FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4319, 19 September 1921, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

BENEFIT MATCH.

REPRESENTATIVES V, VETERANS.

a The benefit match on Saturday was well patronised by local people,, but spectators from Waihi and Te Aroha were very few, owing to counter-at-tractions. Considering the nature of this match disappointment was expressed by local officials at the poor attendance of officials and supporters of the other unions comprising the Goldfields Rugby Union. Owing to lack of interest on the part of) players the present-day team was composed mostly of Paeroa men. Williams appeared to be the only player from Waihi who deemed the occasion worthy of a li.ttle effort tp be present. Although the arrangements were made on short notice, the veterans turned out in good force and put the following team on the field: “Dummy” Shaw (full-back), C. Campbell, “Dooley” Hibbs, and J. Crosby (three-quarters), T. Wilkinson and T. Royal (fiveseights), W. Bain . (half-back), R. •V. Penlington (wing-forward), J. Roach, W. Thoiburn, W. Sorensen, E. Smith, J. White, E.. Clayton, and W. Bryden (forwards). The game was well worth witnessing, and it was a wonder to the spectators how the Veterans managed to “come back” so well, after having been, off the scene for ten or fifteen years. Several of the Veterans Would by no means disgrace a club team at the present time, and Thorburn and White each gave an exhibition that no forward in this year’s Goldfields representatives has excelled. It was a treat to watch in his dribbling, which is a lost art on the football field, and is seldom seen nowadays.

The game was played under the old rules, and “Shorty” Moore.had control. Of course, seeing that the Vets, were “green,” “Shorty” had to help them a little by being strict with their opponents when infringements occurred, and allowing the Veterans a little lattitude with regard to slight breaches on their part. THE GAME,

After a little sparring the “Oldtimers” found their legs, and the forwards carried play to the “Youngsters’ ” twenty-five, where a penality was awarded to the Vets. “Dummy’s” legs had gone soft for want of practice, however, and his kick fell short. The Reps, kicked down, but “Dummy” was there and had a drop-kick at goal which also missed, the Reps, forcing. The Vets, were playing with their old-time dash and had the Reps, busily defending, the latter eventually forcing. The "Reps, began to “take a tumble” that the “Old-timers” were not as old as they looked, and that they would -have to liven up to come out winners. From the drop-out the Reps, went down to the Vets’, twentyfive with a forward rush, but offside play was caught by "Shorty’s” eye. The Vets, worked back to hajit-way, but Benney took control of the ball and sent back again to the Vets’ quarter, where several others joined him, but Penlington beat them for the leather and kicked over the ’deadball 1 line.

In the second quarter the Vets, went straight to the attack, and Thorbum and White carried down to the Reps’s, twenty-five. The Vets.’ backs got going from a line-out' and a passing bout finished up with the Reps, forcing. Hard,play was indulged in inside the Vets.’s twenty-five for some time, until Titi Royal got possession and "thundered” down the middle of the field, passed to Wilkinson, to Campbell, the latter finding the line at the Rep.’s quarter flag. The “Hasbeens” were just starting off with a passing rush when Moore intercepted a pass and made a run up the field. He passed to. Royal, but Campbell had too much pace and caught Royal before he reached the line. “Dooley” Hibbs, who was doing his best in support bf Campbell, just managed to force before one or two Reps, came up. From the kick-out Joe White took down to the o.ther twenty-five line at his toe, the quarter shortly afterwards ending with open play in neutral territory.

The second half! commenced with fast open play in midfield, and after an exchange of kicks the ball was sent out at the half-way flag. From the throw-in Roach, Thorburn, and Clayton made tire Reps, look sick by the way they dribbled the ball up the field and right on to the Rep.’s line. From the ensuing scrum the Vets’ hooked the ball and Bain dived back into the scrum with the leather and scored a nice try. Bryden took the kick and added two more points. Veterans 5, Representatives 0. Fast open play continued for some considerable time in midfield, some great work being done by the Veteran forwards in the way of dribbling rushes Benney sent down, and things looked serious for the Vets, when Bryden came to the rescue and, after a sidestepping exhibition in which he beat several opponents, found the line outside his own twenty-five. From the throw-in the Reps, backs got going and a passing rush ended with How scoring in the corner. The kick failed. Veterans 5, Representatives 3. From the kick-off in the last round Bryden made a nice run down the line to the Rep.’s twenty-five. From a scrum which followed shortly afterwards in front of the posts the Vets, hooked the ball. Titi Royal got possession and worked the blind side. He attempted to “hurdle” an opposing player, when someone said they felt and earthquake, but it was only Titi landing with a thud on the broad • f his back. By this time the pace was beginning to tell on the Veterans. The Reps, picked up in the loose in their own territory and a good run up the field in which Benney, Rice, and Williams took part ended with Williams scoring. The kick was successful, making {the scores Representatives 3, Veterans 5. The Vets, again worked down and began to press, but their effort was top much for them and the Reps., with a succession of kicks returned to the other end of the field, Shaw scoring. The kick missed. Representatives 11, Veteians 5. A period of hard forward play on the

Vet.’s twenty-five line was relieved by a penalty to the Vets., the remainder of the game being played in midfield , with no further score on either side the game ended, Representatives IX, Veterans 5.