FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4462, 4 September 1922, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THAMES VALLEY DEFEATED. WAIKATO 12, THAMES VALLEY 3. A match between Thames Valley and Waikato representative teams was tire big attraction at the Hamilton Showgrounds on Saturday last. The weather, was that of a summer’s day, and the heat from the sun was rather trying to the players. After, a disappointing display, which was witnessed by over 2000 people, Waikato won by 12 points to 3. The Waikato back division outclassed their opponents ; in {act, all the back play was of their making. Quite a lot of passing was indulged in, but finish was lacking. Thompson, on the wing, played a fine game. Peach (five-eighths) was doing well until he had to retire, owing to an injured knee, before the first quar t ter had finished. Kemp, who replaced Peach, was about the best back for Waikato, and continually turned defence into attack. Trussing was sound, tut was not up to his usual form. Ryan (rover) played a good game, and was far better than his opponent. Sowman was the pick of the forwards, followed by Keightley and Hamilton. Keightley dominated the position in the lipe-Outs. There was practically no passing between the Thames Valley backs, and of individual players Nichols at five-eighths was the best. J. Magill was doing well until half-time, when he had to retire through injuries. Neither Adlam nor McNeil (wing three-quarters) received a pass, but Adlam had .a. fair amount of work to do, and was sound. McNeil was all right when he had plenty o: time, but otherwise was weak. Gilpin, worked hard, and was always On the ball. Dean and Hudson were both poor. Of the forwards Honey and Johnson were the pick. Benney also showed up in the loose, but being in the front row he was not placed to the best advantage. Goldsbury (rover) did not play his usual game. The teams took the field as follows; Waikato.—Full-back, Matihiieson; three-quajters, Thompson, Barton, Castles; five-eighths, Peach, Prussing; half-hack, Crawford ; rover, Ryan ; forwards, Hooper, Shaw, Carter, Sowman, Hamilton, Keightley, Patteson. Thames Valley.—Full-back, Dean ; three-quarters, Adlam, Magill, McNeil ; five-eighths, Gilpin, Nichols; half-back, Hudson; rover, Goldsbury ; forwards, Honey, Benney, Miller, Rosenfeldt, Johnson, Newdick, Atkins. THE GAME. Thames Valley kicked off facing the sun. From the ensuing line-out the visitors gained a penalty. De.an had a kick at. goal, but the ball fell short and Waikato found the line. After a number of fchroWrins Nichols intercepted, but Waikato worked the ball across to the other side. Some open play ended in Waikato marking. A penalty against Miller followed, Peach finding the line at half! way. An exchange of kicks gave neither side an advantage. The home backs went on the attack, but a penalty held them up. Magill relieved- pressure with a line kick. Waikato returned again with a passing rush, which was stopped by Magill, Dean eventually clearing. Hamilton brought play again ipto the Thames Valley territory from a line-put, and after tight play McNeil forced/ Peach was injured and had to retire. After loose play Sowman sent down, but Adlam found the line. Nichols intercepted and made an opening for the visitors. Thompson got possession in front of the posts, but when collared .by Nichols held on and was penalised. Magill, converted from an easy position.. Thames Valley 3, Waikato O’. After cihanging over play remained for a time about half way. Passing by Waikatp reaahed the other twentyfive, but Johnson picked up and returned to the other end of the field, Mathieson clearing. Benney got possession, apd after running down the line centred, but" Prussing saved with a mark. From, a mark by Adlam Prussing and Hamilton carried back to the visitors’ twenty-five, an unsuccessful penalty kick by Carter; following. Tight play inside Thames. Valley’s twenty-five line was terminated by Adlam, who cleared tp half way. Gilpin sent down from the throw-in, the ball going out in touch, Kepap opened up for Waikato and carried well down the field'. Nichols saved a dangerous situation by marking. Johnson, then broke away from tight forward play, and with Gilpin carried down at toe nearly to Waikato's line. Hudson and Adlam then joined in, the latter being penalised on the line. Benney marked the penalty kick and had a shot at goal, but did not succeed. Half-time canie with the scones, Thames Valley 3, Waikatp 0. After half-time Miller filled Magill’? position apd Taylor took Miller's place in the forwards. From the kick off Honey took up to Waikato’s line, but offside play saved the defenders. After a number of kicks Nichols carried play into the ihpme team’s territory, where the game was carried on for some time, Kemp eventually relieving with a good linekick to the half-way flag. A forward rush by Waikato down the middle of fch'e field was stopped by Nichols with a mark in front of .the posts. A penalty kick by Waikato was blocked. Sowman caught the rebounding bail and went to the visitors’ line, where a scrum was ordered. The defending forwards came away with the ball, but a breach gave Mathieson an unsuccessful kick at goal. Benney and Johnson then headed a forward rusa to the Other twentyrfive, where a penalty against Rosenfeldt relieved the position for the home team, and play went- to the other end of the field. After tight play Prussing opened up for Waikato, the ball going out to Castels, who lightly kicked over the line and scored. Mathieson failed with the kick. Thames Valley 3, Waikato 3. A bad catch by Adlam put Waikato on the attack, and with the pressure on Newdick was penalised in front of the posts. Keightley converted. Waikato 6, Thames Valley 3. Tn the final quarter play was restricted to mid-field for a lengthy period. A 1 long punt by Waikato badly beat Dean, and Sbwman and Shaw

forced McNeil to kick over the deadball line. From the ensuing fiveyards scrum the defenders cleared. Up and down play followed, terminating with a scrum on the visitors’ line from which they were penalised. Keightley converted and made the scores. Waikato 9, Thames Valley 3Waikato had the better of some open play, but Hudson with a mark relieved a dangerous situation. Kemp marked from a lino put immediately afterwards, but his. kick was blocked and Taylor and Benney sent back to half way. A penalty to Thames Valley or. Waikato’s twenty-five followed, but Dean’s kick fell short and the ball was sent back to the half-way line. From a scrum Thompson kicked down from half way.. Dean missed the ball and Thompson regained possession, and in a race with Nichols was collared on the line, but fell over and scored. Keightley failed with the kick. Waikato 12, Thames 1 Valley 3. Atkins marked in loose play in Waikato's territory, but ibis kick lacked power. Time was called shortly afterwards, but no further scores were registered, the game ending: Waikato, 12; Thames Valley, 3. Mr T, French was referee. CURTAIN-RAISER. COLLEGE RIFLES 6, HAMILTON 0. A curt.ain-raiser was played between third grade teams representing College Rifles and Hamilton. After an even contest the former won dv six points to nil, the result of a try and a goal from a mark. HAURAKI PLAINS FINAL. TURUA WINS THE CUP. NGATEA BEATEN BY 12 TO 0. The final match of the Hauraki Plains Senior Rugby Championship was played at Ngatea on Saturday, when Turua beat Ngatea by 12 points to 0. The game was by no means a spectacular affair, the standard of play on both sides being decidedly disappointing. The Ngatea team was composed mostly of juniors. Much depended on the result of Saturday’s match. Had Turua lost Waitakaruru would have claimed championship ihonours, and had the result been a draw Turua and Waitakaruru would have been level for the honours, necessitating a play-off-As it is, however, Turua wins the championship, being pne poipt ahead of Waitakaruru. The junior championship has also been wpn by Turua. There was a fair muster of spectators, and for a time considerable enthusiasm was evinced. Play was fairly even in the opening stages, but patchy. In the first quarter K, Fox scored a try, which was not converted. There was no scoring in the first half, and the spell arrived with the scores, Turua 3, Ngatea In the third quarter Thrupp kicked a penalty goal, and in the final quarter Bedford scored an unconverted try. The game was now developing into a scramble, and the whistle blew with'the scores, Turua 12, Ngatea 0. . Mr D. G. McMillan was referee,