FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4459, 28 August 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

A SURPRISE VICTORY.

PAEROA 12, PIAKO 11.

Th© attend/nce at the Paerpa v. Piako ir.aUrifin the Domain pn Saturday wft*mot as large as usual, doubtlessly because it -was expected that Piako would, have an easy win. However, Paeroa played better than usual and Piako had a day off, and after a very even game Paeroa won by one point, the scores being Paerpa 12, Piako 11. The conditions fpr football were ideal, but, although the game was willing, the standard of play was poor. Most of the players did some good individual work, but they also made bad blunders. Ellis gave the first try to Piako through kicking the ball instead of, passing, and McNeil attempted to kick a rolling ball and missed, and sp gave Goldsbury the chance to score the second try for Piako.. Pivott. did not make full use of his opportunities be-i hind the pack; also, he talked too much, especially in the way of appealing for marks, which he did nearly every time he handled the ball, and in many cases fpr ridiculous things. For many of those appeals the referee would have been justified in penalising Pivott. The outstanding players for Paeroa were J’. Benue y and pl. Poland. Goldsbury was the star fpr Piako. Gilpin did not play well at all, and upset Piako’s c.hances on many occasions by giving bad passes with one hand. It was also bad offside play on Gilpin's part that gave Paerpa a penalty just on time which Dean converted.'

Soon after commencing offside play by Benney gave Piako a free kick which Paeroa returned, Young ing on to piako’s line. After an exchange of kicks Young again headed a Paeroa attack, Smith spoiling a good chance by kicking top hard. Piako forced. Loose play followed m neutral territory for some time, Patterson then taking up to Piako’s Corner flag. From the line-out Piakp returned to mid-field, where play remained until change over.

A line-out took place shortly after the opening of the second, round, Paeroa backs getting the ball. EHis, instead of; passing, made a bad kick, which gave Piako forwards an opening, and a loose rush terminated with Atkins scoring. J. Magill converted. Piako 5, Paeroa 0.. Paerpa wept on the attack and a loose rush saw the ball go over, but Piako forced. A penalty on Piako’s twenty-five line against Atkins for offside play terminated some loose pipy. Dean took the kic;k and, placed a nice goal. Piako 5. Paeroa 3. In open play McNeil centred and Benney attacked on his own. By alternative .tackle and dribble Benney beat half a dozen opponents and carried from! half way to the visitors’ line —a brilliant piece •f work. Paeroa remained on the attack, and in loose play in the corner Pivott picked up and scored a good try. Dean’s kick just went outside the post. Paeroa 6, Piako 5. Shortly atfer half time Poland got possession in the loose and sent up to Piako’s line, a force resulting. Paeroa backs got going on ,an attack, but a penalty relieved for Piako. From a scrum at half way Goldsbury sent down the line. McNeil made a kick at the ball .and missed, and Goldsbury picked up and scored, F. Miller failed with the kick. Piako 8, Paeroa 6. In loose play Magill was penalised for offside play in front of the posts. Dean converted, making the scores Paerpa 9, Piako 8. From a line-out Long took well into Piako’s territory, but Magill cleared with a' speculator. Piako went on the attack, and afte" close play in the corner Goldsbury worked the blind, side of a scrum and scored a good try. Magill failed. Piako 11, Paeroa 9.

Tn the final quarter play was fairly close for a time. From a scrum abou: half way Gilpin punted with, good judgment. Shaw mishandled the ball and Gilpin parried to Paeroa’s line. A force resulted. Piako attacked, and gained a penalty, but Magill failed tc convert. Play was open for the re mainder of the game. Just on time, when play was just inside Piako’s twenty-five line, Gilpin was penalised for offside play. Dean converted wit,a a gobd kick, ’and won .the game for Paerop, the scores being Paeroa 12, Piako 11. Mr Hovel] was referee.

THE CURTAIN-RAISER. NO SCORE. Two third-grade teams played a curtairi-raiser to the Paeroa v. Piako match in the Domain on Saturday. The game ended in a draw, neither side scoring. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. THE JUNIORS. f•• . PAEROA 3. PIAKO 3. The Paeroa and Piako junior representatives met at Te Arora bn Saturday. The result was a drawn game, bo.fhi teams scoring three points. Both scores were made from penalty, goals.