FOOTBALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4703, 26 May 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS: West 5. v. Netherton 3. East 13, v. Suburbs 4. JUNIORS: East 8, v. Suburbs 3. THIRD-GRADE : West S, v. East 6. REPRESENTATIVE MATCH. THAMES 6, V. PLAINS 0. On Saturday the Hauraki Plains senior and junior representative teams travelled to Thames io play return matches with teams in that union. The games took place at Parawai Racecourse, and though practically all the previous week had been wet and rain fell steadily during the play the ground was in good order, but the ball was very slippery and hard to handle or kick with any degree of accuracy. THE SENIORS. The teams were very evenly matched, and the game was a clean, friendly struggle from start to finish, and one from which both sides will gain much benefit for the more important match that will, follow. The game ended in a win for Thames by six points to nil. Both goal-lines were crossed on numerous occasions, and but for the lack of finish on the part of the visitors the scores would prooably have been evened up. The tactics of the Thames captain were superior to those of his opponent, and,' consequently, Plains were out-general-led. but not out-played. The Plains backs were misplaced in the first half, Ellis being transferred from the five-eighths line to the wing. In the .second half Ellis and Stretton changed places, and a marked difference war. noticed in the backs. Ellis hnd Nicol! played brilliantly at fiveeighths, but owing to a similarity in figure and complexion much of Ellis’ excellent work was attributed to Nicoll by the spectators. Skelly was not in form at full-back, and caused anxiety on a number of occasions. C. Molloy, Adlum, and Stretton on the three-quarter line played good football, while Masters at half more than jus. Hied his inclusion. Playing against a very strong pack, Masters never ma le a mistake. The forwards all played up to form with the possible exception of Hunt as lock. Better men are available for this position. The teams lined out as follows Plains.—Full-back, L. Skelly; threequarters, C. Mo’loy, J. Adlum, C. Ellis; five eighths, C. Stretton, F. Nicoll; half-back, E. Masters ; rover, L. Ryan; forwards, D. Cowdrey, K. Fox, Hunt, E. Cowdrey, J. Millington, R. Steedman, B. Wallis. Thames. —Full-back, Winder; threequarters, Watana, Cossgrove, Morrissey ; five-eighths, Harrison, Hook; half-back, McCollum; rover Pollock ; forwards, Barker, Ensor, Hogan, Hayward, Crawford, Locas, Smith. Thames kicked off with a slight advantage fcrom the wind, and from a scrum in midfield Lomas and Smith carried play to Plains’ quarter, where they were stopped by Skelly. A flveyards scrum eventuated, and Plains forced. From the drop-out play went back to the visitors’ twentv-fivc, but Adlum relieved to halfway and Wallis followed up and took the ball to Thames’ quarter, where Ellis took a forward pass off-side. Thames followed up the kick and play went to the other end of the field. After much line play Plains worked back to neutral territory. Ellis was again caught off-side, but the free kick was returned, and following up by Ryan and Nicoll carried the ball to near the home team’s goal, where Elains had a penalty kick. Skelly took the shot, but failed to score. From the dropout the Plains backs got going, but were stopped by Lomas in neutral ground, where play remained for some time, the backs of both sides doing good work.

From the opening kick in the second quarter Thames started a rush, but Nicoll cleared to the line. From the line-out Thames attacked, and •EHis forced. Play remained inside the visitors’ twenty-five for sometime, Cossgrove took a shot at goal following a five-yards scrum, but was not successful. In the close work the home team was superior, but whew the game was opened up Plains went on the attack. During the next five minutes Thames had to withstand strong attacks, and several times had to force. Finally play was worked out to halfway, and a long kick by Thames was followed up and Stretton had to force. Line play followed the drop-out, of which plains had the advantage and entered Thames’ quarter, but a free kick relieved. A rush by the Thames forwards was stopped by Molloy. From midfield Molloy, Nicoll, Ellis, Adlum, and Stretton, in the best rush of the day, carried the ball into the home team’s twenty-five. The visitors looked like scoring, but faulty play lost the opportunity, and on the ball going out half time was called.

On resuming Thames followed up the opening kick, Plains forcing. Skelly stopped the next rush and found the line. Ryan opened up the play and sent the ball down-field, where Hook secured and made a splendid run until brought down bv Molloy. From a, scrum Barker made a Jong kick and followed up, compelling Plains to force. The drop-out was returned to the line. Thames pressed, and Lomas made an opening for Hogan to score the first try of the game. Winder failed to convert. From the kick-out the Plains backs did good work, and aided by a free kick carried play to near their opponents’ line, where a free kick saved the situation for Thames. Wallis took a penalty kick from halfway; and although it was a good kick the attempt was not successful. Lomas, and Hayward led the Thames forwards right up the field, but a penalty to Plains relieved to midfield. Plains attacked, Ellis • carrying the ball into Thames* territory. Thames rallied, and tw.lce

more carried play to Plains’ line, the quarter ending with the Visitors defending. Tn the last round play travelled UP and down the field until a long kick was mulled. Thames looked dangerous, but Molloy saved. Skelly relieved pressure, but Cossgrove returned to the attack. Winder failed with a penalty kick. More close i».ay followed the drop-out until Plains carriel the ball to the other end of the field, where an interchange of kicks took place. Pollock broke away in midfield, and by good following up Thames scored the second try. Tho kick was not successful. From the kick-out Plains carried the bull to the other end of the field, where close play ensued. From a lino-out Ryan got in a kick, and fast following up compelled Thames to force. Time was called .shortly afterwards. Mr J. Buchanan.was referee. THE JUNIORS. A junior match was also played, but the Plains boys were outclassed, Thames winning by 23 points to 0.