FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4691, 28 April 1924, Page 3

FOOTBALL

OPENING OF THE SEASON. SATURDAY'S MATCHES. SENIORS: East 3, v. Suburbs 0. Netherton 6, v. West 0. Ngatea 3, v. Waitakaruru 3. Turua 11. v. Kerepeebi 0. JUNIORS: East 6, v. Karaugahake 3. West 10, v. Netherlpn 9. Ngatea 3, v. Waitakaruru 0. Turua 6, v. Kerepeehi 0. THIRD-GRADE-West 11, v. School 6. The Rugby lootball season commenced in Paeroa on Saturday noon, m the presence of a fair crowdof spectators. The first match "<i< played, on the No. 1 grouhd at 1.4 a p.m._ between West third-grade au-l the ■ Paeroa High School. As was to be expected, the contest was an unequal one, as the West players were far too heavy, for the school boys, some of whom were only eleven years old. A hat the school team lacked, in weight -and experience was made up for in keenness and general nippiness on ’the Held, and West Lad by no means a walkover victory. Shortly after the game commenced School with a passing rum got the ball out to Conolly, who dived over the line, scoring first blood. School 3, West 0. The kick by Williams was unsuccessful. The School scoring put West on their mettle, and, forcing School hard, Tetley- secured the ball and managed to beat- his opponents and reach the line, making the scores 3 all; Swann’s kick at goal was unsuccessful. It was now School's turn _lo retaliate, ami they made the game willing and were well down in Wests territory when a free kick for offside play by Somervell brought welcome letief to West. After up and down play Swann secured the ball, and, cleverly beating the opposition, made ii good run towards the goal-line, bin he unfortunately ran out. School continued to press, and finally Conolly secured a penalty kick at goal, making the .scores School 6, West 3. From the kick-out a few passing rushes were essayed by West which resulted in G. Tetley scoring a try, Swann converting. West 8, School 6. B>’ this time the weight of West was "beginning tp tell against School, an 1 while lacking nothing in general dash the latter were unable to'prevent VIJenkinson putting in a .strong run and -coring. The kick was unsuccessful, and the game terminated with the scores, West 11, School 6. Mr J Keighley was referee. Of the school team Conolly and I nland displayed a fair knowledge ef l-.e game, and Somervell could be re--led on to do his part. Combination vas lacking generally.. For West 3 Tetley, Swann, and Gurin were prominent, but the team requires a lot of practice, and the pl.ayerfe will need ‘o l arn their correct places and to k< ep Uiem if they intend .to win hon 0.-r this season. '■ JUNIORS. The junior match West v. Nethert. n was a rough and tumble kind »f game, and resulted in a win for the h'-rne team by 10 points to 9. Good fi ntball could hardly be expected tn the first match of. the season, and an improvement generally can be looked for. - Mr Eugene Show was referee. SENIORS. The senior match East v. Suburbs attracted fair attention, and a good exhibition of Rugby resulted, considc; Ing the early seahon and the fact that after the first quarter the game v.-is played in pouring rain, whieii n-.-ide it difliciilt to handle the ball. The Suburbs team was the heavier, l>-it East displayed a little more com-. Jii iati.m than .the visitors. Offside pi-iy by both teams was a feature of th r game, and shoulders, too, were m-nd freely throughout the match. Wdful obstruction in the game should not be tolerated, and no doubt before the season is far advanced referees will make a point of putting down this practice. From the kick-off Suburbs pressed hard and looked like scoring, but a free k>«ik for East brought relief. The bril travelled rapidly up and down the field, and passing rushes were fr -qucntly essayed, only to be penalised for offside play. East attacked strongly, but a penalty to Suburbs ci ifscd a change in the position. From a good mark by Morrison Suburbs pressed strongly, but the East fullback knew his job and by a smart p'ece of dodging and a good kick transferred the ball, to the other end <>r the field. At half -time neither side had scored, although East had put up slightly the better performance. . In the second half the heavy rain made play difficult, as the ball was not only very slippery, but the players had some difficulty in maintaining a foothold. The game was willing enough, and both teams attackel st'-ongly. East carried play into their 'opponents’ twenty-five, where from a loose rush initiated by Fitch W. Smith picked up and transferred to L. Smith, to Royal, and in again to W. Smith, xvho put in a good run and scored between the posts. Rolleston’s 'kick failed. East 3, Suburbs 6. From the kick-out suburbs carried the ball - down the field, and from a forward rush managed to reach the line., but the defenders were close on the line and forced. The-game ended, East 3, Suburbs 0. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. Of the home team, in the forwards Fitch was outstanding, and was the best forwards on the field. In the backs D. Smith, W. Smith, and Royal played well.