FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4602, 17 September 1923, Page 3

FOOTBALL

PLAINS DEFEATS THAMES. ' . SIX TO NIL. On Saturday, for the first time sines the formation of the Hauraki Plains Rugby Union, the Thames union sent a representative team to battle with its younger brother on the Plains. The Plains team upneld their reputation and again proved that they could not be beaten on their own ground. A splendid exhibition of football lesulted, the game being fast, hard, and open, the play being neither confined to the backs nor the forwards. Sickness had depleted the ranks of both teams., so that much rearrangement was necessary. The better team undoubtedly won the day. Unfortunately the ground was not in first-class order, being very wet and slippery, and not clearly marked out. The weather was dull and overcast, and a slight wind blew down the - field. Being a particularly hard game, there were some slight casualties, but there was no suspicion of rough play. The teams took the field as follows : lit Thames. —E. Ricketc, A. Morrisey, K. Lockett, A- Lawrent, A.. Tatton, L. Houghton, A. McCollum, L. Hook, W. Pollock, E. Kelly, c. Hudson, B. Burkhardt, M. Hogan,, R, Smith, A. Lomas. Plains. —J. Adlum, K. Campbell, C. Molloy, G. Buchanan, F. Niccol, WMolloy, W. Costello, Perkins, B. Wallis, R. Steedman, T. Rapana, L. Fi?her, J. Millington, D. Cowdrey, K. Fox. Thames won the toss and elected to play with the sun and wind at their, backs. From the kick-off play centred in midfield until Hook from a linc-out took the ball to Plains’ quarter, where Nicoll secured and clearedFrom the line-put Plains sent down, but the Thames backs secured from a scrum and carried to Plains’ goalline, a force resulting. The visiting backs essayed several passing rushes, but could not break through, Plains returning play to midfield, where Pollock secured and carried to Plains’ twenty-five. The forwards then carried on with the ball at their feet and Jp-compelled Plains to force. A scrum C eventuated from the drop-put from which Thames hooked and the backs got going, but the home team was awarded a free kick and cleared to halfway. After a kicking bout Hook secured from-a throw-in and made a good run, but a penally relieved for Plains to the twenty-five flag. Campbell then cleared to halfway. Cowdrey secured and broke away, but Thames forced. From hard play in Plains’ territory the defenders were . compelled to force twice before a rush on their pant went to the other end of the field and Fox crossed the line. Molloy failed to convert. Plains 3, Thames o. Play centred in midfield after the change over and there was much long kicking by the backs. Campbell saved and carried to the visitors’ quarter, - where from a scrum the attackers secured and carried to the corner. A penalty kick cleared to the twentyfive flag. Rapana secured from the throw-in and kicked, Rickett marking. Plains had a free kick, but Moiloy failed. A penalty kick cleared for Thames and Pollock carried on, i \JTliut Buchanan forced. Hard play in midfield followed the kick-out until Nicoll broke through, but was stopped, and the visitors attacked strongly for some time. Houghton failed with a kick at goal, and play was restricted to the corner until Rapana led the defenders to the other twentyfive, where the ball remained until half time. After' an interchange of kicks which took place ait the commencement of the second half Thames carried play to their opponents’ line, Costello forcing. The drop-out was followed up, but Wallis gave a wild pass and Thames cleared. Tatton relieved - and Plains went on the defence, but ooon worked back to halfway. Nicoll then made a good run.to the visitor’s t.wenty-five, where tight play ensued. A free kick by Thames opened up some fast play, which terminated with Molloy forcing. From hard play in midfield Plains worked up-fleld, and from a scramble Rapana scored. Fisher failed to convert. Plains 6, Thames 0. An interchange of kicks the resumption of play,, ending in a line-out. Millington and Rapana got possession and sent over the line, but McCollum forced. An attack by Plains was negatived by a penalty, and the ball remained in the neutral zone until change over. Nicoll made a good run early in the final round which resulted in a force down by Thames. After some long kicks Plains, gained a penalty but W. Molloy failed to lift the ball and Thames forced. The home team attacked for some time, Thames ultimately forcing. Another lengthy period of attack by Plains saw Thames force down twice before the pressure was relieved. An exchange of kicks was terminated by Fisher marking and sending to the line. Pressure by Thames was relieved by Molloy to halfway, where play was being carried on when time was called, the game ending, Plains 6, Mi-Thames 0. Mr A. Dellamore, of Thames, was referee. ROTORUA V. PAEROA. This match was played at Rotorua on Saturday in cold and misty weather before a fair attendance, and play in the first half was very even, at, half time the score being Rotorua 11. Paeroa 7. In the second half Rotorua was the better team, showing mire combination than the visitors. The game ended, Rotorua 19, Paeroa 7. PAEROA V. PIAKO THIRD GRADES. The third grade match between and Paeroa in the Paeroa Doon Saturday resulted in a win for the local team by 23 points to 3, the visitors score being an awarded try for a deliberate throw of the ball over the dead-ball line by Paeroa.