, the School backs got going in passing bouts but the leather was not in a handling state and it continually missed the intended recipients. At this stage of play, the Collego men were on equal terms with their opponents. They were continually scrambling on tlio School line in an endeavour to open the score. School was saved when the leather went out by the flag, and on the resumption of play was able to gain ground. Play teiminated soon after, leaving the score 16—nil in favour of High School. Mr. H. Hands held the whistle. COOK’S COOPERAGE v. RAILWAY. During the week-end, a team representing Cook’s Cooperage met and defeated a fifteen from the Railway Department. At half-time the timber workers were leading six nil. Full time found their score 17 to three by tho railway men.

Horowhenua SENIORS. Shannon 6 v. Wanderers nil Hui Mai 3 v. Foxtou nii. Juniors. Shannon 1G v. Fox-ton 5. Hui Mai 17 v. Otaki 8. Thirds. Tokomaru J 1 v. Foxtou 3. Weraroa 3d v. Shannon nil. SHANNON V. WANDERERS. Tho senior game on the Levin ground was a trial of strength between two good teams. Both arc of similar strength on paper and the expected good game came up to standard. A wot ground, and slippery ball slowed progress, but even then troth, the threequarter Since were called upon frequently. The first half resulted in no score by either team, and in the second half Shannon obtained a penalty goal and an unconverted try. The teams lined out as follows: —

Shannon: —Picard, N. Robbie, McKenzie, Gray, Nixon, Walls, Goodwin, Moody, Pratt, S. Robbie, Satherly, Hanna, Fitzgerald, N. Dalzell, L. Dalzell.

Wanderers: —P. Graham, Sinclair, S. Graham, Bryant, Webber, Ryder, W. Parata, T. Parata, McDoueil, Eopata, Tatana, McDonald, Knox, UUy, ilcrcmaia.

The shannon team was on the field well beforo the time for starting, but the home team was a quarter of an hour late. Kicking oil downfield, Wanderers (blacks) went to the attack and compelled the reds to force. A scrum on the twentyilve saw Goodwin send the ball upheld but it was returned to Walls, who found touch in blacks’ territory. The ball returned to midfield, where a penalty for offside allowed Tatana to find touch well iu the reds' territory. The ball agaiu went back but a similar penalty enabled Tatana to find touch well down. Another penalty for hanging on again let Tatana got the ball well down, but Gray returned it to midfield whence the black threequarter attacked and compelled reds to force. Blacks continued pressing but Goodwin marked and sent the game back. A further attack was spoilt by Hanna. A free kick for offside let. Tatana have a shot at goal but the ball fell short and Walls relieved, McKenzie eventually sending to touch. Shannon forwards now pressed up

and a free kick for offsido saw Picard try to make three points. The ball was returned to touch. A similar penalty let the red skipper send the ball well up and following up, the forwards took the game to the opposing line, where it went to touch. From the lineout, Tatana obtained and ran but a knock on spoilt it. Shannon continued attacking, with good work by Goodwin and Walls. Tatana again relieved with a good dribble to Shannon twenty-five, where the ball went into touch.'" From the lineout Walls found touch and once more the forwards took the ball to the line. From a five yards scrum, Parata intercepted a pass and relieved. The game returned to the Shannon ttventyfive, where Walls marked and sent it back to midfield. Another advance was stopped by Walls, but a free kick for obstruction gave ’katana a shot at goal. His kicking was weak . From the ensuing twenty-five, the ball went to S. Graham, who threw it across the field to Ryder, who was beautifully grassed by Gray. A penalty in the twentyfive gave Tatana still another chance which he couldn’t take and from the drop out, the Shannon forwards, led by Hanna and Satherly, dribbled the ball to the other twentyfive, where offside spoilt the attack.

After the interval Wanderers set up an attack and the threcquarter liuc took the ball up but S. Robbie returned it to midfield and a penalty to reds saw them in black twentyfive. Tatana again dribbled clear. A free kick to Shannon for offside in a good position found Picard lacking the necessaryginger and Graham cleared. Picard again failed to convert a penalty. Shortly afterwards L. Dalzell sent the ball well up and from another penalty, Picard registered the first score. At this stage Heremaia had to go off with a broken rib and Skelton took his place. Shannon continued to attack and had the better of the game from now on. Good work by Gray found touch in the biaclc twentyfive, but Webber -relieved with a mark, Gray returning tho ball to touch. From tho lineout, Goodwin, Robbie and Pratt get to Wanderers’ line but were hold up. A free kick for obstruction sent the ball back but McKenzie, taking it well, returned ami a penalty for offside saw Picard again miss the posts and Wanderers force. Blacks now mado things warm but Parata, passing blindly threw the ball into touch. From the lineo-ut, Satherly took it to the lino but the ball was returned to touch on tho twentyfive. From the lineout the black threequarters made a rush but nixon held them up. A penalty for offside saw Tatana try a ridiculous shot at goal from midfield. The ball went to N. Robbie, who with an excellently judged kick, found touch. The thrown ball wont from McKenzie to Nixon, who sent Gray over on the corner, Picard’s kick fail-' iug.—Shannon 6-nil. Wanderers mado a determined attempt to score but the visitors were too good on defensive tactics. An easypenal ty kick in the twentyfive for offside was missed by McDonell just on time. Mr P. McLeavey controlled the game. JUNIORS. Shannon v. Foxton, Shannon and Foxton junior teams met on the Shannon domain in tho presence of a fair attendance of the public, when Foxton suffered its first defeat of the season. The ground was very slippery and light rain fell most of the time. A good game was witnessed, considering tho circumstances. Tho teams lined out as follow: — Foxton:—Stevenson, Croon, Huff, Noilson, Williams, Mathews, Proctor, Wright, Smith, McGregor, Hcta, Barker Taylor, Rankin, Anderson. Shannon:—Mabey, Newman, Saxon, Birchall, Mason, McEwan, Batt, Curran, Lankshcar, Lee, Robbie, Morse, Ngatuna, Guy, Jude.

Shannon kicked off and soon the red pack, led by Guy and Lee, took the game to yellows’ twentyfive, but a forward rush by the Foxton team, headed by Anderson, saw Mason mark to save. Tho yellow backs now attacked and Proctor went over, Huff converting—Foxton 5, Shannon nil.

In a' passing bout between the red backs, Newman beat Croon, but Stevenson came to the rescue and saved a score. In another determined advance, Huff cleared. Ngatuna led another forward rush, which was taken up by the backs, to be spoilt by a knoekou. Mason had a shot at goal from a penalty but missed and the ball was sent to touch. From the lineout, Jude dropped a beautiful goal.—Foxton 5, Shannon 4. Taylor and McGregor led a charge to reds’ line, but Saxon stopped and found the line at half way'. Taking the ball, Guy led a forward rush but Huff stopped it and the Foxton forwards returned to the attack, Birchall ending their career. Just before the half time sounded a penalty gave Foxton a shot at goal which failed. Guy and Lee led the Shannon forwards to the attack but the game soon returned. Birchall gained ground with good line kicks. Foxton forwards now attacked in good style, no fewer than four scrums being awarded on Kho Shannon line. In each case, Mabey proved too good in defence. Eventually Mason cleared, and a good passing bout by the home backs compelled Foxton to force. Newman next made a run down but Stevenson took him on the line, tho ball wont to McEwan, who win through the Foxton backs and passed to Mason, who registered a goat. Shannon 8, Foxton 5. Batt next sent Saxon over, Mason failing to- convert. —Shannon 11, Foxton 5.

Shannon forwards took charge from then on and several good sallies were made for the lino, Huff saving. Birchall missed a field goal by inches and Mason failed with a penalty. Croon took the ball and made a dash for the red line, being eventually held up by live of the Shannon team. The homo forwards returned to the attack and Curran went over, Mason adding the major points.— Shannon 16, Poston 5. Mr. 11. Bene controlled the game. THIRDS. Shannon v. Weraro„. Shannon won the toss and defended the southern end. Weraroa kicked off but was kept busy for a. time. Wera-

roa came back to the attack and Shannon forced. From the dropout, Weo-a-roa continued pressing, but too hard kicking spoiled chances and -tho game was very even until just before half time, when Grace went over.—Wcraroa 3, Shannon nil. After the interval Wcraroa proceeded to make a succession of trips to Shannon's line and eventually piled up a neat total of 32 to nil. The weight of the Wcraroa team found Shannon outclassed. Of the red forwards, N. Pratt was the best ,whilst Tippler and Mabey played well in the back division. Oroua Sub-Union SATURDAY’S MATCHES. Following are the results of the Oroua sub-union matches played on Sa turday:— Senior: Kimbolton 8 v. Bangiwahia 3; Apiti 11 v. Waituna 3. Junior: Rangiwahia 39 v. Kimbolton 3; Apiti 11 v. Waituna 3. TE KAWAU SUB-UNION. Senior.—Rongotea 8 v. Awahuri 6; Oroua Downs 23 v. Hui Mai 3. Thirds: Huia Mai B 9 v. Hui Mai A o. BUSH UNION. Pahiatua.—Athletic 14 v. Ekctahuna 0/ Results in Other Centres Dannevirke. Hunter Shield: Rangers 3 v. Excelsior 0; United 6 v. Tipapakuku 3; Aotea 3 v. Pirates 0. Timani. Celtic 16 v. Zingari 6; Star 12 v. Old Boys 6; Waiki 14 v. Temuka 11. Wanganui. Marist 9 v. Pirates .5; Old Kaierai. 9 v. Old Boys 3; County 9 v. Eatana 0. New Plymouth. Stratford 22 v. Okato 4; Star 9 v. Clifton 3; Tukapa 6 v. Inglewood 6; Celtic 12 v. Old Boys 10. Invercargill. Star 8 v. Pirates (No. 2) 6; Invercargill 34 v. Southern 3; Pirates (No. 1) 1-i v. Waikiwi 4. Christchurch. Mcrivale 11 v. Christchurch 10; Old Boys 24 v. Sydenham 6; Linwood 11 v. Technical 8; ’Varsity 20 v. West Christchurch 13. Auckland. Training College 6 v. Marists C; ’Varsity 9 v. Manukau 6; Ponsonby 32 v. Grafton 13; City 6 v. College Rifles, (j; Grammar Old Boys 16 v. Technical Old Boys 13. Napier. Pirates 3 v. H. 5.0.8. 0; Celtic 9 v. M. 8.0.8 3 Wellington Senior A: Oriental 9 v. Eastbourn 3; Poneko 11 v. Wellington 7; Berhampore 8 v. Athletic 17; University 13 ’-. I Petone 6; Old Boys 14 v. Marist 0; Senior B: Oriental 8 v. Wellington S; j Jlutt 11 v. Upper Hutt 3; Porirua 6 v. Old Boys 5; Johnsonville 18 v. Training College 3. Masterton. Gladstone 22 v. Masterton 9; Carterton 17 v. Old Boys 11; Grcytown 46 v. Red Star 6. Hawera. Hawera 9 v. Eltham 3; Okaiawa 10 v. Kaponga 9; Patea 16 v. Waimatc 11; Opunake 15 v. Athletic 11. Otago University Much Superior to Australia j GAME ENDS 28 TO 8. ! Per Press Association. j DUNEDIN, Last Night. I In dull weather, before 11,000 onlookers, Otago University defeated Australia by 28 to 8. The winners were faster all round than the visitors and were easily the better side. For the winners, Smith, Douglas Webb (3), Christio and McCurdy scored tries, two of which were converted by Stevenson, who also kicked a penalty goal. Lamport scored for the losers, Ahrens converting and also kicking a penalty goal.

p. W. L. D. For Ag. Pts. Feilding Old Boys .. >. 5 3 1 1 72 64 7 Kia Toa .. .. .... .. .. 5 2 2 1 65 46 5 Old Boys .. .. . .. 5 o o 1 79 62 5 Feilding ... .... .. ... .. .•«. > • 5 2 2 1 64 55 5 Athletic ... ;.. :... ... 5 2 3 0 41 79 4 Woodville ... .. .. .. 5 1 o 2 33 48 4 JUNIORS HONOURS BOARD. P. w. L. D. For Ag. Pts. Old Boys .. >,; .. « >♦: .• • 5 5 0 0 78 12 10 High School ... 5 4 0 1 64 20 9 Kia Toa A 5 4 1 0 71 16 8 Kia Toa B .. 5 3 2 0 47 24 6 West End O.B. >. : .. „ A :•« • • 5 2 2 1 25 35 5 Feilding >-« im*. >« 5 2 3 0 24 64 4 Feilding Old Boys *«.• >., 5 1 3 1 6 74 8 United Valley .. >,• i«. V* 5 1 4 0 2 46 2 Massey College A .« ..... : :•*. 5 0 4 1 9 29 1' Massey College B ..... ... 5 0 5 0 0 16 0