FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4450, 7 August 1922, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

KOMATA WINS CHAMPIONSHIP. NETHERTON BEATEN BY 11 TO 3. The c.ub championships in the different grades in the Paeroa Rugby Union district were decided bn Saturday. By defeating Netherton, Komata has gained a total number of ch impionship points so far in excess of other competing clubs that any future matches cannot alter the result. The same applies to East in the junion competition, and West in the third grade contest. The match in the Domain between Komata and Netherton turned but to be a good, hard game, and when it was all over there was very little difference between the two teams. Most of the work was done by the forwards, especially in the case of Netherton, whose backs were weak, with the result that—although there were occasional exciting periods—in the second half of. the game play frequently resolved itself into forward scrambles. An unfortunate accident happened about halfl-way through the first quarter, when O’Grady (Komata) had his leg broken.

The game opened with close play about half way, Komata eventually going forward into Netherton’s territory. Pitts marked a return kick, and had an unsuccessful shot at goal. With a loose rush Netherton went co the other end of the field, B. Johnson sending over the line. Komata torc;d. Netherton attacked strongly, and from a five-yards scrum McNeil marked in a good position, but failed to convert. Netherton returned the dropout and Koinata again forced? A period of tight play in Komata’s territory ended in O’Grady being injured. After resuming, Eric Moore picked tip in the loose at half way and passed in to Patterson, who returned to Moore, to Pitts, the latter centring. McNamara followed up fast and scored. Moore converted. Komata 5, Netherton 0. Following mid-field play, and just at the end of. the quarter, Netherton gained a penalty on Komata’s twenty-five. B. Fisher took the kick and converted. Komata a, Netherton 3.

The second quarter opened with a good deal of forward play in neutral territory. Komata gradually worked down, but off-side play gave relief io Netherton. Moore marked at halfway, and a fine attempt at goal just blissed by Indies. After another lengthy spell of forward play Moore again marked, this time on Netherton’s twenty-five, and converted. Komata 8, Netherton 3. For the remainder of the quarter Netherton had to work hard defending, having to for.ee a number of times, and also stop several dangerous dashes by Komata backs.

A kicking bout opened play in the second half, Komata gaining the advantage and oging strongly on . the attack From a resulting five-yards scrum a penalty relieved for Netherton. Moore marked in front of the posts from the line out and again had a successful kick. Komata 11, Netherton 3. Netherton followed up the drop-cut, and almost without a check crossed Komata’s line, E. Johnson scoring. B. Fisher converted. Komata 11, Netherton 8. The game then resolved itself into a hard forward struggle in mid.-field until the quarter ended,

In the last quarter the game was opened up a bit, and flor some time play was fairly fast. Netherton forwards engaged in a loose rush with the ball at toe, but Royal saved the situation and cleared to the line. Kerr marked from the throwdn, and with a well-judged line kick sent play back to half: way. Fast, open phiy ruled until time was c,ailed, but no further points were scored, the game ending Komata 11, Netherton 8. Mr E. Shaw was referee.

JUNIORS. EAST 5, SUBURBS 3. The East v. Suburbs match was played at Hikutaia, and after a good game East had a victory by 5 to 3. F. Thorp scored a try tor the winners and B. Rae converted. The points scored by Suburbs were the result of a converted penalty kick by E. Alley. The East juniors have put up a unique performance this season, in that their line has not been crossed in any club match, all points scored against them resulting from goalkicks. THIRD GRADE. WEST 4, SCHOOL 3. The School v. West match (Mr M. Cha.mberlain referee) was a play-off for the championship, West having a lead of one point. After a very even contest West, won by 4 points to 3. Just, before the finish of the third quarter I. Hamilton drop-kicked a goal tor west, and half-way through the final round Towers scored for School. On" the whole West had slightly the better of the game, but School could have been seen to more advantage had their backs been worked mere in the last quarter. After Hamilton drop-kicked the goal fpi' West School closed up and played a forward game instead of a back game, in which’ they excel. Ohly once in the last quarter did the School backs open up, and that was when Towers scored.

POLAND CUP MATCH; PIAKO 8, HAURAKI PLAINS 7. A hard and fast exhibition of Rugby was witnessed at Ngatea pn Saturday, when Piako met. and defeated the Hauraki Plains representatives by 8 points to 7. It was unfortunate for the Hauraki Plains team that six of their selected men were unable to play, but the substitutes, however, gave a good account, of themselves. The game resolved itself into three stages. In the first quarter the Plains team made the pace, and with the better of the play drew first blood with a penalty goal by Thorburn. The Piako men, however, weie quick to retaliate, Miller scoring an unconverted try. The second stage was tlie second and third quarters, which were very evenly contested, and slightly in flavour of the visiting

team. J. Magill scored early' in the third quarter, F. Miller converting. The third stage was the last quarter, in which Plains did all the attacking, but could not pierce the sound defence. Nicholls, however, potted a fine goal from midfield, making the scores Piako 8, Hauraki Plains 7. The following teams took the field :

Piako. —E. Timmins, G. Miller, F. Miller, Moon, Gilpan, J. Magill, Hudson, Goldsbury, Cribb, Giattan, P. Magill, McLaren, Ryan, Atkins, Rosen feidt, Hauraki Plains.—C .Stretton, Lang, Adlan'., D. Fox, Garry, Nicholls, McMahon, Thorburn, C. Clark, Poland, Bolton, Dent, K. Fox, Beasley, and Rapana. THE PLAY. Piako kicked off, and from a scrum in the Plains twenty-five Rapana relieved with a free kick. Plains took a turn at the atta,ck and Thorburn found the line. From a line-out Garry received a pass and sent to D. Fox, who carried the leather almost to the goal-line. A free kick to Piako relieved a difficult position, but Trains came hack and a line-out resulted beside '.he corner flag. From a breach Thorburn took a penalty kick at goal and was successful, plains 3, Piako 0. Plains forced the play into the Piako twenty-five, and Rapana made a good opening. Piako retaliated, but Stretton found the line with a good kick. From a scrum Garry put Plains on the offensive, but Timmins temporarily held up an attack which was finally relieved by a free kick. The Plains had the best of the resultant play until Piako set up a passing rush, which was broken up by Nicholls. A free kick to Piako gave them the advantage, but McMahon put Plains again on the attack. From a scrum near half way Hudson got away and Miller scored near the corner. The kick was a good' one, but failed. Piako 3, Plains 3. The second quarter opened with, a Plains attack. From a free kick Thorburn made an unsuccessful attempt at goal. Piako made an attack and off-side play gave Miller a shot at goal, but the kick failed. Plains returned to the attack and Rapana from a penalty tried a good but unsuccessful kick at goal. Nicholls returned a Piako free kick, and from a scrum Thorburn secured and passed to Garry, who sent to Rapana. A lineout resulted in fast and .interesting play. A Piako attack finished at the cornei flag. Piakb had an unsuccessful penalty kick at goal at a difficult angle. Stretton put Plains on the offensive, but Piako came back again and a free kick at goal was unsuccessful. An obstruction gave relief to the home team, and Thorburn carried play to the visitors’ twentyfive, where Piako relieved with a free kick, half-time being called immediately afterwards with the scores Piako 3, Plains 3.

Piako opened the second half with a passing rush, which ended in a line-out. A free kick to Plains and forward play by Piako put Plains iri a good position, but Piako were equal to the occasion and se.t up a good attack, whicli ended in J.. Magill scoring a try, which F. Miller converted. Piako 8, Plains 3? An exchange cf kicks was followed by another Piako rush, which was relieved by a mark by Nicholls. Bustling tactics nearly gave Piako another, try, but Stretton saved the situation. The Plains then attacked, but Magill saved arid put Piako on the offensive, apd later Plains were obliged to force. Adlam with a good run brought play back to the Piako half, and off-side play gave Plains a free at goal. Thorburn’s kick failed.

The last quarter opened with fast exciting play a,nd a Plains rush was spoilt by a breach. After some uninteresting play in mid-field Plains made a determined effort and Nicholls potted a beautifulsgoal from mid field. Piakb 8, Plains 7. Great enthusiasm was now aroused in the spectators, and the home team greatly enlivened at their score made the pace, and Piako forced. A knock-on held up a Plains rush, and play came to the Plains half, where a knock-on relieved matters for the home team. Give and take play followed in mid-field, neither team gaining much advantage till a dribbling rush took play to the Piako twenty-five, where the defenders relieved with a free kick. The game ended, Piako 8, Plains 7.

Mr R. B. Penlington was referee