FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4427, 14 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY NOTES. (By “Old Timer.’’) ■ Followers of the Rugby game were treated to a rather indifferent display of football at Hikutaia last Saturday. I think it was about 4 r>,m. before the players took the field. This is to be regretted, but in justice to the teams It was not altogether their fault, as ''right up to Friday evening Netherton senior players were under the impression that their match was to be played at Netherton. However, on Saturday the sporting element down there got busy with ’phone and horse, and, although late, managed to get the tda?i across to the Hikutaia field. I am told that the Paeroa Rugby Union gave the Netherton club the option of having either .the senior or junior game played at Netherton, and as the latter was of some importance, because the team is well up in the competition, preference was given to them. This, action appears to me to bear out the contention of a speaker at a smoker held at Netherton a few nights ago: several Rugbyites are under the impression t'h;at the governing bcdy is not giving the country clubs a fair run, and one is pleasel to see that the actions of the Rugby Union were backed up by at least one strong 'Netherton supporter (Mr. Rice), and I am sure bis remarks paved the way for a better understanding between the country clubs and headquarters. The weekly meeting of, the Paeroa Rugby Union is, I believe, now altered from Thursday to Tuesday evehings. This is rather a step in the right direction, and will allow of more' notice to .be given to country clubs when alterations the following Saturday are made. The Netherton club is in possession of a fine se,t of forwards, and to my mind there should be a fair- sprinkling of this division in the representative team for next Saturday. The Johnson boys and Fishers are playing fine games, and on Saturday last showed a fair amount of dash, which so- far has not been too prevalent in cup fixtures. It was rumoured that J*. Barnett was coming out last Saturday for Suburbs, and aiong with many other onlookers I was disappointed that he did not don the jersey. Although an old player, and N-Z. representative, he still ranks among the best we have in the district, and his knowledge of the game alone would be a great acquisition to the Paeroa reps, I feel sure that such a player will be sadly needed to keep our piospective reps, in their place, but, nevertheless, the Frank Poland Memorial Cup has not gone yet. I have seen Paeroa "up against it” before pow, and they have managed to come out on top, so let us be. instilled with'optimism, and if the selector will place his hand on the right players the cup has a big chance of remaining in local hands. A Waihi enthusiast informed me the other day that the cup was theirs, or as good as won, and the Plains union say they already have a good hold of the. trophy, so in the interest of football we hope this coveted memorial will pass into the hands of the best team. /

West seniors were again in the unfortunate, position of taking the field minus'their- full team last Saturday. We know the club has three teams to maintain in the Union's competitions* but I could see no excuse for a shortage last week, as their first juniors had a bye 'and could have been called upon to-.flU gaps. Organisation appears io be lacking with the black and whites. I notice .that every match the senior-grade has played has been a close game, and most of the time short 6f players, so it is obvious that they must have been in a better position as far as the cup competitor goes had their selector looked more to the juniors for help. The Komata team still holds well together, and if, the clubs flaying under the Pctroa Rugby Union couli each find a coach and club enthusiast in their midst like Billy Thorburn I venture tp say football would improve nbf only in play, but in goodfellowship and club management, which, when we come down to concrete facts, is' largely the foundation of success in all manner of sports. A few weeks ago a first junior team playing for Thames Rugby Union went up in a body tp the senior grade, and on inquiry from the union management I find this team is doing remarkably well with the other, clubs in the senior competition,. The local East team is, in the opinion of many onlookers, capable of doing the same thing, and a f ter their matcn last Saturday with a first-class team like the Netherton juniors, I am more than convinced that even the Paeroa representatives would benefit ifi this team conld .be induced to take such a sporting plunge. The trial of strength with the present senior grades would be more than eagerly looked for by the spectators. Another reason why many old followers of the game in Paeroa would like to see this come about -is that a season. would have not gone by whereby an old established club like the East Club could report at the next annual meeting that they were unable, during the past, season for the first time in 20 years, to place a> senior team in the field. Let up hope this will not have to be reported at -the next annual meeting, more so when the West Club, their ancient rivals in many hard-lfpught battles, are still kicking the leather about with three teams in the field. Writing from Waihpu, Mr. C. S. Foster, who is a keen football enthusiast, • and who w.as resident in Paeroa for many years, says: “I was in Paeroa on Saturday, 10th inst, and had the pleasure of seeing two games of Rugby, a curtain-raiser, High School v. West) (third), and West v. Komata (senior). If I am keen on anything It is a good clean game of Rugby, and no doubt those who had the pleasure of watching these matches on Saturday saw Rugby under proper controL Quite a lot of country unions and referees allow thte players to talk too much. In fact, in some instances, the players ran the shew. I am very pleased to see that Paeroa are right out to improve the

control of Rugby, both op and off the field, and I wish to congratulate all concerned, Union, players, and referee, for the good, clean exhibition of Rugby given us last Saturday.” o — NOTES FROM THE PLAINS. SIDE-LINE JOTTINGS. After three weeks of no football some of the players last Saturday were a little "rusty” and the best of football was not seen. The heavy nature of some of the grounds also had the effect of making seme of the games slow and decidedly uninteresting. One exception was the Kere-peehi-Patetonga senior match, played at Kerepeehi. TJhis was an exceptionally fast game. Each Saturday the Kerepeehi team is showing improved form, and with a little more finish to their play they should prove themselves victorious in more than one match in the next round. The best Kerepeehi players on Saturday's play were J- Adlam and McCollum (three-quarters), Rapani, Dent (forwards). Patetonga had a good solid teanv Their passing was very good, and they were far superior to Kerepeehi in the scrums. The full-back and wing three-quarters were the outstanding players on the Patetonga side. . Ngatea seniors put up a very disappointing performance against Turua. The game was even enough, out the Ngatea backs were weak. The Turua backs were strong, nad threw the ball about with a dexterity wihiich was not attained by Ngatea. .Bedford in the forwards, O’Carroll at fiveeighths, and Keith at wing threequarter were the most conspicuous of the Turua team. The Ngatea forward line was a solid one. of whicn L. Marchant, A. Banks, and Dawson Were the pick. McMahon as rover showed his usual good form, and Nichols was responsible for saving from many forward rushes. The meeting of the Turua and Ngatea junior teams, neither of which had yet been beaten, was, keenly looked forward to by those interested, and an .exciting game was anticipated The performance; however, was decidedly disappointing and the standard of Rugby was very low. The Ngatea team appeared to be disorganised and all at sea. Had it not been for tne spiendid work of E. Clark, Ngatea’s wing three-quarter, the score would have been much larger in Turua’s favour. Clark stood out on his own and was continually on the ball. Of the Turua team Robinson and Smith (forwards), A. Elyin (five-eighths), and Horteney (three-quarter) were the most prominent.

THE POLAND CUP. SATURDAY’S TEAMS. The following teams have been selected to play in the Frank Poland Memorial Cup inter-union matches bn Saturday. Paeroa and Piako seniors meet at Te Aroha, and juniors at Paeroa. and Plains seniors play Waihi at Waihi, and juniors at Ngatea: SENIORS. Paeroa — Fullback, Richmond (Netherton); three-quarters, McLeod (Komata), Winder (Suburbs), I. Poland (West) ; five eighths, A. Royal (Suburbs), G Royal (Komata) ; halfback, P. Treanon (Netherton); rover, T.- Johnson (Netherton) ; forwards, G. ’Fisher (Netherton), K. Fisher (Netherton), E: Smith (Komata), W. Taylor (West), B Johnson (Netherton), J. Benney (Komata), T. Long (Suburbs). Emergencies: A. Hamilton, G. Nelson, I. Ellis (forwards) ; K Dean, L. Shaw, B. McNeil (backs). Plains.—Full-back, Costello (Patetonga) ; three-quarters, Beasley (Kerepeehi), Stretton (Waitakaruru), Lar.g (Waitakaruru) ; five-eighths, Nichols .(Ngatea), McCollum (Kerepeehi) ; balf-foack, Blomfleld (Waitakaruru) ; rover, McMahon (Ngatea) ; forwards, C. Clark (Waitakaruru), K. Fox (Turua), Bedford (Turua), Rapani .(Kerepeehi), Bolton (Patetonga), Dawson (Ngatea), Newdick (Patetonga). Emergencies: Backs, Adlam (Kerepeehi), D. Fox (Turua); forwards, Dent (Kerepeehi), A. Banks (Ngatea). JUNIORS. Paeroa.—Fullback, B. Rae (East); three-quarters, J, O’Brien (East), L. Rico (Netherton), W. Ardern (West) ; five-eighths, Lee (East), Samson (Suburbs) ; half-back, H. Thorp (East); rover, J.' Treanor (East); forwards, Carter (Netherton), Pennell (East), Neil (Komata), G. Sin'nett (West), Oliver (Suburbs), F. Thorp (East), A. Williams (East). Emergencies : Forwards, E. Alley (Suln urbs). J. Morrison (West), Vuglar (East); backs, E. King (East), H. Morrison (Suburbs), Rice (Netherton). Plains. —Full-lb.ack, Clark (Ngatea); three-quarters, Watene (Kerepeehi), Reta (Kerepeehi), Grogan (Ngatea): five-eighths, Satchell (Ngatea), Evans (Patetonga) ; half-back, A. EMn (Turua) ; rover, Majurey (Kerepeehi) ; forwards, Grant (Waitakaruru), Sm’th (Turua), Catlin (Turua), Bernie (Patetonga), Coxhead (Waitakaruru), Cowdrey (Patetonga), Waugh (Ngatea). Emergencies : Backs, Merriman (Patetongh) ; forwards, Robinson (Turua), H. Porter (Waitakaruru).