FOOTBALL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4715, 23 June 1924, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. SENIORS: West 9, v. Suburbs 3. Netherton 16. v. East 8. Kerepeehi 6. v. United Coast 3. Turua 3, v. Waitakaruru 3. Hauraki West 3, v. Ngatea 3. JUNIORS: East 3, v. Suburbs 3. Karangahake 3. v. Netherton 0. Turua 9, v. Waitakaruru 0. Ngatea 6, v. Hauraki West 3. THIRD-GRADE: West 3, v. School 0. Fine weather prevailed on Saturday afternoon, but the heavy rain that fell duirng the forenoon had the effect of making conditions damp and unpleasant. The playing area at the local domain was in a deplorable condition, making any attempt at good football, or even picking up the ball with and degree of accuracy, an impossibility. The field was a sea of mud. and in parts dirty water, about the consistency of pea-soup. Under the existing conditions it was small wonder that many of the players were dubious about “getting down” to the game. It is high time the long-prpmised improvements to the domain were put into effect; otherwise the Paeroa Rugby Union will be compelled to seek other playing areas. More than one player was heard to say that it was the last game he would play in Paeroa under similar conditions. WEST V. SUBURBS. There was a fair attendance of the public at the domain to witness the senior game, West versus Suburbs. The West team had the advantage in we’ghi, the players being:— West.—A. McKenna, E. Clarke, F. Jennings, L. Shaw, I. Poland, L. Benney. C. Poland, J. Crosby, G. Pennell, J. Craig, W. Piercie, V. Carrick, W. Taylor, C. Wannicott, L. Nield. Suburbs. —D. Rennett, J. Buchanan, H. Buchanan, T. Killgour, H. Mills, R. Samson, W. Donald, E. Cashmoie, E. Samson, R. Welch, Price, W. Welch, D. Casson, H. Wynyard, A. Bennett. Suburbs kicked off, and loose play was indulged in for some time, until C. Poland picked up and passed to I. Poland, to Clarke, who quickly transferred play from near half-way to Suburus’ twenty-five, where the game resolved into loose play again, gradually working back into neutral territory. Following an exchange of kicks the ball was secured by Donald, who made a dash up the line but was stopped by Nield. From the line-out near the twenty-five West carried loosely down the field to Bennett, who miskicked, the ball going behind, a force resulting. A further bout of loose play followed until I. Poland managed to dribble the ball down the line and was within an ace of scoring when Donald broke through and forced. From the kick-out play hovered round in Suburbs’ twenty-five until I. Poland again secured possession and dived over the line. McKenna failed to add the extra points. West 3, Suburbs 0.

On resuming in .the second quartei Suburbs attacked strongly and had the better of the spell, the sound defence of the West backs saving several likely scores. Shortly after the kick-off a loose forawrd rush was instituted by Suburbs, who had a golden opportunity to score when they were penalised for "rabbiting. West clearing to the line . Suburbs returned to the attack from the line-out and sent over the line in a forward rush, West forcing. Following the drop-out loose play took place in Suburbs’ twenty-five, where £*. Samson committed a breach, giving a penalty kick to West. McKenna kicked a good goal. West 6, Suburbs 0. Play was in the neutral zone when halftime sounded. On resuming West essayed a forward rush from the kick-off, but had hardly got going when they were penalised. W. Welch took the kick but failed to lift the leather. Nothing daunted, Suburbs continued to attack, and as a result of a forward rush Cashmore crossed the line. W. Welch failed with the kick. West 6, Suburbs 3. Following the kick-out Suburbs renewed the attack until the change over. In the last quarter West rallied and kept Suburbs on the defence. As a result of close play in Suburb’s quarter C. Poland took a nice mark. His kick was followed up by Nield, who kicked over the line, a force resulting. After a brief bout of up and down play Carrick picked up in the loose near the half-way line, and after a short run passed to Wannicott, who threw in-field. I. Poland took control with his feet and with a fine dribble crossed the line and scored beside the posts. McKenna was unsuccessful with the kick. West 9. Suburbs 3. Following the kiek-out West continued to press, the ball going out near the corner flag. Immediately afterwards Carrick kicked over the line near the pasts, but Suburbs forced. Time was called before either side could add any more points, the game resulting: West 9, Suburbs 3. Mr E. Smith was referee. EAST V. NETHERTON. The weather was ideal for the meeting between East and Netherton, at Netherton. The game was fast and willing, East being at a disadvantage by taking the field two men short. East kicked off with the wind, and the ball travelled up and down the field for some time, until Rice got possession and kicked to Williams. The latter fumbled, and Maloney, who followed up fast, snapped vp the ball and dived over the line. The kick at goal failed. Netherton 3, East 0. From the kick-out East carried play into Netherton’s twenty-five, where Maloney secured and kicked, Moore marking and kicking a good goal from nearly half-way. Netherton 3, East 3. Loose play in mid-field followed until Maloney obtained possession and kicked to W. Smith. The latter phased to Williams, who missed, and Maloney, who had followed up fast.

picked up the ball and dived over. The kick at goal was again unsuccessful. Netherton <5. East 3. After half-time East seemed to valley, but a forward rush by Netherton, headed by T. Johnson, resulted in this player scoring in the corner. The shot at goal failed. Netherton 9. East 3. Shortly afterwards L. Smith made a good run, and on nearing his opponents’ three-quarter line he kicked to Pullar, who failed to field the ball. Smith followed up fast and regained possession and dived over. E. Moore succeeded with the kick, making the scores at the end of the third quarter Netherton 9, East -8. Fast and willing play ensued in the final round, and the game was very even until C. McNeil got control and, taking advantage o fan opening, drop- ; kicked a nice goal for Netherton. Netherton 13, East 8. East attacked with the kick-out, but were stoon stopped, and Netherton, with T. Richmond in the lead, started a dribbling rush. Richmond and Jahnson kept the ball at their feet, the former crossing the line. The kick at goal failed. Time was soon called, the game ending, Netherton 16, East 8. Mr R. B. Penlington was referee. Of the Ntherton forwards T. Johnson, P. Fisher, L. Killgour played well, and in the backs L. Rice, C. McNeil, and J. Maloney were prominent Benney and Patterson headed the East forwards, while Moore, Royal, Treanor, and L. Smith showed up in the backs. The last-named played showed great form, his tackling being at all times good, and he never once failed to take his ball. third-grade. WEST V. SCHOOL. The third-grade match. West v. School, was played as a curtain-raiser to the senior match at Paeroa, and attracted a lot of interest. The school team was hopelessly outclassed, as regards weight, and, generally, the contest was an unequal one, and West’s score should have been trebled. The way the schoolboys stood up to the weight and size of the West team was rental kable, and time and again their A pluck and determination brought forth applause from the spectators. Obviously West had the better of the game throughout. W. Hargreaves scored the only try, the game ending, West 3, School 0. Mr. A. Keighley was referee. SCHOOL COMPETITION. KARANGAHAKE V. HIKUTAIA. The above match was played at Karangahake on Saturday morning, and resulted in a win for the home team by 9 points to 0. The visitors were without the services of five of their players, which accounted to large extent for the result ground was in a bad state. For th& winners tries were scored by E. Mayson Clive Williams, and Claude liams. Mr R. B. Penlington was the* 1 referee,