FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4709, 9 June 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS. SENIORS: East v. West Drawn Game. JUNIORS: West 16, v. Karangahake 3. Heavy rain commenced to fall in Paeroa shortly after 10 o'clock on Saturday morning and continued until after 4 p.m. Despite the fact that both football grounds in the Domain were partly submerged the local Rugby Union could not decide whether conditions were suitable to permit of the senior match being played that afternoon or not. Finally the officials got themselves out of the quandary by allowing the two captains to decide the matter. Apart from the weakness shown by the union in allowing the game to be played under such adverse weather conditions, it was the means pf losing a good gate by its action. Enthusiasm is much in evidence this year, and a senior match such as between the East and West teams would have attracted many liad the weather been tolerably fine. As it was there was only a small sprinkling of support present, and the gate realised a little over one pound. To describe the game would be impossible, as owing to the muddy water and slush on portions of the field the players for the greater part of the time were rendered almost unrecognisable by mud. West kicked off, and the leather travelled up and down the field, neither side gaining advantage. It was just a "buUocking” forward game, any other class of play being impossible owing to the conditions. Shortly before half-time Jack Treanor had to retire, and was replaced by L. Smith. Both teams struggled and splashed in the slush to register a score but without success, and the game ended without any joints being registered. A few minutes before the game concluded an East player, G. Neil, wa,s ordered off the field. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. The junior match, West v. Karangahake, was a mud-larking exhibition, the conditions of the weather and the state of the playing field preventing any science- being shown. The home team seemed to revel in the quagmire and played with zest, eventually disposing of the visitors by 16 to 3. For West tries were registered by Walls (2), Slyfleld, and Swann, McKenna and Swann converting one each. Hardman kicked a penalty goal for Karangahake. Mr F. W. Pitts was referee. The third-grade and school matches were cancelled owing to the weather. PLAINS MATCHES POSTPONED. The Hauraki Plains matches which were postponed from May 24 were again postponed on Saturday on account of the wet weather. As the representatives are to play Waihi on Saturday next the games will have to be played on June 21. THE ASSOCIATION CODE. GAME AT WAIHI. Piako United journeyed to Waihi on Tuesday last, June 3, and met in friendly combat a team of Waihi Rovers on the latter’s splendid sports ground. Waihi Rovers were fairly well represented, and Piako also had a strong team, which eventually proved to be the better of the two, the game resulting: Piako United, 3; Waihi Rovers, 0. Rovers won the toss and chose to play with a slight wind in their favour, the sun shining across the ground giving no advantage to either side. Rovers were the first to attack, and by a sharp dipslay of neat footwork forced matters into the visitors’ half. Relief was early forthcoming, however, as McKinstry at left full-back kicked clear and sent the ball well up the field. Each side struggled for advantage, and a smart run by the home light wing was worthy of something better than what actually happened, the pass to centre being effectively nullified by the able defence of the vidtors. After 17 minutes’ play Pjiko registered their first goal, the outcome of a smart movement by Lewis, Woodbridge, Marsden, and Allen. ' . Cooke at centre-half for United played, a great game, aijd being well supported by McKinstry and Taylor, held the home forwards in check on many occasions. Waini were now playing really good football, and at least one of their efforts should have ended with the ball inside Piako’s goal-net, but it was not to be. for Davidson was quite secure. The Rovers’ centre-half, Robertson, was the pivot, of the team, and was doing great work. Their left wing, too wa- going strong when the whistle blew for half-time, with the score, United 1, Rovers 0. Shortly after commencing the second half the ball was handled inside the heme team’s penalty area. McKinstry took the kick and made no mistake. This put Piako in a sound position with 2 goals to nil. The Rovers tried hard to reduce the visitors’ lead, and some good football w: .s witnessed. Then Piako came down the field with a determined effort and forced a corner. Tffis was partly cleared by the Waihi left defence, but a nice centre by Allen was immediately seized upon by Marsden, who, being hemmed in, had not a clear view of goal. He returned to Alien, who again put in a fine centre. This fine Latimer was in a good position in front of the goal and he scored with a glorious header the best goal of the match. Piako 3. Waihi 0. Piako continued to have the best of matters until the final whistle sounded with the scores unaltered. The game turned out to be what was intended by the arrangement of the fixture, and that was a good advertisement for the “Soccer" game, and it is only by such displays as this that the game will be fostered and extended throughout the district.