FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4424, 7 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE; . SENIOR., / SUBURBS 6, WEST 0. NETHERTON WIN BY DEFAULT. JUNIOR, EAST 9, KOMATA 0. : SUBURBS 17, WEST 0. ; THIRD GRADE. SCHOOL 21, EAST 0. .'i- The Paeroa Rugby Union’s club competitions were continued on Saturday last. The state of the weather was none too good, several showers of rain falling during the afternoon. The local ground was very sodden ■owing to the heavy rains experienced the week; and a greasy ball (end the heavy going were not conducive to brilliant football. I Owing to their inability to hirecoujveyances to carry them to Netherton the Komata fifteen had to default. SUBURBS V. WEST. ’ Suburbs and West played on the •No. 1 ‘ground in the Domain, and, {considering the- adverse? weather con■ditionsj the' game was fairly good. "R, (Suburbs) was perhaps the 'best forward on the field, and Cashmore, wing three-quarten in the same team, who has played consistently in svery game, also played well. This gaiter player uses his head a great deal more than the majority of players. Following the kick-off was a punting bout which terminated with a mark by Dean on his own twenty-five Hr. 6. “Tn: a number of line-outs Suburbs. benefited- and sent over, West forcing. From the drop-out Suburbs returned with a loose rush, but were penalised on West’s goal-line.' .The defenders won back to quarter way, and then with loose play went to the other twenty-five. Suburbs returned to mid-field; ( where play settled for a time, the two packs doing the work Suburbs gained the advantage in some open play, the bail! being taken into West’s, territory. From a scrum West forwards relieved to the half way flag. Suburbs immediately returned to the attack, Wilton saving with a mark. • The second quarter opened with uninteresting side-line and forward play, which were indulged in for some time. With a penalty kick Suburbs sent over and West forced. Morgan returned the drop-out. and West again forced. An exchange of kicks ended in favour of West, the ball going out at Suburbs’ twenty-five flag. Smith got possession from the thrown in and sent over Suburbs’ line on the other side of the field. Smith fell on the ball, but it was just out in touch. After some loose play Suburbs’ backs got going, but unfortunately dropped th? ball on West’s line. From then until half-time the ball was kept moving up and down ,the field.

The second half opened tamely. and it was quite a while before an advantage was gained by West, who carried down by loose kicks, but finished up with a hard boost which sent the ball out in .touch. After a forward scramble in neutral territory West carried play over Suburbs’ twenty-five 'line, Pivott marking in a good position. His kick did not pass the man on the mark, and Suburbs rushed back to half way. After a temporary check Suburbs again pushed torward and sent over, but Wcit (breed Suburbs remaiped on the. attack till the change-over.

Shortly atfer the commencement of the final, round Suburbs started a passing rush from a scrum on their twenty-five line, and after the ballpassed through half a dozen hands Corbett scored in the corner. The kick at goal missed.. Suburbs 3, West 0, Open play in mid-field terminated with West being penalised dose to their twenty-five line, and Corbett had a successful shot at goal. Suburbs 6, West 0. West livened up and went on the attack, and after tight play Suburbs had to force. West returned the drop-out, Suburbs again forcing. Until the call- of time Suburbs had to defend, but although West tried hard they could not open their score, the game ending Suburbs 6. West I). Mr, R. B. Penlington was referee. JUNIORS. EAST V. KOMATA. The game on the No. 2 ground was between East and. Komata junior teams, the former winning by nine points to nil. The score was made up of three tries, Ellis (2) and F. Thorp (1) being responsible, Mr. J. Walmsley was referee. . SUBURBS V. WEST. The Suburbs v. West match was played at Hikutaia, the local team having: a good win by 17 to 0- .Mr. J. Treanor was referee. THIRD GRADE. SCHOOL V. EAST. The third-grade match was between School and East, and was played before the senior ganie on No. 1 ground. The schoolbodys were too good and lia.i ap easy win by 21 to 6. The score was made up of tries by Wells (2), Towers (2), and Poland (1), and Garry converted three of the tries. Mr. Bert Neil was referee. THAMES VAtLEY RUGBY UNION. Owing to the postponement of the inter'Union games on May 27 it is not generally known wjhat the procedure will be in connection: with the Thames Valley Union fixtures. The games as arranged will be played according to dates, and any postponed game will be played at the end of the round. Therefore, on June 17, the second draws in the first round will be played, namely: Plains v. Waihi, seniors at Waihi, jupiors at Ngatea . Paeroa v. Piako, seniors at Te Aroha, Juniors at Paeroa.

$ HAURAKI PLAINS UNION. There were no matches played last Saturday by the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union owing to the inability to I have each, club notified in time to get the teams together. Several clubs played practice matches. The cup

fixtures will, continue next Saturday, when the following matches' will be played; Seniors. —Ngatea v. Turua, at Turns ; Patetonga v. Kerepeehi, at Kerepeehi; .Waitakaruru a bye. Juniors. —Turua v. Ngatea, at Ngatea ; Kerepeehi v. Patetonga, at Patetonga ; Waitakaruru a bye. -~T — RUGBY NOTES. (By "Old Timer.’’) The senior dub championships under the auspices of the Paeroa Rugby Union were continued on Saturday last under very adverse conditions, and it is generally felt by all Rugby enthusiasts that now the senior competition has reached the commence ment of the second round we shoul 1 see better football in this grade. As the proverbial "onlooker who sees most of the game,” I cannot hem wondering what is wrong with the present-day senior players. I noticed last Saturday that the local club took rhe field with only eleven men, and concluded the game with thirteen, and-.one is forced to wonder when the club selectors will realise how foolish it is to select men who require so much persuasion to play. These men usually, at the last moment, let their •team down, and I cannot understand why the c)ub who sent the local team on the field on Saturday wi>.h only 11 men and has a good sprinkling of first juniors to select ffrom will not select a team that will take .the fle’d complete. The reason to me appears obvious, and, as stated before, those who require so much persuasion must for the good of .the old game be dropped like hot potatoes and juniors brought up. I venture to say that if this principle is adopted complete teams will take the field and better football will be witnessed; I have always had the notion, and feel sure it is the right one, that if a man will not play for the love of; the game, or requires a lot of coaxing, he is better left alone, no matter how good he is, and selectors should bear this in mind when seletcing .their teams.

The visiting senior team, Suburbs must be congratulated on the manner in which they took the field on Saturday last. Among the players .1 saw, several old-timers, such as “Rapu” Young, P. Corbett, and Maloney, out to help their club along. Here, again, juniors should be called upon to fill the gaps, as I know some of the abovementioned, players have more than once thrown the Jersey in.. However, one, cannot but admire their sporting spirit, especially "Rapu,’’ who a few years ago was one of the most prominent forwards in the Goldfields district, -

I understand there are about 250 players taking part in competition under the jurisdiction of the Paeroa Rugby Union, and as approximately 80 of these are senior players we look (or good football in that grade. I feel sure the ability is .there, but the inclination to act when opportunity comes along is somewhat lacking. What we want .to see is a great deal more of that vim and crispness which is the glory of Rugby enthusiasts, and can only, be acquired with training, combination, and unquestioning acceptance of the referees’ rulings. The bojrs taking part in the thirdgrade competition have so far given a fine display o,f football, and a spectator who ventures on the gipund about 2 p.m. every Saturday is treated to a good game. I can see a fair sprinkling of future senior and representative players among those boys, and by the standard of their play it will not be many seasons before they have advanced to that stage. First-class junior football is seen by followers of the junior grade, and why a number of these players are not in the, senior teams, or even -e--presentatives, is a query to me and a hint to the senior selectors to cast their eye over the ditch. At present space will not permit me to offer any suggestion to overcome this difficulty, but I hope a few of my notes, which will, as time goes op, and with the permission of the editor, appear it. Wednesday’s issue each week may be received by readers in the spirit -hi which they are written. If any criticism of individuals or clubs is given, please note that it is with- the sole idea of bettering the game and assising the players or clubs criticise!. Notes in future •will be written jwkb this intention only.