FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4706, 2 June 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS: Waihi 3, v. Paeroa 0. Plains 3. v. Fiako 0. JUNIORS; West 14. v. Suburbs 0. THE POLAND CUP COMPETITION. WAIHI V. PAEROA. The weather on Saturday afternoon was again unpropitious, heavy rain falling at intervals and making conditions generally damp and unpleasant. Notwithstanding the conditions a Urge crowd assembled at the Domain to witness the first inter-union match of tiie season to be played in Paeroa between Waihi and Paeroa in wh>’ch Waihi had a victory by 3 points to 0. The game as a whole was a very poor exhibition of Rugby. No doubt the sloppy state of the field and a slippery ball were contributing factors to the disappointing display made by both teams. The game was one of individual play, there being a lack of combination on both sides.

Of tiie local forwards Fitch was tiie most prominent, and for Waihi Hughes was the leader. The pick of tiie Paeroa backs were W. and D Smith, and Dellamore and Williams showed out in the Waihi backs. R. Samson had plenty of dash, but on his play on Saturday would -have been better in the forwards. Wills on the wing was a failure, and Rice was not up to form, being much too slow. Maloney was patchy, and may do better on a dry ground. The teams were Waihi. —Dellamore, Price, Mitchell McDermott, Mooney, Williams. Verral), McLeay, Mannix, Johnston, Talbot Hughes, Agnew Fugill, Thomas. Paeroa.—W. Smith, Mills, Williscroft, Maloney, D. Smith, R. Samson, Rice, Graham, Patterson, Fitch, Shaw, A. Morrison, J. Bouncy, Taylor, IS. Samson.

I’aewa kicked off, and play war carried to Waihi’s twenty-five., In loose forward play Waihi worked back into Faeroa’s territory, where a penalty was awarded to the visitors, Dellamore succeeding with a shot at goal. Waihi 3, Paeroa 0. From the drop-out the greens started a loose forward rush, but the ball was returned to Mills, who badly mulled. A penalty cleared for Paeroa. From the following line-out Mooney got possession and sent out to Mitchell, who carried on to Paeroa’s line, where he lost the ball. Taylor “speculated” down the field to Dellamore, who had an unsuccessful drop-kick at goal. After a brief period ol play in midfield Paeroa forwards carried loosely to the line, Waihi kicking behind. Tiie defenders got possession from the resulting five-yards scrum and cleared to the twenty-five. flag. From loose play D, Smith picked up in the open and kicked high. The greens followed up smartly and carried to the line, Beuney getting over, but the ball was brought back for a breach. From the kick the Waihi forwards started a rush with the ball at toe. Maloney checked temporarily, but the maroons carried on to W. Smith, who smartly snapped up the ball, and, after sidestenpii.g several Waihi men, found the line at halfway. From the throw-in Waihi again broke away and sent over, the line, Paeroa forcing. Tiie opening kick of che second quarter was returned, and Waihi carried on to the line’, but Paeroa forced. In light forward play the ball was carried to Waihi’s line, the defenders clearing with a penalty kick. A passing rush by Paeroa was upset by a knbek-on in front of the posts. Play hovered in midfield for a brief space, until Paeroa forwards made an opening. but R. Samson kicked hard over the line and Dellamore forced. After loose play at halfway Samson had a penalty kick at goal, but the ball fell short. Paeroa followed up smartly, and after tight play on the line Waihi again forced. Following a scrum the bal) shot out into the open to D. Smith, who dribbled up the held to Dellamore, who made a good save. Paeroa again attacked, and from a five-yards scrum the hall went over, Waihi forcing. Play was in midfield when half-time was called. On resuming a passing rush was essayed by Waihi which terminated with McDermott kicking up the line. W-jihi forwards then carried on to Paeroa’s line, but a penalty relieved. With play at halfway Fitch headed a loose rush to Waihi’s twenty-five, but the maroons immediately returned to midfield. After an exchange of kicks in the neutral zone the ball was sent out near Paeroa corner flag? From tight play a serum resulted on the line. The ball shot'out in front of the posts and Maloney and W. Smith cleared well down the field. Loose forward play ensued and the ball went to Dellamore, who mulled. Fitch and Taylor then carried on to Waihi’-' line, and Mills just failed to get over, Waihi forced, F’om tiie commencement o£ the last quarter play gradually worked down to Paeroa’s line, but Fitch broke away in a tight rush and transferred play into midfield. Play lingered in neutral territory for a time, until Samson secured and punted up-field. He followed up, but the ball was returned, with no one filling Samson’s place at full-back. Hughes carried on for Waihi, with an open field, and dribbled over the Une. but Maloney ran across from the other side and just beat him for the ball. At this stage of tiie game rain was tailing heavily, and it was nearly dark, making it a difficult matter to distinguish the colours of the jerseys, let alone tiie players. From a scramble a penalty was awarded to Paeroa, but Samson's kick was again unsuccessful. The ball was returned, and from a loose rush Waihi forced. Paeroa continued to press hard, but from a fiveyards scrum Waihi relieved. Time was called without any further score being registered, the game resulting: Waihi 3, Paeroa 0,

Mr S. M. Hovell. of Waihi was the referee.' JUNIORS. WEJST V. SUBURBS. As a curtain-raiser to the rwr* sentative match the West juniors placed Suburbs on the No. 2 ground, the home team having no difficulty in disposing of their opponents. The game throughout appeared to be a scramble, and the teams were too iHiCQiially matched to. permit of good play taking place. The Suburbs team retired before time was up. For the winners Martin, Walls. Swann, and Verran each scored a try, one of which Martin converted. The game finished with the scores; West 14. Suburbs 0. ""j Mr E. Smith was referee. ;