FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4712, 16 June 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE POIAND CUP COMPETITION. SATURDAY'S RESULTS. SENIORS: Paeroa 5, v, Piako 5. Waihi 11. v. Plains 3. Paeroa B 19, v. Piako B 3. JUNIORS; West 6, v. East 3. PAEROA V. PIAKO. Conditions were fair for the meeting between Paeroa and Piako at Te Aroha in the Frank Poland Memorial Contest on Saturday. The game was fast, but although at the call of time the scores were 5 all Piako gave the better exhibition. There were several alterations in the teams, which toou the field as. follows :— piako.—Full-back, s. Goldsbury , three-quarters, J. Magill, Swncy, F. Miller ; live-eighths, A. Gemmell, W, Vo.vsey ; half-back. E. Stewart; rover, F. Goldsbury ; forwards, F. McCarthy, N. Young, P. McLaren, T. Mclnne.s, 'J McLaren, H. Rosenfeldl, J. Benjamin. Paeroa. —Full-back, I. Poland : three-quarters, W. Smith, Williscrof.t, J. Maloney ; five-eighths. D. Smith, G. Royal ; half-back, R. Samson ; rover, S. Graham; forwards, E. Samson A. Hamilton, F. Patterson, W. Taylor, W. Welch, F. Fitch, Jennings. Paeroa kicked off against the wind and, llirpugh Steward and Magill between them mulling the ball, reached the twenty-live flag.-' The home team soon made amends, however, and a rush, mainly the work of Stewart, carried play to the other end of the field, but sound tackling by Poland broke the attack. The following period of midfield play was short. Piako, taking full advantage of the wind, came again, but in tight play under the posts committed a breach. Paeroa’s kick was fielded by Miller, who opened up a passing bout in which all the Piako backs took part. No advantage was gained, however, and shortly afterwards Piako kicked hard over the line. The drop-out w scrummed, and D. Smith eventually sent out at halfway. In loose play Jennings headed a forward movement by Paeroa, but with this player meeting with an injury the advance was checked. Carrick replaced Jennings. From play near their line the Piako forwards made a dash down the field, but W. Smith saved nicely. Loose play was then indulged in, Piako slowly working down the field. Goldsbury obtained possession in the loose and made, a great bid to get over, but he dropped the ball on the line and Paeroa forced. With play in Paeroa’s quarter Miller received from a penalty kick and centred. Welch failed to handle the ball and J. McLaren nipped in and scored beside the post. J. Magill converted, making Piako 5. In the second spell Paeroa worked down with the wind, and after considerable play in the home team's territory the defenders were penalised, but Samson’s kick fell short. Fast play in the neutral zone was the, order for some considerable time, until Hamilton found the line nejjr Piako’s corner flag. From the J.liro/V-in the bal' went over, but a'force resulted. From play about the halfway line Stewart and Magill carried to Paeroa's twenty-five, but tlie ball was returned and it remained in midfield until half-time.

The second half opened with play in midfield, until Maloney sent Paeroa on the attack. Taylor failed with a penalty kick at goal, the; ball being returned to Poland, over the line, Piako visitors gradually gained ground, aiid in tight play in Piako’s corne.r Graha(n picked up and divted over. Poland .took the kick and made the scores even, Piako 5, Paeroa 5. In loose play on Paeroa’s twenty-five line Maloney got possession and made a good run up the line, but was stopped by the fullback. For the remainder of the quarter the ball was restricted to midfield.

Shortly after commencing the final round Royal set off down the field with Ute ball at his feet, but just when a. try seemed assured he was obstructed, Poland took the kick, but the ball failed to clear the man oh the mark. Fast and exciting play followed ip neutral territory, but neither si<|,’ gained advantage. Piako failed with a long shot at goal, and a penalty kick by Taylor went over Piako’s dead-ball line. Towards the end of the game Piako indulged in a number of passing rushes and reached to within a few yards of Paeroa’s line, but the defending forwards pushed out again by degrees to their twenty-five line, and W. Smith carried on to the other twenty-five. Time was then called, the scores being; Piako .5, Paeroa 5. Mr O. Barker was referee. COMMENTS. The Piako pack was fairly even, with P. McLaren probably the best. Young played a hard game, but was not particular abouti keeping on side. He also was often penalised hi the scrum work. F. Goldsbury went well for the first half, but slackened off aft»r that. Stewart played a fine gante as half-back, and was equal to an.v player on the field. Gemmell put Jn some great work, but on occasions he held on to the ball too long. Voysey also did well, but had a tendency to cut into the thick stuff and so get blocked. Magill did not play the game on the wing that he has done as centre. Miller was sound, and proved a hard man to stop unless tackled properly. S. Goldsbury was all that could be wished for as full-back. For Paeroa Jennings was shaping far better than any of the other forwards up to hi,s retirement. Fitch, Patterson, Samson, and Hamilton all played solid games. Although! Taylor was prominent on occasions, he did not play up to his form of thelast few games. Welch was good at breaking away from the scrums, where bls weight was needed but was

not forthcoming. Carrick .was not up to the standard required. Graham played his best game o£ the season. R. Samson played a fine individual game, and was prominent in defence. His play, however, was not that of a half-back, aud he would be in his eleme it in the forwards. Many times he was leading the pack, aud seemed to prefer mixing with the forwards instead of working his backs. In fact, he played a back-row. man’s game in a half-back’s position. Royal played a good game, taken all through. His passes at times were not too good, but some of them were, perfect, and he is rapidly improving in this respect. He also was responsible for most of the opening up for his side. The two Smiths played their usual games, but .vould do better if worked closer to gether Williscroft was weak, and could be improved upon. Maloney showed improvement, and would probably be all right with more combination and work in the backs, Poland cursed some anxiety in the first quarter through taking things too easy, but after being surprised once or twice '-e livened up. Some people are of the opinion that Poland is not suitable as a full-back; but this much can be said of him : there is not a better or surer tackler in the district, no,- one better at fielding the ball : and once he gets possession he will make a save with the best of them. As for shirking, well, he would stand up to a team of elephants. PAEROA B V. PIAKO B. Contrary to the custom that has pi evailed since ’ the football season commenced this year the weather last Saturday was beautifully tine, although somewhat chilly owing. Io a cold wind that prevailed. Considering the number of Rugby supporters who travelled to Tq Aroha to witness the principal Paeroa v. Piako match, the attendance at the local domain was very satisfactory. The ground was in fair condition, although a little heavy, and towards the closing stages of the game it became very slippery. The local team was subject to a number of alterations at the last moment, and the Piako team arrived 13 strong, the balance being made up by the inclusion of McKenna and Nenlie, of Paeroa. The home team was a little the heavier, and hooked well in the scrum, but the match on the whole was a forward game. The Piako team showed plenty of dash, but lacked finish, and several of- the players appealed to be unfamiliar with their positions on the field. The home team lacked combination, but throughout played a fast, solid game, and had no difficulty in disposing of Piako to the tune of 19 to 3. The teams were : Paeroa—T. Pullar, Rolleston, W. Whelan, L. Shaw, Mills, Southgate, McDonald, L. Smith, Piercie, Wilton, Wannicott, Welsh, R. Morrison, G. Pullar, Bloomfield. Piako B. —McKenna, Gray, Nealie, Augustus, Morrow, Auld, Wyboru, Dalton., Jonas, Farrac, Cooper, Malomni, Sleep, Manning, Haines.

Owing to a misunderstanding with the timekeeper the game was played in two spells of 35 minutes each. Paeioa kicked off, and within ten minutes of commencing the ball went in from the line to Morrison, who put in a strong run and dived over the line. Rolleston took the kick, the bait grazing the bar and droppingover. Paieroa 5, Piako 0. From the kick-tfut Shaw fielded smartly' aud made -a splendid run,' only to be brought down near lire line by McKenna. The ball went out to Rolle, stow, who hung on Loo long and lost a chance to score. The Piako forwards were no mutch for the home pack. From loose play in neutral territory shortly before half-time Wannicotl secured possession and, passing to Southgate, to Mills, the latter dived over. Rolleston was unsuccessful with tlie kick. Paieroa 8, Piako 0. From a scrum in Piako’s twentylive shortly after half-time Southgate secured and passed to Shaw, who crossed the tine without any serious opposition. Whelan failed to register the exira points, Paeroa 11, Piako 0. Following the kick-out loose play in midfield lesulted. A long kick by L. Smith carried play into Piako’s quarter, where passing between Morrison and Southgate resulted in the latter scoring a good try. Rolleston’s kick failed. Paeroa 1-1, Piako 0. Piako set nt' a determined attack, and, forcing the pace, Dalton secured possession and carried into Paeroa',: twenty-live, where a scrum was ordered. From a high kick by McDonald Augustus took the ball well, and, beating the opposition, scored the initial try for Piako. Gray failed with tlie kick. Paeroa 14, Piako 3. From the drop-out loose play, followed by a forward rush, ensued, resulting in the ball going out at Piako’s corner. The throw-in went to Morrison, who passed to Wannicott, who dived over. Rolleston kicked a good goal. Paeroa 19, Piako 3. The game ended in midfield without any further score being registered. Of the Paeroa team the prominent players were Wannicott and Morrison in the forwards, McDonald, Southgate, L. Shaw, and T. Pullar in the backs. Rolleston would do better if he did not hold on to the ball so long. The pick of the Piako forwards were Jonas and Farrac, Other prominent players were Wyborn, Morrow, Augustus, and Dalton. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. JUNIORS. EAST V. WEST. Contrary to expectations, the West team defeated East, the scores being 6 to 3. The game was a good exhibition of Rugby, being clean and fast throughout. The teams were evenly matched, and the scrums resulted in little advantage to either side. No points were registered until after half-time, when from a scrum in West's territory the ball went out to 11. Thorp,- who quickly transferred to H. Moore, the latter diving over the line. His kick failed. East 3, West 0. From the kick-out West carried play into East’s twenty-five, where J. Verran secured and passed to G.

Wells, who crossed the line. McKenna failed with the kick. East 3, West 3. In the last quarter West attacked strongly. Keighley got over, but a live-yards scrum was ordered. West hooked the ball and Swann sent out to Wells, who had uo difficulty in carrying over the line. Swann was unsu -cessful with the kick. The game then terminated, the scores being, West 6. East 3. Mr E. Smith was referee. SCHOOL GAME. PAEROA'A. V. PAEROA B. In the primary school match between Paeroa A and Paeroa B the latter won by 6 points to-0. The scorers were G. Pearson and W. Tukukino.