FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4599, 10 September 1923, Page 2

FOOTBALL

AUCKLAND V. THAMES VALLEY. WIN FDR THE VISITORS. The annual match between Auckland and Thames Valley (took place in the Paeroa Domain on Saturday before about 800 spectators. The weather conditions were unfavourable, and no doubt were responsible for the poor • attendance. Although Auckland won by 24 to 15, with the exception of about 10 minutes’ play in the third quarter, during which time the visitors scored 21 points, the game wa? fairly even. Several alterations were made in the Auckland selection, and the teams took the field as follows : — Auckland. —Full-back, Gpodacre ; three-quarters, Don, Park, Williams ; five eighths, Gillespie, Stewart,; halfback, Pratt; rover, Anderson; forwards, McCullough, Lamb, Brooker, Muir, Batty, Pollock, Angel. Thames Valley—FufU-back, Poland; three-quarters, Samson, Nicoll, Campbell ; five-eighths, Molloy, Williams ; half-back, Mooney ; rover, McLeay ;■ forwards, Nelson, Graham, Magill, Heath, Johnson, Millington, Wallis. Thames Valley kicked off and shortly afterwards were awarded a free kick, Molloy failing in- his attempt at goal. Magill was penalised and Auckland found the line at Valley’s quarter. Pressure by Auckland was relieved by Samson to halfway, and a penalty to the home team sent the ball still farther down the field. In the loose play which followed the throw-in McCullough marked and sent out in Valley’s territory. From the line-out the Auckland forwards brcke through and kicked to Cami)bell, whp passed back to Poland, the latter returning the ball to mid-field. After forward play in the neutral zone McCullough had an unsuccessful shot at goal from near the twentyfive flag. Shortly afterwards Molloy attempted to kick a penalty goal from a similar position, but the ball fell .short. The forwards followed up and Johnson got possession and passed to Wallis, to McLeay, who crossed the line. Heath failed with .the kickValley 3„ Auckland 0. After a number of punts the ball was sent out in Valley’s territory. For a breach in the . scrum which resulted from 'the tjiro.w-in the visitors were penalised, and by following up the kick the Valley forwards opened an attack. In the loose rush WaUis picked up, and when within a few yards of the line he threw a possible score away by punting, and Auckland forced. Play was restricted to. Valley’s territory for the remainder of the quarter. The second quarter opened with close play about the halfway line until Pratt marked. The ball was sent to Johnson, who made a gopd opening and transferred to Magill, to Wallis, but the latter’s paps was intercepted by Park and play went back to midfield. From a scrum at Auckland’s twenty-five McLeay got possession an-1 passed, to Campbell, who kicked over the dead-ball line. After the drop-out. the Auckland backs with a passing rush almost reached Valley's line, but the defending' forwards with a loose rush returned to the Auckland twenty-five, Goodacre • stopping the advance. A kicking bout ended with Molloy, Campbell,, nad Nicoll carrying play to within a few yards of Auckland’s line, but the defending forwards, headed by Pollock, relieved halfway. Gillespie,. Stewart, Park, and Williams then indulged in a passing rush, but the return pass by Williams to Park was thrown forward and a good opportunity was lost. A penalty eventually relieved for the Valley to halfway. Molloy opened an attack for the Valley, but after strenuous defence Auckland forced The home team again advanced, and tight play ensued in front of the posts. The effort was of no avail, Goodacre eventually clearing. In loose play in mid-field Nicoll gained possession and sent out to Campbell, who made a good run and scored in the corner. Heath failed to convert. Thames Valley 6, Auckland O'. The home team kept up the pressure, and Auckland had to force once more before half-time.

Shortly after commencing the second half the Auckland forwards advanced. Nicoll attempted to clear, but his kick was blocked by Pollock, who carried on to the line with the ball at his toe. Batty, who was supporting, then picked up and dived over. McCullough converted. Thames Valley 6, Auckland 5. Following the kickiout Angel was penalised in front of the posts and Molloy converted. Thames Valley 9, Auckland 5. The visitors began to make things willing, and in tight play about Valley’s twenty-five line the defenders were penalised and McCullough again converted. Thames Valley 9, Auckland 8. Muir headed a rush immediately after the kick-out, but the ball was returned to Gillespie. He initiated a passing movement with McCullough and Williams, and McCullough getting a return pass crossed the line. The latter also converted his try. Auckland 13, Valley 9. The Auckland forwards again returned, and in tight play Samson carried the. ball back over the line. From the ensuing scrum Pratt scored a simple try. McCullough converted. Auckland 18, Thames Valley 9. Brooker led the Auckland forwards in another loose rush following the kick-out, and McCullough scored again, but failed to coi.vert this time. Auckland 21, V. 9. in the final round the home team made strong efforts to s,ave the situation. Play became fast and open, and in the loose Campbell got possession and made a dash for the posts, but slipped at the critical moment, the ball being .sent out at Ihetwerity-flve flag. Campbell the lineout and cross-kicked to Samson, who grounded near the corner. Molloy failed with his kick. Auckland 21. Thames Valley 12. Shortly afterwards Campbell again obtained possession in the loose, and after beating several opponents passed to Johnson, to Wallis, who finished a good piece of work with a try. Molloy failed to convert. Auckland 21, Thames Valley 15. Both teams opened out, and the ball was kept, moving up and down the field between the twenty-five

lines. A determined forward rush by the visitors was well stopped by Poland, who relieved to the line, but from the throw-in the pressure was again applied by Auckland and carried to a successful conclusion, Lamo accomplishing the final touch. McCullough failed with his kick. Auckand 24, Thames Valley 15. Stung to further efforts .the home team again attacked, but a passing rush by the backs was upset by Molloy dropping the ball. Although the pressure was kept up Auckland’s defence was equal to the demand, and the game ended : Auckland 24, Thames Valley 15. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. THE CURTAIN-RAISER. The curt,ain-iraiser was a, match between Piako and Paeroa junior representatives, and a good even contest ended in a win for Paeroa by six points to nil, Towers and Rackham each scoring a try. Mr B. Neil was the referee.