FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4569, 28 May 1923, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS. Netherton 3> v. West 0. Komata 11, v. Suburbs 6. Turua 9, v. Kerepeehi 3Ngatea 6, v. Patetonga 6. Waitakaruru 32, v. Whakatiwai 0. JUNIORS. West 6, v. Karangahake 5. Suburbs 0, v. East 0. Turua-12.-v. Kerepeehi 0. Ngatea 0, v. Patetonga ,0. THIRD GRADE.-* East 9, v. West, 3. i PLAINS FOOTBALL. The first matches of the second round were played on Saturday in ideal weather conditions. Turua agains showed their superiority over Kerepeehi. Under the circumstances, it is rather fortunate that the matches at Patelonga resulted in draws. They may be played off again later. TURUA V. KEREPEEHI. Turua.—D. Fox, H. Elvin,, L. Clotworthy, T, Hooper, O. McMillan, G. Elvin G. Russell., T. Ryan, E. Sherman, J. Thlrupp, D. Hill, W. Clark, K. Fox, H. Hill, L. Pentecost. Kerepeehi.—J. Adlurn, W. Murphy, Steedman, R. Hawera, R. Carr, G. Masters, J. Connor, V. Dept, T. Rapana, C. Fisher, A. Fisher, W. Tipa, M. Baggs, G. McKinnon, T. Hawera. Kerepeehi kicked off against the wind and play went to TuJ’ua’s quarter, Kerepeehi failed with a free kick. From mid-field the Turua forwards with a passing rush crossed the line, but Masters farced. Turua pressed hard, and by line play carried the ball to Kerepeehi’s twentyfive line, but Adlum saved. Eventually’; Ryan got the ball and, charging through, scored. The kick by Thrupp failed. Turua 3, Kerepeehi 0. From the drop-out Play centred in mid-field, neither side gaining any permanent advantage until just prior to the call of time, when Kerepeehi were hard pressed an# wd’’e saved by the bail gwlng put.

After the change over Kerepeehi pressed, but lack of combination gave the lighter Turua t.eam the advantage. Play was in mid-field until Carr following up a good kick, carried play to the visitors’ twenty-five, where Rapana failed with a kick at goal. From the drop-out Kerepeehi and two scrums eventuated on ■ the defenders’ line. Kerepeehi’s weight on a soft field was telling, and Turua had a long spell pn the defence. a long kick by Adlum eventually relieving and carrying play to the other end of the field, Turua forcing. Play remained in Kerepeehi’s territory until half-time.

. Turua kicked off with the wind at their backs, and fast play in neutiral territory eventuated until Fisher took a free kick and followed up. putting Turua oh the defensive. Fox saved by a good line kick. Turua rallied and forced play steadily" up the field, whore they looked like scoring, but the Kerepeehi backs returned to midfield. By line play Turua gained ground, but did not pass Masters and the other Kerepeehi backs until a long kick compelled Carr to fofree.

: Turua attacked, and a scrum on the line eventuated, but a fault by Turua gave relief to Kerepeehi. Kerepeehi livened up in the last quarter,, and the game # became very’ fast, but this suited Turua. Neither side gained much advantage until K. Fox-, though penned up near the Kerepeehi twenty-five flag broke through, and H. Hill scored the second try for Turua. The kick failed. Turua 6, Kerepeehi 0. After a short period of play in neutral territory Kerepeehi had to defend, M. Elvin crossing the line and making the scores Turua 9, Kerepeelii 0. From the drop out play went up and down the field. Turua forced, and lateir Masters kicked, and,, following up, scored for Kerepeehi. Fisher failed with the kick. Turua 9, Kerepeehi 3. , Mr J. Banks was referee.

The Kerepeehi pack on the whole worked well, but Turua’s speed and combination were too' much for them. Masters was the pick of the backs., but Adlum would be better if shifted up. Dent was always on the ball, but Carr was a bit off his game. J. Thrupp was as good as any on the field, and M. Elvin played a good’ game for Turua, and was very sure. Hoopeir and K. Fox played well. Pentecost played his bld game. NGATEA V. t PATETONGA.

Owing to faulty transport, arrangements the Ngatea team was very late in arriving, and it was 5.15 p.m. before play commenced, consequently play after half-time was more or less in the dark,, making it a difficult matter for players and spectators to follow the game.

Ngatea kiejred off, and in and out play resulted, Garry eventually being penalised, but Ngatea failed, to gain any’ advantage from the kick. Play centred in midfield until Patetonga worked down-field, Nicol’s savingPatetonga came with 1 a rush from half-way, Ngajtea forcing. Millington broke away, but Maguire kicked into ton,ch. From the resulting scrum Patetonga gained a free kick* and Merriman converted. Patetonga 3, Ngatea 0. Play became very scratchy. Molloy had ajn unsuccessful shot at goal from a mark. From the ensuing scramble Molloy broke away, and, getting the bounce, scored a good try. He failed with his kick. Patetonga 3, Ngatea 3.

Loose play in mid-field was carried on in tlfb second quarter. Ngatea forced play to Patetonga’s twenty-five, but a free gave relief and good following up took play to Ngatea’s territory, the ball travelling over the line, a force resulting. Play went to halfway, but Patetonga pressed back again. Ngatea had a’ free kick and relieved thesituation. Just when Ngatea had Patetonga hard on the defensive the latter gained a free kick, the ball being sent out. The light was fading at the commencement after, half-time. Soon after the kick-off W. Molloy had a shot from a penalty. The kick was a good one, and went, over, but Turnbull was in front of the s ball. Soon after Mblloj, had another shot from a mark.

but "did nqt succeed. Ngatea'then forced the pace and’ reached Patetonga’s twenty-five,, but a free kick relieved, play returning to half-way. Banks secured and dross-kicked to Campbell on the wing. The latter picked up well and after a good run scored a try. Lipscombe failed to convent. Ngatea 6. Patetonga 3. Patetonga made determined efforts to equalise, but Ngatea relieved and got play to half-way. Costello speufred and had an unsuccessful shQt at goal from the field.

’ In the final round Ngatea rushed play to Patetonga’s ; .tweniy-five, but after some scrambles the ball came back to mid-field, -where' Pa,tetonga failed to take advantage of a free kick. It was then ..practically dark, and imopssible to discern cithair players or the ball. Patetonga, carried play to Ngatea’s line, J. Garry scoring. -The kick was unsuccessful. Mr F. Stretton was referee. An agreement was made prior to starting to play four fifteen-minute spells owing to the delay in starting. This is contrary to the rules, which state that all senior matches will consist of four 20-minute spells. Considering the failing light the referee did well to follow the game after* halftime, and deserve? credit, although opinions we're expressed that the game should have been stopped and declared off. Under the circumstances the game, which otherwise would have been one of the most exciting this season, was rather dead. Ngatea did not show anything like as well as on the previous Saturday at' Turua. Their backs did good wdrk, but the forwards by not following up lost many good advantages. Practice in tackling would also be advantageous. For Patetonga Millington, Morley, and Tuhia were the best, while Campbell and Molloy played great games for Ngatea-. Nicolls and Ivan also played well. WAITAKARURU V. WHAKATIWAI. The Whakatiwai team journeyed to Waitakaruru by launch on Saturday, but were outclassed by the home team, who beat' them by 32 to 0. Among the visitors Bell played an exceptionally good game, while Woods and Wana showed promise. Mr C. Clarke was referee. The visitors werte entertained to tea and to a picture entertainment. JUNIOR GAMES. NGATEA V. PATETONGA. The Ngatea v. Patetonga junior match-was a very even game, and resulted in a.draw, neither side scoring. Owing to the lateness of the starting' time short time was played. Mr Dalzeill waj referee. TURUA V. KEREPEEHI. This was a good, even game, and the scores are no indication of the strength. Kerepeehi have good material, but lack staying power. A reorganisation would probably , benefit. Arrow, Majury, and Watene’are good men. For Turua Worsford, Frisken, and R. Smith were prominent. Tries were scores by R. Smith (2), Worsford, and L. McCoyd. The. Turua team was lighter and faster' that the opposing one, and the backs showed good combination. Mr A. Reed was referee. THAMES VALLEY UNION. COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the management committee of the Thames Valley Rugby Union was held in the Soldiars’ Club on Wednesday evening. Mr W. Rowe (Waihi) occupied the chair, and apologised for the unavoidable absence of. the president, Mr J. W. Silcock. The following delegates were present: Messrs J. J. Callaghan and W. McConnell (Waihi), D. A. Vincent, D._ Porteous, and H. L. Berney (Hauraki Plains), W. S. Thompson, F. Lockyar, and F. Frith (Piako), H. M. Shand,. W. T. Power, and T. P. Vuglar (Paeroa), and the secretary, Mr J. Walmsley. Mr R, Sprague, Te Aroha, wrote advising the Union that he was unable to undertake the duties as one of the selectors. The resignation was accepted with regret, and Mr H. Lipsey, Te Aroha, was appointed to fill the vacancy. INTER-ISLAND MATCH. A letter was received from the N.Z. Rugby Union asking this union to .nominate a selector for the interislandmatch. Aftar due consideration Mr J. Barrett, Paeroa, was elected, subject to his acceptance of the position. CHARITY - SATURDAY. The N.Z. Rugby Union wrote with regard to setting aside one Saturday during the playing season for the purpose of raising money for charity. Whilst in entire sympathy with the suggestion the Union could not definitely fix a date meantime, and it was decided to consider the matter at the next meeting. BOUNDARIESThe delegates from the Waihi Union protested against . the alterations made to the boundaries between Paeroa and Waihi, thereby bringing Karangahake in under the Paeroa Union. After hearing the explanation by the Paeroa delegates and chairman, in which it was pointed out that the boundaries had been altered solely to assist the ' Karangahake. --club, the Waihi delegates were satisfied that: the Union had done the right thing by helping the Karangahake club, and they agreed that the matter should be dropped. COMPETITIONS. The Union decided to play two rounds in the senior competition and one round in the junior) competition. . The fixtures for the seniors in the first round have been arrange'as follows :— June 9.—Paeroa v. Waihi, at Waihi. Piako v. Hauraki Plains, at Ngatea. June 23.—Paeroa v. Hauraki Plains, at Paeroa. v. Piako, at Te Aroha. July 7. —Paeroa v. Piako, at Te Aroha. Hauraki Plains v. Waihi, at Ngatea. The other fixtures were held over until the next meeting. REFEREESIt was decided to appoint home

referees for the Frank Poland Memorial Cup matches. INTER-PROVINCIAL. Advice was received that fixtures were being arranged-with Wanganui for August 15, at Te Ai’oha; Waikato, July 14, at Hamilton, August 4.- at Peeroa. Auckland is also to play a match in Paerpa sometime in the date to be arranged. A team comprising Thames Valley. Bay of Plenty, and Waikato is to be selected to play New South Wales at' Hamilton on September 12. Referees anA spectators. ■ T£e Hauraki Plains representatives reported that there had been some trouble with the people on the line, with reference to the rulings of the referee in a recent match on the Plains. . The chairman said that he was of the opinion that the decisions of the referee should at all times .be upheld by the sub-union. The onus was on the union to see that no referee conducted a match if he was not competent. The union concerned was responsible for this being done. He did not see that the Thames Valley Union should take any further- steps in the matter.