FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4409, 3 May 1922, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

NOTES FROM THE PLAINS*

The first matches in the Hauraai Plains cllub championships, played on Saturday, gave a fair indication of the merits Of the various te.ams, though .it is yet impossible tp even conjecture which team will be the champions.. The scores in the senior games were not large, and it may be said that there was not a big difference in the strength of the competing teams. This, however, cannot be said of the junior teams, for, judging by the difference in last Saturday’s scores, Ngatea and Turua fifteens appear to be much superior combinations to either WAitakaruru or Kerepeehi. .

.In the senior game at Kerepeehi there was a striking example that the best policy is to play to the whistle. The incident would have been amusing to both parties had it not been for the f;act that the result of the game depended on it. The Turua forwards obtained the baljl and were rushing for the Kerepeehi goalline. ' A Kerepeehi player appealed, and. somebody yelled “whistle.’'’ The players on both sides stood motionless, except the Turua man with the ball, and he ran on and scored. As the referee had not blown his whistle, he had no alternative but to award a try to Turua, who were successful in converting. It is unfortunate that this incident, should have occurred, as it Was the onjly score in the game. Tiie referee was quite in the right, however, and players should learn to play ‘o the whistle.

Though Turua had the better, the match with Kerepeehi, and showed better form throughout the game, Kerepeehi, for 'tlhe first exhibition of a new teami, creditably. With a little niore combined work they should make a formidable combination. T. Ratima, R. Hill, and W. Barrett in the forwards showed good form, and played we|l, while McCollum, Masters, Adllaml, and J. Connor shone out in the backs. For Turua D. Fox played particularly well, anl appeared- tp be one of the best backs on the field- K. Fox and W. Clark, in the forwards, did good work, and J. Thrupp as rover was sound. In the Ngatea-Waitakaruru game the winners were certainly the better team. They possessed more weight and stamina than their opponents, and maintained the pace till the conclusion of the game. Their forwards are a solid lot, Clark being •the pick. Dalgety and Wallis were also prominent Stretton was the outstanding man in the backs. Griffiths at half w,as very smart, but the fullback Tvas inclined tp be weak. For Ngatea Tanner at half proved- very resourcefujl, and what was lacking in weight was made up in dash and nippy play. Nicholls at five-eights flayed well, and J. Banks was good, at f ull back. W. McMa'hon, A. Banks, and J. Dawson were the most prominent of the Ngatea forwards 1 , who were successful in getting the ball from the scrum on nearly every occasion.

The encounter with Waitakaruira and Patetpnga next Saturday is being looked forward to with interest, and it should be a game worth watching Patetonga have not yet been matched against' other Plains teams so far this season, but judging from last year’s performance they should have a good combination. MATCHES FOR SATURDAY. Seniors.—Waitakaruru v. Patetonga. at Patetonga; Kerepeehi v. Ngatea, at Ngatea; Turua a bye. juniors. — Waitakaruru y. Patetonga, at Patetonga; Ngatea y. Kerepeehi, at Kerepeehi; Turua a bye.