FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4430, 21 June 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY NOTES. (By "Old Timer.”! Last Saturday sa,w the commencement of the Thames Valley Rugby Union Championship games for the Frank Poland Memorial Cup, and although defeated by a slightly better team on the day Paeroa is to be congratulated on the fine, stand the team put up against Piako. I have followed the inter-union matches in this district for many years and must say that last Saturday saw Piako with one of the best teams it has yet sent op the field. Contrary to expectations of many followers of the game our local team put up a great fight, and the forward division is, I think, the best our selector could have sent on the field to defend the cup, bu,t no doubt tbe backs can be improved, and If this takes place Paeroa may, as I predicted, before long yet hold the trophy. The match was not brilliant to watch, but an onlooker could see that strenuous work was going on among both sets of for.wards —hard knocks were given and taken and the game went on. On the day it is difficult '.o specially mention any players, but I am sure that if quicker following of the ball is drummed into players' ears the result would be better. One cahnct help mentioning one player as an exception to the above, namely, T. Johnson, and on more than one occasion I sa,w this' player following up fast and taking his opponent before he could get. rid of the ball, but little use came of his hard work, as he did not have the support which is necessary to bring such attacks tp a successful issue. Nevertheless, the fol lowing up of; high kicks, and players running back on side, showed a marked improvement in the Paeroa team, and "one cannot , put too much stress on .the necessity of men getting back on side. That method of waiting until the ball is sent back up the field again to where you are instead of running back is “called in.” W. Taylor played a sound game, but at times showed want of training, and I feel sure that if this player would only get, down to hard track work he would be one of the most prominent players in the district, . It was unfortunate that the .team lost the services of Treanor, who at half-lack behind a pack playing a forward game was greatly missed. Poia ( nd was as safe as ever in the back division, and any opponent getting near him with the ball was soon brought to earth. I was pleased to see Dean more than warrant his inclusion in the team,. It was generally thought that this player had been overlooked by the selector, but, still, every selector is entitled to his own opinion ; if not, why have one ? Seeing that the Paeroa team did so well on Saturday last one would like to see the selector bring the team, or at, least the forwards, together before their next match ,say, for an afternoon, and give them a good drilling in line-out work. This is a weakness not only with Paeroa, bqt most teams in the Valley. There seems to be that want of knowledge of the finer points in this department of the game which goes a long way in winning matches. We have in our midst an All Black forward who in his time was noted for his work in line-out play, and I am sure that if approached he would be only too pleased to offer his services and knowledge. It was unfortunate that during the game at Te Aroha two players had to be put off the field, and as both men had been playing, a fine ga’fne it was a hard knock for their respective sides. However, one must congratulate the referee on his prompt action, and also .the penalised players for the sporting manner in which they acknowledged the referee’s decision. I heard both say. “He is quite right, but it is bad luck for us.” So, for the good of Rugby, let us hope that if similar action has again to be taken by a reforee in this district players concerned will accept the decision in a like manner to those two on Saturday.

The Piako Rugbyites appeared Übe highly delighted with their victory,' antin') doubt they ..should be,, as defeat was snatched out of the fire just before the call of time. Such is the fortune of football, and must be expected when two teams so evenly matched try conclusions. However, on the day I think, as before mentioned. that the victors had slightly the better of the game, so let us hope the representative matches which will during the next two months he played to decide who should hold the championship and trophy, will end in the same way and be played in the same spirit. By what we hear the Hauraki Plains team is a strong combination, and considering that last Saturday was their maiden entry into the old Goldfields stronghold they are 'to be congratulated on the fight they put up against an old-established club like Waihi, and I feel sure that before the season is over they will be well in the hunt, -so good luck to them, as only sports do the travelling that some of them had to dp to get to Waihi. I heard that one man left his home at 2 p.m. on Friday to enable him to catch the motor-car at Ngatea on Saturday at mid-day, and if this is a sample of our new opponents (an! I am told that many such men are over there) the T.V.R.U. is to be congratulated on having such a body of men playing the game under their flag.

THAMES VALLEY RUGBY UNION. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Thames Valley Rugby Union was held in the local Fire Brigade Shed on Saturday evening to consider the rules. Present: Messrs J. W. Silcock (president), Stewart, Holesworth, Childerhonse, Philpott, Keven, Rowe, Penlington, Wells, Vuglar, Vincent, Porteojs, and Berney. The rules, with the following amendments, were adopted, and are to be forwarded ,to the New Zealand Rugby Union for confirmation: In rule 8 the words “or selectors” be added, and in rule 13 the word "qualified” be inserted before auditor. It

was agreed that the colours pf the Union be light blue and gold. COMMITTEE MEETING. After the business, of the special meeting had concluded a committee meeting was held. The referee in the Paeroa v. Piako senior match at Te Aroha reported ordering Treanor and Goldsbury off the field. It was decided that these two players be cautioned, and any future conduct of a like nature be severely dealt with. The referee’s action in ordering Treanor and Goldsbury off the field was endorsed. It was decided that the Thames Valley Union play the amended rules as played by Auckland. The weight for third-grade players was fixed at 9st 81b, stripped for tne fiehl, with an allowance of 41b for the season. The New Zealand Rugby Union wrote suggesting that charity matches be played on June 24', for the Blind Institute. This was agreed to, tjie distribution pf funds to be left in the hands of affiliated unions. It was decided, that the fixtures that were postponed on May 27 be played on July 28. It was also carried that in future no representative matches be postponed. A recommendation, that referees’ travelling expenses be paid by the sub-»unions travelling, was carried. It was resolved that the second round fixtures be arranged by the secretary every fortnight after July 28 FIXTURES, The second round of l the Thames Valley inter-union matches has been arranged as follows: August 12—Piako v. Plains; seniors at Te Aroha, juniors at Ngatea. Paeroa v. Waihi; seniors at Waihi, juniors at Paeroa. August 26.—Paeroa v. Piako; seniors at Paeroa, juniors at Te Aroha. Plains v. Waihi; seniors a.t Ngatea, juniors at Waihi. September 9.—Paeroa. v. Plains; seniors at Ngatea, juniors at Paeroa. Piako v. Waihi; seniors at Te Aroha, juniors a.t Waihi. The Paeroa v. Plains match on September 9 is subject to alteration by mutual arrangement, as in the first round Paeroa will travel to Ngatea instead of Plains coming ip Paeroa.

PAEROA RUGBY UNIOM COMMITTEE MEETING. The weekly meeting of the Paeroa Rugby Union was held last night. Present: Messrs Silcock (chairman), Taylor, Thorburn, Roach, Wells, Vuglar, and the secretary. Apoloiges were received from Messrs Garry and Dunlop. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS!. J, Rackham was registered as a junior for the West Club and E. and C. Burgess for the East Club. An application was received from I Hamilton asking to be r,egraded from junior to third-grade. It whs pointed ou,t that he had already play-’ ed three junior matches and it was not the Union’s policy to regrade players until such time as they saw they were standing on the line. The application was refused. A queston was asked whether D. Smith, who has since been graded " senior player, would be allowed io play in the match that is to be replayed. The secretary was instructed to ask get a ruling ftrom the Thames Valley Rugby Union. The secretary was instructed to write to the Thames Rugby Union asking for a match which the Thames Union owe us in Paeroa. DRAWS FOR SATURDAY. The following draws have been arranged for Saturday : Seniors.—West v. Netherton, at Netherton; Komata v. Suburbs, at Paeroa. Juniors. —Netherton v. Suburbs, at Hikutaia ; Komata v. West, at Paeroa. Hast a bye. Third Grade-—East v. West, at Paeroa.